Hersonissos holidays

Best hotels in Hersonissos

Once a small fishing village and now one of the most popular tourist towns in Crete, Hersonissos is where you go for warm weather, lively entertainment and stunning mountain views. Ideal for families, couples or groups of friends seeking some fun in the sun, a holiday in Hersonissos promises plenty of children’s activities and a wealth of bars and restaurants. Explore the cobbled streets on a quad bike, escape the heat at one of the popular water parks, or spend your days exploring the shops along Odos Elefteriou Venizelos.

Things to do

Whether you want to soak up the sun on a sun-kissed beach or hit the clubs and kick up your heels, Hersonissos holidays have something for everyone. There are plenty of attractions for families, including the fascinating Aquaworld Aquarium and the thrills and spills to be found at the Star Beach Waterpark. Couples can sit and watch the sun set over the Aegean Sea from one of the laid-back beachfront bars, or plug into Hersonissos’ legendary nightlife.

Family attractions

Hersonissos has some great attractions that make it the perfect place for all the family. Take the kids to one of the area’s two fun-filled water parks, which are guaranteed to serve up a memorable day out. Pay a visit to Crete’s first aquarium, the Aquaworld Aquarium, which looks after rescued sea life and reptiles from across the world. Or learn more about the traditional lives of the locals with a trip to the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum.

Ancient history

If you love historical sites, then Hersonissos is a fantastic place for you to go on holiday. Brush up on your ancient mythology at the mysterious Cave of Zeus, or dip into the town’s Roman heritage. There was a prosperous Roman presence in the area for many years, and you can see the remnants of this at landmarks such as the Roman Fountain.

Fun with friends

While Hersonissos is great for family holidays, it’s also ideal for a getaway with your friends or
partner. Brave the fastest rides at Crete’s biggest water park, Acqua Plus, before sipping cocktails in a lively bar as the sun goes down. Hersonissos is one of the best places to go in Crete for a night out, with a selection of lively bars and clubs that play the latest summer tunes until the early hours.

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12°C - 29°C

Hersonissos temperatures really start to hot up in May and reach 29°C by August, with cooler months in the spring and autumn.

4 hoursFlights land at Heraklion Airport, which is around 20km from the resort.

Map of Hersonissos

Hersonissos is best for...

Sun-seekers: With highs of 28°C in the summer, Hersonissos has perfect beach weather.

Families: Let the kids cool off at the Acqua Plus water park in town.

Night owls: Party all night in the bars and clubs that line the Odos Elefteriou Venizelos strip.

Getting around Hersonissos

By bus: Catch a bus from Heraklion station to neighbouring towns along the coast. Buses typically run from Monday to Sunday and up until 9pm.

By quad bike: If you’re feeling adventurous, zip through the town on a hired quad-bike. There are plenty of rental companies available in the resort.

On foot: Soak up the sun on a leisurely stroll along Hersonissos’ main strip, Odos Elefteriou Venizelos.

Fast facts for Hersonissos

Language: The language spoken is Greek. While most of the locals have a basic command of English, a phrasebook or app is always helpful.

Currency: You’ll need to exchange your Sterling for Euros before jetting off on your Hersonissos holidays.

Local time: Hersonissos is 2 hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Heraklion International Airport. Transfer time is 1 hour and 15 minutes to Hersonissos.

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Hersonissos is 3.5–4 hours.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found at https://www.visitgreece.gr/en/greek_islands/crete.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday.

Holiday destinations related to Hersonissos:

Events in Hersonissos

Summers Arts Festival: Experience an opera performance in one of the town’s spectacular open-air theatres during this annual event, held from July - September.

Starbeach Festival: From the middle of July until the end of August, the Starbeach Festival transforms the waterfront into the hottest nightspot in Crete. Expect world-class DJs and luminaries from the music world and plenty of dancing!

Traditional celebration: August 15th marks Greece’s biggest religious holiday, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Locals celebrate with a day (or even more) of drinking and eating.

Grand Feast: Enjoy a traditional Greek meal at the Feast of Saint Titus, a huge religious festival held every year in August.

Hersonissos weather

Temperature: 12°C - 29°C

Beach lovers should book between June and August, when the mercury hovers in the mid-to-high twenties and peaks in the low thirties. If you’d rather slightly less-sweltering temperatures, visit in the spring or autumn months, when you’ll find temperatures averaging in the low twenties. Crete’s winters are wet but mild and you’ll rarely see anything below 10°C.

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