Hersonissos is roughly 27 kilometres from Heraklion Airport, about 20-minute drive along the new National Road.
Hersonissos is one of the biggest tourist resorts of Crete. In the main street there are many souvenir shops, as well as other shops and restaurants, some of which are near the sea.
The seaside resort of Hersonissos is officially called the “Port of Hersonissos” to distinguish it from the village of Upper Hersonissos further inland. Tourism developed the port town from the small harbour which served the original village, now known as Old Hersonissos, to a lively resort.
Hersonissos means fun and mass tourism, lovely but busy beaches, a modern town with dozens of shops selling tourist goods, clothes and jewellery, restaurants offering all kinds of food, cafeterias, bars and nightclubs to suit every taste.
Hersonissos also means conference tourism in the large luxury hotels, the only golf course in Crete, and all-inclusive holidays for tourists of all ages who are mostly entertained in their hotel and rarely leave it to get to know the beautiful sights of Crete.
People traveling with children will find many ways of keeping them happy in Hersonissos, with a day at the two Water Parks, a visit to the Hersonissos Aquarium or the giant CretAquarium in Gournes, a trip on the “happy train”, or letting them enjoy themselves in the play areas provided by many restaurants