Hersonissos, Greece

Hersonissos or Chersonissos, officially known as Limenos Hersonissou (Port of Hersonissos) is a village 26km east of Heraklion and one of the main tourist resorts in Crete.
Hersonissos dates back to Minoan times and following the destruction of the Minoan civilisation it continued to be inhabited. In Roman and early Byzantine times, Hersonissos was a major sea port. Remains from this period can be found in Kastri Hill, above the harbour. Other remains are still being dug. Later the city was continuously raided by pirates and the inhabitants had to move inland, to Ano Hersonissos (upper Hersonissos) and Hersonissos seaside fell into obscurity. By the 1900 census, there were only 133 inhabitants. It was only in the 1960s, after being discovered by tourism, that Limenos Hersonissou once again prospered.

How to get there: There are KTEL buses from Heraklion and the airport, taking about 30 to 45 minutes (official site, with more timetables).

Points of interest:
Agia Paraskevi
Lychnostatis Open Air Museum
Roman Fountain










Local: Sanoudaki 2-12, Limenas Chersonisou 700 14, Grécia

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