Hersonissos

The name of the town is definitely of Greek origin and dates back to the 5th century BC, it features on coins, inscriptions and text. The Hersonissos area has been inhabited since the Minoan period, the town experienced a considerable boom during the Roman and Byzantine period and many archaeological finds i.e.. Mosaics have been unearthed.

Hersonissos was once a calm coastal area, with 150 cottage houses and 400 inhabitants, the natural features have remained unchanged, the combination of the mountains, the beautiful blue sea, the small port and its favourable location in the centre of the island makes it a incomparable.

The locals used to live a peaceful life, agriculture (tomatoes & carob trees), fishing and animal raising were their main occupations and source of finance.

During those years the small fishing port was a quiet tourist resort for local people and people from Heraklion.

However, Hersonissos was soon to be discovered by the people from the rest of Greece, who really loved that place and used to visit it often during the summer months.

The first tourists were nature lovers who took adventurous tours to explore its beauty, some stayed and became permanent residents.

Hersonissos began to change in 1975 when the first big hotel was built, in a very short time the tourist began to flow in, more hotels and other types of accommodation were constructed and the previously quiet place began to change.

In 2002 Hersonissos became the first option for many people who wanted to visit the beautiful island of Crete, it is a place blessed with nature, combining cosmopolitan life in the lush hotels and exquisite night clubs or the modern shops, but with the chance to escape to beautiful clean beaches.

From 1150 beds in 1975 Hersonissos grew to 30,000 beds by 2002, thus providing a wide range of different accommodation facilities.

The view of Hersonissos from the neighbouring hills is fascinating whether it be day or night, sometimes bathed in the light of the Cretan Sun, sometimes transformed by the brightly illuminated town.

The numerous shops offer a wide range of quality products will give you the opportunity to buy quality decorative items, souvenirs or clothes at favourable prices.  In the restaurants and taverns you can try the famous Greek cuisine as well as international food, and in the Cafes you can enjoy refreshing drinks, coffee, spirits and cocktails.

Hersonissos belongs to the people who love action, motion and life, there are many cultural events such as exhibitions of popular art and traditional celebrations.

Click here for a map of Hersonissos