1.2 km
Limanakia Coves
A chain of little coves between Cape Sarantari and Hersonissos, from busy to almost secret.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Sandy beaches
Hersonissos Beach
About
The busy town beach of Hersonissos, sand, sunbeds and a promenade full of cafes.
Hersonissos beach runs along the harbour town of Limenas Hersonissou, one of the biggest resorts on Crete. It is a narrow sandy strip, fully organised, with a promenade of restaurants and bars right behind it. Handy if you stay in town, but expect crowds in high season.
There's also history here. In ancient times Chersonissos was the port of Lyttos, and you can still see the remains of an early Christian basilica on the harbour headland and Roman fish tanks cut into the rocks by the sea. For a quieter swim, head west to the little coves of Limanakia or east to Stalida. In the evening, take a taxi up to the villages of Koutouloufari and Piskopiano for dinner with a view.
Highlights & amenities
- Entry
- Free
Organised
Atmosphere
Characteristics
Activities
Good for
Facilities
Around Hersonissos
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
1.2 km
Koutouloufari
Small hillside village above Hersonissos, popular for evening dinners.
All villages & towns · Hersonissos
1.3 km
Piskopiano
Hillside village just above Hersonissos with views over the coast.
All villages & towns · Hersonissos
1.7 km
Gefyri Beach
The easiest to reach of the Limanakia coves near Hersonissos, calm and very blue.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
1.9 km
Sarantari Beach
A sheltered cove of almost white sand below the cliffs at Cape Sarantari.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
2.0 km
Lychnostatis Open Air Museum
Old Cretan village life near Hersonissos.
Museums · Hersonissos
2.2 km
Old Hersonissos
The original village of Hersonissos, uphill from the resort.
All villages & towns · Hersonissos
2.5 km
Hersonissos
A big resort with a small harbour.
All villages & towns · Hersonissos
3.8 km
Anissaras Beach
Small sandy beaches in front of big resorts, with a rocky seabed that is good for snorkelling.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
4.5 km
Stalida Beach
A long sandy beach between Hersonissos and Malia, a bit more relaxed and family friendly.
Sandy beaches · Hersonissos
Getting there
About 30 minutes from Heraklion (27 km east). Frequent KTEL buses and taxis.
Live sea conditions
Wind
-
Waves
-
Loading live data…
More sheltered right now
Forecast data: Open-Meteo
On the map
35.31719, 25.39298 · See on map
Activities nearby
Loading experiences…