A ghost ship sets sail from the port of Heraklion at night

by Silva Wischeropp

This magical, nocturnal water scene was captured during my photography and holiday trip on 8 August 2026 on the ancient, wonderful Greek island of CRETE.
I took this light-filled architectural shot in the fishing harbour of Heraklion using a tripod.
Thanks to the long exposure time of 30 seconds, the passing lights appear as colourful streaks. The result is a striking, surreal, almost ghostly atmosphere that transforms the port city of HERAKLION at night into a veritable dreamscape.
The flowing waters of the Cretan Sea lend the scene an additional imaginative, meditative atmosphere.
The reflections of the street lamps in the city background also give the photograph an interesting and mystical character.

I took this long-exposure photograph in the late evening using a NIKON D800 camera (lens: NIKKOR 50.0 mm f/1.8).
Due to the extended exposure time, the passing ship is rendered only as red, blue and white streaks of colour. This creates a luminous, fascinating play of light at night.
This wonderful urban waterscape exudes a mysterious mood and a special atmosphere.
The harbour basin of the Cretan city of HERAKLION at night transforms into a fairytale-like backdrop and captivates the viewer.

For lovers of night-time photography, this image is ideal for display in bedrooms, where it creates a deeply meditative and calming effect.
Anyone seeking peace and tranquillity in the bustling and lively port city of Heraklion will find the long pier leading to the lighthouse (2,300 metres) the perfect spot for a night-time stroll.
The slightly milder night-time temperatures of a Cretan midsummer offer the perfect opportunity for this.