Georgiadis Park

The basics

Georgiadis Park takes its name from past mayor Minas Georgiadis, whose bust adorns the central pathway: The Nazis executed him in 1942 for resisting the occupation. Although compact by western European standards, the park comes into its own during the summer months, when the green provides a respite from the city’s dust and heat. The park hosts events, festivals, and an organic market.

Things to know before you go

• Georgiadis Park is a good choice for people watchers, long stayers, and families with young children.
• There are public bathrooms in the park, while the café also has bathrooms.
• The city has upgraded the park to improve access for visitors with mobility issues, and its gently sloping, well-made paths are wheelchair friendly.

How to get there

Georgiadis Park lies in the historic center of Heraklion, a stone’s throw from Liberty (Eleftherias) Square. It’s less than a 10-minute walk southwest of the main bus station, or you can take a taxi or drive yourself. Rideshares don’t operate in Crete.

When to get there

Georgiadis Park never closes, but it’s best enjoyed during daylight hours. Weekends are a good time for families to visit, when the playgrounds are typically full of local children, while Friday afternoons are the best time to enjoy the organic market.

Crete’s best gardens

Crete is better known for rugged gorges and mountain landscapes than manicured parks. But garden-lovers can get their fix at Maravel Garden, outside Rethymno, which is full of botanical plants and herbs—and sells the essential oils to match. Near Chania, the Botanical Gardens of Crete boasts a lake with birdlife, plus a wealth of fruit trees and tropical trees. Tree lovers won’t want to miss the village of Vouves, which is home to a broad, gnarled olive that some claim is the oldest in the world.