Hersonissos
Crete’s liveliest beach resort with vibrant nightlife, family attractions and all inclusive seaside escapes
Deals from 367ppBest Deal of Hersonissos
23 May - 30 May 2026
7 Nights
Bed & Breakfast
10 May - 17 May 2026
7 Nights
Bed & Breakfast
25 Sep - 02 Oct 2026
7 Nights
Self Catering
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Holidays to Hersonissos offer a dynamic mix of beach relaxation, nightlife and family-friendly attractions on Crete’s north coast. Located just 25km east of Heraklion, this resort is one of the island’s most popular destinations for UK travellers.
Hersonissos combines a lively atmosphere with easy access to cultural sites, waterparks and organised excursions. The coastline features a mix of sandy beaches and small coves, while inland villages like Koutouloufari provide a more traditional Greek experience.
Whether you’re looking for all inclusive beach resorts, energetic nightlife or a convenient base to explore Crete, Hersonissos delivers flexibility and value.
✨ Why Visit Hersonissos
- Lively nightlife scene with bars, clubs and beach parties
- Family-friendly attractions including waterparks and aquariums
- Wide choice of all inclusive hotels and beachfront resorts
- Close proximity to Heraklion Airport for easy transfers
- Ideal base for exploring eastern Crete
- Excellent mix of modern amenities and traditional villages nearby
🌴 What Makes It Special
Hersonissos stands out as one of Crete’s most versatile resorts. It caters equally well to families, couples and young travellers, offering everything from relaxed beach days to high-energy nightlife. Its proximity to Heraklion and major attractions like Knossos Palace makes it one of the most convenient and accessible destinations on the island.
📍 Key Areas to Explore
- Hersonissos Centre (Heraklion Region) – Bustling hub with beaches, nightlife and shops
- Koutouloufari Village (Heraklion Region) – Traditional hillside village with tavernas and sea views
- Stalis (Heraklion Region) – Quieter beach resort ideal for families
- Malia (Heraklion Region) – Famous for nightlife and long sandy beaches
🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Walk coastal trails between Hersonissos and Stalis
- Take a boat trip along the north coast
- Explore nearby Lassithi Plateau on a day tour
- Visit Spinalonga Island from nearby Agios Nikolaos
🏖️ Beaches
- Relax at Hersonissos Beach along the promenade
- Swim at Sarandaris Beach’s calm, sheltered waters
- Enjoy family-friendly Stalis Beach
- Discover hidden coves near Anissaras
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Dine at seaside tavernas along the harbour
- Try authentic Cretan dishes in Koutouloufari village
- Enjoy grilled seafood and meats in traditional restaurants
- Sip cocktails at beachfront bars
🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment
- Party along Hersonissos strip with bars and clubs
- Enjoy sunset drinks at harbour lounges
- Visit beach clubs with live DJs
- Experience nightlife in nearby Malia
📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots
- Sunset views at Hersonissos harbour
- Clear waters at Sarandaris Beach
- Coastal views from Koutouloufari village
- Beachfront scenes at Stalis
- Scenic bays along the coastline
Best Value Deals
🏨 All-Inclusive Holidays
Hersonissos runs one of Crete's deepest UK family AI markets, with strong value across meals, drinks and entertainment. Star Beach Village, Aldemar Knossos Royal (Anissaras), Nana Princess and Eri Beach & Village lead the UK family rankings. Aldemar Royal Mare (Anissaras, adults-aimed thalassotherapy) and Lyttos Beach add the upper-tier options. Shoulder-season weeks with UK flights typically open from £329pp in May or October, climbing to £899pp at August half-term — among the strongest-value family AI deals on Crete.
👨👩👧👦 Family Holidays
This is one of Crete's strongest family-resort destinations. The Star Beach Water Park (free entry, on the eastern seafront), the Acqua Plus Water Park (5km inland) and the CretAquarium (10km west at Gournes, the largest aquarium in Greece) cover non-beach days, and the central Blue Flag beaches are gradually shelving with lifeguards in summer. Star Beach Village, Eri Beach & Village and Nana Princess lead the family hotel inventory. Pair with the Lychnostatis Open-Air Museum and the Lasithi Plateau day trip for variety.
💎 Luxury Holidays
True five-star inventory clusters in neighbouring Anissaras rather than central Hersonissos. Nana Princess (Anissaras, adults-only suites with private pools), Aldemar Royal Mare (Anissaras, thalassotherapy spa) and Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort (on the private Agia Pelagia peninsula, 25km west) are the headline addresses. Within Hersonissos itself, Lyttos Beach and Annabelle Beach Resort run the polished family-luxury options. For deeper luxury, Elounda (45 minutes east) holds Crete's densest five-star concentration.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
Hersonissos carries Crete's strongest UK late-availability stock thanks to its volume of mid-market AI inventory. The strongest discounts surface in mid-May to early June and from mid-September into mid-October — discounts of 25–35% inside three weeks of departure are realistic on Star Beach Village, Eri Beach, Lyttos Beach and Annabelle Beach properties. Almost every Hersonissos hotel closes from late October through April; the resort effectively shuts down in winter.
Why book with us:
💷 Low deposits from £49pp
🔄 Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
🛡️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are safeguarded
✅ Free amendment window on selected packages
📞 UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
📅 Best Time to Visit Hersonissos
- May – June: Warm, quieter and ideal for exploring
- July – August: Peak season with vibrant nightlife
- September – October: Warm sea, fewer crowds
- Winter: Mild but quieter with limited tourist activity
🏨 Where to Stay
- Families: Stalis, Anissaras
- Couples: Koutouloufari, harbour area
- Luxury travellers: Anissaras resorts
- Budget travellers: Hersonissos centre
🚗 Getting Around
- Walking is ideal within the resort
- Buses connect to Heraklion and nearby towns
- Car hire recommended for exploring Crete
💡 Travel Tips
- Book nightlife venues early during peak season
- Choose quieter areas like Stalis if travelling with family
- Use sun protection—summer temperatures can exceed 30°C
- Visit inland villages for authentic dining experiences
Map Of Hersonissos
Top Experiences
Star Beach Water Park (Hersonissos, Heraklion Region)
Beachfront waterpark with slides, pools and DJ events—perfect for families and young travellers.
Hersonissos Harbour Promenade (Hersonissos, Heraklion Region)
A lively seafront lined with bars, restaurants and sunset views.
Cretaquarium Visit (Gournes, Heraklion Region)
One of Europe’s largest aquariums, showcasing Mediterranean marine life.
Labyrinth Park Adventure (Hersonissos, Heraklion Region)
Interactive maze and activity park ideal for families with children.
Day Trip to Knossos Palace (Heraklion, Heraklion Region)
Explore Crete’s ancient Minoan civilisation just 30 minutes away.
Top Hotels In Hersonissos
Travel Information
Everything You Need To Know Before You Jet Off To Hersonissos.
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