Travel Eye on Hersonissos (Crete)

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Overview:

Hersonissos is a real mixed bag of a resort, with numerous villages and rural areas lumped together with a substantial and busy town that forms the main resort centre. The main town is basically a modern construct, and although there are no tower blocks, its historic past, as evidenced by a scattering of small ancient ruins, is largely lost from view.

Nowadays the focus is a substantial harbour area with numerous bar-eateries on a busy raised waterfront stretching along most of the resort's length; periodically there are steps down to small unimpressive beaches. Just inland is the long, lively central commercial area where a good selection of bars, shops, tour agencies, restaurants and nightlife flanks the main road that continues to be busy despite the addition of a bypass to take most heavy vehicles and some of the traffic.

A mixed resort offering a catch-all holiday cocktail and no particularly outstanding attributes. The main resort is a busy town with an attractive water front and a healthy nightlife, bringing young and more mature guests side by side. Less suited to beach connoisseurs or those looking for a traditional town. The outlying hill villages and W coastal agricultural areas suit more independent holidaymakers seeking a quieter, less commercial environment.

There is a wide choice of apartments, from the absolute basics to attractive modern developments, but all reflect the simplicity characteristic of Greece. There is a good selection of hotels, from a few small and homely places to large, dated B&B tourist establishments and a handful of superior options offering varying degrees of comfort and luxury.

Locality:

Hersonissos is on Crete's N coast (17 mls E of Heraklion and 23 mls NW of Aghios Nikolaos). It is on the north east facing shore of a large bay, stretching for about 2 mls on both sides of the busy main coast road and filling a narrow coastal plain that rises to the foothills of the Dikti Mountains where several small villages, slowly merging into one owing to tourist development, overlook the resort.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

The town beaches of the main resort are small and tend to get crowded in high season, making the poolside a better option for those staying in the main resort. The only reasonable central option is slightly W of the harbour and a good trek from most accommodation. Farther W are good-sized, undeveloped stretches of coarse sand, which, while serviceable, do not match the stereotypical image of pristine tourist beaches; these tend to be more appealing when adjacent to larger hotels which provide loungers and shades. Much of the coastline is rocky, with sunbathers perched just above the water or on tiny pockets of sand flanked by boulders; some of the sandy beaches have rocky sea entry.

Good supply of minimarkets and bakeries. A wide range of souvenir shops offer everything from tacky plastic trinkets and T-shirts to quality locally produced crafts and artwork. Locally produced leather is good value, as is Cretan pottery and crochet work. Numerous shops offer herbs, spices and foodstuffs produced and gathered in the mountains.

During the daytime many spend it topping up the tan by the pool or on the shore. There is an open-air museum of traditional Cretan life. There are a couple of water parks. There is the full range of water sports, from scuba diving to para-sailing. Hill walking.

The nightlife here offers bars and restaurants along the raised water front. The main road and side streets are also busy with eateries, watering holes, games arcades and shops that stay open until late at night. There is a reasonable selection of nightclubs and bars, some with live music, all offer entertainment into the early hours and beyond.

There is a wide selection of mid-range taverna-style restaurants serving traditional fare, pizza and pasta dishes. Local fast-food joints. Local fish is widely available, with a couple of speciality restaurants. Dining tends to be relaxed and casual, with formal dining limited to a few small a la carte options in the larger hotels. Some Chinese and Indian restaurants.