Hersonissos

About

A big resort with a small harbour.

Hersonissos is one of the biggest resorts in Crete, about 25 km east of Heraklion. The name means "peninsula", after the small cape where the harbour is. In ancient times, Chersonissos was the port of Lyttos and an important town in the Roman period.

Today the port town is full of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops, and the nightlife is lively. Remains of an early Christian basilica and Roman fish tanks can be seen near the harbour.

Above the resort, the villages of Old Hersonissos, Koutouloufari and Piskopiano have kept their traditional character, with narrow streets and tavernas with views. The open-air museum of Lychnostatis is nearby.

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.

Anreise

About 3 km from Hersonissos by road.

On the map

35.30700, 25.36872 · See on map