Heraklion Prefecture borders the prefecture of Rethymno to the west and Lasithi to the east and it includes the island of Dia to the north.

The prefecture of Heraklion is  divided into 7 provinces: Temenos, Malevizion, Pediada, Kenourgion, Pyrgiotissa, Viannos and Monofatsi. Its capital is the city of Heraklion, which is also the capital of the island. It is located on the northern coast of the island, at the western part of Heraklion Prefecture. Heraklion is the fourth largest city in Greece, with a population of 137 711 inhabitants (2001 census). The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 AD and for many centuries it was called “Chania” (by the Venetians) or Kandyie (by the Turks, during the Ottoman occupation). Heraklion is today the administrative and economic centre not only of the prefecture of Heraklion, but also of the island. The city offers all kinds of facilities to the visitor: public and private hospitals, banks, travel agencies, rent a car agencies, restaurants and bars, night clubs, cinemas, theatres, art galleries and all sorts of shops. The capital of the island is close to the ruins of Knossos Palace, which during the Minoan era used to be the most developed area in Crete. 
         
Crete’s largest airport -“Nikos Kazantzakis”-  is located at about 5 km east of the city of Heraklion. Moreover, Heraklion is one of the most important ports in Greece, connected to the mainland mainly through the port of Pireus.
         
Other important towns or villages are: Agion Myronas, Kasteli, Moires, Vori, Pefkos, Pirgos, Knossos, Phaistos, Gortys, Tylissos. 
         
Heraklion Prefecture has a population of 302 846 (2005 census) and an area of 2 641 km².

The main mountains of Heraklion prefecture are parts of Ida Mountains to the west and Asterousia in the south. 
         
In this region tourists can visit a number of significant Neolithic and Minoan settlements, like the ancient palace complexes of Knossos and Phaistos. 
         
On the northern coast of the Heraklion prefecture visitors will discover various attractive coastal resorts and wonderful beaches that can be reached by bus from the city of Heraklion. Wonderful beaches can be also found on the southern coast of the prefecture. Some of the most popular are: Ammoudara Beach, Linoperamata Beach, Paleokastro Beach, Lygaria Beach, Agia Pelagia Beach, Mononaftis Beach,  Fodele Beach (Beaches located North West of Heraklion Prefecture, following the route from Heraklion Town to West), Karteros - Amnissos Beaches, Tobrouk Beach, Hani Kokkini Beach,  Gournes Beach, Gouves Beach, Lychnostatis Beach Hersonissos, Analipsi Beach, Anissaras Beach, Hersonissos Beaches, Stalida Beach, Malia Beach (beaches located North East of Heraklion Prefecture, following the route from Heraklion Town to East), Kokkinos Pyrgos Beach, Afratia Beach,  Katalyki Beach, Kalamaki Beach, Kommos Beach, Matala Beach, Kokkini Ammos Beach, Vathi Beach, Agiofarago Beach, Kali Limenes Beach, Diskos Beach, Lentas Beach, Ostria Beach, Loutra Beach, Trachoulas Beach, Koudoumas Beach (beaches located South West of Heraklion Prefecture, following the route from West to East), Agios Nikitas Beach, Maridaki Beach, Tsoutsouros Beach, Dermatos Beach, Keratokambos Beach, Arvi Beach, Psari Forada Beach, Tertsa Beach (beaches located South East of Heraklion Prefecture, following the route from West to East).