Hersonissos beaches
The holiday resort of Hersonissos is located in northeastern Crete, about 20 kilometres east of the capital Heraklion and the international airport.
Hersonissos is one of the most popular and lively resorts on Crete. It is a good choice if you want plenty of restaurants, a wide range of activities and a resort that stays lively until late at night.
The beaches in general
Hersonissos has many beaches, but most of them are small and narrow town beaches with a lively atmosphere. The largest beach is located just north of the harbour. It is almost 400 metres long, with light sand and inviting turquoise water. This is the beach in Hersonissos with the most space, and with all the necessary facilities, it is the obvious choice for families.
We are also quite fond of Limena Beach, which is located very centrally in town. It is a narrower but very charming town beach with a lovely atmosphere. Behind the beach is Kahlua Beach Bar Restaurant, which serves good food and is known for its colourful cocktails. It is one of the places we enjoy returning to when we visit Hersonissos.
Parking can be difficult in Hersonissos, but there is usually a better chance of finding a space in the northern part of town.
Child-friendliness
The most child-friendly beach is the beach north of the harbour, as the other beaches have very limited space for playing. At all the beaches, the water is usually calm, but it becomes relatively deep quite quickly.
Water Sports
At the large beach north of the harbour, it is possible to rent sea kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats. The other beaches do not offer water sports.
Beach Restaurants
Most restaurants are located along the lively promenade that runs behind the small town beaches in the central part of Hersonissos. Many of them are slightly elevated above the beaches and have beautiful views of the sea. This is especially true around Limena Beach, where the choice of restaurants is greatest and the quality is generally high.
The Holiday Resort of Hersonissos
Hersonissos is a modern and lively holiday resort that appeals to families and couples of all ages. There are many hotels in town, but adult couples should take a closer look at the modern Kahlua Boutique Hotel – Adults Only, which is located close to the charming harbour, Limena Beach and the lively centre.
On the town’s two-kilometre-long main street, Elefthériou Venizélou, you will find a large and varied selection of shops, restaurants and cafés. Several of the shops are more interesting than the classic tourist shops.
When families with children have settled down for the evening, the young tourists take over. Hersonissos is known for its vibrant nightlife, and especially around the harbour and along the main street, there are many bars, discos and nightclubs.
Few holiday resorts on Crete offer as many activities as Hersonissos. On the edge of town is the Star Beach water park, and next to it you will find the Kartland go-kart track. For younger children, Aquaworld is also a popular place to visit.
Few holiday resorts in Crete are able to offer as many activities as Hersonissos. On the outskirts of the town, you will find the water park Star Beach (picture above) and next to this the go-cart track Kartland. There is also a small aquarium in town, called Aquaworld, which will particularly appeal to the small children.
Watch Our Video from Hersonissos
Map of Hersonissos
Just above the middle of the map, you can see a small headland. South of it is the town harbour, while north of it you will find the largest and best beach in Hersonissos. The beach is located close to the Sarantaris area, which also has its own pleasant sandy beach.
