Sandstrände

Anissaras Beach

Chersonissos, Heraklion · Free

Route

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Organised

Gut organisiert

Characteristics

Activities

Wassersport

Facilities

About

Small sandy beaches in front of big resorts, with a rocky seabed that is good for snorkelling.

Anissaras is a quieter resort just west of Hersonissos with small beaches of coarse sand in front of large hotels. The seabed is rocky, which makes the clear water great for snorkelling. Sunbeds, showers and snack bars are everywhere, and watersports leave from a pier halfway along.

The rocky seabed makes it a good area for snorkelling, but bring water shoes for getting in and out. It's a convenient base: the nightlife of Hersonissos is a few minutes away, but the evenings here are calm. Walk along the coast to the little Limanakia coves.

Hersonissos is the busiest resort area of Crete, stretching along the north coast east of Heraklion, with Gouves, Hersonissos, Stalida and Malia. The beaches are long and sandy, with every facility, and the nightlife is lively. Behind the resorts, villages like Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, Mochos and Krasi keep a traditional atmosphere and offer cooler evenings with views. The Minoan palace of Malia, the Cretaquarium and the open-air museum of Lychnostatis are all in the area.

Around Chersonissos

North coast, on the Cretan Sea
Nearest town: Hersonissos, about 5 km by road
Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 21 km by road

Heraklion is the heart of Minoan Crete and the island’s busiest region. Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum are the two places almost everyone visits, and they work well together on one day. In the south, the wide Messara plain holds the palace of Phaistos, the Roman ruins of Gortyna and the famous caves above the bay of Matala. More about Heraklion