Hersonissos: what to see and how much will it cost? Hersonissos Crete Crete Hersonissos attractions excursions.

The unofficial capital of Cretan tourism, the city of Hersonissos is located 25 kilometers from Heraklion, in the northern part of the island.

According to historical documents, Hersonissos was founded in the Minoan era, more than 3,500 years ago, and reached its peak during Roman and then Byzantine rule.

Powerful earthquakes and the constant threat of pirate attacks forced local residents to move inland and establish a new settlement, Ano Hersonissos, two kilometers from the coast, on the slopes of Mount Charakas.

This position made it possible to see pirate ships in advance and hide in a safe shelter.

Ano Hersonissos and Old Town

Since the middle of the 20th century, a boom in tourism business began on the island. The resort’s magnificent beaches and its advantageous location relative to the airport and seaport of the capital of Crete, Heraklion, attracted the attention of investors and numerous hotels began to appear on the coast one after another. The old abandoned city has found a second life and the glory of the most youthful and fun resort.

A completely different life flows in Ano Hersonissos; it is a quiet and picturesque corner where the typically Cretan, measured way of life has been preserved.
It's nice to stroll along the narrow streets, admire the fountain in the square, beautiful stone houses and courtyards decorated with flowers.
You should definitely have dinner and taste local wine here. Many taverns cook according to old recipes in real wood-burning ovens; you can easily find them by the smell of smoke. The cost of dinner for two will be approximately 25 euros. Remember that the portions are very large, and nuts or chips are served with beer and wine. At the end of the dinner, you will most likely be offered a glass of raki and fruit.

Despite its rich history, Hersonissos does not have well-preserved, architectural evidence of bygone eras. Although back in the 19th century there were Roman aqueducts, remains of buildings and a Roman theater. However, after liberation from Turkish rule, the country was in a state of complete destruction, and the government allowed residents to use elements of ancient buildings as building material.

Today, only the foundation remains of the Roman theater; it can be seen opposite the Chalkiadakis supermarket behind a chain-link fence. On the embankment in the port there is a pyramidal fountain left over from a destroyed ancient villa. Since he is not working, his beautiful mosaic of fish and octopuses on a golden background can be viewed in detail. On the hill, where the small chapel of the city’s patron saint, Saint Praskovia, is located, fragments of a mosaic floor that once belonged to the largest Christian basilica on the island of the 6th century AD have been preserved. e.
But in the vicinity of Hersonissos there are a large number of historical attractions and entertainment.

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Open-air museum of Cretan life “Lichnostatis”

Lychnostatis is located 500 meters from the outskirts of the city, if you move towards Malia. It consists of several small museums in one space, where you can observe the process of production of goods of various folk crafts.
There is a tanning and spinning workshop, a mill and a weaving loom. The two-storey house, built using traditional Cretan technology, is fully furnished, from rugs on the floors to hand-woven and hand-embroidered curtains on the windows.

On the territory of the makeshift village there is a chapel, a shepherd's hut, a small vegetable garden with medicinal herbs, and an olive oil press. Everything works, and the exhibits can and should even be touched with your hands; this will be especially interesting for children.

At the entrance you can get a folder with a detailed description in Russian and watch a film, it will cost 2 euros.

The museum is open daily from 9.00 to 14.00, except Saturdays. Entrance 5 euros and 2 euros for children under 12 years old. Phone: +3028970-23660

Skotino Cave

16 kilometers from Hersonissos and 2 from the village of Skotino there is a cave with such a unique name for the Russian ear. There are very few tourists here, there is no illumination, and entrance tickets are not sold here. Nevertheless, this cave is worth visiting on your own, first armed with a flashlight.

The length of the cave is 160 meters, the width is 36, and the height of the vaults is 10 meters. It is divided into several halls filled with many stalactites and stalagmites of the most bizarre shapes. Some of them look like people, others like animals, they are popularly called: the head of a child, the face of a goddess, a bear, a sitting dog.

Excavations of the cave began in 1962, as a result, a large number of objects dating back to the Minoan era were found. Among them are bronze figurines with the right hand raised to the forehead, symbolizing worship. This allowed scientists to conclude that the cave had a cult purpose that had been preserved for thousands of years.

On the right side above the entrance to the cave there is a small snow-white church of Agia Paraskevi. It was built on the ruins of a chapel erected by the Venetians in the 16th century in honor of the healer Paraskeva. The back of the church is carved right into the rock, which is clearly visible if you go inside and look at the ceiling.

You can only get to the cave by taxi or.

Knossos palace

While vacationing in Hersonissos, you can’t help but visit the famous cult palace of King Minos, which is located just 32 kilometers from the resort.

In the Minoan era, Knossos had more than 90 thousand inhabitants, and the royal palace was the most luxurious and largest on the island: more than 1000 rooms, an extensive sewer system made up of clay pipes of different diameters, a system of individual houses, halls, numerous warehouses and courtyards.

Due to the complexity of communication between all the rooms, it is considered the place where the Labyrinth of the Minotaur, known to everyone from Greek myths, was located.

This was largely due to the analysis of ancient Roman coins found at the excavation site. On the front side of the coins there was the inscription Knosion, and on the reverse side there was an image of the Minotaur.

Thanks to the excavations begun by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900 and his subsequent reconstruction, one can imagine what this monumental complex looked like more than 3,500 years ago.

Modern scientists criticize Evans's efforts to restore fragments of the palace, since it does not always agree with historical reality. But it’s worth forming your own opinion after visiting this colossal structure.

The ruins we see today belong to the second palace, built on the site of the first, destroyed in 1700 BC. e. powerful earthquake. The second palace was also destroyed around 1450 BC. e., leaving behind many legends and myths.

To visit the palace, you can use public transport.
From Hersonissos you need to get to Heraklion for 3 euros. Buses run every half hour and the journey takes about 30 minutes. At the Heraklion bus station, a ticket to Knossos and back will also cost 3 euros, the travel time is 20 minutes.
The entrance ticket to the archaeological area costs 6 euros, and a map of the palace is included with the ticket.

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion contains many finds, authentic evidence of bygone eras, found during excavations of the Knossos Palace: the famous frescoes “The Prince with the Lilies”, “The Parisian Woman”, bronze ritual vessels, a statue of the goddess of fertility, stone vases and many other exhibits that revealed to the world the existence of one of the oldest civilizations on the planet.

The museum's opening hours, located on Xanthoudidou Street, are Tuesday to Saturday from 8.00 to 20.00, Monday from 9.00 to 16.00.
On Thursdays and Fridays, free excursions are held, during which archaeologists tell the history of the palace objects collected in the collection.
Entrance ticket price 4 euros. Phone: +30 281 027 9000.

Water parks

Star Beach Waterpark

Star Beach, opened in 1993, is located on the outskirts of the city, on the territory of the hotel of the same name. It is an entire entertainment complex, which also includes a Spa area, a dive center, a beach, a water sports center, four bars and restaurants.

Entrance to the water park is free. Two sun loungers, a table and an umbrella cost 8 euros for the whole day; after paying, you can move around the entire territory.
Rent a locker for clothes 3 euros. The cost of skiing for adults is 8 euros per day, for children it is free. There is a kamikaze slide, a river for riding on large inflatable rings, and an aqua slalom.
For thrill-seekers, bungee jumping is offered for 50 euros.

A special feature of the water park is its location on the shore, so you can sunbathe on the grass under the trees or on the sandy beach, which has a convenient, gently sloping entrance to the water.

For young children, in addition to the children's slides, the water park also has a trampoline and a playground. Parents need to pay attention that at 16.00 the favorite entertainment of international youth begins - a foam party, which is accompanied by very loud music. In the evenings, discos are held on the beach, often attended by famous DJs.
Opening hours 10.00-19.00, telephone: +30 28970 29351.

Waterpark Acqua Plus

Acqua Plus is 5 kilometers from Hersonissos, if you drive in the direction from the city to the village of Kastelli. The water park is divided into two zones: slides for adults, including extreme ones, and a play area with slides and a playground for children. There are about 50 slides in total.
Sun loungers are provided free of charge. The water park is located on a hill, which, on the one hand, allows you to enjoy magnificent views, but on the other hand, the sun is very harsh here, you need to remember about sunscreen.

There are several bars and cafes on site where you can have lunch for 20 euros for two. Locker rental 3 euros. At the entrance you will be given a bracelet on which the amount of all purchases is recorded, payment at the exit.

Buses go from Hersonissos to the water park twice a day, and you can order a transfer by calling +302897024950 or +302897024950. A taxi ride will cost 13-15 euros.

Admission to the water park for children under 5 years old is free. For adults – 24 euros, for children under 13 years old – 16 euros.
If you book a ticket through the Acqua Plus website, a ticket for adults will cost 21 euros, for children under 13 years old - 14 euros.
Opening hours are from 10.00 to 18.30.

Aquariums

Aquaworld Aquarium

Aquaworld is located on Filikis Etirias Street in the port of Hersonissos, 100 meters from the bus stop and 50 meters from the Spar supermarket.

The aquarium was created in 1995 by John McLaren with financial support from Costas Papadakis. In addition to underwater inhabitants, a large number of reptiles found salvation from inevitable death here. Children will be interested in feeding and petting the spurred turtle, python, and Balkan snake. Iguanas stroll in the backyard of the building. If you arrive at 10.30, you can watch the feeding of the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Aquaworld is open every day from 10.00 to 18.00. Entrance ticket for adults costs 6 euros, for children 4 euros.

CRETAquarium

Another well-known aquarium located 15 kilometers from the city towards Heraklion, on the territory of a former American military base in the village of Gouves. This is the largest aquarium in all of Greece. There are more than 2,500 inhabitants in 60 aquariums: sharks, sea turtles, colorful tropical fish and tiny sea inhabitants that can only be seen through a microscope. Modern audio and video systems allow you to fully feel the atmosphere of the underwater world.

From Hersonissos you can get there for 3 euros by bus, Gouves is the next stop on the bus to Heraklion. The taxi fare will be 15 euros.

The aquarium is open daily from 9.30 to 21.00. Ticket price 8 euros, for children 6 euros. Phone: +30 2810 337788.

Boat trips

From the port of Hersonissos you can go on small, exciting sea voyages. For 20 euros, a walk to the neighboring resort village of Sissi is offered.

Beautiful views, sea breeze, a glass of wine and fruit on board, swimming in the bay, walking along the narrow streets. If you take this excursion in the late afternoon, you can combine a sea voyage with dinner at one of Sissi's taverns.

Another popular activity is a one-and-a-half-hour trip on a glass-bottomed boat. You can see several species of fish, a caretta-caretta turtle or even a moray eel.

The cost of the excursion is 15 euros for adults, 10 euros for children from 6 to 12 years old, 4 euros for children from 2 to 4 years old.
In addition, for 35 euros you can go on an evening fishing trip.

Horse rides

Crete is a great place to go horse riding. Even if you've never ridden a horse before, it's worth visiting Arion's stables.

A walk along the seashore on well-trained horses, accompanied by an experienced instructor, can be a pleasure. Children have the opportunity to ride a pony. In addition, on the territory of the stables there is a mini zoo, a children's playground and a magnificent tavern. A table must be booked in advance, since dishes prepared according to home recipes are known far beyond Hersonissos.

Walks in the surrounding area must be booked by email, indicating your level of training. The cost of a 15-minute horse ride is 15 euros, a pony ride for children is 5 euros. The price for a longer walk depends on the route determined by your level of fitness, approximately 50 euros for two hours.

The stable is located between the village of Ano Hersonissos and Analipis beach. Opening hours from 7.00 to 19.00. Phone: +30 6973733825, +30 6973 7369 12.

Tourist mini train

Departs from the port along two routes.

One lasts 5 hours (20 euros), along the coast to the town of Analipsi and back, departs at 9.00, the other takes 2 hours (10 euros, 6 for children), departures every 30 minutes.
The second route passes through the port, then along the embankment, then rises to Ano Hersonissos and returns.

At any stop you can get off and continue the journey with another engine, you just need to keep your receipt.

Labyrinth Park

It is located 4 kilometers from Hersonissos in the direction of the town of Kastelli.
This is a family park, on 1300 m² of which the legendary myth about Theseus, who ended up in the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, is recreated. He managed not only to defeat the monstrous creature, but also, thanks to Ariadne’s thread, to get back out. There are many paths intersecting with stairs, air bridges and towers (the hero's path cannot be easy).
The time required to complete the maze will be approximately 35 minutes. Organizers advise not to forget a hat for children and a bottle of water.

On the territory of the park there is a mini-farm, ponies for riding lessons, a pottery workshop where you can make some product with your own hands (3 euros), and you can also try your hand at archery (3 euros).

The park is open from 10.00 to 20.00, on weekends from 10.00 to 22.00.
Last entrance to the labyrinth is an hour before the park closes. Entrance ticket for adults costs 8 euros, 5 euros for children from 4 to 11 years old, children under 4 years old are free. For 3 euros, children can play mini golf or ride mini quad bikes.
Phone: +30 28970 29297, +30 6975903300/3
You can get here from Hersonissos by taxi for 10 euros.

Holidays in Hersonissos should first of all be recommended to young, active people, for whom all conditions have been created here. However, families with children and romantic couples will find something to diversify their vacation and make it memorable.

You can get to Hersonissos from Heraklion by bus: first from the airport to Heraklion city station for 0.8 euros, departure every 15 minutes, then by regular bus to the resort for 3.5 euros. Travel time is 45 minutes. A taxi from the airport will cost about 50 euros.

Stretching along the northern coast.

Noisy, crowded, covered in a festive atmosphere Hersonissos attracts young people and partygoers. There are countless restaurants, bars and traditional taverns, discos, clubs and trendy dance floors.

The city center is bustling until dawn. The Kherosnissos promenade is a quieter place where you can enjoy a romantic dinner while admiring the sea.

There is everything for a comfortable and dynamic holiday. Entertainment, a variety of hotels and good beaches.

Entertainment and shopping

The variety of entertainment venues is truly enormous. It is no coincidence that Hersonissos is considered the entertainment capital of the island of Crete.

Sports and extreme also took a firm place among the preferences of guests of Hersonissos. A diving center, sports clubs, karting tracks, as well as two excellent water parks will delight active tourists.

For those who like to combine a seaside holiday with a shopping spree, this resort is also perfect. Countless shops, boutiques and shops abound with a wide variety of goods. It is here that all the island centers for the sale of fur coats in Crete are concentrated...

Hersonissos Hotels

Modest city hotels and fashionable “five” hotels - Hersonissos has it all. Here you can relax for very little money, or you can leave an impressive amount. It all depends on the location of the hotel, its category and the services provided.

In general, the service in Hersonissos is at a high level, as elsewhere in Crete.

Beaches of Herosonissos

Attractions

Being a modern resort, Hersonissos has retained the fascinating atmosphere of ancient times. At different times, different peoples lived here and different states existed.

The buildings of the mysterious Minoan civilization and ancient buildings, temples and palaces of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires have survived to this day. All this can be seen by walking through the surrounding towns and villages, many scattered around Hersonissos.

Holidays in Hersonissos on Crete allow you to plunge into the world of amazing ancient history, combining this with a wonderful beach and youth holiday.

For those wishing to explore the surrounding area, a fun little train runs to the neighboring resort of Malia. And from the port of Hersonissos you can take an exciting sea voyage.

Where is it located?

This popular Cretan resort is located in the Heraklion region on the northern coast of the island. Just a 30-minute drive separates it from the capital of the island - the city of Heraklion.

Hersonissos Photos	Hersonissos on the map
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Aquariums. Two Cretan aquariums are located in close proximity to Herosonissos. One is the largest in Europe. A huge number of amazing marine life live here. The panoramic view evokes a lot of emotions. The second aquarium is smaller, but it has one more purpose. It is a reptile rescue center. The story of its origin is very touching, and the inhabitants are truly unique.
Knossos palace. The most famous of the Minoan palaces of Crete. Partially restored, it provides a unique opportunity to delve into the mysteries of an ancient civilization and imagine how great royalty lived. Remains of buildings, unusual columns and arches, bright frescoes and much more.
Minoan Palace of Malia. Another unique attraction of mysterious times. The great Minoan civilization left us a legacy of many amazing monuments. One of them is a huge palace located in a nearby resort

Creta Maris beach in Hersonissos

Hersonissos is considered the oldest city in Crete. Its name comes from the Greek word for "peninsula". The first settlements here appeared in the era of the Cretan-Minoan civilization (approximately 1500 BC). Studying the past of Hersonissos, archaeologists worked in Anissaras, a place that is located near the modern temple of Agia Paraskeva, to the west of the city port. They discovered many rare Bronze Age artifacts there - fragments of dishes, tools and jewelry.

During the Roman Empire, the main sea gate of the island, Port Tiganis, was located here. Hersonissos was considered so important that it had its own money. His coins were minted with images of Hercules and the patroness of the island of Crete - the goddess Britomartis.

Modern Hersonissos has gained fame among tourists as the unofficial capital of the island and is considered a noisy and cheerful place, where life is in full swing both day and night. There are a lot of restaurants and taverns, Dutch and Irish bars, so the resort town is loved by tourists from England, Holland, Ireland and Germany.

Active nightlife, beach bars, clubs and discos attract many young people to these places. And during the peak tourist season (in July and August), Hersonissos becomes a real center of beach and entertainment for youth.

The resort has a lot of entertainment: a mini-golf course, karting, an equestrian center, the Star Beach amusement park, the Labyrinth family park and even a small Aquarium. And for those who want to improve their health while on vacation, Hernossos has two modern medical complexes and an excellent thalassotherapy center.

The resort town consists of several municipal communities formed on the site of coastal villages. Around the port there are modern hotel complexes and small apartments - Limenas Hersonissou. Construction here began in the middle of the last century, and over several decades, a modern coastal resort grew up on the site of a half-abandoned fishing village, becoming a Mecca for all tourists coming to Crete.

In early Christian times, the port settlement suffered greatly from pirate raids, so most of its inhabitants moved to a safe distance from the bay - about 2 km inland. Here, on a hill, they founded the village of Hersonissos.

Today, the narrow green streets of this small and tranquil village are lined with traditional Cretan houses, two churches, small taverns and cafes. Absolutely everyone likes this place, imbued with national flavor. Tourists come to Old Hersonissos to admire the excellent scenery, taste traditional Cretan cuisine and buy souvenirs. In addition, getting from the port to the old village on the hill is not at all difficult. Walking here takes only 20-25 minutes.

Sights of Hersonissos

From the ancient Roman city, old civil and port buildings, as well as early Christian basilicas, have survived to this day. In some of these buildings, fragments of mosaic floors are still visible. In addition, near the village of Potamis you can see the ruins of an old aqueduct through which the Romans supplied water to the city. And near the resort supermarket there are the remains of the foundation of an ancient Roman theater.

One of the most visited attractions of the resort town is the Lychnostatis ethnographic museum. It is a 15-minute drive from the center of Hersonissos. The museum was established in 1991 and presents visitors with Cretan culture, history, nature and folk art.

Unique exhibits are displayed outdoors and in several buildings. Here you can see a traditional Cretan house, a shepherd's hut, a windmill, weaving looms, pottery wheels, a herb garden, and presses used to extract olive oil and wine.

The museum is open daily, except Saturdays, from 9.00 to 14.00. On regular days, a ticket here costs 6 euros (for children under 12 years old - 2 euros), and on Wednesdays - 12 euros, because on this day the museum hosts a tasting of local alcoholic beverages.

In the western part of the port, above the entrance to the famous Skotino cave, stands the miniature white church of Agia Paraskevi. It seems as if this temple grows out of the rock. In the Middle Ages, there was a small chapel built by the Venetians here, consecrated in honor of St. Paraskeva.

Not far from the port, 50 meters from the Spar supermarket, there is a small but very interesting Aquarium, which was opened in 1995. It not only shows tourists the inhabitants of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, but also conducts work at the reptile rescue center. From April to October, the Aquarium welcomes guests daily from 10.00 to 18.00. And if you come here at 10.30, you can watch how the animals are fed. Entrance ticket to the Aquarium for adults costs 6 euros, for children – 4 euros.

Many resort guests make an interesting journey on tourist “trains” that start from the city port. The shorter route lasts 2 hours and goes past the port, along the embankment to Old Hersonissos and back. “Compositions” on it are corrected every half hour. A trip along this route will cost adults 10 euros, and children 6 euros. It’s convenient that you can get off at any of the stops and then continue on the next “train.” You just need to remember to save the purchased ticket.

The longer journey from the port starts at 9.00. It takes 5 hours and runs along the sea coast to the resort town of Analipsi and back. A ticket for such a long route costs 20 euros.

Just 4 km from Hersonissos, there is a large modern family park “Labyrinth”, which is dedicated to the legendary ancient Greek myth of Theseus. This entertainment complex is especially popular among tourists traveling with children.

The park features an intricate labyrinth, a mini farm, pony riding lessons, archery, a mini golf course, mini ATVs and an authentic pottery workshop. “Labyrinth” is open from 10.00 to 20.00. On weekends the park closes 2 hours later. The entrance ticket for adult visitors costs 8 euros, for children aged 4 to 12 years – 5 euros. And children under 4 years old can get here for free.

There is a regular bus service between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos through Hersonissos, so from the resort town it is easy to independently make excursions to almost any corner of the island, for example, to Heraklion to visit the Knossos Palace, the Historical Museum and the Venetian Fortress, as well as to Lassithi and Rethymno.

From the port of Hersonissos, vacationers can take boat trips to the small resort town of Sissi or to the Dragon Island - Dia. In addition, exciting sea excursions on small ships “Nemo” and “Poseidon” are organized for tourists. They have a glass bottom through which you can observe the life of marine life.

Beaches and water parks

Of course, a holiday in Hersonissos is, first of all, a beach holiday. And, what’s nice, you don’t have to pay to enter any of the beaches. The central and largest beach of Hersonissos stretches to the west from the five-star Creta Maris hotel. It has several sports equipment rentals, water sports centers, restaurants, cafes and a wide variety of beach activities. Renting two sun loungers and an umbrella here will cost 5-6 euros.

The narrow Star Beach, which is covered with fine white sand, is no less full of entertainment. This beach is always crowded and often hosts popular foam parties. The well-equipped Drepanos beach near the Nana Beach hotel, which is located in the east of Hersonissos, is also popular.

The only nudist beach is located in Anissar, 2 km northwest of the port, at Cape Sarandaris. The seabed there is rocky. And the beach itself resembles a stone slab with areas of sand and pebbles. It is not equipped, and privacy is hampered by the nearby road.

Local water parks are considered the best on the island and the most favorite entertainment among vacationers. The small Star Beach Waterpark is located in the eastern part of the resort town, and the slightly larger Aqua Splash water entertainment center is in the north-west of Hersonissos.

Video: Holidays in Hersonissos

Where to eat

During the summer tourist season in Hersonissos, many taverns do not close in the evening, but are open until the morning. The price for one dish in them usually starts from 3 euros. You can have a good meal for 10-15 euros. Conveniently, almost everywhere at the resort the menus are duplicated in Russian.

Many inexpensive restaurants and cafes are located right on the main street of Hersonissos. Restaurants along the seashore are usually more expensive. But there is a more cozy atmosphere here, and the choice of Cretan cuisine is much larger. The portions in any tavern in the city are not small, and the chefs of the establishments often add desserts, fruits or ice cream to the order as a gift for guests.

Shopping

Prices in Hersonissos are lower than in Heraklion. Here you can buy high-quality leather goods, relatively inexpensive fur coats and jewelry. There are a lot of fur shops in the resort town, and most of them are located on the main street - along the Old National Road, as well as in the port area. A distinctive feature of Hersonissos is that almost all local shopping establishments do not close until midnight.

When purchasing a fur coat in Hersonissos, you should not pay attention to the obviously inflated price tag. You almost always need to bargain, and it is better to negotiate discounts with the store owner himself, since sellers concede a maximum of 10-15% of the price. It is also convenient that in every fur boutique you can arrange delivery or pick up the purchased fur coat at the end of your vacation.

Other purchases at the resort are made both in small shops and in supermarkets, the largest of which are the Spar and Select shopping centers. In large shopping centers you can buy clothes and shoes from the world's leading brands, souvenirs and a wide variety of products. There are no less than 12 varieties of the famous Feta cheese alone, and they cost from 6 to 12 euros per 1 kg. In supermarkets, a 0.7 liter bottle of wine will cost 2-3 euros. It’s interesting that for this money you can buy 1.5 liters of homemade wine in small family stores.

Souvenirs

Traditionally, travelers from Hersonissos try to bring souvenirs related to the theme of Ancient Greece. These are picturesque ceramics, figurines of Greek and Roman gods, elegant vases made locally, as well as home textiles. Carpets made from goat and sheep wool, authentic handmade jewelry and paintings by Cretan artists are in great demand among tourists. Many resort guests buy high-quality Greek cheeses, olives, honey and local wines as souvenirs.

Transport

You can travel around Hersonissos and its suburbs by green buses, tickets for which for short distances cost from 1.5 euros, regardless of the direction. In addition, it is easy to rent a car, scooter, ATV or bicycle at the resort.

Hotel deals

How to get there

Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport is located in Heraklion and is 25 km away from the resort town. Both regular and charter flights fly here from Russia. There are taxis and buses from the airport to Hersonissos. A taxi fare will cost 50 euros.

The resort can only be reached by bus with a transfer. First, take bus number 1 to the Heraklion bus station (0.8 euros). Buses leave there every quarter of an hour from 06.00 to 01.00. In Heraklion you should change to a bus to Hersonissos. It gets to the resort in 45 minutes, and a ticket costs 3.8 euros.

The old national road passes through Hersonissos. And the main street of the resort, named after Eleftherios Venizelos, is its integral part. You can get to the city even faster via the new national road. But in order to get to the resort itself, you need to follow the signs to one of the exits to Hersonissos.

Hersonissos is a stunning Greek city located on the island of Crete. My boyfriend Nikita and I were on vacation in Crete in May. We lived in a village called Gouves, which is located between Heraklion and Hersonissos, so we spent every day and evening in either one or another city. I had heard about Hersonissos long before our trip. My friend worked as a guide in Crete for six months and she lived in this amazing town.

I was amazed by how many Russians there are in Hersonissos (and throughout Crete), as well as Greeks who can communicate with you in Russian without any problems. In souvenir shops, it is not uncommon to meet a seller who, in some amazing way, will determine by appearance that you are Russian and invite a Russian girl who also works as a seller in this stall to communicate with you.

For us, Hersonissos has become an ideal place for walking. The city is small, cozy and so romantic. It's impossible not to fall in love! I advise everyone who travels to Crete and chooses a hotel in another locality to dedicate at least one day to Hersonissos, because this place will pleasantly surprise you with its atmosphere and charm.

Read below about everything - how to get to this town and what to see there. :)

How to get there

It is no secret to anyone that Crete is an island. And in this case, there will not be an abundance of options on exactly how to get to this place. There is one most suitable way - an airplane!

By plane

Most likely you will fly from Moscow or, as we did, from St. Petersburg and you will fly not to Hersonissos (there is simply no airport in this town), but to Heraklion. It should also be noted that planes still fly into a city called Chania. But planes from Russia usually land in Heraklion. And from Heraklion getting to Hersonissos will not be a problem.

So, your holiday destination is Hersonissos. Therefore, you need to get to the island of Crete. Let's look at all flight options, from budget to expensive.

From Moscow:

• Aegean Airlines- the most budget flight option. The cost of a one-way ticket starts from 100 EUR depending on the date. Departure is from Domodedovo Airport, the flight is direct, the journey will take you 3 hours 45 minutes. But you need to remember something: luggage will be charged, but you can carry up to 8 kg in hand luggage (in a warm place like Crete, 8 kg, I think, is enough). You can also fly with this airline with transfers in Athens or Thessaloniki. The layover can be as long as 11 hours, so for experienced travelers this is a great opportunity to see another Greek city. By the way, with a transfer, the cost of a plane ticket is more expensive. Starts from 170 EUR (without luggage).
• Ellinair- also a budget option (from 129 EUR for a one-way flight). Departure is carried out from Vnukovo airport. The advantage of this flight is that luggage is included in the ticket price, so you can grab a couple of bottles of olive oil on the way back.
• Aeroflot- a more expensive option. For a one-way flight, this airline charges from 170 EUR. Departure is carried out from Sheremetyevo Airport.
• S7-Airlines not a budget option. For one flight - from 190 EUR. Baggage is paid, departure from Domodedovo.

I’ll share with you how we got to Crete. Our flight was from Moscow. But this time we went on vacation not on our own, but on a tour. Nikita found a very budget option as a gift for my birthday: it was simply impossible not to go! Since we live in St. Petersburg, we first had to get to Moscow. Nikita bought the tour less than a day before departure. We got to Moscow by plane (about 43 EUR for a one-way flight per person). I know for sure that if you buy tickets in advance, you can get a ticket at half the price. You can also get from St. Petersburg to Moscow by train and bus. The price one way is about 14 EUR. By the way, you can also try to find a tour to the island; this can be done on well-known search engines or, for example,.

From Saint-Petersburg

Agree, not everyone is comfortable flying to Crete from Moscow. For example, it would be better for us to fly from St. Petersburg. Therefore, we will consider flights to the city from St. Petersburg:

• Aegean Airlines offers direct flights. The cost of a one-way ticket starts from 160 EUR. You will spend 4 hours on the way. But in this case, you will have paid luggage (you can carry up to 8 kg in hand luggage). Departure is at 02:00. The cost of round-trip tickets is from 336 EUR.
• S7 Airlines- This is also a non-stop option. But, alas, this airline will charge for luggage (you can carry up to 10 kg in hand luggage). The cost of a one-way ticket starts from 204 EUR.
• at Aeroflot Ticket prices start from 215 EUR, but this flight will not be direct - you will have a transfer in Moscow. Transfers can be of very different durations (from 5 to 22 hours). But in this case, the cost of baggage transportation is included in the ticket price. Round trip ticket prices start from 380 EUR.

You need to remember that prices depend on the dates you plan to travel and on the euro exchange rate. Therefore, I am sure that you can find cheaper tickets. For example, in November round-trip tickets from St. Petersburg cost from 220 EUR. And from Moscow - from 204 EUR. You can search for options from the air carriers described above on aggregator sites such as, for example.

How to get from the airport to the city center

The most convenient option is to go to on the bus right from the stop next to the airport exit. Just ask people and they will tell you where the stop is and which way to go.

The fare is 3.30 EUR. You will spend approximately 45 minutes on the way (this is a great time to look out the window and enjoy the beautiful views of the island). The buses are very comfortable - they have air conditioning and comfortable seats. They run at intervals of approximately 30 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00. Therefore, if you arrive at night, you will either have to wait for the first bus or order a taxi.

Buses arrive in the very center of Hersonissos, on Main Road Street, from where it is a 5-minute walk to the port and the main attractions of the city.

If you are not a fan of buses and prefer to quickly get to your hotel in Hersonissos, you can order Taxi. The distance between Heraklion airport and Hersonissos is 25 kilometers. The taxi fare will start from 38 EUR (if there are up to 3 passengers and no more than 2 pieces of luggage). If there are four of you, the trip will cost from 42 EUR.

By ferry

Is it possible to get to Hersonissos by ferry? I won’t say that it’s directly to this city, but it’s real.

From Athens

Suppose you decide to relax in, but visiting the capital alone is not enough for you. An excellent option would be for you to take a ferry to Crete for a couple of days and see several beautiful cities, including Hersonissos. For ferry ticket schedules, visit ferriesingreece.com.

The cheapest option will cost 38 EUR for a one-way ticket. You can travel in any class of ferry: from seated seats to luxury cabins. Accordingly, prices will be different. You will spend about 10 hours on the way. Usually ferries leave the port of Athens in the evening to be in Crete in the morning. Ferries arrive either to Chania or to the capital of Crete, Heraklion.

And, as we already remember, getting from Heraklion to Hersonissos is not a problem. Personally, I would love to travel from Athens to Crete.

How to get from the ferries to the city center

Seaport of Heraklion or Heraklion port located in the very center of the city. To get from it to the bus station, which is also located in the center, you will need 10 minutes maximum.

If you want to get there with greater comfort, you can order a transfer from the port of Heraklion to Hersonissos. If there are 2-3 people, then it will cost about 40 EUR, and if there are four of you - approximately 46 EUR. You will be taken comfortably directly to your hotel.

During the cruise

It should also be noted that there are a huge number of options for cruises around the Greek islands, including a visit to Crete. It seems to me that such routes are very interesting. And while I’m writing this article, I’m sitting and dreaming of the Greek islands, where I’ll put on a Greek-style dress and go dance sirtaki. :)

Clue:

Hersonissos - time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Hersonissos is a city located in the northern part of the island of Crete. But oddly enough, the climate and water temperature here are milder than in the southern parts of the island. This is all connected with the current, but we will not go into geographical details. Let me give you an example: it was cold for us to swim in the Mediterranean Sea in Hersonissos, but when at the end of May we were on an excursion and examined the southern part of the island, only Nikita from the entire excursion bus was able to swim in the Libyan Sea (though that day was not at all hot) . Also in the beautiful town the weather was cooler than in Hersonissos.

The season for tourists here is considered to be from mid-April to November. At this time, the air and water temperatures are set above +20 °C, which is favorable for a beach holiday, for which most vacationers come to this place.

I would like to note that every month in this city has its own weather characteristics. Therefore, we read more about all the seasons in Hersonissos below.

Hersonissos in summer

Hersonissos in summer is magical! At this time of year the weather in Greece is pleasantly hot, ideal for a family beach holiday. Hersonissos is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, so it’s pleasant to walk in light clothes in the sun. Trees and shrubs are blooming everywhere, and you can see and enjoy the smell of a wide variety of flowers. Personally, Nikita constantly plucked a flower for me and decorated my head with it (I usually walked around with a “bump” on my head, because I have long hair, and it makes it even hotter when it’s loose).

The ideal months for swimming would be July and August (after all, at the beginning of June the water will definitely be cold - it’s about +20-22 °C, but water cooling definitely won’t stop brave vacationers :)). The air temperature during the day will be around +30 °C, but the evenings in this city are ideal for long walks: firstly, there is no longer a scorching sun, the breeze will remove the heat from the body left over from daytime sunbathing and swimming, and secondly, the pier ( I’ll write about it separately) is so suitable for evening walks that it will definitely become your favorite place. Personally, that’s what happened to us!

In general, summer in Hersonissos is great! The only negative is the cost of tour packages and simple hotel accommodations. Since the holiday season in Greece falls precisely in the summer, you should expect that prices may be twice as high as, for example, in May. Especially if you are going on vacation in August. But in August you will swim in a very warm sea: by this month the water will warm up to +26 °C.

Summer also means an abundance of tourists both on the beach and at archaeological sites. This is especially true for July and August!

Hersonissos in autumn

Hersonissos in the fall is suitable both for a beach holiday and for romantic walks, and also for simply admiring the sunsets! September is not much different from July and August. The water temperature is favorable for swimming - +25-26 °C. It's hot outside - the air warms up to +28 °C.

We can safely say that Hersonissos is amazing in September. In addition, the flow of tourists will be less, and hotel prices will also decrease! I would like to note that October is also suitable for a beach holiday: the water and air temperature will be approximately +23 °C. It's even better than in May! And if we swam in May, then I’m sure tourists also spend time in the sea in October.

The most interesting thing is that even November in Hersonissos is a month with excellent weather. Swimming, however, will be cooler, but it is also possible! Imagine what will happen to prices! It seems to me that you can relax for pennies. The only negative is the wind. With each autumn month it will intensify. But the wind, I believe, is not an obstacle to travel!

Hersonissos in spring

Hersonissos is as beautiful in spring as in other seasons. Nothing can spoil the beauty of the city! But let's talk about the weather:

It is also important to note that Hersonissos is a city where the pier will be your favorite place. There is no shelter from the wind there, and spring is a fairly windy time of year on the island, so just be prepared. :) As for the prices for hotel accommodation, of course, even in May they will not be high.

Hersonissos in winter

Winter in Hersonissos is, of course, not Russian. You won’t turn into ice there, and you probably won’t be covered with snow. But you shouldn’t expect a beach holiday either. In winter, tourists visit Hersonissos not for swimming, and their number is very scarce. The weather will be sunny: during the day the air temperature in all winter months will be about +14-15 °C, but the water will obviously be cold (+16 °C_, although in December it happens that the sea has not yet had time to cool down, and brave vacationers have an excellent a chance to plunge into +18 °C.

You probably guessed that hotel prices will be low. What to do in Hersonissos in winter? The answer is simple: walk, enjoy the sea air and sunshine. Personally, Nikita and I really miss sunlight in St. Petersburg in winter, so we would love to visit Crete in the winter season. In addition, I would like to note that archaeological sites are best viewed when it’s not hot! And they are present on the island. :)

Clue:

Hersonissos - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Chersonosse is a small town. You can easily walk around it in one day. I conditionally decided to highlight the areas where it is best to settle. Let's look at this map together:

District No. 1: Coastal

I myself called it the coastal region. It is the most central, and it is in this very place that the majority of all hotels in the city are located. You can choose a hotel right on the seashore, or a little further away. But in any case, the walk to the beach will not be long, about 10 minutes maximum. This area is clean and safe. The only negative (however, for young people this can be a plus) is the noise. Hersonissos is a resort town where fun reigns both on the beaches and in the clubs. It is on the seashore that the most fun places in the city are located (bars, restaurants, hookah bars). Loud music is playing everywhere. For young people this is a paradise, but tourists with children may need a quieter place, a little away from the noise. Conveniently, however, there are shops and cafes nearby. Also, the bus stop from where you can go to Heraklion and the airport is located in the city center in this area.

Now let's talk a little about housing prices in this area. The minimum cost for hotel accommodation will be 17 EUR per day. This is the amount they ask for at Camping Caravan, which is located right on the seashore. For this amount you can relax in 2* or 3* hotels. Guesthouses fall into approximately the same price category - from 15-17 EUR per day of stay.

Most four-star hotels charge 43-50 EUR per day. They are usually located right next to the seashore. Five-star hotels will, of course, be more expensive - from 70 EUR per night.

In Hersonissos, anyone can rent an apartment in addition to a hotel for vacation. There are a lot of options located by the sea. The minimum price per day will be 35 EUR. But I would like to say about this trend: the more you plan to rent an apartment, the less you will pay.

District No. 2: Zagorodny

This area can be said to be located outside the city, but is also located in the coastal part of Hersonissos. This is where the village of Gouves is located. Nikita and I lived in this very place. The center of Hersonissos can be easily reached by bus, the fare for which will cost from 1.5 EUR depending on which stop you get on.

The area is quite large and some parts of Hersonissos can be reached on foot. The coastal part is incredibly picturesque, and walking along such a place is a pleasure. This area is quite quiet, so families with children and older people may like this place more than the central coastal area. There will be no noisy parties and loud music, but there will also be fewer restaurants, shops and bars in this place. For me personally, the countryside is ideal for living, and you can also have fun and spend time on the beach in Hersonissos, where we could get there by bus without any problems.

As for the prices for hotel accommodation, I can say that they are not much different from the coastal part of Hersonissos. Here you can also stay in a guesthouse, rent an apartment, or choose an expensive luxury hotel. Everything is to your taste. The entire area is dotted with different types of accommodation for tourists.

I would like to note one feature of the suburban area: you will spend a little less on food in restaurants and shops than in the city center. However, you won't have a lot of choice here.

District #3: Remote

There are not many hotels in this area (after all, the main part of the hotels in Hersonissos is concentrated in the central coastal part). You will have to walk to the sea (maybe 15-20 minutes). All the fun and entertainment will also have to go. This place is not famous for its abundance of restaurants. In general, it is perfect for a quiet family vacation. There will be more locals and fewer tourists on the street. But the area is safe, don't worry! Greeks are very friendly and many of them speak a little Russian!

Accommodation prices do not differ - from 30 EUR for a double room.

By the way, in this area you can rent a room inexpensively from local residents: it will cost 15 EUR per day. You can also rent entire apartments, but the price will not differ from the coastal part of the city.

What are the prices for holidays?

Hersonissos is a Greek town and the currency in this place is the Euro. And where the euro is, it won’t be super cheap. This is not Asia.

When we were vacationing in Crete, we fell in love not only with Hersonissos, but also with (the capital of the island), and Comparing prices in restaurants and street eateries in these cities, we concluded that it is in Hersonissos that prices are the highest. I don’t know exactly what this is connected with, but I’ll assume that the reason is the fact that Hersonissos is a resort town and there are so many coastal hotels that are completely filled with tourists in the summer. Therefore, there will always be demand in local cafes.

Nutrition

A standard lunch or dinner in a restaurant will cost from 10 EUR per person (this does not include alcoholic drinks). How can you save some money in this case? It’s very simple: street food can help you. Buy the traditional Greek dish gyros, which you will be 100% satisfied with and enjoy (this is local shawarma, wrapped in a special flatbread along with French fries). Gyros will cost about 3.5 EUR. In many hotels, meals are not included (or only breakfast is included), so street food is worth thinking about!

If we talk about prices in supermarkets, then, for example, a bottle of water will cost 0.50 EUR, a kilogram of chicken fillet - about 7 EUR, a kilogram of vegetables or fruits - 2-4 EUR, a liter of wine - from 2 EUR. So we can say that the prices are not bad. But I would give preference to eating in local cafes: I think it can be cheaper than deciding to cook every day yourself.

Accommodation

Now let's talk specifically about housing. You can rent a hotel room on a very budget in Hersonissos - for a week’s stay you can spend from 114 EUR. There are many options you can choose from 150 to 210 EUR. There are many options right by the sea, such as the Lovely Holidays Hotel. I usually use it when looking for a suitable hotel and often come across good promotional offers, so I recommend it to everyone. You can look at prices for apartments and compare the cost of hotel rooms by.

What is important to know about hotel accommodation in Hersonissos (and in Crete in general): air conditioning is usually not included in the room rate. That is, if you want a room with air conditioning, you will have to pay extra. Usually it costs 5-6 EUR per day. The same can happen with Wi-Fi. At the reception, I am more than sure, Wi-Fi will be available to everyone completely free of charge, but if you want an Internet connection right in your room, then most likely you will also have to pay a certain amount for this (also from 5 EUR per day). As I already wrote, we were vacationing in the city at the end of May, and to be honest, we didn’t need any air conditioning; we slept under blankets. Therefore, when you arrive, first try spending time in a room without air conditioning and only then decide whether it’s worth paying extra for it or whether it will be a waste of money.

There are many more expensive options in Hersonissos. Therefore, if you want to relax in a luxury hotel and are not limited by budget, then, for example, Village Height Golf Resort By Dimonds Resorts is suitable for you for 570 EUR per stay per week (this price, by the way, is a promotional price, the cost should in theory be higher). Or Anabelle Beach Resort for 1,500 EUR per week. These are five-star luxury hotels, if your budget allows, you are welcome. And for those who don’t, I can say with confidence that budget establishments in Hersonissos are very good. And maybe you won’t have a huge hotel area, but just a small pool and breakfast area, but are you really going to Crete to stay in a hotel? Of course not! This is not the case, here you have to walk a lot, see the sights and swim in the sea every day on a new beach!

P.S. By the way, the price of a hotel stay usually includes breakfast (but not always). Therefore, check this detail when booking. The price may differ significantly with or without breakfast included.

Directions

There is definitely no need to travel around Hersonissos by taxi! Exception: you have had too much alcohol and don’t remember the way to the hotel, but you have its name written down. Then please. :) Taxis are a bit expensive here. To neighboring cities you will be charged from 35 EUR, even if the journey lasts 20 minutes.

You can go to any neighboring city by bus. Bus traffic is fixed, and so is the price. For one-way travel (depending on where exactly you want to go) you will pay from 2 EUR.

Excursions

If you are going to visit some distant place: a monastery in the mountains, the cave of Zeus, the famous gorge, then it is better to go on an excursion, which you can take from a travel agency. You will meet a lot of them. The prices will not be small (from about 40 EUR per person), but the excursions will be rich and interesting. The only advice on how to save money is the following: do not take an excursion that includes a sightseeing tour of Heraklion and a visit to the Knossos Palace (you will still have to pay 16 EUR separately for entrance to the palace), entrance to it is not included in any excursion. You can also see Heraklion for yourself, walk around the city to your heart's content, and you will not be limited in time!

Knossos palace

Main attractions. What to see

Hersonissos is a very small city, with a population of just over 8,000 people. It will not be surprising that you can walk the entire city: from top to bottom and from right to left. I can safely say: you won’t have to spend money on travel to see all the interesting places in Hersonissos. Nikita and I went for a walk around this city more than once and only spent money on travel to Hersonissos. And then we wandered along the main streets and along the incredibly beautiful pier.

In general, it is worth noting that Hersonissos is a youth resort town, it’s fun there, and you won’t get bored anywhere. If in the capital of the island, Heraklion, the streets become less crowded in the evening and the restaurants are not so full of visitors, then in Hersonissos the opposite is true: the restaurants are full of tourists, and the streets are full of locals inviting you to visit their popular bars. Parties in the city take place not only in the evening and at night - people start having fun during the day in swimsuits and in the water. :)

All of the above does not mean at all that there are no cultural attractions in Hersonissos. Of course they are! Vacationers with children will also be able to find a lot of interesting things for themselves. Read about everything in detail below.

Top 5

Now let's highlight the most amazing places in Hersonissos, which every vacationer here simply must visit.

Port

The port of Hersonissos is truly an amazing place. Just go to the coast (it will take you 5 minutes on foot from the bus stop) and you will see the amazing port and pier of the city. Along the coast there are a huge number of cafes, restaurants, bars and various street food options. But more on that a little later. First, take a couple of photos from the shore to capture the port itself. There are so many beautiful yachts there! On such sea trips, Nikita and I love to dream about our own yacht. We love to choose from the yachts standing along the shore the one we would like for ourselves.

After you walk along the embankment along the port, go to the pier. A walk along the pier will take you some time, because its length is more than 3 km. We walked along the pier in the evenings, when it began to get dark outside and the heat subsided. How many locals go for evening jogs along the pier at this time! At such moments you think that people, living a relaxed life here, do not forget about a healthy lifestyle. On the pier you can go up to the lighthouse and admire the view of the city. Also climb the wall like we did, sit on it or walk around. In this place you can feel the evening breeze very pleasantly, which will relieve you of the heat of a sunny day.

Skotino Cave

Who among you would refuse to look at a cave, imagine yourself as a real speleologist and go in search of the unknown? I think there will be few of these. Personally, I’m ready to go explore some cave right now!

16 km from Hersonissos (yes, it’s not within walking distance) there is a cave with the funny name Skotino. :) There are few tourists who know about the existence of this cave, so you can visit this place completely free of charge (you definitely won’t find a ticket office). This dungeon also has the name “Agia Paraskevi”, because on top of this cave there is a church built in honor of Saint Paraskevi.

The cave is quite large: the length of the grotto is 160 m, its width is 36 m, and the size of the vaults is 10 m. We can say that the cave is divided into several rooms, in which there are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

The cave is located on a hill in the northwest direction from the village of Skotino, a couple of kilometers from the village of Gouves.

How to get there: You can get to Gouves from Hersonissos by bus, which runs from Main Road Street every 20 minutes. Travel costs about 2 EUR. Ask the conductor where it is better for you to get off, and then you will have to walk - the locals will be happy to tell you the way. Or there is a more comfortable option - a taxi, but be prepared to pay from 20 to 30 EUR.

Star Beach

This place is the most popular among tourists in Hersonissos. We can safely say that Star beach is not only intended for swimming in the sea and getting a delightful tan under the sun, but it is also a paradise for fun and parties.

Throughout the season, every day on this beach various soap, foam and just summer parties are held, where you can dance, shout loud songs and just have fun. This is the most favorite place among young people. Popular DJs often perform at Star Beach. But here you can also rent a hydro scooter, go diving and other types of water activities. On the territory of this beach there is even a water park with pools of different depths. You can be in the water park completely free of charge, but if you want to slide down some slide, you will have to buy a ticket.

You might think that the huge number of parties affects the cleanliness of the beach, but this is not the case. Star Beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for its neatness and cleanliness!

How to get there: the beach is located on the outskirts of Hersonissos (but remember that the city is small). You can reach it in 15 minutes along the main street.

Roman Fountain

This is a very interesting landmark of Hersonissos. Even in ancient times, the Romans ruled Crete, and, of course, as in other places, they left behind architectural beauties. The Roman fountain is an ancient structure that has survived to this day. During the reign of the Romans, the fountain was part of a very large villa, surrounded by hundreds of fountains, but only this one has reached us.

If you carefully examine the entire surviving creation, you can see a whole sea scene in which the sailor is surrounded by octopuses, birds and other inhabitants of the water element. The fountain, unfortunately, does not work, but tourists love this place because it is a great opportunity to admire part of the vast Roman Empire that once existed.

How to get there: The fountain is located opposite 25is Martiou street, next to the Golden beach hotel.

Ano Hersonissos

The place can be called Old Hersonissos. This is a small village located south of the city center. The area is different from the center of Hersonissos, full of beaches and party holidays. The village reflects the traditional look and style of the locals, and tourists will be interested in visiting a couple of churches that you can go inside. In Crete, churches are distinguished by their simplicity, but at the same time unusual elegance. In general, in this old village, all the buildings are distinguished by a traditional Byzantine style, which will please the eye of any vacationer.

How to get there: Ano Hersonissos is located 2 kilometers from the coast (if you walk deeper into the city) on the slope of Mount Charakas.

Beaches. Which ones are better

There are many beaches in Hersonissos, because it is a resort town where vacationers mainly go to relax on the coast. I told you about the amazing Star Beach above (the main thing is, don’t forget to visit it, it’s an incredibly fun place). Now let's talk about what other beaches are worth visiting in Hersonissos:

1. Limanakya,
2. City Beach,
3. Nana Beach,
4. Nudist beach.

Limanakia beach

This place, like Star Beach, is very popular among tourists. Limanakya is the longest beach in the city: its length is 1.5 km. There is always a place to lie down on it. I would like to note that sunbeds and umbrellas are usually paid: they ask for their rental from 2 EUR per hour. But I’ll tell you a little trick, like Nikita and I did. We came to the beach, threw our things on the first sunbed we came across and went for a swim, then came out of the sea, took our things in our hands and walked along the shore. This way we managed to see a lot of beautiful beaches and not pay for a single sunbed. True, this option is unlikely to be suitable for vacationers with children and they will still have to rent both a sunbed and an umbrella. But many coastal hotels have their own beaches, where they provide sun loungers for guests.

You can have a drink and a snack in any cafe located near the beach. There will be many restaurants and hotels along it, where visitors will always be welcome.

Let's return to the features of Limanakya. This beach is wide - the width in some places reaches 50 meters. If you come here early in the morning, you can see fishing boats arriving at the port with freshly caught seafood. Limanakya is ideal for a holiday with children, because the entrance to the water here is gentle, the depth does not deepen abruptly, the sea is clean, and there are no sharp stones at the bottom.

How to get there: You won’t have to look for the beach for long, because... it starts right from the port and ends at the Grecian Sands hotel (translated as “Greek Sands”).

City Beach

The city beach in Hersonissos does not attract many tourists, since it is the most common place where you can enjoy the sun and sea. There is no additional entertainment to be found here.

As for the infrastructure, there are special changing cabins, and you can also rent a sunbed for 2-3 EUR per hour or 5 EUR for the whole day. The beach is sand and pebbles, entry into the water is gradual, the sea is clean. But many young tourists still prefer Star Beach. Personally, I recommend visiting this beach too: it’s much more interesting to visit, and also to sunbathe and swim in a variety of places.

There are cafes and shops on this beach: you definitely won’t die of thirst and hunger.

How to get there: The city beach is located in the central part of the city, very close to Star Beach.

Nana beach

This beach belongs to a hotel with the same name, but absolutely everyone can visit it. The beauty of this particular place is that the beach is located in a small cove, which protects visitors from strong waves and wind. Even during strong gusts, Nana Beach is considered a calm place! Nana Beach is a cozy sandy place, but near the shore the bottom of the sea is strewn with small pebbles. This does not interfere with bathing at all, I assure you!

It is worth noting that the water temperature in this place is several degrees lower than, for example, on other beaches. All this is due to the fact that cold springs flow off the coast, which mix with warm sea water. Therefore, we conclude: firstly, when it’s a very hot day outside, then Nana Beach is a great place to cool off, and secondly, if you are vacationing in the spring or autumn (from October), then I think you will be able to swim on this beach less comfortable!

How to get there: getting to Nana Beach is easy: move from Star Beach to the right, walk for about 10 minutes. The identification sign will be Nana Beach Hotel.

Nudist beach

Yes, yes, and there is such a place in Hersonissos! If you are not a fan of white marks on your body and have absolutely no complexes, then why not? We have not been to this beach, but we have met tourists who liked this place.

The coast here is sandy, the entrance to the sea is gentle, but you don’t have to walk long to reach the depth. Come to the beach with your things and umbrellas, because... You are unlikely to be able to rent anything in this place. If you want to drink, there will be shops across the road.

How to get there: The beach is located 2 km from the city port. You definitely won’t pass by it, but if you ask for directions, then the identifying mark for you will be Cape Sarandaris. From the port, walk about 2 kilometers in a northwest direction.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Opening hours and visiting: the cost of an adult ticket (from 12 years old) is 6 EUR, and everyone under 12 must pay 2 EUR. The museum is open every day except Saturday. Unfortunately, you can’t get there in the late afternoon, as it is open from 09:00 to 14:00. Many tourists will be interested in this museum on Wednesday, because it is on this day that a tasting of local alcoholic beverages takes place there. Tasting is free, but entrance to the museum is doubled - 12 EUR.

Parks

There are no large and green parks in Hersonissos. Why is a walk along the beaches and the seashore worse than parks? After all, nature on the island shines with its beauty everywhere. Do you want to enjoy the Cretan nature and admire the vegetation of the island? You should go out of town a little. Walking along the beach, you will definitely see small mountains near Hersonissos, why not climb one of these? It should be warned that mountains are usually private territory and climbing them is prohibited. But Nikita and I found out about this after we conquered one small peak.

The view from it was amazing. True, we had to walk a bit through the thorny plants, but it was worth it! Nobody made any comments to us, and besides us there were several other Russian tourists on the mountain. This, of course, is not a park, but it is great entertainment!

Tourist streets

In the resort town of Hersonissos there is one main street that stretches along the sea.

Main Road Street (El Venizelou)

This street can be called a landmark of the city. There are always a lot of people there, there is noise and din. Shops, cafes, bars, restaurants - this place is full of it all. Need souvenirs? Continue onto Main Road. Are you going to the store? Hurry to Main Road, because it is full of both large supermarkets and small shops. Are you going to have dinner at a nice restaurant? Go to Main Road! At night this street lights up, so you'll definitely find a place to dance! The only thing worth warning is that there are no traffic lights on the street at all, the traffic does not stop, so please be careful when crossing the road!

Machis Kritis

The second tourist street is parallel to Main Road (Venizelou), located along the very shore. It is called Agias Paraskevis, it passes into Machis Kritis. It has even more parties and restaurants than the aforementioned Venizelou. While you walk along this street, you will receive dozens of offers to have lunch or dinner in some restaurant. In the evening you will almost be dragged into local bars by force. This is exactly what happened to us. One pub directly begged us to go, so we couldn’t refuse. There, by the way, we were able to try amazing peach shots, costing 1 EUR apiece.

And if you walk from the port along this street and are not tempted to go into a single restaurant, you will get out of the noise and din and see what a beautiful view of the sea opens up. In the evening here you can sit on the rocks in silence and dream. And if you go further, you will pass by different hotels and reach the beach.

What to see in 1 day

Let's imagine that you only have 1 day in Hersonissos. Let's create a route together to make this day unforgettable:

• 10:00. The departure point for a one-day trip will be the port of Hersonissos. First, admire the yachts, walk a little, but don’t walk along the entire pier yet, we’ll put it off until the evening! It’s better to have a snack with gyros, which you can easily buy in any restaurant on the street that stretches along the coast. And we are going towards the Lychnostatis Museum (we need to be there before it closes).
• 12:00. You are in a museum. You have 2 hours to walk around it and see everything. And if you visit the museum on Wednesday, don’t forget that you can taste local alcoholic drinks.
• 14:30. Star Beach. It is impossible not to visit here in Hersonissos. I'm sure you'll have endless fun! Ride the slides in the water park, swim in the pools, but don’t forget about the sea - swim in it and rock the waves! Since you spend time in the sun during the most active sun rays, do not forget to apply sunscreen.
• 17:30. Let's go back to the pier! The heat should subside and it’s time for a long walk along the pier (you will have to walk to the pier, it will probably take 30 minutes or even more if you stop for beautiful photos).
• 18:00. We walk along the long pier. I'm sure your feet are already aching, but it's worth it! Relax over dinner. Sit for a while and relax by the lighthouse, admire how amazing this small town called Hersonissos looks from here!
• 19:30. Dinner time! Be sure to choose a seat in the restaurant with a sea view! There are also those where the tables are right on the sand. Don’t go into the first one you come across, walk along them all, look inside, read the menu and only then make a choice!
• 22:00. The evening is coming to an end, now you can return to your hotel, and buses to neighboring cities still run.

This is what our route will look like on the map:

What to see in the area

There are a lot of interesting places in the vicinity of Hersonissos. True, all of them are not within walking distance. But this is not a hindrance, agree?

Palace of Knossos (30 km)

I simply could not help but mention this place. And even though the palace is located in the city, there will be problems getting to it from Hersonissos. Nikita and I, as I mentioned, lived between these cities and independently went to the Palace of Knossos. This palace will be of interest primarily to those who are partial to history, those who adore ancient excavations and those who are interested in mythology. I don’t regret at all that we visited it. When you walk around the Palace of Knossos, imagine that the Minotaur once lived there, and you are walking through his labyrinth!

How to get there: First, we take the bus to Heraklion for 3.3 EUR. Then we get off at the terminus, walk a couple of meters from the bus stop to another stop and take the bus for 2.5 EUR to the palace. If you don’t understand where exactly the stop is, then ask any local. We actually walked to the palace, it took us about an hour, but we admired how the locals live on this island. By the way, the road is not difficult: basically you need to move along one straight street.

Visit: entrance costs 16 EUR (but it's worth it!). The palace is open daily from 08:00 to 19:00.

Lassithi Plateau, Cave of Zeus

These are some of the main attractions of the island. And, of course, the most convenient option to get there is a tour. This way you will see the most and easily get to the attractions you need.

How to get there: It is possible that you rented a car in Crete, then getting to the plateau will not be difficult. It takes 40-50 minutes to get there.

I know that for those who want to get to the plateau on a budget, there is a bus option from Heraklion. In 2 hours by bus you can get to the village of Psiro (longer, however, you will have to walk and ask the locals for directions). The bus schedule needs to be clarified, as well as their route (perhaps they go through Hersonissos). It seems that buses run on certain days. But I would take a tour, because the reviews from tourists about it are very good.

Once you arrive at the place, you can rent a donkey and ride it up the hill. It will cost 10-12 EUR. Walking this distance will not take any difficulty - spend 15-20 minutes.

The Lasithi Plateau itself is a huge plateau located at an altitude of 820 meters above sea level. The view there is mesmerizing. Lassithi is also called the Valley of a Thousand Mills! This is a very fertile land where nuts, cherries, peaches, and apples are grown. The place, together with the cave of Zeus, is called the heart of Crete.

Lasithi Plateau

The Cave of Zeus is one of the caves in the plateau area where, according to legend, Rhea gave birth to Zeus. The Cretans love this legend so much that they seem to truly believe in it.

Cave of Zeus, Crete

Entrance to the cave costs 4 EUR. You can visit it until 17:00.

Agios Nikolaos (40 km)

Another place located in the vicinity of Hersonissos. More precisely, it’s not just a place, it’s a whole city!

How to get there: it takes 40 minutes to get there by bus. You need to go from the bus stop on the main road of Hersonissos (el Venizelou). The journey will cost approximately 3 EUR one way. You can also go by car if you have rented one.

So, we bought a gyros for 3.5 EUR (this was not a restaurant, but a street eatery where you order takeaway food).

In a restaurant you can easily spend 10 EUR per person (probably if you don’t order alcohol). Although the most common local wine will cost about 2.5 to 5 EUR for half a liter. Of course, if you need something more refined or some famous brand, the price will increase several times.

Do not order sweets or strong alcohol! In Hersonissos, as in other Greek cities, gifts from the chef are usually brought after your dinner. These are most often sweets and strong alcohol. We were mostly served pancakes with ice cream, small cakes or local crumbly cookies, and our drinks were rakia (local Greek vodka) or limoncello. I, as a girl who can’t drink alcohol in one gulp, didn’t like the rakija, but the limoncello was very sweet and tasty. But my boyfriend appreciated the rakia. Of course, they won’t bring you compliments in liters - we were usually given a small bottle for about 4 shots.

I also advise you not to order portions in restaurants based on 1 person, because the size of the dishes here is so large that it will be difficult for one person to eat more than half. They brought a whole bowl of Greek salad, so Nikita and I were able to fill our plates more than once. The tzatziki sauce with the bread plate is definitely enough for several people! Therefore, to try something new and interesting, order different dishes and divide them into halves (although this will be difficult to do: the portions are very large).

And if you want to drink Greek vino every day during your holiday, then I advise you to buy it in local stores. The price of a bottle starts from 2.5 EUR. Agree, it’s not that expensive?

Budget

Budget cafes and restaurants include:

• Zachos Taverna,
• Rustico,
• Mc Delly's Casual Restaurant,
• Taverna 1930,
• Cafe Greco.

Mid-level

Not so budget-friendly, but it won’t hurt your pocket:

• Taverna Harakas,
• The Trap,
• Taverna Marina,
• Med Cafe & Restaurant,
• Mythos.

Expensive

But these places can safely be called chic:

• Palmera Seaside Restaurant,
• Akrogiali,
• Galini,
• Anatoli,
• Ariadni.

Holidays

Hersonissos is not famous for any special holidays. But considering that this is a Greek city in which local residents revere Orthodoxy, religious holidays in Hersonissos will seem very interesting to any tourist. And if vacationers are also believers, then you can even take part in the traditions of Orthodox celebrations.

Easter in Chersonissos (as throughout Crete) is an amazing holiday. How wonderful that it falls in the spring months, when it is already warm on the island and even a brave tourist can swim in the sea.

During this holiday, all restaurants offer to taste lamb on a spit, so non-vegetarian tourists who come to the festivities will be in luck.

On Easter night (about an hour before midnight) people gather on the beach and wait for the priest to arrive. The priest reads prayers and illuminates the place. And at exactly midnight, a large bonfire is lit on the coast and fireworks begin to be set off. The spectacle is so bright and solemn that it will not leave any vacationer indifferent!

Musical holidays

Festivals are held in various parts of the island of Crete. This year the city of Hersonissos was lucky because it was there that the holiday was held European Music Day. All participants of the celebration were able to visit an exhibition of musical instruments, as well as watch a concert of various ensembles.

It is unknown where the celebration will take place next year. Therefore, it is better to find out this on the Internet in advance. This year the celebration was on June 21.

Safety. What to watch out for

Hersonissos struck me as a safe place. And in general it is considered a calm country in terms of scammers, robberies and other crimes.

But in any tourist place there can be petty thieves, so basic security measures should be taken:

• Be sure to use the safe in your hotel room. The safe is usually provided free of charge. Put money, documents and everything related to your return home there.
• You should not carry large sums of money with you. Take as much as you roughly expect to spend, and leave the rest in your hotel room.
• Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach: money, phones, even if the beach belongs to your hotel.
• Just in case, it’s worth having photocopies of your foreign passports (pages with your photo and visa) and photocopies of your insurance (if you suddenly lose your real documents, the photocopies at the Russian consulate will give you temporary ones, with which you can return back to Russia). It would also be a good idea to send photographs of your documents and insurance to yourself by email.

These are all basic precautions and the likelihood that something will happen to you is extremely low. But forewarned is forearmed!

Things to do

Can it get boring in Hersonissos? Absolutely not! There is a lot of entertainment in this small city.

Karting

“Cartland” is a place in Chrsonissos where tourists like to visit in the evenings. Because during the day it’s very hot for karting, but in the evening it’s the best. "Cartland" is located on the outskirts of the resort town opposite the Belvedere Hotel. For 10 minutes of riding they will ask about 15 EUR. I allow children according to their height: from about 7 years old. Open every day until 22:00.

Cretaquarium

This is one of the largest aquariums in the Mediterranean. The building of this place is a former American military base. Anyone can take an audio guide, which is also provided in Russian. There are so many marine inhabitants here that neither an adult nor a child will remain indifferent.

Cretaquarium is open every day from 09:30 to 21:00 (from May to September), in April and October - until 17:00. Entrance ticket costs 9 EUR for an adult and 6 EUR for a child.

The aquarium is located not in Hersonissos, but in the village of Gournes (it takes about 20 minutes by bus, the fare is about 2 EUR).

Read about other activities below!

Shopping and shops

Shopping, like in any resort town, is available in Hersonissos.

Cheap but cheerful

You will see souvenir shops everywhere, and there are also small clothing stores next to the souvenir shops. No, not designer, but the most ordinary one. Sandals, flip-flops, T-shirts, shorts, caps, swimsuits, summer beach sundresses - all this can be bought in such stores at a very cheap price. For example, a pair of shoes can cost only 5 EUR. This is a great option to save on purchases and buy more items that you accidentally forgot to take on vacation! Therefore, do not pass by, but go inside, suddenly something will catch your eye.

I personally saw in one of these shops an excellent blue and white backpack, just like the Greek flag. But we left all our purchases for the last day, and who knew that we would spend so long in the Knossos Palace that we would be late for the airport? That's why I was left without a backpack.

Furs

It is believed that in Crete you can buy very high-quality fur items at an affordable price. The store that I recommend to all tourists is called Luxurius Furs. If you intend to purchase something made of fur, then you should look there. There is a very friendly owner who will gladly treat you to cognac and give you a very good discount.

Two mink coats can cost 3,000 EUR. The quality will be excellent, and in Russia you’ll hardly find a mink fur coat for that price now.

Bars. Where to go

There are many bars in Hersonissos. Take a walk along the street along the coast: on one side of you there will be restaurants with sea views, on the other there will be bars. I am sure that you will be invited to any establishment. It won’t be difficult to choose a place either: go to each one and decide where you like the most.

Bars are open all night. People start to gather around 21:00, when dinner is over and it's time for fun!

Here's a list of a couple of great places:

• Down Town Cafe Bar,
• Havana,
• Village Inn Cafe & Pub.

In general, in the bars of Hersonissos prices start from 1 EUR per shot. A cocktail will cost from 3 EUR. But you can also find it for 10 EUR: the cooler and more sophisticated the name, the more expensive the drink will be.

You are unlikely to meet drunks in the establishments: all visitors are tourists who come to relax and have a good time.

Clubs and nightlife

Dancing places in Hersonissos are even easier than bars. Clubs dance and have fun almost everywhere and every day:

• Considered the most stylish place Matrix. Come exactly at 00:00, this is the height of the disco.
• There is a club near the port called Bio Bio. Animators work there to keep visitors from getting bored and constantly hold competitions. Every day they have a new entertainment program.

In general, entry to clubs is completely free; some may even offer a free cocktail. However, if famous DJs perform at the club, they may ask for up to 10 EUR for entry. There is, one might say, no face control. People are lured there on the street and don’t look at the outfits at all.

In general, literally at every step you will come across places where you can have a dance floor:

• Palm Beach Club,
• New York Beach Club Hersonissos Crete,
• Y.O.L.O. You Only Live Once,
• Cameo,
• Tiger Club.

Extreme Sports

Diving

Crete is a great place for diving. In the city of Hersonissos there is an excellent diving club, Scubakreta. So if you've never dived, then maybe it's time to start!

Price: If you don’t have a diver certificate, then you definitely won’t be able to dive on a budget - you’ll have to take a training course. Course fees start from 265 EUR per person. After completing the course, you will be given a certificate and diving will be much cheaper for you. If you have a diver certificate, then diving will cost you from 40 EUR. Agree, the difference is significant, right?

Nikita has a diver certificate, but I do not - this is precisely the reason we did not dive in Crete. Therefore, I decided that I would get a diver certificate in Russia (it would be cheaper), and then we could dive in different countries together.

How to get there: The identifying place to find Scubakreta Diving Center will be the Nana Beach Hotel.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

So, from Hersonissos we are bringing as a gift to family and friends:

How to get around the city

It seems to me that I write in all articles that legs are the best friends for movement. Hersonissos is not so big that you can take a taxi, for example. The best thing to do here is to take a walk.

All restaurants and shops are located on two main streets (I wrote about this above), so it won’t be difficult to walk along one and the other. It is also better to walk along the beaches: this way you can visit them all and choose the one most suitable for you.

Buses and taxis in Hersonissos are needed to travel to neighboring cities and towns. But more on that below.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi is not a cheap way to travel. But it happens that there is simply no other way. For example, with small children you cannot walk long distances, so it is important to know how to use a taxi.

Tourists advise using the service Taxi Club. You can always ask the hotel reception to call you a taxi. Or call yourself, here is their phone number: +30 2897 022098. If you need to call a taxi from another locality, then go to any restaurant, hotel or store - local residents will not refuse to help you call a vehicle.

Note: on city streets it is not customary to brake a taxi with a raised hand, so it is always better to use your phone.

Price:

• You will be taken to the airport for 37 EUR;
• to the village of Anissaras (it is located very close) for about 15 EUR;
• to the village of Kokkini Hani for 20 EUR;
• if you are going to travel long distances, for example, to the city, you will have to pay about 100 EUR.

Buses

The best-developed public transport system on the island is buses.

So, from Hersonissos you can get to many localities by bus at a very affordable price. The buses are comfortable, there is no standing room inside, but there are comfortable seats (2 in two rows). The air conditioning is working, so you have a great opportunity to cool down during your trip.

Price:

• you can get to Iralion for 3.3 EUR (the drive takes about 45 minutes);
• everything towards Heraklion will cost less. These are settlements such as Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Gournes, etc. (20-25 minutes drive);
• to Agios Nikolaos - 4.5 EUR (drive a little over an hour);
• to Ierapetra - 8.5 EUR (journey time 1 hour 40 minutes).

Buses run every 20-30 minutes (the schedule can be checked at the stops). The central stop is located on Main Road Street.

Transport rental

Of course, you can rent a car in Hersonissos. You ask “for how much?” The answer to this question will depend on a number of factors:

• firstly, the season when you relax. In summer, car rental will be more expensive than, for example, in spring or autumn. This is due to the number of vacationers.
• secondly, the class of the car. Roughly speaking, the cooler the car you want, the more you will have to pay for it.
• thirdly, the period of time for which you are going to rent a vehicle. For example, rent for a day can cost about 40 EUR. Whereas for 5 days you will pay 160.

Therefore, it is most profitable to rent the most ordinary car for obviously more than a day. For about a day, the rental cost will be 30-40 EUR.

It is best to have both regular and international licenses with you when renting a car. On some forums they write that our Russian rights are sometimes enough, but it is better to have both options.

There are sometimes scams when renting a car in Hersonissos, so be careful not to be fooled by the very low prices. Many tourists complained that they rent a car for one price, and then they are asked several times more, because... They call the original price without insurance. Here you can see offers from trusted rental companies.

Motorists should remember this:

• Parking can be either paid or free. The closer to the city center, the more expensive it will cost.
• Low beams should only be turned on when visibility is poor. It is prohibited to use it during the day.
• Children under three years of age must sit in a special child seat.
• The car must have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
• 95 petrol costs 1.5 EUR.

Hersonissos - holidays with children

Yes, Hersonissos is a resort party town, and it may seem that with children it is better to choose a quieter place, but this is absolutely not the case! It is worth going to Hersonissos with children. You should see how many vacationers there are, even with tiny babies! With children, firstly, you can relax on absolutely any beach: sea, sand... the question is, what else does your naughty boy need to be happy? But besides the sea, there are places in the city where you can take your children:

1. AquaPlus water park. This water park has more than 20 different slides for children and teenagers. In addition, there is also table tennis, air hockey, billiards - you will definitely find something to do there.
   AquaPlus is located on a hill, 7 km from the center of Hersonissos. The view from this place is amazing! The water park is open from Monday to Saturday (Sunday closed) from 10:00, the last visitors are allowed in at 17:15. The water park is open from April to October inclusive. Tickets cost 27 EUR for adults, free for small children, and 17 EUR for those aged 5 to 12.
2. Aquaworld Aquarium. This aquarium is usually very popular with children (both young and older), and all because there you can touch and feed turtles, look at lizards, iguanas, and crocodiles. If you arrive at 10:30, you will be at the python feeding.
   This place is located a few steps from the main street of Hersonissos. Just in case, here is the address: Filikis Etirias, 7. If you suddenly get lost, you can ask the locals for directions. An interesting fact about this aquarium: once you buy a ticket, you can visit this place for a year. Therefore, the best option would be to buy a ticket for yourself and then sell it to other tourists traveling with children. A ticket for adults and teenagers costs 8 EUR, for children - 4 EUR.
3. Star Beach Waterpark. Don’t forget about this wonderful beach, because there is a water park there that children will love to visit, while adults will relax on sun loungers and drink cocktails! You can stay in the water park completely free of charge, but you will have to pay to ride the slides, but the prices are not catastrophic. For example, you can agree with your child that he will go down one slide per day!
   
4. Eco-Park "Lasinthos" (Lasinthos Eco-Park). If you are planning to visit the Lassithi plateau and the Cave of Zeus, then at the same time go to the eco-park (the children will be delighted). A variety of trees grow on an area of ​​80 hectares; children are shown here how beekeepers work and how local wine and olive oil are made. There is a ceramics and weaving workshop here: children are given a lot to try and make with their own hands. In the eco-park you can see and approach many animals: geese, pheasants, ponies, badgers and many others. But all tourists admire the Kri-Kri mountain goat; on the island it is considered a protected animal.
   In general, I’m sure children will love such an interesting place!!

What is the famous resort of Hersonissos (Crete, Greece)? Why is it preferred by young people from Europe and Russia? Hotels and beaches of Hersonissos.

Hersonissos is the most famous youth resort in Crete, a favorite vacation spot for students and those who come to Greece to have fun. The city is located 25 km east of Heraklion. Hersonissos is divided into two parts: the older one, located 2 km from the coast, and the new (tourist) part, which is located in the port area.

Since the town is located on a hill, even at the height of the summer season, when the air temperature rises above +30°C, a fresh pleasant breeze blows across the coast, making it easier to bear the heat.

The main contingent of vacationers in Hersonissos are young people from Ireland, Great Britain and. By the way, in the city you can find information in Russian at every step; the lion’s share of restaurants, pubs, clubs and hotels have Russian-speaking staff, so even without knowledge of English you won’t be lost here.

Hersonissos on the map of Greece

The beaches of Hersonissos are sand and pebble, in many places you can find large stones. The water off the coast is clean and clear, as is the case on the rest of the coast of Crete. It’s always noisy on the shore, young people are out and about, so it won’t be very comfortable to relax here with small children. The cleanliness of most city beaches is poor, but this is the downside of a youth resort. Sea urchins are sometimes found in the water, so it would be advisable to purchase special swimming shoes.

Coastline of Hersonissos (Crete, Greece)

Equipped sandy beach (Hersonissos, Crete)

The title of the most fun and party beach of Hersonissos is proudly held by the Star Beach beach. Here you will find not only a coastline with sand and a gentle entrance to the sea, but also a small water park with slides and foam parties by the pools, as well as a lot of cafes for a quick snack.

Other city beaches are less crowded, but also well organized. If you want maximum privacy, you will need to drive a couple of kilometers from the city limits. By the way, 2 km from the resort, near Cape Sarandaris, there is a nudist beach.

Where to stay in Hersonissos

Hotels in Hersonissos in most cases are small but comfortable middle-class buildings. There are about 160 hotels and apartments in the city, so choosing an option that is convenient in terms of price-quality ratio is not difficult.

There are few hotels with their own beach area here. Since all the beaches are public, and you can relax on any part of the coast, tourists prefer to get their own umbrella and beach mat so as not to pay for renting sun loungers each time.

Best hotels in Hersonissos 2020

• Note to independent travelers: proven accommodation options in the resort of Hersonissos: Albatros Spa & Resort Hotel

  

• - a five-star complex of enormous size, including everything that the Greek hotel industry has to offer. Perhaps option #1 in Hersonissos. Star Beach Village & Water Park

  

• - a four-star hotel with a private beach and stunning views from balconies and terraces. There is almost everything (this is Greece!), including free parking. Athina Inn

  

• - inexpensive family apartments with a kitchen and a balcony in each room. One minus - there are only five rooms and they are in demand 😉 Central Hersonissos Hotel

  

- three-star hotel 200 m from the beach of Hersonissos resort. Suitable for families with children and independent travelers.

Hersonissos has a huge number of restaurants, taverns and shops. The most “tourist” ones are located along the city port. However, you shouldn’t count on any special culinary delights here - the majority of the dishes are a mix of Mediterranean cuisine and fast food. To find more interesting establishments, go deeper into the city, to uncrowded streets where there are few tourists.

Excursion holidays in Hersonissos 2020

Holidays in Hersonissos provide many opportunities to explore both the western and eastern parts of the island. Local travel agencies offer interesting routes: for example, a 5-hour trip on a nice tourist train through the Cretan villages (and they are extraordinarily beautiful and atmospheric).

Popular boat trips to Heraklion from Hersonissos

If you rent a car, the possibilities for visiting all sorts of interesting places in Crete are almost endless. And water park "Water City" , folk art museum "Lychnostasis" And Diktean cave , Cretan Aquarium And Balos Bay , where three seas merge, you will be able to explore the most interesting sights of the island, and not just the immediate surroundings.

Entertainment and nightlife

But still, more often than not, resort guests spend their leisure time not on excursions, but at discos. You can dance here at any time of the day or night, and you don’t have to spend much to do this - entry to clubs is in most cases free. During the day, the busiest venues in Hersonissos host open air discos, as well as concerts, competitions, shows, etc.