Hersonissos - Μalia

Welcome to Crete. Just a few kilometres east of Heraklion, you will find Hersonissos. Hersonissos was once the seaport of ancient Lyktos and later the seat of the bishop, as findings from the Kastri basilica, believed to have been built in the 5th or 6th century AD, suggest. On the waterfront, you’ll find the church of Agios Nikolaos, built in the 17th or 18th century AD. North of Limenas Hersonissos you’ll see Megalo Horio, the bear-berry forest with 3,000 bear-berry, oak and carob trees and the settlements of Koutouloufari and Piskopiano, where a former olive oil refinery houses an Agricultural Museum.

Dive into the blue

Limenas Hersonissos, Malia beach and Stalis in between, boasting white sands and blue-green water, are all magnets for trendsetting young tourists. Be sure to visit the long stretch of sandy beach at Anissaras (a stone’s throw from Hersonissos), Limanakia, Creta Maris, Sarantaris, and Analipsi.

Malia Palace

Visit the ruins of the third-largest Minoan palace in Crete. At 7,500 sq metres, it was first built in 1900 BC and, after a turbulent history, permanently destroyed by a fire in 1450 BC.

Lychnostatis Open Air museum

You’ll learn about Crete’s folk traditions and culture at the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum in Limani Hersonissos. Traditional Cretan farmers’ houses, a distillery, windmill, church, wine and olive presses, weaving workshops, a garden with medicinal plants and a folk art gallery – everything you need to get to know the real Crete. 

Pillow talk

Luxurious hotels, sprawling resorts and rooms-to-let: Hersonissos and Malia have accommodation for every style and budget, whether on the beach, right in the middle of the lively town, or quiet and secluded.