Kornarou Square (couple trip)
How Couple-Friendly is Kornarou Square?
What makes it 75% Couple-Friendly: Couples find romantic photo spots at the Bembo Fountain, share coffee or meze in the Ottoman Sebil, and browse the Saturday craft market, but evening ambience can feel ordinary after dark.
Positives:
- Historic setting: Dating back to the 16th–18th centuries, the square features authentic Venetian and Ottoman architecture.
- Pedestrian zone: No vehicle traffic makes it safe to stroll and photograph.
- Central location: Connects eight streets and lies at the heart of Heraklion’s old town.
Challenges:
- Limited seating: Benches and café tables fill up quickly during peak hours.
- No public restrooms: Use café facilities with permission; some may require a small purchase.
- Strong midday sun: Shade is limited under plane trees; it can get hot in summer.
What is Kornarou Square?
- A public square at the convergence of eight historic streets in Heraklion’s Venetian-era old town
- A focal point for three monuments: the 16th-century Venetian Bembo Fountain, an 18th-century Ottoman Sebil fountain building, and a bronze statue of the poet-hero Erotokritos
- A landscaped setting framed by mature plane trees and flanked by Venetian- and Ottoman-period buildings retaining original stone facades
What is so special about Kornarou Square for couple trip?
- Savor traditional Greek coffee in an Ottoman fountain café
- Photograph the Bembo Fountain and Erotokritos statue at golden hour
- Browse unique crafts at the Saturday market
- Share authentic Cretan meze and drinks by historic stonework
- Experience a pedestrian-only square at the heart of old town
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: Enough time to enjoy coffee, stroll monuments, sample meze, and browse the market without rushing.
Couple-Friendly Activities in Kornarou Square
Greek coffee at Ottoman Sebil Café:
Share a slow-brewed coffee under the Sebil’s 18th-century arches.
Tip: Order two Greek coffees (€3–5 each) and sample a Cretan pastry (€2–4) at outdoor tables.
Photograph Bembo Fountain & Erotokritos statue:
Capture the 16th-century marble fountain and bronze hero statue on horseback.
Tip: Visit one hour before sunset for soft light and fewer crowds.
Browse Saturday Handicraft Market:
Find handmade jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, and textiles.
Tip: Arrive by 9am to beat the midday heat and see all stalls before 2pm.
Share Cretan meze at the historic kafeneio:
Taste olives, cheeses, grilled octopus, and sip ouzo or local wine.
Tip: Pair two meze plates (€4–8 each) with two drinks (€3–6 each) by candlelight.
Optional street-food walking tour:
Join a 4–6 hour guided tour to taste cheese pies, wine, and more.
Tip: Book in advance (€130 per person) if you want expert local insights.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Kornarou Square
- Golden hour photos: Visit one hour before sunset to capture monuments in soft light.
- Market on Saturday: Plan your visit around 9–14h to browse all handicraft stalls.
- Combine stops: Start with coffee at Sebil Café, then photo at the fountain, end with meze.
Reviews of Kornarou Square
Anna
Interesting building in the middle of the city a small pavilion, Not very clean because too many pigeons.
Yannis Antoniou
A fair rating would be 3.5 stars but there's no such option. The place is at a great location and the rooms that end with a 2 or 3 (e.g. 22, 23 on the second floor, 32,33 on the third, etc) are great, very comfortable, well organized, clean, and have good facilities (coffee maker, fridge, good running shower, etc). Avoid the other rooms as the building design in 2D is like a triangle and these ot...
Lya Saaek
A nice square with some small unknown old building and a crossing point for many buses. The most spectacular is the beautiful flowering trees!
Maria Viskaduraki
A busy square featuring a fountain and the statue of Erotokritos and Aretousa saying goodbye to each other. The square is named after Vincent Kornaros who wrote the well known poem of Erotokritos.
EU EU
Maybe too crowded for my taste, but a very good restaurant there, full of tastes and cheap, traditional dishes. I don't know the name, but follow that ( see photo of napkin) I saw preparing evening show decorees.
When is the best time to visit Kornarou Square (Heraklion, Greece)?
Spring and autumn bring mild temperatures—ideal for Saturday markets. Avoid July–August midday heat; opt for early evening coffee and meze.
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Typical Budget for a Couple (2 Adults)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Greek coffee (2) | EUR 8 |
| Pastries (2) | EUR 6 |
| Meze plates (2) | EUR 12 |
| Drinks (2) | EUR 10 |
| Total Estimated | EUR 36 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of Kornarou Square
Address: Heraklion 712 01, Greece
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About Kornarou Square
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
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