Chersonese Crete what a sea. Hersonissos: what to see and how much it will cost? Village Old Hersonissos

annotation: city Hersonissos(Island of Crete, Greece) is a famous tourist center Crete, which will appeal to many vacationers. Hersonissos– especially attractive to young people who love leisure and bright nightlife, but anyone and everyone will find their zest here. In this article, the site ok -tour. com will talk about the features of recreation in Hersonissos, about its infrastructure, what the city offers to tourists (what beaches, hotels, food, prices, where to go and what to see). So, under the general slogan «Hersonissos reviews» reveal the following points about the rest in Hersonissos:

  • location of Hersonissos
  • Weather in Hersonissos
  • Hersonissos beaches
  • discos, cafes, taverns, restaurants of Hersonissos
  • Hersonissos Food Prices
  • Supermarkets in Hersonissos
  • Hersonissos Tours
  • Attractions in Hersonissos
  • pronunciation of the word Hersonissos

Hersonissos: location

The city of Hersonissos is located on the coast of the Aegean Sea, 30 km east of Heraklion, the "capital" of Crete.

The new National Road passes through the city, and this is an excellent route along which buses run constantly, so there will be no problems getting to or from Hersonissos anywhere on the island.

Heraklion is the gateway to Crete. Comfortable tour buses will take you to Hersonissos. operators in about 30 minutes.

Weather in Hersonissos

Like the rest of Crete, Hersonissos has great weather for a beach holiday. 340 days a year there is sunshine, in summer the temperature averages 30-33 degrees Celsius, but the proximity of the sea and the fact that a light breeze constantly blows makes this temperature quite comfortable to feel. Of course, there is always a danger of getting burned or getting sunstroke, so remember the basic precautions: hat, always use sunscreen (from 25 units of protection and above) and cover areas of the body that can burn if you are in the sun for a long time (for example , on a walk or excursion).

The beaches of Hersonissos

Of course, rest in Crete is, first of all, a beach holiday. An important aspect is the nature of the beaches themselves. If the beach is sandy, then this, of course, is a plus for the resort. characteristic feature Crete is a variety of landscapes and beaches, so much so that sandy, sandy-pebble and rocky shores change literally after 10 minutes of walking along the coast. We observe the same picture in Hersonissos.

When choosing a hotel in Hersonissos, do not pay attention to which beach is next to it. Walking for 10-15 minutes, you can be at an excellent sandy beach Star Beach: wide, with sun loungers and umbrellas (extra charge, sun lounger - 3 euros, umbrella - 3 euros per day per person, but the umbrella can be used for two), with a fresh water shower.

If you are still an opponent of excessive walks, then the beaches closest to you are waiting for you. They are also good. Everywhere there are paid umbrellas / sun loungers, the bottom is predominantly sandy with cobblestones at the bottom, but you won’t cut your feet, so you don’t have to buy special shoes.

Whichever beach you choose, it will be useful for you to know that they are all free. Such a pleasant nuance of rest in Crete. No one will drive you away and will not demand money for entering the territory. The fee is charged only for the use of sun loungers and umbrellas. To save on these attributes, you can, of course, lie on towels or bedspreads you have brought with you. Also, as an option, you can buy a beach mat (costs about 2-3 euros) and a folding beach umbrella (costs 6 euros). They are sold right there in the street shops of Hersonissos. Already in one day of rest together you pay off your expenses for renting a sun lounger and umbrellas on the beach. Do it or not, it's up to you, but this tip can be useful when traveling on a budget.

Hersonissos - the center of fun in Crete: discos, cafes, taverns, restaurants

Life in Hersonissos is in full swing day and night. If you like discos, active and fun times, if you are energetic, then Hersonissos is for you.

At 11 pm, life in the city just begins and does not stop until the morning. The main street of the city is always noisy and busy. Absolutely all shops, supermarkets, not to mention cafes and restaurants are open until 12 at night. Very busy traffic and pedestrians, and vehicles: cars, quads, scooters.

But if you turn off the main street onto the embankment, you will find yourself in an absolutely fabulous atmosphere. Shoulder to shoulder restaurants with beautiful terraces overlooking the sea are located, and this series of establishments stretches for more than half an hour's walk. Restaurants overlook the sea, and on the other side of the street there are discos, pubs, bars. Music is pouring from everywhere, employees of the establishments offer to go to them, get acquainted with the menu, everything is in multi-colored lights, garlands.

Discos start working, perhaps, from 9-10 pm, but before 11-12 there are not very many people there, so come there later. Entrance to discos is free. The bet is that you will buy drinks.

Establishments lure with very attractive prices for cocktails, beer and other drinks. For example, cocktails "sex on the beach”, “pina collada” cost from 3 euros, half a liter of local draft beer - from 2 euros. And this is on the beautiful terraces in the restaurant overlooking the sea and the embankment glowing with millions of lights!

By the way, the owners of the establishment will try to appease you and be prepared that in addition to your order, you will also be served a treat at the expense of the establishment. For example, a small decanter of raki vodka can be brought to your beer?

The choice of places for evening rest does not end there. Here everyone will find something to their liking: pubs, bars, billiards, watching football with a glass of beer and much more. You will be welcome at any time.

Hersonissos Food Prices

In Hersonissos, food is absolutely affordable. So, for 7 euros you can have a great meal in almost any establishment. The cost of one dish to refresh yourself will cost from 3 euros (for example, these are french fries and club sandwiches).

When calculating a trip to Crete, look at how much your hotel increases the price if, for example, not only breakfast is included, but also dinner, or if it is all-inclusive. For example, in our case, a hotel with the HB option (breakfast + dinner) and a similar hotel with all-inclusive differed in price by 170 euros per couple, i.e. for 85 euros for one for 10 days. Considering that for 8 euros you can have a pretty good lunch, while you can alternate restaurants at least every day, eat with a view of the sea, be on an excursion during lunch in any city of Crete, then the choice is in favor of self-selection food places are very reasonable. If you do not plan to spend time mainly in the hotel, but prefer to travel and relax in a variety of ways, then try to burden yourself as little as possible with the obligation to be in the hotel at a specific time for eating. The Breakfast Only (BB) option is what you need. With the money saved on the ticket, you can have a great meal wherever you want, and no worse.

Supermarkets in Hersonissos

There are a lot of small supermarkets in Hersonissos. They are compactly located along the main street, among other shops. However, the really big (comparatively) are two supermarkets: SELECT and SPAR. The prices are reasonable and the selection is quite good. The SELECT supermarket is located across the street from Star Beach. It is convenient, for example, to make purchases while walking to or from the beach. For example, we bought 1 liter of freshly squeezed orange juice here for 2.2 euros, wine - from 2-3 euros for a bottle of 0.75 liters, etc. There is also a souvenir section.

Hersonissos Car Rentals

In Hersonissos, there are so many points for renting cars and motorcycles that it’s just dizzying. Be sure to take your driver's license (international standard) with you when you are going to Crete. Rent a car here The best way see the maximum number of attractions and get to know the island. The cost of renting a small car (for example, Deawoo Matiz) for a day is from 35 euros with insurance.

The cost of renting a scooter (scooter) or an ATV is from 10 euros per day (a driver's license is also required).

Let's take a look at quad bikes. They are very popular with tourists. Under you will be a powerful four-wheeled beast! You can go to explore the surroundings of Hersonissos by mountain roads, go to neighboring beaches, for example, to Malia, and just feel the drive from driving. Of course, you should be careful when driving, but looking at the fact that literally EVERYONE rides ATVs, you relax a little in matters of caution.

Bicycles are also available for rent. The cost is also in most places from 10 euros. At the same time, they don’t ask for anything as a deposit, only the name of the hotel where they stayed.

Hersonissos: excursions and attractions

You will not find an abundance of attractions in the city. It is a city for living, lodging, relaxing on the beaches, as well as an excellent starting point for traveling around Crete.

The closest sights we found are the Aquarium, the Lychnostasis Museum and the Hersonissos Train Tour. Not far from Hersonissos there is a gorge that can be walked with a group in a few hours (similar to walking along the famous Samaria gorge).

However, while in Hersonissos, we visited Heraklion, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, etc. In all cases, we used intercity buses(see timetables and bus routes in Crete) passing through Hersonissos to reach other settlements. All sights of Crete are available to you. also read on our website ok-tour. com.

Lost in translation: Chersonese -> Chersonissos -> Chersonissos

The stress in the word Hersonissos should be placed on the syllable "sleep". That's how it is in Greek. In spelling, some also make mistakes, they write Chersonissos or Chersonesus. For example, when searching for topics of interest to you on the Internet, this will significantly worsen your search results for you, so being correct will be easier for you.

Holidays in Hersonissos: summary

Rest in Hersonissos is recommended to absolutely everyone. The choice of hotels and apartments is quite large. If you are a lover quiet rest, take away from the main street. There are options when your windows will face the sea or mountains.

In Hersonissos, you will have access to all the services that a city dweller is used to: convenience stores, a lot of attractions on the beaches, an unusually large number of cafes, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, McDonalds, finally!))

Walkers will definitely appreciate the city. Perhaps such people will be bored in some quiet village with only one sandy beach.

Liked the article? Click "Like", "+1", "I like it!"

We will tell you how to spend time in Crete in Hersonissos. Briefly about the sights, beaches and entertainment of a dynamic Greek resort.

Hersonissos is considered to be the most dynamic island of Crete. During the season, life here does not stop for a minute: clubs, bars, boutiques, souvenir shops and traditional taverns work. At the same time, Hersonissos is known as one of the oldest settlements on the island, so there are numerous historical monuments nearby. Another reason for its popularity is the variety of beaches nearby, including sandy ones. What can you do in Hersonissos and how to relax?


Tourists of all ages come to Greek Hersonissos, but it is rightly considered the youth center of Crete. The life of the resort is in full swing on the main street. Along it lined up bars and clubs, open until dawn. There are also themed places with lounge music or 80s hits. It is noteworthy that some clubs can be accessed for free. Hersonissos also attracts with excellent shopping. In addition to typical souvenir shops, there are cosmetics shops, boutiques and fur salons. You can buy jewelry from both international and Greek brands.

Those who go to Hersonissos with the whole family will not be bored either. There are two water parks here.

  1. Aqua Plus, located 5 km from the resort, is built on a hill with amazing views. The choice of entertainment will please you: there is extreme rides, slides for the little ones, restaurants, playgrounds and swimming pools.
  2. Watercity with a wide range of attractions: water tubes, "lazy" and "crazy" rivers, children's slides and water tunnels. It will be interesting for vacationers of any age.

Boats depart from the port of the city to neighboring coastal villages. During such boat trip you can enjoy the scenery and swimming in the bays. And from boats with a transparent bottom - to consider the diversity of the underwater life of Hersonissos.

Healthy: if you plan to look for accommodation in Hersonissos, we recommend that you pay attention to the Irini Apartments hotel.


Are you planning a trip? That way!

We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help save money at the stage of preparation for the trip.

Sights of Hersonissos

The city is usually divided into modern and old parts. The old one is located on a hill and is the opposite of New Hersonissos. It is calm here, nothing breaks the silence. You can admire the old houses and sea views or have a bite to eat in the tavern.

Hersonissos has been of great importance since the era of Classical Greece and ending with the times of Byzantium. From preserved evidence of the past: the ruins of basilicas and ancient theaters, which are best viewed on foot and horseback riding. Near the modern harbor, fragments of the Roman port are visible, although most of it is hidden under water. Another interesting monument antiquity - a Roman fountain, which the researchers considered part of the villa. It has not been completely preserved, but a mosaic depicting scenes from the life of a fisherman has survived.

There is also something to see in the immediate vicinity of Hersonissos. You can go to Lychnostatis - an ethnographic museum with examples of agricultural tools of Crete, folk crafts and traditional interiors. The museum garden contains rare herbs and flowers of the island. Another attraction nearby is the small aquarium Aqua World. It contains animals rescued from death.

It is worth visiting the Skotino Cave, little known among tourists. This does not make it less picturesque: inside you can see stalactites of bizarre shapes. It is also convenient to travel from Hersonissos to the most important ancient monuments of Crete - the city of Gortyn, Knossos and Phaistos palaces.


On the territory of Hersonissos itself there are several beaches and bays. The best are located in the Limanakia region, which has both idyllic sandy stretches and rocky coves. Near the city there are many picturesque and suitable beaches for a good rest. You can visit Kokkini Hani, whose beach stretches for half a kilometer. When the waves rise everywhere in Crete, it remains calm for swimming. The beach is equipped: there are sun loungers, bars, shops and apartments nearby.


Hersonissos is amazing Greek city located on the island of Crete. In Crete, my boyfriend Nikita and I rested in May, we lived in a village called Gouves, which is located between Heraklion and Hersonissos, so we spent every day and evening either in one or another city. I 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 struck by how many Russians 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 surprising way, appearance will determine that you are Russian and will invite a Russian girl to communicate with you, who also works as a seller in this stall.


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

About everything - how to get to this town and what to see there - read below. :)

How to get there

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


By plane

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

So, the place of your rest 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 option of flight. The cost of a one-way ticket starts from 100 EUR, depending on the date. Departure is carried out from Domodedovo Airport, the flight is direct, you will be on the way for 3 hours 45 minutes. But you need to remember something: luggage will be paid, but in hand luggage you can carry up to 8 kg (in such a warm place as Crete, 8 kg, I think, is enough). Also, this airline can fly with transfers in Athens or Thessaloniki. The transfer may be 11 hours, so for experienced travelers this is a great opportunity to see another Greek city. With a transfer, by the way, the cost of a plane ticket is more expensive. Starts from 170 EUR (excluding 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 on the way back you can grab a couple of bottles of olive oil.
  • Aeroflot- a more expensive option. For a one-way flight, this airline asks 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 will share with you how we got to Crete. Our flight was from Moscow. But this time we did not go on vacation on our own, but on a tour. Nikita found a very budget option as a birthday present for me: it was simply impossible not to go! Since we live in St. Petersburg, we had to get to Moscow first. 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 by buying tickets in advance, you can buy a ticket for half the price. Also from St. Petersburg to Moscow can be reached by train and bus. Price one way - 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 out of St. Petersburg. Therefore, consider flights to the city from St. Petersburg:

  • Aegean Airlines offers a direct flight. 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 baggage (up to 8 kg can be carried in hand luggage). Departure is at 02:00. The cost of round-trip tickets - from 336 EUR.
  • S7 Airlines This is also a non-stop option. But, alas, with this airline, luggage will be paid (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. Transplants can be different duration(from 5 to 22 hours). But in this case, the cost of baggage is included in the ticket price. The cost of round trip tickets starts from 380 EUR.

It must be remembered that prices depend on the dates when you are going to go, and on the euro exchange rate. So I'm sure 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 bus right from the bus stop next to the airport exit. Just ask people and they will tell you where to stop and which way to go.

The fare is 3.30 EUR. On the way, you will spend approximately 45 minutes (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 every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 23:00. Therefore, if you arrive at night, then 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 entertainments of the city.

If you are not a fan of buses and prefer to quickly get to your hotel in Hersonissos, then you can order Taxi. The distance between Heraklion Airport and Hersonissos is 25 kilometers. The fare for a taxi will be from 38 EUR (if there are up to 3 passengers and no more than 2 luggage with you). If there are four of you, then 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 right in this city, but it’s real.

From Athens

Suppose that you decide to relax in, but visiting one capital is not enough for you. A great option would be for you to take a ferry to Crete for a couple of days and see a few 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 ride on the ferry in absolutely any class: from seats to luxury cabins. Accordingly, the prices will be different. You will spend about 10 hours on the way. Ferries usually leave the port of Athens in the evening to be in Crete in the morning. Ferries come 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

Sea port 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 great comfort, you can order a transfer from the port of Heraklion to Hersonissos. If you are 2-3 people, then it will cost about 40 EUR, and if there are four - about 46 EUR. They will comfortably deliver you directly to your hotel.

As part of the cruise

It should also be noted that there are a huge number of options for cruises around the Greek islands, including those with a visit to Crete. It seems to me that such routes are very interesting. And while I write this article, I sit and dream about Greek islands, where I will put on a dress in the Greek style and go to dance sirtaki. :)

Clue:

Hersonissos - time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Yekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

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 course, 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 all of them could swim in the Libyan Sea. sightseeing bus(although it wasn't a hot day at all). Also in the beautiful town the weather was cooler than in Hersonissos.

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


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

Hersonissos in summer

Hersonissos in summer is magical! At this time of the year in Greece, the weather is pleasantly hot, ideal for a family beach holiday. Hersonissos is located on the coast mediterranean sea, so walking in light clothes in the sun is nice. Trees and shrubs are blooming everywhere, it is possible to see and enjoy the smell of a variety of flowers. Personally, Nikita constantly plucked flowers for me and decorated my head with them (I usually went with a “bump” on my head, because I have long hair, and it gets even hotter when it is loose).

The ideal months for swimming will be July and August (after all, in early June the water will be cold for sure - it's about + 20-22 ° С, but water cooling will definitely not stop brave vacationers :)). The air temperature during the day will be around +30 ° С, but the evenings in this city are ideal for long walks: firstly, there is no scorching sun anymore, the breeze will remove the heat from the body left from daytime tanning and swimming, and secondly, the pier ( I will write about it separately) is so suitable for evening walks that it will definitely become for you favorite place. We personally did!


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

Also, summer is 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 autumn is suitable both for a beach holiday and for romantic walks, and also just to admire the sunsets! September is not much different from July and August. The water temperature favors swimming - +25-26 °С. It is hot outside - the air warms up to +28 ° С.

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


The most interesting thing is that even November in Hersonissos is a month with excellent weather. Swimming, however, will be cooler, but also possible! And imagine what will happen to the prices! It seems to me that it will be possible to relax at all for a penny. The only downside 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 it is 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 become your favorite place. There is no shelter from the wind, and spring is a sufficient windy time of the year on the island, so just be prepared. :) As for the prices for accommodation in hotels, then, of course, even in May they will not be high.

Hersonissos in winter

Winter in Hersonissos, of course, is not Russian. You won’t turn into ice there, and, perhaps, it won’t cover you with snow. But don'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 around +14-15 °С, while the water will obviously be cold (+16 °С_, although in December it happens that the sea has not yet had time to cool down, and brave vacationers have an excellent chance to plunge into +18 °С.


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 sunlight. Personally, Nikita and I miss the sunshine in St. Petersburg in winter, so we would love to visit Crete in the winter season. In addition, I want to note that it is most pleasant to see archaeological sites not in the heat! And they are on the island. :)

Clue:

Hersonissos - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

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


District #1: Coastal

I myself called it the coastal region. It is the most central, and it is in this very place that most of all the hotels in the city are located. You can choose a hotel right on the beach, you can be a little further away. But in any case, it will not take long to walk to the beach, a maximum of 10 minutes. This area is clean and safe. The only negative (however, for young people it 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 cheerful places of the city (bars, restaurants, hookahs) are located. Loud music plays everywhere. For young people, this is a paradise, and tourists with children may need a quieter place, a little away from the noise. It is convenient, however, that shops and cafes are close at hand. Also, a bus stop from where you can go to Heraklion and the airport is located in the city center just in this area.


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

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

In Hersonissos, anyone can rent apartments in addition to a hotel for relaxation. 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 are going to rent an apartment, the less you will pay.

District No. 2: Countryside

This area, one might say, is located outside the city, but is also located in the coastal part of Hersonissos. It is here that the village of Gouves is located. Nikita and I lived in this very place. The center of Hersonissos can be easily reached by bus, 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 around such a place is a pleasure. This area is quite quiet, so families with children, the elderly 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 suburban area is ideal for living, and you can also have fun and spend time on the beach in Hersonissos, where we got there by bus without any problems.

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

I would like to note 1 feature of the suburban area: you will spend a little less on food in restaurants and shops than in the city center. However, here you will not have an abundance of choice.

District #3: Remote

There are not many hotels in this area (after all, the main part of Hersonissos hotels 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 the abundance of restaurants. In general, for a quiet family vacation it will fit perfectly. There will be more locals on the street and fewer tourists. But the area is safe, don't worry! The Greeks are very friendly and many of them speak some Russian!

Accommodation prices are not allocated - from 30 EUR for a double room.

By the way, in this area you can inexpensively rent a room 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 will not be super cheap. This is not Asia.

When we rested in Crete, we fell in love not only with Hersonissos, but also (the capital of the island), and Comparing prices in restaurants and street eateries in these cities, we concluded that it was in Hersonissos that prices were the highest. I do not know exactly what this is connected with, but I will assume that the reason is the fact that Hersonissos - resort town and it is in it that so many coastal hotels are located, which are completely filled with tourists in 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 is without alcoholic drinks). How can you save some money in this case? Very simple: street food to help you. Buy Traditional Greek dish gyros, which you will 100% fill up and enjoy (this is a local shawarma wrapped in a special flatbread along with french fries). Gyros will cost about 3.5 EUR. Many hotels do not include food (or only breakfast), so street food is worth considering!

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 do not bite. But I would prefer eating in local cafes: I think that 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 very cheaply in Hersonissos - you can spend from 114 EUR per week. You can choose a lot of options from 150 to 210 EUR. There are many options right by the sea such as Lovely Holidays Hotel. I usually use it in search of a suitable hotel and often get good promotional offers, so I advise everyone. You can see the prices for apartments, and compare the cost of rooms in hotels by.

What is important to know about accommodation in hotels in Hersonissos (and in general in Crete): 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 that Wi-Fi will be available to everyone completely free of charge, but if you want the Internet connection to be right in your room, then you will most likely also have to pay a certain amount for this (also from 5 EUR for day). As I already wrote, we rested in the city at the end of May, and to be honest, we didn’t need any air conditioning, we slept under the covers. Therefore, when you arrive, first try to spend time in a room without air conditioning and only then decide whether it is worth paying extra for it or 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 in budget, then Village Height, for example, will suit you. Golf Resort By Dimonds Resorts for 570 EUR per stay for a week (this price, by the way, is a promotional price, in theory the cost should be higher). Or Anabelle Beach Resort for 1 500 EUR per week. These are five-star luxury hotels, if you are on a budget, you are welcome. And for those who don’t, I can say with confidence that the budget establishments in Hersonissos are very good. And you may not have a huge hotel area, but just a small pool and a breakfast area, but are you going to Crete to sit in a hotel? Of course not! This is not, 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, breakfast is usually included in the price of a hotel stay (but not always). Therefore, check this nuance when booking. The price can vary significantly with and without breakfast included.

Directions

There is no need to take a taxi around Hersonissos! Exception: you've had too much alcohol and don't remember the way to the hotel, but you have its name written down. Then please. :) Taxis are expensive here. In neighboring cities, they will charge you from 35 EUR, even if the journey lasts 20 minutes.

You can go to any neighboring city by bus. The movement of buses is fixed, the price too. For a one-way trip (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 with an excursion that you can take in travel agency. You will meet many of them. The prices will not be small (from about 40 EUR per person), but the excursions are rich and interesting. The only advice on how to save money is the following: do not take a tour that includes a sightseeing tour of Heraklion and a visit to the Palace of Knossos (you still have to pay 16 EUR separately for entering the palace), the entrance to it is not included in any tour. 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 just over 8,000 people living in it. It is not surprising that you can walk the whole city on foot: 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 of Hersonissos. Nikita and I went for walks around this city more than once and only spent money on travel to Hersonissos. And then they themselves wandered along the main streets and along the insanely beautiful pier.

In general, it is worth noting that Hersonissos is a resort youth city, 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 there are many locals on the streets inviting them to visit their popular bars. Parties in the city take place not only in the evening and at night - people begin to have 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! Also, vacationers with children can find a lot of interesting things for themselves. Read about everything in detail below.

Top 5

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

Port

The port in Hersonissos is really amazing place. It is enough to go to the coast (it will take you 5 minutes to walk 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 later. First, take a couple of photos from the shore to capture the port itself. How many beautiful yachts are there! On such sea trips, Nikita and I love to dream of our own yacht. We love to choose from the yachts standing along the shore the one we would like to have.


As you walk along the promenade along the port, go to the pier. Walking 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, the heat subsided. How many locals are having an evening jog on 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 to the lighthouse and admire the view of the city. Also climb the wall, as we did, sit on it or walk. In this place, the evening breeze is very pleasantly felt, which will remove the heat of a sunny day from you.

Skotino Cave

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

16 km from Hersonissos (yes, this is not 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 for free (you definitely won’t find ticket offices). This dungeon is also called "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 arches 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: Gouves can be reached from Hersonissos by bus that runs from Main Road Street every 20 minutes. The fare is about 2 EUR. Ask the conductor where it is better for you to get off, and then you will have to walk on foot - locals happy to show 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 terms of attendance in Hersonissos. We can safely say that Star beach is not only for swimming in the sea and getting a delicious 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, yell songs loudly 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. On the territory of the water park you can be completely free, but if you want to slide down any slide, you will have to buy a ticket.

You might think that a huge number of parties affects the cleanliness of the beach, but this is not so. Star Beach for well-groomedness and cleanliness was awarded blue flag!

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

Roman Fountain / Roman Fountain

This is a very interesting landmark of Hersonissos. Also in ancient times Crete was owned by the Romans, and, of course, as in other places, they left behind architectural beauties. The Roman fountain is the building of antiquity that has survived to this day. During Roman rule, the fountain was part of a very large villa surrounded by hundreds of fountains, but only this one has come down to us.


If you carefully consider the entire surviving creation, you can see a whole marine story in which a sailor is surrounded by octopuses, birds and other inhabitants of the water element. The fountain, unfortunately, is not working, but tourists love this place because it is a great opportunity to admire part of the huge 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, which is located south of the city center. The area differs from the center of Hersonissos, full of beaches and party vacation. The village reflects the traditional look and style of the locals, where 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 the 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 deep into the city) on the slope of Mount Harakas.

Beaches. Which is better

There are a lot of beaches in Hersonissos, because this is a resort town, in which vacationers mainly go for holidays on the coast. I told about the stunning Star Beach above (most importantly, do not forget to visit it, this place is insanely fun). And now let's talk about what other beaches are worth attention in Hersonissos:


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

Limanakia beach

This place, like Star Beach, is very popular with tourists. Limanakya is the longest beach in the city: its length is 1.5 km. There will always be a place to lie on it. I want to note that sunbeds and umbrellas are usually paid: they ask for their rent from 2 EUR per hour. But I'll tell you a little trick, as Nikita and I did. We came to the beach, threw things on the first sunbed that came across and went for a swim, then left the sea, took things in hand and walked along the coast. So we managed to see a lot beautiful beaches and not pay for a sunbed. True, this option is hardly suitable for vacationers with children and they 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 by 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 how fishing boats with freshly caught seafood come to the port. Limanakya is ideal for relaxing with children, because the entrance to the water is gentle here, the depth does not come sharply, the sea is clean, and there are no sharp stones at the bottom.

How to get there: you won’t have to look for a beach for a long time, 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, as this is the most common place where you can enjoy the sun and the sea. No additional entertainment can be found here.

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

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

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 the 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 bay, 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. It doesn't interfere with swimming 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 beat near the coast, which mix with warm water. sea ​​water. Therefore, we conclude: firstly, when it is already a very hot day outside, then Nana Beach is a great place to cool off, and secondly, if you relax in spring or autumn (from October), then I think you will swim on this beach less comfortable!

How to get there: it’s easy to get to Nana Beach: move from Star Beach to the right, walk for about 10 minutes. The identification mark will be Nana Beach Hotel.

Nudist beach (Naturists beach)

Yes, yes, and there is such a place in Hersonissos! If you are not a fan of white marks on the body and completely without complexes, then why not? We were not on this beach, but we met tourists who liked this place.

The coast here is sandy, the entrance to the sea is gentle, but you don’t have to go long to reach the depth. Come to the beach with your things, umbrellas, because. you can hardly rent anything in this place. If you want to drink, then the shops will be across the road.

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

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

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, because it is open from 09:00 to 14:00. Many tourists will be interested in this museum on Wednesday, because on this day there is a tasting of local alcoholic beverages. The tasting is free, but the entrance to the museum doubles - 12 EUR.

parks

There are no large and green parks as such in Hersonissos. Why is walking 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, admire the vegetation of the island? You should get out of town a bit. Walking along the beach, you will definitely see small mountains near Hersonissos, why don't you take and climb one of these? It should be warned that usually the mountains are private territory and it is forbidden to climb them. But Nikita and I found out about this after we conquered one small peak.


The view from her was amazing. True, I had to walk a little on thorny plants, but it was worth it! No one made any remarks to us, and besides us, there were several other Russian tourists on the mountain. This, of course, is not a park, but the entertainment is great!

tourist streets

The resort town of Hersonissos has one main street that runs 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 on it, noise and din reign. Shops, cafes, bars, restaurants - all this is full in this place. Do you need souvenirs? Forward to Main Road. Are you going to the store? Hurry to Main Road, because it is full of large supermarkets and small shops. Are you going to have dinner at a good restaurant? Go to Main Road! At night, this street is lit up with lights, so you will definitely find a place to dance! The only thing to be warned about is that there are no traffic lights on the street at all, the traffic of cars does not stop, so please be careful when crossing the road!


Machis Kritis


Second tourist street parallel to Main Road (Venizelou), located along the coast. It is called Agias Paraskevis, it goes into Machis Kritis. It has even more parties and restaurants than the aforementioned Venizelou. As you walk along this street, you will receive dozens of offers to dine or dine at some restaurant. In the evening, you will almost be dragged by force into local bars. That's exactly what happened with us. We were directly begged to go to one pub, so we could not refuse. There, by the way, we managed to try amazing peach shots, costing 1 EUR per piece.

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


What to see in 1 day

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

  • 10:00. The starting point of the day trip will be the port of Hersonissos. To begin with, admire the yachts, walk a little, but don’t go along the entire pier yet, we’ll put it off until the evening! It is better to have a snack with gyros, which you can safely buy in any restaurant on the street that stretches along the coast. And we are going with you in the direction of the museum "Lychnostatis" (you need to be in time before it closes).
  • 12:00. You are in a museum. You have 2 hours to walk around and see everything. And if you get to the museum on Wednesday, do not forget that you can taste local alcoholic drinks.
  • 14:30. Star Beach. It is impossible not to look here in Hersonissos. I'm sure you'll be part of the endless fun! Take a ride on the slides in the water park, swim in the pools, but do not forget about the sea - swim in it and swing on the waves for sure! Since you spend time in the sun during the most active sun rays, do not forget to smear sunscreen.
  • 17:30. 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 buzzing, but it's worth it! Relax at 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. Do not go to the first one that comes across, walk along everyone, 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.

And this is how our route will look on the map:

What to see in the surroundings

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

Knossos Palace (30 km)

I just couldn't help mentioning 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 traveled to the Palace of Knossos. This palace will be of interest primarily to those who are not indifferent to history, those who love ancient excavations and those who are fond of mythology. I do not regret at all that we visited it. When you walk around the Palace of Knossos, imagine that the Minotaur once lived there, and you walk through its labyrinth!

How to get there: to begin with, we take a bus to Heraklion for 3.3 EUR. Then we exit at the final, we pass from bus stop a couple of meters to another stop and take a bus for 2.5 EUR to the palace. If you do not understand where exactly the stop is, then ask any local. In general, we walked to the palace, spent 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, Zeus cave

These are one of the main attractions of the island. And, of course, the most convenient way to get there is a tour. Thus, you will see the most and easily get to the desired sights.

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

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 (although you will have to walk longer and ask the locals for directions). The bus schedule needs to be specified, as well as their route (maybe they go through Hersonissos). The buses seem to run on certain days. But I would take a tour, because the reviews of tourists about it are very good.

As soon as 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 difficulty - spend 15-20 minutes.

The Lassithi 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.


Lassithi Plateau

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


Zeus cave, Crete

The 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, this is not just a place, it is a whole city!

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

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


In a restaurant, it is quite possible to keep within 10 EUR per person (perhaps if you do not order alcohol). Although the most common local wine will cost about 2.5 to 5 EUR per half liter. Of course, if you want something more refined or some well-known brand, then the price will increase several times.

Do not order sweet and strong alcohol! In Hersonissos, as in other Greek cities, after your dinner, they usually bring gifts from the chef. This is most often just sweets and strong alcohol. We were mostly brought pancakes with ice cream, small cakes or local crumbly cookies, and drinks were raki (local Greek vodka) or limoncello. Rakia, as a girl who cannot drink alcohol in one gulp, did not suit my taste, but limoncello was very sweet and tasty. But my boyfriend appreciated the brandy. Of course, you will not be complimented by liters - we were usually given a small bottle of about 4 shots.


Also, I 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 master more than half. They bring a whole bowl of Greek salad, so Nikita and I were able to fill our plates more than once. Tzatziki sauce with a bread plate is definitely enough for several people! Therefore, to try something new and interesting, order different dishes and divide into halves (although this will be difficult to do: the portions are already very large).

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

Budget

Of the budget cafes and restaurants should be highlighted:

  • zachos taverna,
  • rustico,
  • Mc Delly's Casual Restaurant,
  • Taverna 1930,
  • Cafe Greco.

Intermediate level

Not so budget, but it won’t hit 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 given that this is a Greek city in which locals venerate Orthodoxy, religious holidays in Hersonissos will seem very interesting for any tourist. And if the vacationers are also believers, then you can even take part in the traditions of Orthodox celebrations.

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

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

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

Musical holidays

Festivals are held in various parts 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 the exhibition musical instruments, as well as watch a concert of various ensembles.

It is not known where the celebration will take place next year. Therefore, it is better to find out in advance on the Internet. This year the celebration was on June 21st.

Safety. What to watch out for

Hersonissos impressed me 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 may be petty thieves, so elementary security measures should be taken:

  • Be sure to use the safe in your hotel room. Usually a safe is provided free of charge. Take 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 let the rest lie in a hotel room.
  • Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach: money, phones, even if the beach belongs to your hotel.
  • Just in case, it is worth having photocopies of your foreign passports (pages with your photo and visa) and photocopies of insurance (if you suddenly lose real documents, then the Russian consulate will give you temporary ones using photocopies, with which you can return back to Russia). Also, it will not be superfluous to send photos of your documents and insurance to yourself by e-mail.

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

Things to do

Can you get bored in Hersonissos? Absolutely not! There is a lot of entertainment in this small town though.

Karting

"Cartland" is a place in Chrsonissos where tourists like to visit in the evenings. Because during the day it is very hot for karting, but in the evening it is the most. Cartland is located on the outskirts resort town in front of the Belvedere Hotel. For 10 minutes of skiing, they will ask about 15 EUR. I let children in 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. Everyone can take an audio guide, which is also provided in Russian. There are so many marine life 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. Admission 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, as in any resort town, is 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. Sandals, flip flops, T-shirts, shorts, caps, swimwear, summer beach sundresses - all this can be bought in such stores at a very cheap price. For example, a pair of shoes can cost as little as 5 EUR. This great option save on purchases and buy something that you accidentally forgot to take on vacation! Therefore, do not pass by, but go inside, suddenly something will appeal to your eye.

I personally saw in one of these shops an excellent backpack in blue and white, just like the Greek flag. But we left all the 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? So 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 advise all tourists is called Luxurius Furs. If you intend to buy something from fur, then you should look there. There is a very friendly owner who will gladly treat you to cognac and make a very good discount.


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

Bars. Where to go

There are many bars in Hersonissos. Walk along the street along the coast: on one side of you there will be restaurants overlooking the sea, on the other bars. I am sure that you will be invited to any institution. It will not be difficult to choose a place either: go to each and decide where you like best.

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

Here is a list of a couple of great places:

  • Downtown 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 meet it for 10 EUR: the cooler and more sophisticated the name, the more expensive the drink will be.

In institutions you are unlikely to meet drunks: all visitors are tourists who come to relax and have a good time.

Clubs and nightlife

With dancing places in Hersonissos it is even easier than with bars. Clubs dance and break away almost everywhere and daily:

  • The most stylish place is considered matrix. Come at exactly 00:00, this is the height of the disco.
  • There is a club near the port called Bio Bio. Animators work there, who do not let visitors get bored, they constantly hold contests. Every day they have a new entertainment program.

In general, the entrance to the clubs is completely free, some may even offer a free cocktail. True, if eminent DJs perform in the club, then up to 10 EUR can be asked for entry. Face control, one might say, no. People are lured there even on the street and do not look at the outfits at all.

In general, literally at every step you will find places where you can start 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 - beautiful place for diving. In the city of Hersonissos there is an excellent dive club Scubakreta. So if you've never dived before, then maybe it's time to start!


Price: if you don’t have a diver’s certificate, then you definitely won’t be able to make a dive on a budget - you will have to take a training course. The cost of the course starts from 265 EUR per person. After completing the course, you will be issued a certificate and diving will be much cheaper for you. If you have a diver's certificate, then diving will cost you from 40 EUR. Agree, the difference is significant, right?

Nikita has a diving certificate, but I don't - that's the reason why we didn't dive in Crete. Therefore, I decided that I would get a diver's certificate in Russia (it's cheaper this way), and then we can dive in different countries together.

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

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

So, we bring from Hersonissos as a gift to relatives and friends:


How to move around the city

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

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

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

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi is not a cheap way to get around. 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 taxi services.

Tourists are advised to use 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 shop - the locals will not refuse to call you for help vehicle.

Note: it is not customary to slow down a taxi on the streets of the city 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 settlement of Kokkini Hani for 20 EUR;
  • if you are going for long distances, for example, to the city, you will have to pay about 100 EUR.

Buses

From public transport The bus system is the best developed on the island.

So, from Hersonissos you can get to many settlements by bus at a very affordable price. The buses are comfortable, there are no standing places inside, but there are comfortable seats (2 in two rows). The air conditioners work, so during the trip there is a great opportunity to cool off.

Price:

  • you will reach Iralion for 3.3 EUR (about 45 minutes drive);
  • everything in the direction of Heraklion will cost less. These are such settlements as Kokkini-Khani, Gouves, Gournes, etc. (20-25 minutes drive);
  • to Agios Nikolaos - 4.5 EUR (a little over an hour to go);
  • to Ierapetra - 8.5 EUR (on the way 1 hour 40 minutes).

Buses run every 20-30 minutes (the schedule can be checked at the bus 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 rest. In summer, car rental will be more expensive than, for example, in spring or autumn. This is due to the number of tourists.
  • secondly, the class of the car. Roughly speaking, the cooler you want a wheelbarrow, the more you 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 more than a day. For about a day, the cost of rent will be 30-40 EUR.

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


When renting a car in Hersonissos, scams sometimes occur, so be careful: do not get too fooled low prices. Many tourists complained that they rent a car for one price, and then they are asked several times more from them, because. call the original price without insurance. Here you can see offers from trusted distributors.

Drivers should keep this in mind:

  • Parking is both paid and free. The closer to the city center, the more expensive it will cost.
  • Low beam should only be turned on when visibility is poor. It is prohibited to use it during the day.
  • Children under the age of three must be seated in a special child seat.
  • The car must have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
  • 95 gasoline 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 more quiet place, but this is absolutely not the case! It is worth going to Hersonissos with children. You should have seen how many vacationers there even with babies! With kids, firstly, you can relax absolutely on any beach: the sea, the sand ... one wonders, what else does your naughty 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. Moreover, 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 at 17:15. The water park is open from April to October inclusive. Tickets for adults - 27 EUR, for small children - free of charge, and for those who are from 5 to 12 - 17 EUR.
  2. Aquaworld Aquarium. This aquarium is usually very fond of children (both small and older), and all because there you can touch and feed turtles, look at lizards, iguanas, crocodiles. If you come at 10:30, you will get to feed the python.
    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 throughout the 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 kids - 4 EUR.
  3. Star Beach Water Park. Do not forget about this wonderful beach, because there is a water park that children will visit with pleasure, and adults will relax on sunbeds and drink cocktails at this time! You can be on the territory of the water park completely free of charge, but you will have to pay for riding the slides, but the prices are not catastrophic. For example, you can agree with your child that he will ride one slide a day!
  4. Eco-Park "Lasinthos" (Lasinthos Eco-Park). If you are going to visit the Lassithi Plateau and the Zeus Cave, 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 in this place are shown how beekeepers work, how local wine and olive oil are made. There is a ceramic and weaving workshop here: a lot of things are given to the children to try to 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 interesting place you will love it!!

Nestled in the northern part of the island of Crete, Small town Hersonissos seems to be created exclusively for tourists. Hersonissos borders the Cretan Sea. The whole city consists of one street, stretching along the coast. The whole embankment is one big beach. The only disadvantage of local beaches is large pebbles. But this disadvantage is easily eliminated with the help of sun loungers. Otherwise, the resort of Hersonissos is a paradise for vacationers.

Geographically, the city of Hersonissos borders on the resorts of Stalis and Malia. It is separated from Heraklion by 26 km.

Almost 9,000 people live in Hersonissos, but their number is almost imperceptible against the backdrop of numerous tourists. Crete is very popular not only with Russians, but also with British, Irish and Dutch tourists. Therefore, most of the bars here are made in the Irish and Dutch style.

City map in Russian

Tours to Hersonissos at a good price can be found on the site. Check out the price statistics from Level Travel.

How to get to Hersonissos

Where to stay in Hersonissos

You can even buy a tour from Hersonissos to Santorini. If you want to get from Hersonissos to Santorini on your own, you will need to drive to Heraklion, and then take the ferry. Read the article for details.

Where to eat

© jeanlouispotier / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

One of the undoubted advantages of Khersonisson is a large selection of good restaurants and cafes. I will tell you about my favorite ones.

Mythos Restaurant offers visitors dishes of European and Mediterranean cuisine, and is very popular. Fried fish with a vegetable side dish, interesting meat dishes, a large selection of hot sauces, fresh pastries and delicious desserts - that's what you should try at Mythos.

For those who want to relax in a typical Greek tavern, I recommend visiting David Vegera. The terrace of this restaurant offers a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings. In the evening it is always full of visitors, so I advise you to book a table in advance.

Delicious European cuisine served at Coast Cafe. Here you will find both classic and signature dishes. The cafe is located a few steps from the coast and you can take a table under a canopy on the outdoor terrace.

You can try national Greek cuisine at Soraya Restaurant. It is especially popular among young people. Snacks and sweets are served here during the day, and meals can be enjoyed in the evening. Greek cuisine. Soraya has large portions, so many people order one dish for two.

Restaurant Votsalo offers a wide variety of international dishes. This is a nice place with an interesting interior. Votsalo is a great place to have a party.

Among other popular establishments, it deserves special mention Vesuvius Italian Restaurant. Some of the tables are located on a beautiful terrace with a living canopy of vines. In addition to delicious dishes, here you will find a wide selection of Italian wines. The prices here are moderate.

Prices for food in cafes, taverns of Crete are very democratic. You can dine for 10 euros, in restaurants for 30 euros.

If you want to save on food and cook yourself then pay attention to the local SPAR and SELECT supermarkets. On average, you will spend 35 - 45 euros per week on groceries.

* This table shows average weather data collected over more than three years

Helpful feedback?

Helpful feedback?

Helpful feedback?

Prices for holidays in Hersonissos. July 2018.

tour cost

A voucher for 6 days and 7 nights with a flight from Moscow cost 38 thousand rubles. Arrival at the airport of Heraklion, from there by bus to the city of Hersonnisos for an hour and a half. Hotel Pollis, 4 stars, all inclusive.

Since 6 days of rest is catastrophically small, we took only one excursion, to the magical island of Santorini. The tour from the tour operator cost 150 euros per person, we decided to save money and purchased it from a street agency for 84 euros per person. The price of the tour includes a bus to the pier of the city of Heraklion, a ferry to the island of Santorini and back, a tour of 3 cities of Santorini and a visit to the beach with black volcanic sand.

Food and products

We ate at the hotel, ordered cocktails in cafes and bars. The cost of cocktails is from 3 to 9 euros. In stores, the cost of products is quite affordable. A pack of olives costs 1 euro, a liter of olive oil from 6 euros, wine from 3 euros, cognac from 9 euros. There are many Spar stores in Hersonissos, as well as a large two-story Xalkiadakis supermarket, where we bought gifts.

Cost of services and entertainment

Car rental is very developed in Crete, rental points are literally at every step. The rental price starts from 30 euros per day, depends on the chosen brand of car and driving experience, there are also cars with a rental price of 1000 euros per day. The beaches offer various water activities: ride a banana - 10 euros, parasail over the sea - from 100 euros.

Total money spent on vacation

Helpful information?

Holiday experience in September

If someone is looking for the most sincere, calm and measured rest- then you need to go without hesitation to Crete. The Greeks, the islanders, are such a pretty, non-irritating people that the rest will pass serenely and calmly. And if you still want fewer Russian tourists and more free beaches - go to Crete in September. The weather is very mild, the sea is warm, the only thing that can cause inconvenience is a cool breeze in the evenings. But, the beauty of the local nature and the atmosphere will not give you a single chance to be disappointed in your vacation.

Youth rest

Resting in Hersonissos, we still thought that Crete is not very suitable for families with children. Basically, because there is not much entertainment for children here. Of course, there is animation at the hotels, but outside the water park, but still, it seems that more couples come here to spend Honeymoon, lonely people who are tired of everyday work and pensioners from Europe, who usually settle further from the noisy streets.

Where is the best place to stay?

There are many hotels in Hersonissos - this is a resort town, like by the sea with own beaches, and more budget options on a hill. But believe me, the panorama of the city is so magical, and the amazing turquoise color of the sea is what makes it worth settling a little further from the sea. A walk will not hurt anyone, but at the same time you will save money and every day you will see the beauty of the resort.

What to do at the resort?

Crete is rich on excursions, all of them are more than affordable by European standards. For example, one of the most expensive excursions is a visit to the nearby island - Santorini. It costs around 150 euros per person. The tour is worth a lot interesting information and, of course, this is one of business cards Greece as a whole. For lovers of dry wine, Santorini makes wine much tastier than Crete. Not that it is bad in Crete, but still do not forget to buy at least one bottle in Santorini for testing. We also visited the beach of Vai, Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion. Having rented a car, we traveled almost the entire island far and wide. The roads are perfect, the driving culture is at the highest level and, of course, what the car was taken for was the ability to stop anywhere on the endless beach strip.

Usually everything related to olives is brought from Greece. Therefore, we stocked up on olive oil to the maximum. It really is completely different from what is sold in our homeland. Metaxu - for gifts. Feta - in your salads. Prices are affordable, in supermarkets they will be slightly lower than in shops for tourists.

Crete is an island. Without any doubt, what is worth spending money on here, in terms of food, is seafood. Delicious octopus, sea bass, shrimp - very tasty, though a little expensive. In total, a dinner for two with a bottle of wine will cost about 80 euros, at an average restaurant. Although we ate this salad at the hotel, in restaurants it was served in a variety of cuts and always insanely delicious - Greek. The most popular, useful and infinitely delicious. From traditional dishes and meat lovers should try moussaka - satisfying and no less tasty.