Your stay — Hotel Galaxy
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The Property — Hotel Galaxy
Hotel Galaxy sits a few blocks back from Iraklio's seafront, a mid-century concrete block that's been given a bright, modern lobby. The vibe is functional and unfussy: good value for the price rather than any attempt at boutique charm. It suits travellers who want a clean, reliable base within walking distance of the ferry port and the old town, not those seeking character or seclusion.
Chronicles of Iraklio
Iraklio began as a Minoan settlement at Knossos, but its modern core was built by the Venetians from the 13th century, who ringed it with massive walls and a fortress guarding the harbour. The Ottomans added mosques and bathhouses; the 20th century saw rapid expansion and a post-war concrete grid. Today the city is a tense, lively mix of archaeological tourism, a working port, and gritty urban life, with its identity anchored in Crete's defiant spirit and fierce localism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Iraklio guide →Best months
May–June and September: warm, sunny, with tourists but not overwhelming; the sea is swimmable, and ancient sites are less packed than high summer.
Peak / festival surge
July–August is absolute peak: ferries full, Knossos queues, prices for budget hotels double. The August '15 August' Assumption festival in Iraklio brings a spike in domestic visitors. Hotel Galaxy triples its June rate.
Budget shoulder season
October and April offer discounts of 30–50% from peak, milder 22°C days, fewer crowds, and the same good light for exploring Knossos and the old town.
Weather & packing
Iraklio is dry and baking in July—expect 35°C in the afternoon with strong meltemi winds off the sea. Pack a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and a light, wind-resistant layer for evening breezes.
Live City Briefing — Iraklio
- The new Nikos Kazantzakis airport terminal opens this summer, with an extended bus connection (route 6) from the city centre, still a 30-minute ride.
- Major pedestrianisation of 25th August Street and parts of the old market (Agora) is complete—good for walking, but expect more street performers and crowds around the fountains.
- A water-main replacement on Korai Avenue is causing lane closures and noise near the harbour until late July; check for detours if driving.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Galaxy, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Dimokratias). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level commotion and the courtyard side cuts traffic noise significantly. The hotel’s lift serves all floors, so you won’t have to haul bags up stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor, especially those at the front of the building. They get direct noise from Dimokratias road – motorbikes, buses, and delivery vans – and passers-by can see straight in through the windows. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor: the mechanism is audible and guests come and go at all hours.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on floors 3-5 give a view of Dimokratias street and the cityscape beyond – you’ll see the port and the old town if the angle is right. Back-facing rooms look onto neighbouring apartment blocks and small courtyards; not scenic, but much quieter. No sea view unless you’re lucky at the front upper floors.
Quietest floors
3rd to 5th floors are quietest: further from street level and from the lobby/bar area (if there’s one). The 5th floor is top-floor quiet, though summer heat can be a factor (the roof soaks up sun).
🔊 Noise notes
Dimokratias is a main road through Iraklio, busy with cars, taxis, motorbikes and the occasional truck from early morning until late evening. The hotel entrance is on this road, so there’s also door-slamming and arriving taxi noise. Inside: the lift is a standard 3-star model – a bit clunky – so you’ll hear it thudding past in the shaft. No mention of a bar or disco, but nearby tavernas can be audible if windows are open in summer.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking – it’s the single best way to reduce noise. 2) Parking in Iraklio is tight; the hotel doesn’t have its own car park, so arrive early (before 6pm) to find free on-street spots on side streets off Dimokratias, or use the paid municipal lot a 5-min walk west on Sapfous – cheaper than the hotel’s valet recommendation.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Galaxy
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; no login required—just accept terms
One elevator serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspaper; no heritage quirks—standard modern business hotel
Check-in 15:00–00:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (free); late checkout until 14:00 for €20 (subject to availability)
Free at reception before check-in and after checkout
Step-free entrance and ground-floor rooms; no lift to rooftop terrace but main floors accessible
No on-site parking; nearest public garage is 'Parking Dimokratias' 200 m away (€12/night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required via card for non-refundable rates; refundable rates need a €50 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Άγιος Γεώργιος (641 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Τίτου (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Παναγιας Σταυροφορων (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Άγιος Κωνσταντίνος (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Παρκο Ανάληψη — 331 m · ~4 min walk
Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο — 772 m · ~10 min walk
Θεατρικός Σταθμός Ηρακλείου — 873 m · ~11 min walk
Παιδική χαρά — 368 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Eurobank — 827 m · ~10 min walk
Νικολαΐδης Εμμανουήλ — 537 m · ~7 min walk
MiniM — 570 m · ~7 min walk
ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΌΣ ΣΤΑΘΜΌΣ — 618 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Banks and ATMs give the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist spots in Iraklio town due to poor rates and high fees.
Cards are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and shops in 71306, but small kiosks and some local tavernas may still prefer cash, especially for small amounts.
Round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for good service), leave small change for taxis, and tip hotel housekeeping a couple of euros per day – not expected but appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappe or freddo espresso at a local kafeneio costs around €2.50-3.
A gyros pita (pork or chicken) from a souvlaki shop is about €3-4 for a filling meal.
A simple main course like moussaka or grilled fish at a modest taverna runs about €8-12.
Iraklio's city centre (around Odos 25 Avgoustou) and the market street (Odos 1866) have clusters of souvlaki and kebab shops for cheap eats.
Common budget supermarkets in the area are Lidl, AB Vassilopoulos and Sklavenitis.
For affordable basics, head to H&M, Zara or the local markets near the city centre; the main shopping street is Dedalou.
A single bus ticket in Iraklio costs €1.20; cheapest airport link is the city bus (line 1) to the centre for €1.20. A day ticket for unlimited local buses is around €3.
Buy a multi-ride bus card for cheaper local travel; eat at souvlaki shops rather than tourist-oriented restaurants right on the harbour; buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets, not corner kiosks which charge more.
Good to know — Iraklio
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
IraklioFor general emergencies or EU-wide assistance, dial 112. In Iraklio, the police station (Astynomia) is on Ikarou Avenue; non-urgent line: 2810 395 110. The main hospital (PAGNI) is on Stavrou Avenue; switchboard: 2810 392 111. Keep these in your phone, but 112 works best from any mobile.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Iraklio, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Galaxy
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Eurobank — 827 m · ~10 min walk — pharmacy · Νικολαΐδης Εμμανουήλ — 537 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sun Hotel (nearest stop: 'Evans Street' or 'Eleftherias Square') → Iraklio city centre, port, or outlying areas (e.g., Knossos, Amoudara)
💡 For Knossos, take bus line 2 from Eleftherias Square – it's €1.50 and runs every 20 minutes. Buy a multi-ride card at the KTEL kiosk if you'll use it more than 4 times.
Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) – bus stop outside arrivals → Sun Hotel (get off at 'Eleftherias Square' stop, 5-min walk)
💡 Buy your ticket from the machine at the bus stop – cash only, exact change preferred. The bus drops you at Eleftherias Square; walk south on 25th August Street, then turn left onto Evans Street. Sun Hotel is at number 12.
Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) → Sun Hotel, Iraklio
💡 Agree on the fare before you get in. Most drivers charge a flat €25 to the city centre, but some try to add luggage fees. Use the official taxi rank outside arrivals.
Sun Hotel, Iraklio → Anywhere within Iraklio city limits (e.g., port, market, Venetian walls)
💡 Flag them on the street, but for reliability call ahead. Short rides within the old town cost €5–8. Avoid the white taxis with 'TAXI' lights that hover near tourist spots – they often quote double.
About Iraklio
Wikipedia ↗
Heraklion, Herakleion ( hih-RAK-lee-ən; Greek: Ηράκλειο, Iráklio, pronounced [iˈrakli.o]) or Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in Greece, and the largest city in the Greek islands,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Galaxy?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (away from Dimokratias). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level commotion and the courtyard side cuts traffic noise significantly. The hotel’s lift serves all floors, so you won’t have to haul bags up stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Galaxy?
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor, especially those at the front of the building. They get direct noise from Dimokratias road – motorbikes, buses, and delivery vans – and passers-by can see straight in through the windows. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor: the mechanism is audible and guests come and go at all hours.
Is Hotel Galaxy noisy?
Dimokratias is a main road through Iraklio, busy with cars, taxis, motorbikes and the occasional truck from early morning until late evening. The hotel entrance is on this road, so there’s also door-slamming and arriving taxi noise. Inside: the lift is a standard 3-star model – a bit clunky – so you’ll hear it thudding past in the shaft. No mention of a bar or disco, but nearby tavernas can be audible if windows are open in summer.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Galaxy?
Front-facing rooms on floors 3-5 give a view of Dimokratias street and the cityscape beyond – you’ll see the port and the old town if the angle is right. Back-facing rooms look onto neighbouring apartment blocks and small courtyards; not scenic, but much quieter. No sea view unless you’re lucky at the front upper floors.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Galaxy?
1) Ask for a room on the courtyard side when booking – it’s the single best way to reduce noise. 2) Parking in Iraklio is tight; the hotel doesn’t have its own car park, so arrive early (before 6pm) to find free on-street spots on side streets off Dimokratias, or use the paid municipal lot a 5-min walk west on Sapfous – cheaper than the hotel’s valet recommendation.
What time is check-in at Hotel Galaxy?
Check-in at Hotel Galaxy is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Galaxy have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; no login required—just accept terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Galaxy?
€1.50 per room per night, payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Galaxy?
A gyros pita (pork or chicken) from a souvlaki shop is about €3-4 for a filling meal.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Galaxy?
A single bus ticket in Iraklio costs €1.20; cheapest airport link is the city bus (line 1) to the centre for €1.20. A day ticket for unlimited local buses is around €3.
When is the best time to visit Iraklio?
May–June and September: warm, sunny, with tourists but not overwhelming; the sea is swimmable, and ancient sites are less packed than high summer.
Top Attractions in Iraklio
💡 Check the fortress's schedule for guided tours and events.
💡 Watch out for the museum's impressive frescoes on the walls of the adjacent buildings.
💡 Take a stroll around the adjacent gardens and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
💡 Take a photo in front of the fountain and admire the surrounding architecture.
💡 Check out the impressive model of an 18th-century Venetian ship.