Castello del Molo (Koules)
Castello del Molo (Koules)
4.5
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Samuel L
    Newtown, United Kingdom67 contributions
    Worth a visit
    An unplanned visit to the castle turned into a real high point of our trip to Heraklion. Very reasonable to enter, €4 per adult and kids under 6 were free. Brilliant views from the top. Stay for as long or as little as you like.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written May 12, 2023
  • D13O
    The Hague, The Netherlands237 contributions
    A sturdy fortress
    A fortress build by the Venetians which is so sturdy the Ottomans took 21 years to lay spiegel and conquer it. Even then the fortress was mostly in one piece. That is also the most interesting about it. You can enter the fort/museum for 4 euro's. There is not a lot to see but there is a nice view and if you're interested in the history of Crete it's worth a visit, which will take about a 30 minutes.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written May 26, 2023
  • machinmad
    Yaxley, United Kingdom2,457 contributions
    A fort built to last ...
    Not sure I've ever seen such thick walls in a fort before, they are truly huge at this location. The place is packed with interesting Info Boards about the turbulent history of this slice of the Med. It's cheap to get in and well worth an hour of your time if you are visiting Crete.
    Visited May 2023
    Written June 1, 2023
  • neeratraveler
    San Francisco, California199 contributions
    Very impressive
    The Koules fortress or the Venetian fortress in the old port of Heraklion dates back to the early 16th century and is very impressive. It has thick walls and you walk through grand doors to a number of interesting rooms. There are cannons, cannonballs, things from shipwrecks such as ancient amphorae and more. The views from the top are beautiful.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written June 14, 2023
  • Peter J
    Southam, United Kingdom11 contributions
    Fortress of Koules, Heraklion. The Venetians called it the “Sea Fortress”
    This was a return trip for us to the impressive Fortress of Koules which dominates the entrance to the Venetian harbour of Heraklion. Easy to recommend a visit and such good value at only 4 euro per adult ticket. Some great views across the harbour from the roof of the fortress and some interesting items on display along with historical information that is nicely presented.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 1, 2023
  • Chris
    25 contributions
    Great value for money for lots of history!
    Great value - only 8 Euros for 2 adults and a child - and not crowded. A truly impressive structure in a striking location, completely atmospheric. We enjoyed a good hour or so walking around and up to the battlements. The information boards have a good sense of the fortresses' history, and it is one of those attractions that everyone can enjoy.
    Visited August 2023
    Written August 21, 2023
  • Akaki
    Tbilisi, Georgia11 contributions
    Amazing atmosphere
    There's an amazing atmosphere within the fortress, you should immerse yourself in the fortress and imagine all the action that happened, all the ideas and emotions that occurred within walls of fortress during attacks. Beside that there are couple canons, canon balls, artifacts, detailed description providing historical facts and nice views from 2nd floor. Entrance is only 4 euros. After taking look in fortress you should take walk all the way to light house
    Visited September 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written August 24, 2023
  • Jason S
    Melbourne, Australia1,673 contributions
    Really good fort to visit.
    Loved visiting fort, located on the waterfront not a massive fort so you don't need long to visit, many of the rooms are set up more as a museum that way fort was set up centuries ago. Best thing about fort is the views from the walls, you can walk around the walls and get great views of the ocean, promenade and city area. Very reasonable price for entry so for me a must do while in Heraklion.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written September 26, 2023
  • kattriprevus
    Northbrook, Illinois437 contributions
    Beautiful and interesting Venetian fortress sight in Heraklion
    We enjoyed walking to the Venetian Fortress along the harbor and touring it in the afternoon. It has a 4 Euro entrance fee (reasonable) and is a great sight to visit for the history and the views. The first floor is set up with panels detailing the history in Greek & English. Then the upper part of fortress offers views of the water, harbor, city of Heraklion and mountains in the distance. It is an interesting historical sight with wonderful views and is recommended to those visiting Heraklion. I'm really glad we toured it.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 24, 2023
  • tammyBaltimore_Md
    Baltimore, Maryland2,290 contributions
    Nice old fortress unable to go inside
    Nice to see from distance and close up, but unfortunately not open at time of my visit. Could walk the long causeway to the end. Bit I personally opted out,just looking from side of fort.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 9, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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tammyBaltimore_Md
Baltimore, MD2,290 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Nice to see from distance and close up, but unfortunately not open at time of my visit. Could walk the long causeway to the end. Bit I personally opted out,just looking from side of fort.
Written November 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ANGELO V
Milan, Italy2,893 contributions
Oct 2023
The Koules or Castello a Mare ("Fort on the Sea" in Italian) is a fortress located at the entrance of the old port of Heraklion. It was built by the Republic of Venice in the early 16th century, and it was completed in 1540.

There is not much to see, but the view from the ramparts top is very beautiful.
Written October 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kattriprevus
Northbrook, IL437 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We enjoyed walking to the Venetian Fortress along the harbor and touring it in the afternoon. It has a 4 Euro entrance fee (reasonable) and is a great sight to visit for the history and the views. The first floor is set up with panels detailing the history in Greek & English. Then the upper part of fortress offers views of the water, harbor, city of Heraklion and mountains in the distance. It is an interesting historical sight with wonderful views and is recommended to those visiting Heraklion. I'm really glad we toured it.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jason S
Melbourne, Australia1,673 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Loved visiting fort, located on the waterfront not a massive fort so you don't need long to visit, many of the rooms are set up more as a museum that way fort was set up centuries ago.

Best thing about fort is the views from the walls, you can walk around the walls and get great views of the ocean, promenade and city area.

Very reasonable price for entry so for me a must do while in Heraklion.
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Akaki
Tbilisi, Georgia11 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
There's an amazing atmosphere within the fortress, you should immerse yourself in the fortress and imagine all the action that happened, all the ideas and emotions that occurred within walls of fortress during attacks. Beside that there are couple canons, canon balls, artifacts, detailed description providing historical facts and nice views from 2nd floor.

Entrance is only 4 euros. After taking look in fortress you should take walk all the way to light house
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris
25 contributions
Aug 2023
Great value - only 8 Euros for 2 adults and a child - and not crowded. A truly impressive structure in a striking location, completely atmospheric. We enjoyed a good hour or so walking around and up to the battlements. The information boards have a good sense of the fortresses' history, and it is one of those attractions that everyone can enjoy.
Written August 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter J
Southam, UK11 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This was a return trip for us to the impressive Fortress of Koules which dominates the entrance to the Venetian harbour of Heraklion. Easy to recommend a visit and such good value at only 4 euro per adult ticket. Some great views across the harbour from the roof of the fortress and some interesting items on display along with historical information that is nicely presented.
Written July 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

neeratraveler
San Francisco, CA199 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
The Koules fortress or the Venetian fortress in the old port of Heraklion dates back to the early 16th century and is very impressive. It has thick walls and you walk through grand doors to a number of interesting rooms. There are cannons, cannonballs, things from shipwrecks such as ancient amphorae and more. The views from the top are beautiful.

Written June 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

machinmad
Yaxley, UK2,457 contributions
May 2023
Not sure I've ever seen such thick walls in a fort before, they are truly huge at this location. The place is packed with interesting Info Boards about the turbulent history of this slice of the Med. It's cheap to get in and well worth an hour of your time if you are visiting Crete.
Written June 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

D13O
The Hague, The Netherlands237 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
A fortress build by the Venetians which is so sturdy the Ottomans took 21 years to lay spiegel and conquer it. Even then the fortress was mostly in one piece. That is also the most interesting about it. You can enter the fort/museum for 4 euro's. There is not a lot to see but there is a nice view and if you're interested in the history of Crete it's worth a visit, which will take about a 30 minutes.
Written May 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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