Hersonissos Holidays

Hersonissos is the ultimate all-rounder – where families, couples, and party groups all find their perfect Greek holiday vibe. This cosmopolitan resort on Crete's north coast has water parks for the kids, romantic harbourside dining for couples, and buzzing nightlife for those who want to party. 

🏛️ Holidays to Hersonissos 2026 - Good to Know

• ☀️ Summers hit 26–30°C with long, sunny days from June through September. Spring and autumn sit comfortably in the low-to-mid 20s — still warm enough for the beach without the peak-season crowds.

• 💶 A large beer costs around €3–5 and a meal for two with wine comes in around €30–50 at a decent taverna. There's everything from €3 gyros to upscale harbour dining, so your wallet stays as happy as you want it to.

• 🏛️ This isn't just a party town — Hersonissos was an important port from Minoan times through the Roman and Byzantine eras. You can still see the remains of Roman harbour walls and fountains near the waterfront, and Knossos Palace is only 25km away.

Hersonissos Holiday Highlights:

• 🎢 Multiple water parks and family entertainment complexes

• 🌊 Several beautiful beaches with different vibes for different moods

• 🎪 Buzzing nightlife scene with bars, clubs, and live entertainment

• 🏛️ Easy access to cultural sites while staying in a fully developed resort

🏨 Hersonissos Hotels 2026/2027 — Where to Stay

Hersonissos has one of the biggest hotel selections in Crete, from massive all-inclusive family resorts with their own water parks to stylish adults-only retreats and budget-friendly options right in town. Whatever your crew looks like, you'll find somewhere that fits.

For Families

• Creta Maris Resort — The big daddy of Hersonissos resorts. Five-star all-inclusive with a 250m Blue Flag beach, 17 pools (including a waterpark), seven restaurants and an open-air cinema. There's an exclusive adults-only area too, so parents can sneak off for some peace. Right on the beach, 500m from the town centre.

• Star Beach Village — Family paradise with direct access to the Star Beach Water Park and its slides, lazy river and splash zones. All-inclusive with three restaurants and multiple pool bars. 395 rooms, so it's big — but the entertainment programme keeps everyone busy from morning to night.

• Lyttos Beach — Beachfront all-inclusive in nearby Anissaras with its own waterpark (kamikaze slides, black hole, lazy river), five bars, an amphitheatre for live shows and a dedicated kids' movie night. Proper holiday-camp energy in the best possible way.

• Stella Palace Aqua Park Resort — Five-star all-inclusive on Analipsi Beach with a state-of-the-art water park, two lagoon-style pools and six restaurants. Avra Spa with Turkish baths for the grown-ups, kids' club and entertainment all day. Luxury family holidays done properly.

For Couples

• King Minos Retreat Resort & Spa — Five-star with 141 rooms, bali beds and multiple bars, set away from the hustle and bustle but close to the beach. Some rooms come with outdoor jacuzzis or private pools. Proper relaxed couples retreat with a spa and à la carte dining.

• Oasis Beach Hotel — Adults Only — A family-run gem in Anissaras with 40 rooms, gorgeous gardens and home-cooked Greek food using ingredients grown on site. Adults only, so it's peaceful — five minutes' walk to the beach, and the kind of place where the owners greet you by name. Brilliant reviews and proper Cretan hospitality.

• Golden Beach — Stylish mid-range hotel with a sleek rooftop pool overlooking the sea, modern rooms and a 3-minute walk to the beach. Sister property to the five-star Akasha next door, so you get access to its Beach House restaurant too. Great for couples wanting contemporary comfort without the resort price tag.

For Groups

• Cook's Club Hersonissos — Adults-only with contemporary design and a trendy pool-party vibe. 140 stylish rooms, live DJ sets, escape rooms, VR stations and a private disco. 150m from the beach and right in the action. Built for mates' holidays and group trips.

• Hersonissos Palace — Five-star all-inclusive right near the harbour and the nightlife strip. Beachfront with two pools, spacious rooms, buffet dining and entertainment on the doorstep. A solid, well-positioned base for groups who want to be close to the bars without paying over the odds.

Luxury

• Abaton Island Resort and Spa — Stunningly stylish five-star right by the water's edge with world-class dining (steakhouse, seafood, Cretan cuisine), the ANAPNOē spa powered by Elemis, and 14 room types including loft suites. DJ nights, open-air cinema and a private karaoke room. Sophisticated luxury with personality.

• Akasha Beach Hotel and Spa — Five-star beachfront elegance with gorgeous outdoor pools, rooms with jacuzzis or private plunge pools, and a luxury spa with exclusively designed treatment suites. All-inclusive with specialist wine lists, premium spirits and signature cocktails. Proper indulgence.

Budget-Friendly

• Pela Maria Hotel — Cheap and cheerful all-inclusive right on the main road, 200m from the beach. On-site pool, restaurant and bar — everything you need for a sunshine break without emptying your wallet. Shops, bars and restaurants right on the doorstep.

• Agrabella — Cosy family-run hotel with friendly Cretan hospitality, just 60m from the centre and 250m from the beach. Simple rooms, pool, buffet restaurant and a proper local feel. Great value base for exploring.

👉 All-inclusive Crete holidays | See all Hersonissos hotels

🌊 Top Things to Do in Hersonissos

Hersonissos delivers variety like nowhere else – whether you want adrenaline-pumping fun, cultural exploration, or serious relaxation, this resort town has got you completely covered.

Water Parks & Family Fun

• Aquaworld Aquarium - get up close with rescued sea turtles, sharks, and local marine life

• Star Beach Water Park - massive complex with pools, slides, and beach access all in one

• Labyrinth Theme Park - escape rooms, mini golf, and adventure activities for all ages

• Hotel water parks and entertainment programs that keep families busy all day

Beach Life & Water Sports

• Hersonissos Beach - main stretch with organized sections and water sports facilities

• Star Beach - lively beach with music, bars, and party atmosphere

• Golden Beach - quieter option perfect for families and couples

• Jet skiing, parasailing, banana boats, and scuba diving available

Nightlife & Entertainment

• Harbour bars - waterfront drinking with sunset views and live music

• Club strip - proper party central with international DJs and themed nights

• Traditional tavernas with live Greek music and dancing

• Cocktail lounges for sophisticated evening drinks

Cultural & Historical Sites

• Lychnostatis Open Air Museum - traditional Cretan village showcasing local culture

• Ancient Hersonissos ruins scattered throughout the modern town

• Easy day trips to Knossos Palace (25km) and Heraklion museums

• Traditional villages in the surrounding hills for authentic experiences

Adventure Activities

• Quad bike safaris through Cretan countryside and traditional villages

• Boat trips to secluded beaches and snorkelling spots

• Go-karting and other adrenaline activities

• Hiking trails in the nearby mountains with stunning coastal views

🗓️ When to Visit Hersonissos

Spring (April–May) | 18–24°C

Wildflowers carpet the Cretan hillsides and temperatures are perfect for exploring without the summer crowds. A lovely time for day trips to Knossos or hiking in the surrounding hills.

• 🕯️ Orthodox Easter (April) – candlelit processions, midnight Resurrection services, fireworks, and the burning of Judas effigies in villages around Hersonissos

• 🧹 Clean Monday (March) – marks the start of Lent with kite-flying, seafood feasts, and carnival parades across

  Crete

Summer (June–September) | 25–32°C

Peak beach season with guaranteed sunshine and warm seas. The resort is at its liveliest with beach bars pumping, water parks in full swing, and evenings that stretch long into the night.

• 🎵 Hersonissos Music Festival (July) – three days of traditional and contemporary sounds in the town centre

• 🍉 Watermelon Festival (July) – local celebration of Crete's summer harvest

• 🎭 Heraklion Summer Arts Festival (July–September) – theatre, music, and dance performances in the nearby capital

Autumn (September–October) | 22–28°C

Still-warm seas with fewer crowds make this the sweet spot for beach days without the peak season prices. Evenings cool off nicely and the light is gorgeous for exploring.

• 💃 FOLKWAY International Cultural Festival (late September) – four days of folk dance and music from groups across the globe, hosted in Hersonissos Municipality

🍇 Grape harvest season – local wineries open for tastings and villages celebrate with food and music

🏖️ Nearby Resorts

Malia – Just 8km east along the coast, Malia is Crete's party capital with legendary nightlife, beach clubs, and DJs spinning until sunrise. Also home to impressive Minoan palace ruins for morning-after culture.

Gouves – About 12km west towards Heraklion, this more laid-back resort offers a long golden beach, great all-inclusive options, and easy access to Skotino Cave and traditional inland villages.

Aghios Nikolaos – A 30km drive east brings you to this stylish harbour town built around the mysterious Lake Voulismeni. More sophisticated vibes, excellent restaurants, and a thriving arts scene.

🗺️ Nearby Resorts

• 🏖️ Stalis — About 4km east along the coast. A quieter, more family-orientated resort with a long sandy beach and a gentler pace. Great alternative if you want the convenience of Hersonissos nearby without the full-on buzz.

• 🎉 Malia — About 10km east. Crete's most famous party destination with legendary nightlife, brilliant beaches and Minoan palace ruins. If you want even bigger nights out than Hersonissos, this is your place.

• 🏖️ Gouves — About 8km west toward Heraklion. A more relaxed resort with family-friendly hotels and good beaches. Dinosauria Park and the Cretaquarium are both nearby — brilliant for families.

• 🏛️ Heraklion — Crete's capital, about 25km west. World-class museums, Knossos Palace, the Venetian harbour and the island's best food scene. Easy KTEL bus from Hersonissos (every 20–30 minutes, about 40 minutes each way).

• 🐚 Sissi — About 20km east. A small, traditional fishing village with a pretty harbour and a much quieter, more authentic feel. Boat trips run from Hersonissos harbour if you fancy a day out.