Hersonissos

Just 30km from Heraklion, Hersonissos is the most cosmopolitan place in the area, with loads of late 20th century buildings and hotels. The village of Old Hersonissos, located within a small distance further south,was built there due to fear of pirates that forced the inhabitants to move inlands. Near Old Hersonisos are two picturesque small villages, Piskopiano and Koutouloufari, that overlook the busy resort of Port Hersonissos, ie. the harbour.

The harbour of Hersonissos is famous for its nightlife as there are many bars, restaurants and tavernas next to the beach.Visitors here will also find a large number of modern shops, jewellery stores, furs, clothing etc. Contrasting this are the neighbouring villages, which offer quieter and more peaceful moments for travelers that prefer a more relaxing setting. It is this pristine, wilder mainland where many historical monuments and landscapes of exceptional beauty await to be discovered.

Sights of interest at the Heraklion Prefecture:
• Towns: Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Matala, Arkalochori, Archanes, Lendas, Gournes

• Transport Hubs: Heraklion Port, Heraklion Airport

• Sightseeing: Knossos, Phaestos, Malia, Archanes, Tylissos, Amnissos, Levina, Lyttos, OmalosPlateau, Anemospilia Cave

• Beaches: AgiaPelagia, Ammoudara, Malia, Stalida, Matala, Katalyki

Sights of interest at the Rethymnon Prefecture:
• Towns: Rethymnon, Anogia, Agia Galini, Adele, Amari, AgiaTriada

• Transport Hubs: Rethymnon Port

• Sightseeing: Ancient Eleftherna, Apodoulou Minoan Site, Ancient Syvritos, Ancient Lappa, Armeni Ancient Necropolis, Preveli Monastery, Arkadi Monastery, Lake Preveli, Idaio Andron Cave, Psiloritis Mountain Range

• Beaches: Agia Galini, Platanes, Bali, Panormos, Rodakino, Agios Pavlos, Preveli, Plakias

Sights of interest at the Chania Prefecture:
• Towns: Chania, Souda, ChoraSfakion, Kasteli Kissamou, Georgioupoli, Paleochora, Mournies, Maleme, Kalyves

• Transport Hubs: Chania Airport, Souda Port, Chania Port

• Sightseeing: Ancient Polyrinia, Ancient Anopolis, Ancient Falasarna, Ancient Aptera, Ancient Lissos, Ancient Elyros, Georgioupoli Greco-Roman Site, Frangokastelo Fortress, Samaria Gorge, Topolia Gorge, Monasteries in Akrotiri, Elafonissi Island

• Beaches: Frangokastelo, Loutro, Souyia, Agia Marina, Paleochora, Falarsana, Kastelli-Kissamos, Kolumbari, Platanias, Maleme, Kalyves, Georgioupoli, and the islets of Gramvoussa and Elafonissi

Sights of interest at the Lassithi Prefecture:
• Towns: Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra, Elounda

• Transport Hubs: Agios Nikolaos Port, Sitia Port, Sitia Airport

• Sightseeing: akros Palace, Ancient Palekastro, Ancient Itanos, Ancient Praisos, Ancient Driros, Doric Lato, Ancient Towns of Gournia and Makrygialos, Kazarma Fortress in Sitia, Diktaion Andron Cave, Lassithi Plateau, Spinalonga Island, Vai Palm Tree Forest

• Beaches: Vai Palm Tree Forest Beach, Myrtos, Ierapetra, Makrygialos, Xerokambos, Kato Zakros, Itanos, Pachia Ammos, Istro, Ammoudi, Havania, Elounda, the islands of Chryssi and Koufonissi