Limenas Hersonissos visitors information
Hersonissos
Limenas is a well organized resort located 27km to the east of
Heraklion with a population of around 3,000 people. As its Greek
name suggests, the resort is built on a small cape and it is
blessed with some glorious sandy beaches. As a consequence it is
a very popular holiday resort and can get quite busy during the
summer months. It is well serviced with hotels, restaurants,
night clubs and shops, including some very expensive designer
shops selling jewellery and fashion.
The village of Hersonissos is 3km away inland and seems to be
oblivious to the busy tourist centre that has grown up on the
coast just a few km away. Historians believe that the area has
been populated since prehistoric times and in ancient times was
the seaport of ancient Lyttus.
Mythology: The Minoan goddess, Vritomartida Artemis, was said to
have been worshipped here but unfortunately there is no evidence
of remains of her temple. During the Roman period it was a
flourishing autonomous town and the Apostle Titus, a disciple of
Paul, was the first bishop. The area is full of Roman remains
and there are a few interesting places to visit. At the site of
St. Nicholas and Kastri the ruins of two Palaeo-Christian
basilicas have been excavated from the 5th and 6th centuries
with beautiful mosaic floors. Also some remnants of the Roman
era have been located in the surrounding fields which are
visible, as are some ancient harbour works under the sea. At the
end of the town is the Laographic Museum of Lichnostatis which is
also interesting to visit.
Getting there: There are buses from Heraklion to Limenas Chersonissos, if you go by car take the National Road Heraklion - Agios Nikolaos E90 and exit at Gouvies continuing at the Old National Road..
Entertainment: There are all kind of activities in the resort, the enormous Star Beach water sport centre offers entertainment for the whole family, there is a swimming pool for the kids, fast food restaurant, cafeterias and bars. You can have fun on a variety of water activities' slides ,chutes,waterfalls, bungee jumping, trampolining, parasailing, water ski etc. There is free parking just outside the main entrances. A few steps towards the town there is a Go cart track.
Shopping: Due to the large amount of Russian tourists there are
many fur shops mainly to the west end of the town before the old
national road to Heraklion. The main high street (Eleftheriou
Venizelou ) is buzzing with
all kind of shops like a cosmopolitan city. There are many
supermarkets that stay open till late as well as other grocery
shops. In the small roads that lead to the waterfront there are
numerous small boutiques, fashion shops, souvenier shops, mini
markets and eateries.
Nightllife: Most of the clubs, restaurants, cafeterias and music bars are located on the beach front, at Agias Paraskevis witch is a pedestrianised street. For more quiet evenings you can enjoy your dinner, music and drinks at the restaurants and bars along the Navarhou Nearchou promenade that begins at the end of the small marina to the west.
Restaurants: There are all kind of eateries from simple Souvlaki and Gyros to British, Dutch or Italian specialities and fast food. For those that would like to eat where the Greeks eat, we recommend the restaurant Elli at 40 G.Sanoudaki street next to the medical centre. The cuisine is home cooking, mainly excellent Greek stews! For pastries, cheese pies, bread and croissants try the bakery Savoidakis next to the taxi station at Eleftheriou Venizelou street.
