The Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC) or in Greek Μουσείο Φυσικής Ιστορίας Κρήτης (ΜΦΙΚ) is located in Heraklion and operates under the framework of Crete’s University.

Image by ashuach

The Museum visitors can enjoy a very interesting exhibition that showcases the natural environment of Crete and the Mediterranean in a 3.500sqm area 5 floor building.

In the Museum, you can explore the Cretan ecosystem, full scale models of natural landscapes and a large area dedicated to exhibits such as the Giant Deinotherium.

Image by Super Mario

The Deinotherium is an animal that used to live in Crete 9 million years ago. Excavations held in Siteia Crete, exposed an almost complete skeleton of this animal, possible one of the largest animals ever lived on earth.
Scientists from the museum and a technical team from the Netherlands who studied the fossils, reconstructed the body to its real size, an impressive 4.5 meters high and 6.5 meters in length!

The variety of NHMC includes Zoological, Palaeontological as well as very entertaining Light Mysteries sections.

Make sure to check out the earthquake simulator, where you can experience in a safe environment, earthquakes that occurred in the past.

Some useful information about your visit are here

Read an interesting review by Kids love Greece

Find the museum in Google Map

Contact Information: http://www.nhmc.uoc.gr/en
Sofokli Venizelou Avenue Heraklion Crete, Greece
Tel: +30 2810 282740, +30 2810 393630
info@nhmc.uoc.gr

Opening Hours:
Winter Opening Hours: (November to April)
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 15:00 & Weekends: 10:00 – 18:00

Summer Opening Hours (June to September)
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 21:00 & Weekends: 10:00 – 21:00

May and October
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00 & Weekends: 10:00 – 18:00

The museum is closed 1st of January, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 25th of December

Admissions
• General Admission Fee: 8 €
• Reduced Admission Fee: 5 €

Another interesting page for your to follow is created by friends of the NHMC

Read some reviews by TripAdvisor

By Γεώργιος Π, Athens
Μάθαμε πολλά !

Αν θέλετε να μάθουν τα παιδιά σας πράγματα
με τρόπο ευχάριστο και ξεκούραστο
να τα πάτε εκεί !
Τα δικά μας ενθουσιάστηκαν
από όσα παρουσιάζει το Μουσείο για την ζωή στην Γη .

By Michael A
Small but lots of fun.

The museum is small compared to those in the big cities of Europe but the exhibits are fun and interesting. Our 4 year old loved it and so did we. They have a kids corner with some fun activities to do after exploring the exhibits. Friendly staff too.

By Roy S
five floors of interest

Well worth a visit with five floors depicting many interesting artefacts including pir activate dinosaurs, an earthquake experience and a small cinema. The staff are very helpful and display a happy cheerful disposition.

Image by ashuach

By Νίκη Π
εξαιρετικό

Αρκετά μεγάλο σε χωρητικότητα μουσείο με μεγάλη ποικιλία σε εκθέματα και δραστηριότητες για μικρούς και μεγάλους. Σίγουρα μια πολύ καλή επιλογή για όποιον θέλει να επισκεφτεί ένα μουσείο στο Ηράκλειο, είτε με την οικογένεια του είτε με φίλους ,καθώς είναι εντυπωσιακό. Επίσης είναι αρκετά εύκολο να εντοπίσει κανείς την τοποθεσία του και να σταθμεύσει καθώς υπάρχει κοντά πάρκινγκ αυτοκινήτων.

By ZittaN, Galway Ireland
Whole family loved it

One of the best places we visited. Fantastic for young and old alike. 5 floors filled with stuffed animals displayed in their natural habitats, moving dinosaurs, flora, fauna, light and sound illusions and much more. The interactive discovery floor was fantastic. Loved the earthquake simulator. Really fun and educational museum. Even the 1 year old was fascinated with it.

Google Reviews:

By Omar Reatiga

Not a bad museum. With 5 floors to walk through, there's quite a lot to see. They have a large array of animal models and dinosaus that have lived in the Mediterranean for millions of years. They even have a small area of live animals. The museum is mainly for kids, even though adults will still find it enjoyable.

Angie Vasilopoulou

Ideal for families! The earthquake simulation is a unique experience. Large variety of exhibits.

By James E

Great place to visit, lived the full size dinosaurs & exhibits

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