Heraklion

What you gain

• ↑The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is the most important Minoan collection in the world: the Phaistos Disc, the Palace of Knossos frescoes, the Kamares pottery, and the faience snake goddess figurines represent 4,000 years of Minoan civilisation in a museum that is among the most important in the world — allow 3 hours minimum
• ↑Knossos (5km from Heraklion, 20 minutes by bus) is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site in the Aegean: the 2,000-room palace complex, partially restored by Arthur Evans between 1900 and 1950, is Crete's most visited site and provides the most direct access to Minoan civilisation in the world despite the controversies around Evans's reconstruction
• ↑The 1703 Venetian Loggia on Heraklion's 25 Avgoustou street and the Venetian Koules fortress at the harbour entrance represent the finest surviving Venetian architecture in Crete: the Koules at sunset, reflected in the harbour water, is the finest photograph in the city

What you sacrifice

• ↓Heraklion's city centre is significantly less visually appealing than Chania: the commercial main streets, the heavy traffic, and the modern urban sprawl can feel dispiriting compared to Chania's atmospheric harbour
• ↓The beach options immediately accessible from Heraklion are mediocre by Cretan standards: the best beaches require transport to the east (Elounda) or west (Chania coast)