Kalimera and welcome to Heraklion, the capital of my favorite island Crete.

My name is AJ, also known as Mr. Routaki on this island. It's the name I created for all my route descriptions. It has...

Just ahead on your left is one of the seven bastions of the Venetian Wall of Heraklion, which have a total length of four and a half kilometres.

Stop for a moment next to the Venetian Wall while...

On your right is the former bus station. For many years this was a very busy place but nowadays it's nice and quiet.

Keep going past the Megaron hotel on your left and continue through the small...

After exiting the park, cross over the double lane road at the traffic lights ahead.

Neoria is the ancient Greek word for dock yard or arsenal and refers to the domed constructions you are about to walk through straight ahead.

Keep going through the domed archway tunnel and then...

Carry on walking as the road bends right.

We're heading for the traffic circle at the top of this road straight ahead.

To your left up ahead, you'll see the first part of the 25th of August Street, a paved pedestrian street.

Locals call it '"the Illusion Street" but I'll tell you more about that later. Take note...

Keep walking towards the fortress while I tell you about it.

During Venetian rule the so called Koules fortress was also known as 'Ricca a mare' or 'Castello a mare', meaning fortress of the sea...

Keep right up ahead to get to the entrance of the harbour fortress.

In 1669 the Ottoman Turks took over the fort, after the Venetians surrendered the entire city of Heraklion. They didn't make a...

Carry on, into the entrance of the harbour fortress, while I tell you a bit more about the structure.

Once you're finished exploring, retrace your steps back towards the road.

(3 seconds sil...

Welcome back from the pier.

We're now going to head down 25th August street, the road I pointed out to you earlier. It's straight ahead, on the other side of the roundabout.

To get there, cr...

Keep going straight while I tell you how this street got its name.

In the time of the Ottoman Turks, this street was known as Vezir Tsarsi.
The modern name is 25th August street which comes fr...

Coming up on your left hand side in the little square, you will be amazed by the beautiful church of Agios Titus.

Walk through the little square and take a look inside the church while I tell yo...

On your left here, almost in the centre of Heraklion you will find an impressive building from the Venetian times that has survived and still functions today: It's called the Venetian Loggia, and i...

On your left is the Basilica of San Marco. Please stop for a moment while I tell you about it.

The basilica of San Marco was built in the first year of Venetian rule and was dedicated to their o...

You are now walking through Venizelos square, better known as the Lions square of Heraklion.

Please stop and find a place to sit while I tell you about this historic site.

This is the square ...

Use the pedestrian crossing on your left to cross the busy road ahead.

Once you're over the road veer left along the narrow pedestrianized alley ahead.

If you're unsure of where to go take a...

The shopping alley ahead of you is called 1866. Take a break and stop before you enter the alley to listen to the story behind its number.

The number refers to the year that the Great Cretan Re...

Here in the old market street of Heraklion, you'll find some typical Cretan products.

First of all, Cretan Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It's the best olive oil possible. It’s called liquid gold and t...

Just up ahead you'll see the ancient Venetian stonework of the Bembo Fountain. It's at the end of 1866 street. Make your way over to it and take your time exploring this fountain, while I tell you ...

Have a look across the road to your left. Can you see the statue of the people and a horse in the park? Stop for a moment while I tell you about it.

The statue is of Rotokritos and Aretousa who ...

Turn left at the small intersection ahead and keep going along Mpizaniou street.

Turn right ahead and keep going on 1821 street.

The year 1821 represents the beginning of the Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution, a successful battle waged by Greek re...

Turn left onto the next paved street up ahead, Karterou Street. Be careful when you cross the road.

Keep walking along Karterou Street.

You see the bell towers of the Agios Minas church in front of you. Make your way towards them.

Turn left and make your way to the front of the church.

Carry on to the front of the church on your right.

Feel free to have a look inside this amazing church, or stop and find a seat outside the entrance, while I tell you about it.

The Cathedral ...

This charming little church on your right, 'Mikros Agios Minas" which means 'Little Saint Minas' was built in 1735. Walk past the front of the church, turn right and keep going.

The boys name Mi...

Can you see the bomb on your right in front of the big church?

A miracle of Agios Minas took place during the Second World War.

The saint protected this church during heavy bombing on the 23r...

Please stop here while I tell you about the church on your right. The so called church of Agia Ekaterini which means Saint Catherine in English.

The church of Saint Catherine was formerly a depe...

Stop for a moment and let me explain something about Mezedes.

Mezedes is the plural for mezes, which is the Greek word for tappas. On mainland Greece you get tiny plates of lovely appetizers whi...

Turn to the left into the very small alley of Gramvousis and keep going.

Once you reach the pedestrian area, you can see the alley of Tagmatarchou Tzoulaki ahead and slightly to the right. Continue towards it and make your way down the alley.

Keep walking straight ahead.

You'll see Venizelos square and the Lion fountain again on your right as you pass through the next intersection.

The square is named after Eleftherios Venizelos.
...

Turn right at the next corner and keep going.

So let me tell you something about Cretan coffee.

The old traditional Greek coffee is served in very small cups and it's prepared in a small sauc...

Keep going across the pedestrian intersection ahead. You'll see the Loggia building again on your left as you walk. Don't go past the right side of the Loggia, but take the small street in between ...

You're doing well. Keep walking.

In the ’90s, Greeks and Cretans started drinking espresso and cappuccino. Following in the footsteps of the frapé, came the espresso freddo, the iced espresso an...

Turn left at the T-junction ahead and keep walking.

Turn right at the end of this alley and carry on walking while I tell you more about coffee.

To make things more complicated, you can order a Frappuccino which is an espresso coffee with frothed...

Turn to the right here onto Sarantaporou street and keep going.

Turn left at the end of this alley and keep going.

Turn right at the T-junction ahead and then continue straight on.

Keep going straight ahead onto the large paved square ahead of you.

It's called the Plateia Eleftherias, which means Liberty Square.

You have just walked onto Plateia Eleftherias - the square of freedom, or liberty square.

Stop and find a place to sit on this square while I tell you about its history.

As a former training...

Turn left before you get to the edge of the square and cross the road using the pedestrian crossing to your left.

Turn left and walk past the front of the blue kiosk.

(3 seconds silence)

Walk a few metres along the road and then stop and find a seat near the railing on your right, once you've got a good ...

Use the pedestrian crossing on your left to return to the square and then stop there to listen to some information about the Archaeological Museum.

The museum building itself is situated on the...

Before you cross the street towards the Archaeological museum, stop and listen to the information about the building, the history of it and some of the artefacts found inside.

The present buildi...

Once you're over the street, turn right and than use the pedestrian crossing on your right hand side to get to the museum entrance. The museum has a square black grate around it.

You have the entrance of the Archaeological Museum in view. Do you see the black grate and the big door in the middle?

Enjoy the museum if you decide to go inside.

If you do go inside, you ca...

Turn right, cross the road and carry on walking down the hill.

Keep to the left of the road as you go.

Turn left, walk down the stairs and turn left again. Than keep going along the left side of the road.

Continue straight along the road. I'll leave you in silence for a minute or two.

Carefully cross the road, then turn left to keep walking in the same direction you've been going.

On your right is one of the most famous bakeries in town. It's called the 'Kritikos fournos' bakery.

Have a coffee, a drink or something to snack here, if you like.

On the opposite site of th...

The copper statue on your left in front of the bank is called ‘Timeless meeting’ and it represents three Cretan masters from different eras in history.

On the left is philosopher and writer Niko...