Not far from the capital of the island of Crete is the famous resort of Hersonissos , but many tourists call it a more understandable name – Chersonesos. This is an unofficial center for active recreation and entertainment with a special infrastructure, parks, beaches and hotels. Before going on vacation, you need to find out how Chersonesos in Crete differs from other areas of the island.
Content
Resort infrastructure
This area consists of two zones – the small village of Hersonissos , located two kilometers from the seaport and the relatively new resort of Hersonissos, located on the Aegean Sea. The first part contains historical and natural attractions, the second is a convenient place for an active or relaxing seaside holiday. Hotels, villas are built here, you can rent apartments.
Description of the infrastructure of the Hersonissos resort in Crete:
- Entertainment. There are night clubs and discos. There are several large playgrounds for children. Inflatable slides periodically appear on the beaches, you can rent a jet ski.
- Beaches. The central city beach area is open. But further along the coast there are several small cozy bays and bays in which there are few tourists. The disadvantage of these places is the undeveloped infrastructure.
- Hotels. Most of the hotels are located on the first line. There are few city hotels, but you can rent a villa or apartment. The latter is convenient for temporary residence or for family, group holidays of a large company.
Another way to diversify your holiday in Chersonese on Crete is to book excursions to local attractions. You can do this as part of a group or plan an independent trip. For the latter, you need to rent a car. This can be done at Crete Nikos International Airport Kazantzakis or in representative offices of companies located in hotels.
How to get there
get to Hersonissos in Crete by bus, taxi or by ordering a transfer. The distance from the international airport to the resort is 25 km. A road runs along the coast of the Aegean Sea to the region. The alternative is to rent a car. This is a convenient way to independently travel around the island, visiting several resorts.
How to get to Hersonissos in Crete:
- Bus. After arriving at the island’s international airport, you need to take a bus to the central bus station of Heraklion. Bus routes to Hersonissos leave from here . The fare is 2.3 Euro.
- Taxi. It can be ordered by phone, through a mobile application or on the carrier’s website. The fare is from 40 Euro. Depends on the chosen vehicle. For large groups of tourists, it is recommended to book a minibus.
- Transfer. It may be included in the price of the tour. The alternative is a custom order. The average price of a transfer to Hersonissos in Crete is 45 Euro.
Public transport in Hersonissos , Crete is well developed. The frequency of the buses is 10-15 minutes. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office of the bus station or from the driver. It is not recommended to drive with illegal taxi drivers. They often inflate rates for backpackers and solo travelers.
Beaches of Chersonese
The resort of Hersonissos in Crete is located on the Aegean coast. The weather here is typical Mediterranean. In summer, there is little rain, the air temperature is up to 35 ° C. The sea warms up to 22-24°C. The cloudiness is small, so on the beaches of Chersonese you need to use creams and protective equipment. Otherwise, sunburn of the skin is possible during a long stay. There is almost no wind. The exception is a slight cool breeze in the morning and evening.
About the beaches of Hersonissos in Crete:
- Location. The central beach area is located within the city limits. There are always many tourists here. Exit – for privacy, it is recommended to drive 1-1.5 km from the city and choose one of the “wild” beaches.
- Coating. Most of it is pebbly, but there are sandy beaches. They are outside the city limits. You can walk to them, drive 1-2 bus stops or order a taxi.
- Rent of umbrellas, deck chairs and deck chairs – from 10 Euro for 1 set. But they are not on all the beaches of Hersonissos . To relax on the “wild” you need to take a beach towel, a small umbrella. An alternative is a large air mattress.
- Sea. The coast of the Aegean Sea is relatively flat, entry into the sea on most beaches is gentle. This is convenient for families with children and for tourists who cannot swim.
Infrastructure – rescue services, medical centers, there are only on the central beach. An alternative to a relaxing beach holiday is diving or sea (underwater) fishing in Hersonissos, Crete. Doing them on your own is dangerous. It is recommended to order the service from local companies.
Hotel rating
The advantage of a holiday in Hersonissos on Crete is the opportunity to book a hotel on the first line, a villa or an apartment in the city. It depends on the cost of living, catering. Hotels offer rooms with breakfast, less often – the All system inclusive . For meals, you can visit local restaurants, bars and taverns. It offers dishes of national Greek cuisine, there is a classic European menu.
Rating of hotels in Chersonese on the island of Crete:
- Aldemar Cretan Village Family Resort 4*. The hotel complex is located on the first beach line. was built in 1989, the last overhaul was carried out in 2015. it consists of small two-story buildings, which is convenient for a relaxing holiday. On the territory there are several swimming pools, including for children. Guests are provided with free Wi-Fi , a parking place. Animators are working.
- Eri Beach & Village Hotel 4*. Economy class hotel, but with good rooms. You can book a family or classic room. Some apartments have a small kitchen. On the territory there are sports and children’s playgrounds, there are places for a relaxing holiday. Near the hotel there is a water amusement park Star beach .
- Aldemar Knossos Royal Beach Resort 5*. The hotel consists of several two-story houses built in the style of the Palace of Knossos with modern elements of architecture. Some of the villas are combined into a single area with a shared pool. In addition to standard services, you can rent a car here, book an excursion to local attractions. Reviews and photos often show good sandy beaches of the hotel.
- Pela Maria 3*. This is a city hotel located in the city center. The distance to the beach is 400 meters. Despite the status of 3 stars, it is comfortable for family tourists to rest here. There are active entertainments – diving, underwater fishing.
It is recommended to book hotels in Hersonissos on Crete in advance. This way you can reduce the cost of living. Before ordering, you need to find out the location of the hotel in Hersonissos , the list of services. Some hotels do not allow pets. Extra beds can be provided for children.
Attractions
Holidays in Hersonissos in Crete are not only beautiful beaches, diving, entertainment. Here you can learn the history of the island, its culture, the life of local residents. To do this, it is recommended to visit local attractions. This can be done by ordering a tour or go to them on your own from Hersonissos , Crete. However, as part of the excursion program, you can learn a lot of interesting things from a Russian-speaking guide.
Attractions of Chersonese:
- Knossos Palace. Located 30 km from the center of Hersonissos . According to legend, King Minos lived here, the creator of the famous bull-man. The labyrinth of the Minotaur is located here, however, due to the complex architecture, excavations are still ongoing. A part of the Knossos Palace is open to tourists . Here you can buy souvenirs. This is the most ancient landmark of Greece and Hersonissos in particular.
- Museum Lychnostatis . The museum is dedicated to the history of this region. Here you can see household items of the inhabitants – needlework machines, dishes, jewelry. For a complete immersion in the atmosphere, it is recommended to visit the local ethnographic village.
- Skotino Cave . It is located 20 km from the city and admission is free. The length of the cave is 150 m, and the width is up to 40 m. The walking route includes visiting several halls where you can take photos of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. It is recommended to bring lighting – flashlights.
- Aquapark Star beach . This is a large modern amusement park. Several water slides, attractions have been built on its territory, there are pools and sunbathing areas. This is a favorite family holiday destination in Hersonissos . There is a SPA salon where you can order cosmetic and medical procedures. There are changing rooms and showers. There is a rescue and medical service on the territory of the water park.
- Oceanarium Aquaworld . Here is a large collection of marine life of the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea. There is a petting zoo where children and adults can pet and feed marine animals and reptiles
In addition to these attractions, you can go from Chersonesos in Crete to other places on the island. To do this, you need to book an excursion, the cost of 1 seat for an adult is from 20 Euros. It is important to know the program – the route of the trip, the total time, meals.