Heraklion, Greece
Best places to shop in Heraklion
4 markets, malls and shopping districts in Heraklion — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.
Last updated 2026-08-09
1. 1866 Street Market
Photo: Malc McDonald · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
The city's covered market street — Cretan herbs, honey, raki, cheese, olive oil, leather and knives.
Where: MarketMap: Open in Maps Best time: Monday to Saturday 08:00–15:00; some stalls reopen eveningsCost: BudgetTip: Cretan thyme honey, dittany and graviera cheese are the things worth carrying home. Olive oil is best bought in a tin from a producer.
2. Daedalou and Korai pedestrian streets
Photo: Pham Ngoc Anh · Pexels License · source
The pedestrianised centre — Greek brands, jewellers, bookshops and cafés between the Morosini fountain and the Venetian loggia.
Where: Street ShoppingMap: Open in Maps Best time: Monday to Saturday 09:00–21:00Cost: Mid-range
3. Cretan knife makers
Photo: Veli Dede · Pexels License · source
The traditional makers of the Cretan dagger (pasatempo) and folding knives, still forged and handled by hand in the old town workshops.
Where: Street ShoppingMap: Open in Maps Best time: Monday to Saturday 09:00–18:00Cost: Mid-rangeWatch out Machine-made imports with Cretan mantinada verses stamped on them are sold as handmade. A real one is forged, has a horn or bone handle, and the maker will tell you where the steel came from. Note that carrying a blade in cabin baggage is prohibited.
4. Cretan olive oil and raki producers
Photo: Hyeok Jang · Pexels License · source
The island's cooperatives and small producers, many selling from the farm or from town shops with tasting counters.
Where: Street ShoppingMap: Open in Maps Best time: Monday to Saturday 09:00–19:00Cost: Budget–Mid
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