Heraklion is swapping ordinary Saturday traffic for racing cars today as the 47th Rally of Crete brings a special stage through the city center for the first time.
The event, the final round of the Panhellenic Rally Championship, has attracted crews from Athens, other parts of Greece, and abroad. For visitors in Heraklion, it means a very unusual evening: rally cars racing against the backdrop of some of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.
The ceremonial start took place on Friday evening along Dikαιοσύνης pedestrian street, drawing crowds into the city center. The main spectacle follows today, Saturday, October 24, with the Super Special Stage beginning at 20:30.
Rally Cars Through the Heart of Heraklion
The Super Special Stage will start on Leoforos Ikarou, near the former Pancretan Bank site.
From there, the cars will head to Eleftherias Square, pass the Archaeological Museum, and continue to Nikos Kazantzakis Square. They will then make a 360-degree turn and return along the same route, finishing on Leoforos Ikarou near the starting point.
For visitors, this is a chance to see a very different side of Heraklion. Instead of simply walking through the historic center, the city’s urban landscape will become the backdrop for a high-profile motorsport event.
The Venetian Walls near the Gate of Saint George will also be specially illuminated during the event, adding some distinctly Heraklion scenery to the racing spectacle.
Visitors Have a Front-Row View, But Stay Behind the Barriers
Spectators will be allowed only in designated viewing areas.
Organizers have marked the approved spectator positions and installed barriers along the route. Volunteers, officials, police, and safety personnel will direct the public throughout the event.
Visitors should not enter the racing route, cross barriers, or enter restricted areas. Following officials’ instructions is essential, particularly during the movement of the competing cars.
For anyone already spending Saturday evening in central Heraklion, the rally offers an unusual free spectacle. Just don’t try to join the course.
Heraklion Traffic Changes Today
The event will also significantly affect traffic.
Traffic and parking restrictions will be in place from 18:00 to 22:00 on Saturday, October 24.
Closures and restrictions will affect sections of:
- Leoforos Ikarou
- Anemogianni Street at Eleftherias Square
- Leoforos Dimokratias
- Ieronimaki Street
Several surrounding roads will also have mandatory diversions.
Drivers approaching the affected areas should expect delays and follow diversion signs and police instructions.
Visitors staying in or around central Heraklion should allow extra time if they need to reach the city center by car this evening. Those already there may find walking or using alternative transport much easier than trying to navigate the temporary road closures.
A Rally With a Tourist Audience
The 47th Rally of Crete is more than a local sporting event this year. With competitors arriving from outside Crete and abroad, it gives Heraklion a chance to put its streets, historic landmarks, and hospitality directly in front of another traveling audience.
The combination of fast cars, the Archaeological Museum, Eleftherias Square and the illuminated Venetian Walls should make for a particularly memorable introduction to the city.
And for tourists in Heraklion tonight, the advice is simple: find an official viewing point, stay behind the barriers, and enjoy the show.