Discover the top 6 Cretan beaches

Anissaras is neither a village nor a town – it’s a place – a large, hilly area that springs up just outside of Hersonissos, a stone’s throw away. But the difference between the two is like night and day. Some people refer to it as Hersonissos’ high-class suburb.

There are no bars, no nightlife – outside of the hotels in Anissaras, which are mostly upscale and self-contained. However, there are a few smaller hotels and several tourist apartments in the area. All in all, it is a place for a quieter vacation, yet close to the Hersonissos hot spots. Find car rental in Anissaras

Analipsis is roughly 24 kilometres east of Heraklion, shortly after Gouves and before Anissaras. It is also known as Analipsis Hersonissou, as it is very close to the seaside resort of Hersonissos.

Stalida (Greek: Σταλίδα, older form Stalis) is a village that lies between Malia and Hersonissos on the north coast of Crete, Greece. It is a lively resort, attracting tourists from many European countries. It has a long, sandy beach and a variety of bars and tavernas. Popular with families, it is 30 km from Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion.

Quieter than the neighbouring resorts of Malia and Hersonissos, Stalis has a more relaxed atmosphere and still has a wide array of bars and restaurants.

Kokkini Chani

Kokkini Chani or Kokkini Hani is located 15km west of Heraklion, west of Vathianos Kambos. It is a very well developed resort, surrounded by many crops cultivated in the fertile plain of the area. The name of the site means “Kokkinis’s Inn” and is taken after an inn that operated here in the early 1900s, by someone called Kokkinis. This inn was popular to the travellers, who stopped at this point to spend their night during their journey to Heraklion The area has many beaches, protected by small artificial piers. The beaches are sandy and have shallow turquoise water. Most beaches are formed in front of hotels, but access is open to everyone. The area is full of shops and restaurants and all beaches are well organized with umbrellas, lifeguards, water sports and the basic tourist infrastructure. The nightlife in Kokkini Chani is not particularly intense, especially compared to that of Malia and Hersonissos. Find Car rental at Kokkini Chani

Hersonissos

Limenas Chersonisou (Greek Λιμένας Χερσονήσου), is a former fishing village on the north coast of Crete. The place is located about 26 km east of Heraklion and about 43 km west of Ag. Nikolaos Colloquially the name is mostly abbreviated to Límin Chersonísou.

Limenas Chersonisou (Greek Λιμένας Χερσονήσου (m. Sg.), Limenas Chersonisou, "port of the peninsula") is a former fishing village on the north coast of Crete. The place is located about 26 km east of Heraklion and about 43 km west of Ag. Nikolaos Colloquially the name is mostly abbreviated to Límin Chersonísou.

Limenas Chersonisos is very much shaped by tourism. There are numerous shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the town centre. Because of the nightlife on the waterfront, the place is especially popular with younger people. Away from the main streets, there are also quieter areas of the town with less touristy restaurants and residential buildings. In addition to tourism, agriculture is another important branch of the economy. About a kilometre above the village are the villages of Chersonissos (the small port of which was once today's coastal town), Piskopiano and Koutouloufari. These are more geared towards tourism for families and less towards mass tourism for younger people. The main road through these three villages is lined on both sides by a multitude of restaurants in the middle-priced sector. Find Car rental at Hersonissos