Hersonissos (Crete) is a miniature resort town located in the northern part of the island 26 km east of Heraklion. Its population is approximately 3,000. The city is formed by municipal communities grown on the basis of small villages. Translated from Greek, the name of the object is interpreted as a “peninsula.” The first people who settled on the territory of Hersonissos more than 3,500 years ago belonged to the Minoan civilization.
Today, Hersonissos has become the epicenter of international tourism and offers its guests all kinds of entertainment and attractions. The resort is especially popular with young people who have fallen in love with it for a variety of night clubs, bars and taverns. And the area attracts families with children with its well-equipped beaches, mini-golf courses, a water park and comfortable hotels. In addition, there are two health centers in the city, where many travelers come to restore the body with thalassotherapy.
Attractions and entertainment
Active tourists will definitely not be bored in Hersonissos in Greece. On its territory there are entertainment complexes of different directions, which successfully help to diversify the rest. First of all, pay attention to the following
Among the attractions of Hersonissos in Crete is the Aquaworld Aquarium. This is a small, but noteworthy natural spot, where you can get acquainted not only with representatives of the underwater world, but also with the inhabitants of the land. The facility was founded in 1995 by John Maclaren and was of a charitable nature. Many of the local inhabitants were saved from imminent death and subsequently found a new home in Aquaworld. The aquarium is primarily unusual for its policy of direct contact of visitors with animals.
Everyone here has the opportunity to touch local pets – the Blondie tortoise and the iguana of Mark Anthony. In addition, various types of snakes and lizards await you in the aquarium, as well as a Nile crocodile. By the way, you can chat directly here with a real python. The complex will be greeted by friendly and friendly staff who lovingly care for all its residents. It is best to visit the aquarium in the morning, around 10:00, when animal feeding begins. Taking pictures with the inhabitants is not prohibited.
- Address: Filikis Etirias 7, Hersonissos 700 14, Crete, Greece.
- Opening hours: from April 1 to October 31, the attraction is open daily from 10:00 to 17:15. Sunday closed. In winter, the aquarium does not work.
- The cost of visiting: adults and adolescents – 8 €, children – 4 €.
The water park is located on one of the best beaches of Hersonissos in Greece, which allows tourists to combine water slide activities with beach vacations. The complex has 5 pools and several attractions, including the Kamikaze slope. In addition to skiing, you can enjoy water sports here: ride a banana, go parasailing and experience bungee jumping. The water park also has a children’s area with a playground and a miniature pool. In between breaks, visitors can grab a bite to eat at one of the cafes, which serves mostly national dishes. There is also a spa and a small shop on site. The safety of tourists is monitored by professional rescuers, which is why families with small children relax here.
- Address: Themistokleous 5, Hersonissos 700 14, Crete, Greece.
- Opening hours: The attraction is open from April to October every day from 10:00 to 19:00.
- Entrance fee: 8 €.
This is another attraction of Hersonissos, which is definitely worth a visit, relaxing in the resort. The private museum, which is located in the open air, will tell you about the history and culture of Crete, will acquaint you with its traditional architecture. Here you will learn a lot of interesting information about the life of rich and poor Greeks, about their crafts, as well as about the flora and fauna of the island. Among the architectural exhibits of the museum are a mill, a church and a school. Wine and oil production installations are also on display. It is noteworthy that it is in this gallery that you can see the world’s first jet ski.
A tour of the museum is accompanied by an audio guide in Russian (for a fee), and navigation through the exhibitions is quite convenient. The ticket price includes watching a film about the life of the island. There is a miniature cafe and a souvenir shop on site. It is especially interesting to visit the museum on national holidays, when dances and treats are held here.
- Address: Anichto Mousio Lichnostatis, Hersonissos 700 14, Crete, Greece.
- Opening hours: The attraction is open daily from 09:00 to 14:00. Saturday is a day off.
- The cost of visiting: adults – 7 €, children – 3 €, audio guide – 2 €.
In Hersonissos in Greece there is a rather unusual place – the Labyrinth theme park, which will be interesting to visit for both children and adults. The park complex spreads over an area of 1300 m². The labyrinth is a structure of plank partitions, which in total stretch over a distance of 1 km. To be in the center and find a way out is not an easy task, so even adults take at least 30 minutes to figure out the right way. Each visitor uses his own strategy in the maze: someone goes at random, and someone uses special towers that overlook the nearby paths.
It is interesting that all participants who have found a way in a certain time are entitled to a special gift from the park. Every day, the employees of the complex change the design of the maze, so you can visit the object several times. In addition to this entertainment, the park offers a host of other activities: vacationers ride horses, shoot arrows, play mini-golf and even learn pottery. And all history buffs go to watch an entertaining film about the Minoan civilization.
- Address: Labyrinth Park, Hersonissos 700 14, Crete, Greece.
- Opening hours: The attraction is open from April to October from 10:00 to 20:00.
- The cost of visiting: adults – 10 €, children – 6 €.
Beaches
Star Beach is conveniently located right in front of the water park of the same name. This is the resort’s most popular place, which is a whole entertainment complex with a variety of water attractions, so it’s always crowded here. The beach has a sandy coating, clean and warm sea.
The beach is equipped with all amenities, including showers and changing rooms. Each visitor has the opportunity to rent sunbeds and umbrellas. There is a bar right on the coast where you can have a pizza snack or order Greek dishes and drinks. Star Beach is suitable for lovers of passive relaxation, as well as for seekers of water entertainment.
Another of the beaches of Hersonissos in Crete is located west of the city and is called West beach. First of all, the place is visited by tourists who love snorkeling. In fact, West Beach is not quite a beach: here the territory is covered with concrete slabs, on which a few tourists sunbathe.
The beach is located near Cape Sarantaris, about 2 km from the port of Hersonissos. The place is suitable for those tourists who prefer to sunbathe without wearing bathing suits. Since the coast is near the road in a busy part of the city, it is always noisy here.
The beach is covered with sand mixed with pebbles. The entrance to the sea is rocky; special shoes will be required. Naturists Beach does not have any infrastructure, so they come here with their beach accessories. There is no cafe on the coast itself, but the only Saradari restaurant is a couple of minutes walk from the beach.
This is the widest and longest coast in Hersonissos, stretching between the city port and Cape Sarantaris. Its length is more than 1.5 km, and its width reaches 50 m. Limanakia consists of several separate beaches located in small bays, which are characterized by a sandy coating and the absence of waves. Some areas are equipped with sun loungers, others are more like wild beaches. As a rule, there are cafes near the equipped beaches that offer traditional food and drinks.
In the photo of Hersonissos you can see many miniature beaches huddling on a small strip of land. This is the coast near the Creta Maris hotel, where there are several swimming areas with sunbeds and umbrellas, but there are also wild islands. The coast is covered with small pebbles, however, rather large stones are found in the water at the bottom, so coral slippers will not interfere here. The area is notable for its shallow water, which is why many families with small children have a rest here. On the shore of cafes and restaurants you will not find, but if you go on the road east of the hotel, you will find several good places.
On the west side of the port of Hersonissos you can see another beach. The coastline here is very narrow, but quite long. The place is very popular, so it is always crowded with vacationers. The coating consists mainly of sand, in some places small stones come across. The coast is equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers, which are closely pressed against each other, which for some may cause discomfort. Numerous cafes and bars lined the coast: some of them are right on the beach, others are across the road. Also on the opposite street is a couple of hotels and a supermarket.
Accommodation
Hersonissos in Crete in Greece is ready to offer more than 150 accommodation options at the most varied prices. If you are primarily interested in beach vacations, then when choosing a hotel it is important to pay attention to the remoteness of the property from the coast. In addition, it is worth considering that the city center itself is located at least 3 km from the coast, and we are interested in the coastal area – Hersonissos Limenas. Among the resort hotels you can find both budget options and expensive hotels.
So, in high season, on average renting a double room in a 3 * establishment will cost 40-60 € per day. The cheapest option in this segment will cost 23 €. The resort and the surrounding area have more than 20 five-star hotels, the average cost of living in which is 150-200 € for two per day. Thrifty tourists always have the opportunity to stay in private apartments. The price for booking a room in such establishments starts from 19 € and ranges from 30 € per night.
If you are looking for affordable accommodation options on the seashore, we advise you to pay attention to the following hotels.
- Albatros Spa & Resort Hotel ***** is a five-star hotel on the sea coast with its own spa, fitness center and pool. In summer, you can settle here together for 83 € per day.
- Mari – Kristin Hotel **** – the property is located within walking distance from the beach, has its own pool and restaurant. In high season, room rental is 63 € per day.
- Acropolis Apartments *** – Aparthotel, located just 150 meters from the beach, has a private pool and provides free parking. Room rental in the summer months will cost 45 € per night.
Weather and climate
The best time to visit Hersonissos in Greece is from June to September. Although in May the air temperature warms up to 24 ° C, the sea remains cool (20 ° C). In June, you can find the most comfortable weather conditions when it is warm in the afternoon, but still not hot, and the temperature of the water rises to 23-24 ° C.
High season in the resort occurs in July, August and September, which are considered the sunniest and hottest months. At this time, the air temperature does not drop below 28 ° C, and the sea pleases with comfortable bathing water (25-26 ° C). Swimming in Hersonissos is quite possible in October, because the water in the sea still does not have time to cool down and keeps at around 23 ° C. In winter, it makes no sense to visit the object, since not only its beaches are closed, but also most of the attractions.
How to get there
If you liked the photo of Hersonissos in Crete and you thought about a trip to the resort, then it will be useful for you to know how to get to it. The nearest airport to the city is 23 km in Heraklion. To get from Hersonissos from the air harbor, you can use the bus or taxi.
In the first case, upon leaving the airport you will need to find a stop and buy a bus ticket for the route Heraklion – Hersonissos. The fare is € 3.30, the journey takes about 45 minutes. Buses run daily approximately once per hour from 06:00 to 23:00, on Sundays – from 06:30 to 21:45.
A more convenient and faster way to get to the resort is to order a transfer or taxi. Such a trip will cost at least 38 € and take about 25 minutes. If you get up to 7 passengers, it makes sense to book a minibus: in this case, you will pay about 60 € for the fare. Taxi operates around the clock. Here, perhaps, are all the main ways with which you can get to the city of Hersonissos (Crete) in Greece.
