Hersonissos, a bustling tourist hotspot in Crete situated just 28km to the east of Heraklion, is renowned for its tranquil beaches and calm seas – a rarity along the northern coast of Crete due to the prevailing northern winds. The most serene beaches can be found to the west of the port, shielded by the Cape Sarandaris. Towards the east of the port, however, lie the resort’s most frequented beaches.
As you venture east from the port of Hersonissos, the first sight to greet you is a sprawling, narrow, sandy beach, buzzing with throngs of beachgoers. It’s impeccably organized and conveniently close to the city’s amenities, though it may not be the best choice for those seeking a more serene environment.
Journeying further east, a series of small, sandy coves become apparent, primarily situated in front of hotels. Of these, Silva Maris Beach stands out with its high level of organization, a lifeguard, and numerous facilities. Continuing eastwards, you’ll encounter Star Beach, one of Crete’s most populous beaches, largely patronized by British and Dutch tourists. Lastly, near Cape Drapanos lie the peaceful beaches of Eastern Hersonissos, offering a quieter seaside experience.
Get directions to Hersonissos beaches
There are several beaches to visit in Hersonissos, including Star Beach, Stalis Beach, and Sarandaris Beach.
Yes, the Hersonissos beacheses in Hersonissos are suitable for families with children. Most of the Hersonissos beacheses have shallow waters and lifeguards on duty.
Yes, there are several places where you can rent beach equipment in Hersonissos, including sun loungers, umbrellas, and water sports equipment.
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes near the Hersonissos beacheses in Hersonissos. You can find a variety of options, from traditional Greek cuisine to international dishes.
Yes, it is generally safe to swim in the sea at Hersonissos beaches. However, it is important to pay attention to any warning signs or flags indicating dangerous conditions.
Yes, there are several water sports activities available at Hersonissos beaches, including jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides.
Yes, there are several places where you can go snorkelling or scuba diving at Hersonissos beaches. You can find several diving centres that offer courses and equipment rental.
Yes, there are several secluded or quiet beaches in Hersonissos, including Lychnostatis Beach and Analipsi Beach. These beaches are less crowded and offer a more peaceful atmosphere.
The water colour of the Hersonissos beaches is blue.
The Hersonissos beaches has sand.
The water at the Hersonissos beaches is shallow.
The sea surface at the Hersonissos beaches is usually calm.
Yes, the Hersonissos beaches is a crowded place.
The Hersonissos beaches offers accommodation options, food/water nearby, umbrellas/beds, sports, lifeguard, showers, and a Blue Flag.
The Hersonissos beaches can be accessed through bus services, paved road, and is handicap friendly.
Find below list of things to do near Hersonissos beaches:
Take in the beauty of the Cretan Sea on a scenic boat tour with iconic snorkeling opportunities. Depart from Malia on a 3 hours Motor Yacht and discover Stalis, Hersonissos, and Saint George Bay. Swim in crystal-clear waters, gaze at vibrant marine life, and enjoy tasty snacks.
Start your adventure with a hotel pickup before heading to Malia. Set sail and admire stunning views of the coastline of the Aegean Sea. Stop at various beaches and coves along the way for swimming, snorkeling, or sunbathing. Enjoy a sandwich, dessert, and fruit salad if you’re feeling hungry.
Explore the villages by boat of Stalis and Hersonissos, both known for their lively atmosphere and nightlife, and soak up the sun at Saint George Bay, surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery. Finally, make your way back to Malia to be transferred to your accommodation.
Alar Dinner Show runs a purpose-built theatre on the north-coast road near Hersonissos, staging two productions with a four-course meal served through the performance. The venue was created by Virginia Carbone and built specifically for the format, with a 24-square-metre LED screen and laser lighting integrated into the room rather than added to it. Two shows run: ALAR Spectacular, aimed at ages 12 and up, and TROY, a family production built around Greek mythology.
The evening runs to a fixed programme from doors to exit. Five stages fill it.
First, doors open at 19:00 and the performances start as soon as you walk in, around the room rather than only on the stage. Second, dinner is served at 19:30 alongside a pre-show, for TROY this is “Meet the Gods and Heroes”. Third, guests on the Drinks & Show ticket arrive at 20:00. Fourth, the main show starts at 20:30: dancing, acrobatics, comedy, a quick-change act, aerialists and live singers, carried by the laser and LED staging. Fifth, the night ends at 22:30, with an after-show party on the dance floor.
TROY adds an interactive layer. A QR code puts the show on your own phone, and the audience votes during the performance, Greeks or Trojans, Achilles or Hector, with the choice changing how the story runs.
The theatre sits on the main north-coast road in the Heraklion regional unit.
Two ticket types cover the same performance.
The dinner ticket includes:
The Drinks & Show ticket includes:
Tickets start from €40. Tables can be chosen at booking, or left to the venue, which assigns the best available in your category.
We recommend Alar because it is not competing with anything else on this coast. Crete’s evening options are overwhelmingly folklore nights, a village, a lyra, a buffet, a dance troupe, and they are good at what they do. Alar is a staged production with acrobats, aerialists and a quick-change act in a room built for it, which is a different night out entirely. If you have already done a Cretan night, this is the one that does not repeat it.
Having two productions is the practical strength. ALAR Spectacular is suggested from age 12 up, while TROY is written for mixed ages with a menu to match, so a family with younger children has a real option rather than a compromise.
The venue itself is worth noting. A 24-square-metre LED screen, laser performances and pre-show acts working the room are production values you would expect in a city, not on a resort road.
Two practical points rather than criticisms.
Book on the venue’s own site. Alar states a lowest-price guarantee there, and booking directly lets you pick your table and flag a special occasion.
The rating we hold is based on a small sample. Our listing records 4.7 out of 5 across 20 ratings, which is positive but not a large base, check recent reviews yourself before committing a whole evening.
Book direct, pick your show by who is coming, and arrange the taxi both ways.
The programme runs 19:00 doors, 19:30 dinner and pre-show, 20:00 arrival for Drinks & Show, 20:30 showtime and 22:30 exit, followed by the after-show party.
The venue is wheelchair accessible, state it in the booking form and do not choose a table, and an accessible table with the best available view is assigned. Booking ahead on the venue website is recommended.
Contact Alar directly: alardinnershow.com, info@alardinnershow.com, +30 694 712 4299.
Doors open at 19:00, dinner and the pre-show begin at 19:30, and the main show starts at 20:30, finishing at 22:30.
TROY suits families, with a menu for all ages and an interactive vote during the performance, while ALAR Spectacular is suggested from age 12 up.
Yes, a Drinks & Show ticket covers the performance and the after-show party, with arrival at 20:00.
Yes. State it in the booking form and leave the table unselected, and an accessible table with the best available view is assigned.
Tickets start from €40, with the venue’s own website carrying a lowest-price guarantee.
Alar is on the main north-coast road near Hersonissos, a short drive from the resort strip.
Every Wednesday from July to October, the Lychnostatis open-air museum near Hersonissos runs a grape feast at 11:00. You tread grapes barefoot in the museum’s stone vat, taste what the garden produced, watch and join Cretan dancers, then take a guided tour of the museum itself. The event runs 2 hours from €15 and holds a 4.91 rating across 47 reviews.
The morning follows the sequence of an actual harvest day, compressed into two hours. Four parts make it up.
First is the grape treading, done barefoot in the museum’s traditional wine vat, the reason most people book. Second is the tasting, laid out while the treading is still going: cheese pies, oven-baked potatoes, grapes, figs and watermelon from the museum’s own garden, plus Cretan wine, tsikoudia and moustalevria, the grape-must dessert made without added sugar or preservatives. Third is the music, with local dancers performing and visitors welcome to join. Fourth is a guided tour of the museum with a short film, available in several languages.
Afterwards you can stay on, walk the museum grounds on your own, and use its beach and beach bar.
The museum sits on the coast just east of Hersonissos.
The €15 covers the event and the museum; anything you buy afterwards is separate.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend this as the best-value cultural morning on the Heraklion coast, and the arithmetic makes the case on its own: €15 for two hours, a full tasting, live music and a museum entry. A 4.91 rating across 47 reviews puts it among the highest-scoring things we list, and one British reviewer called it fantastic value for money without prompting.
What comes through the reviews is that this is run by a family rather than staged by a company. A Belgian visitor described the friendly family who run the open-air museum; a German guest wrote about being welcomed like family. The guides are singled out for enjoying their own work, and the English and German are described as excellent. An Estonian reviewer came away with a genuine understanding of wine-making and Cretan dance rather than a photo opportunity.
The grape treading is the part everyone remembers, and the dancers get consistent praise for being talented and visibly motivated rather than going through the motions. The museum tour afterwards runs around an hour in German, according to one reviewer, so the €15 stretches further than the two-hour billing suggests.
Two practical warnings rather than criticisms, because there is nothing negative in this review record.
It runs one morning a week, seasonally. Wednesdays only, July to October, starting at 11:00. Miss the Wednesday and you miss it entirely.
The arrival cut-off is strict. The latest possible arrival is 11:10, ten minutes after the start. Turn up at 11:15 and the treading has begun without you.
Come early, come with bare feet in mind, and stay on for the beach.
The event runs every Wednesday from July to October, starting at 11:00 with a latest arrival of 11:10. Show your voucher at the ticket counter at the museum entrance before it begins.
Bring comfortable shoes and a towel. Pets are not permitted apart from assistance dogs, and transport to the museum is your own arrangement.
The feast runs every Wednesday from July to October, starting at 11:00 with a latest arrival time of 11:10.
Yes, you tread grapes barefoot in the museum’s traditional stone wine vat, which is the centrepiece of the event.
The tasting covers cheese pies, oven-baked potatoes, grapes, figs and watermelon from the museum garden, plus Cretan wine, tsikoudia and moustalevria.
A guided tour in English or German plus a short film are included, and one reviewer reported the German tour running around an hour.
Transport is not included. The museum sits on the coast near Hersonissos and you make your own way there.
The beach and grounds stay open to you after the event, though beach services and the cafe are charged separately.
Check dates and prices for the Lychnostatis grape feast.
Explore Crete by Land Rover on a full-day adventure along the Minoan Path, and experience a blend of ancient myths, spectacular landscapes, and a barbecue lunch on the Lassithi Plateau.
Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive through spectacular mountains en route to the Aposelemis Basin Reservoir, and see an ancient aqueduct of the Roman Empire. Continue to the village of Kastamonitsa in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains. Stop for a Cretan-style breakfast and raki tasting.
Next, brace yourself for the dirt tracks of the Minoan Path. Drive through a stunning mountain landscape to see wildlife and the unbelievable scenery. Learn the myths and legends of Crete on the way to a shepherd’s mitato (mountain shelter).
Feed the animals as you watch the shepherds produce cheese according to traditional methods. Taste some of the fresh, rich cheese.
Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Lassithi Plateau and north coast. Continue to Dikteon Cave to marvel at the birthplace of Zeus. Work up an appetite before your lunch at a local taverna. Try a selection of traditional dishes (vegetarian option available) and a glass or two of wine.
Then, go to Lassinthos Eco Park to admire traditional handicrafts. Back on the Lassithi Plateau, experience a wilderness and farming land where time has stood still. See donkeys put to work to help farm the land. Then, go to Seli to take photos of the unique scenery.
Drive to the village of Krassi, famous for its 2,000-year-old tree and natural spring water source. Continue down the mountain roads, passing ancient olive groves before you reach the spectacular coastline and deep blue sea.
Explore Chersonissos while riding a mini tourist train. Roll past the picturesque old town, two beaches, and the boats in the port. See more of Crete with the half-day option to the country villages of Avdou, Gonies, and Potamies.
Hop on the train and listen to Greek music and your audio commentary as you see the lively old town in Chersonissos. Admire the narrow streets and churches. Snap pictures of the boats at the port. View the sandy beaches at Analipsi and Anisaras.
On the half-day trip head to the villages of Avdou, Gonies, and Potamies. Enjoy views of the countryside and water as you ride along. Dink Raki (a traditional liquor) and snack on some local sweets.
Acqua Plus is the largest water park in Crete, and this ticket combines entry with a return coach from hotels in the Rethymno area. Acqua Plus sits on a hillside 5 kilometres from Hersonissos and 30 kilometres from Heraklion, split into an adult section and a children’s section. Pick-up runs from around 08:00, the coach reaches the park near 10:30, and you stay until 17:00, so the ticket buys roughly six and a half hours inside the gates.
The ticket covers the coach, the gate, every slide and a sunbed, which means the only thing you spend money on inside is food.
Platanos Tours runs the transfer. The park itself is built across a terraced hill, so the walk between rides is short and mostly downhill, and the layout puts the adult slides on one side and the children’s pools on the other. Slides include the Kamikaze drop, the Tsunami, the Black Holes tunnels and the Crazy River, which zig-zags through three linked pools. A lazy river, a playground and shallow pools make up the children’s half.
Qualified lifeguards work the pools and a doctor stays on site through the day. Reviewers consistently single out how closely the lifeguards watch the water, which is the detail that matters most if you are bringing small children.
The trip runs between the Rethymno coast and the Heraklion regional unit, and two of the places on the route have their own page here.
The fare covers transport, entry and shade, and it excludes food, drinks and anything sold separately inside the park.
Included:
Not included:
Children aged 0 to 4 enter free.
We recommend Acqua Plus as the family day out that survives a hot week, and we send people here rather than to the coast when the north wind makes the sea uncomfortable. A water park is one of the few things in Crete that works better at 35 degrees than at 25, and this one is big enough that the crowd spreads out.
The reviews back up three things in particular. Supervision is genuinely tight, several reviewers mention lifeguards positioned everywhere and watching properly. Queues are short outside peak weeks, with visitors reporting they got round every slide without stress. The park is large enough to feel uncrowded even on a busy day, which is the single most common observation across the review record.
Now the things we would flag before you book, because this tour scores 4.13 out of 5 and the gaps are worth knowing.
The journey is the weakest part. Transportation scores 3.9 out of 5 and guiding 3.8, the two lowest marks the tour carries, and reviewers from Rethymno report a coach journey of at least 90 minutes each way. Add the 08:00 start and you are committing the whole day, not the afternoon.
The Grand Rimondi exclusion is real and it catches people out. One reviewer described a 1.2-kilometre uphill walk to reach the Creta Star bus stop, and that is the official pick-up arrangement rather than a mistake.
Spending inside the park is the third point. Entry costs around €29 and the food is described as good but priced up, and a few attractions such as the Ninja course carry their own charge on top of the ticket. Budget for extras rather than assuming the ticket is all-in.
Arrive at opening, stake out shade early, and treat the coach timetable as the fixed part of your day.
Show your ticket at the Acqua Plus entrance, there is no separate meeting point at the park itself. Pack sunglasses, a sun hat and strong sunscreen, because the hillside layout offers little shade between the rides and the reflection off the pools is harsh.
The park runs from late spring to early autumn. Infants and children under 5 enter free, and the children’s section has its own shallow pools, playground and lazy river well away from the drop slides.
You get about six and a half hours in the park, arriving around 10:30 and leaving at 17:00 when the coach departs.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included for most Rethymno-area hotels, though guests at remote properties such as Grand Rimondi board at the Creta Star bus stop instead.
The coach takes at least 90 minutes each way, according to reviewers travelling from the Rethymno area, with pick-ups starting around 08:00.
Yes, and children under 5 enter free. A separate children’s section has shallow pools, a lazy river and a playground kept apart from the adult slides.
Food, drinks and a few attractions cost extra. The ticket covers every standard slide, a sunbed and an umbrella, but reviewers note the Ninja course and similar add-ons carry their own charge.
Acqua Plus is 5 kilometres from Hersonissos and 30 kilometres from Heraklion, on a hillside in the Heraklion regional unit.
Check dates and prices for Acqua Plus water park entry with transfer.
Find below the list of hotels near Hersonissos beaches:
Semes Luxury Apts by Estia offers accommodation within 400 metres of the centre of Hersonissos, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a toaster and a fridge.
The apartment offers a seating area with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a hair dryer and walk-in shower. Some units feature a terrace and/or a balcony with garden or city views.
A car rental service is available at Semes Luxury Apts by Estia.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Limenas Hersonissou Beach, Glaros Beach and Golden Beach. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 23 km from Semes Luxury Apts by Estia.
from
€65
/night
In a central area of Limín Khersonísou, located within a short distance of Limenas Hersonissou Beach and Glaros Beach, Emma’s Luxury Apartment offers free WiFi, air conditioning and household amenities such as a stovetop and coffee machine. This property offers access to a balcony and free private parking.
This apartment comes with 3 bedrooms, a kitchen with an oven and a fridge, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom equipped with a bath. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
A a baby safety gate is also available for guests at the apartment.
Golden Beach is less than 1 km from Emma’s Luxury Apartment, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 23 km from the accommodation.
In a central area of Limín Khersonísou, located within a short distance of Limenas Hersonissou Beach and Glaros Beach, Khroma Luxury Suite 3- Beach front apartment offers free WiFi, air conditioning and household amenities such as a dishwasher and coffee machine. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony.
The apartment comes with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Guests at the apartment can enjoy cycling nearby, or make the most of the seasonal outdoor pool.
Golden Beach is less than 1 km from Khroma Luxury Suite 3- Beach front apartment, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 12 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 23 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€166
/night
Located in the centre of Hersonissos Town, Dorian Apartments is just 50 metres from the closest beach. It offers self-catering accommodation types that open to a balcony with Hersonissos Town or Cretan Sea views. Free WiFi is available throughout.
Tastefully decorated, the air-conditioned studios and apartments come with a seating area. They also have a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and cooking hobs, and a private bathroom with a shower.
Various bars and supermarkets are within proximity of Dorian Apartments. In the garden, next to the apartments, there is a pool bar serving drinks and light meals.
The international airport of Heraklion is 25 km away. You can find a bus stop within a distance of 100 metres. Free public parking is possible at a location nearby.
Situated in Hersonissos, 200 metres from the centre and a few steps from Limenas Hersonissou Beach, Khroma Luxury Suite 1 Beach front apartment features accommodation with a flat-screen TV, a terrace and views of the sea. Free WiFi is featured.
A dishwasher, an oven and toaster are also offered in the kitchen, as well as a coffee machine.
The apartment offers a seasonal outdoor pool.
Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Khroma Luxury Suite 1 Beach front apartment, while cycling and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Glaros Beach, Golden Beach and Aquaworld Aquarium. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 23 km from Khroma Luxury Suite 1 Beach front apartment, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€145
/night
Located in Hersonissos centre, 90 metres from Limenas Hersonissou Beach and less than 1 km from Glaros Beach, Avra Suites in City center – 50m to Beach provides accommodation with free WiFi and a patio.
Each unit has a terrace, a kitchen with an oven, a dining area and a seating area with a flat-screen TV, while the private bathroom includes a shower and slippers. A toaster, a fridge and kitchenware are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Golden Beach is less than 1 km from the apartment, while FKK Naturist Beach is 2.5 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 23 km from Avra Suites in City center – 50m to Beach.
from
€75
/night
Find below list of beaches near Hersonissos beaches:
The tranquil beaches of Hersonissos Coves, also known as Limanakia, are located 27km east of Heraklion, extending from Cape Sarandaris to Hersonissos harbour. The beaches are protected from the strong northwest winds by Cape Sarandaris (Sarantari), providing calm waters for visitors. These coves are easily reachable and are situated near the vibrant town of Hersonissos with plenty of bars and cafes.
The western edge of the coves features a concrete dock ideal for diving, nestled on the rocky western side of Cape Sarandaris (Sarantari) near the quaint St. George Sarandaris chapel. A staircase leads to a sunbathing spot with hotel umbrellas and a rocky seabed perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Further down, at Cape Sarandaris’s base, you’ll discover the breathtaking Sarantari Cape beach, arguably the most picturesque and sheltered beach in Hersonissos. Its sandy beaches, shallow crystal-clear waters, and an intriguing sea cave make it a tranquil alternative to other beaches, despite the challenging descent through steep limestone cliffs.
Contrary to popular belief, Hersonissos also has a stony naturist beach located next to Sarandaris Cape, hidden discreetly by tall cliffs. This sandy, rocky cove provides a peaceful spot for swimming and solitude.
The well-known Sarandari beach comes next, popular among children due to its shallow waters and soft sands. The beach offers umbrellas, sunbeds, and a small canteen for convenience.
Next to Sarandari is Giofyri beach, situated under the main road and supported by a massive concrete wall. With its unique white coarse sand, deeper waters, and rocky seabed, it’s a popular choice among visitors, complete with umbrella and sunbed facilities.
Heading east from Giofyri along the coastal road, a series of small, slim beaches framed by white rocks awaits, their light-blue waters offering a truly mesmerizing sight. This captivating landscape stretches until you reach the large beach in front of the Creta Maris hotel, which extends up to Hersonissos port. This beach is well-equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports facilities, and a beach volleyball court, becoming busier and more exposed to winds nearer the harbor.
Regardless of whether you decide to swim, a casual walk from the port to Cape Sarandaris offers stunning views of Hersonissos Bay and St. George’s chapel in Sarandaris. At Hersonissos port, consider visiting the lighthouse and the Agia Paraskevi church, partially built into the rock. On Kastri Hill, the remnants of the early Christian Hersonissos basilica and its preserved mosaics are a must-see.
Living on the island of Crete, about 28km east of Heraklion, you’ll find the popular tourist town of Hersonissos. It’s known for its array of beaches, particularly on the eastern side. Located a short 2km distance from the Hersonissos port, these delightful coves extend up to the Drapanos Cape. The most vibrant among them is Star Beach, known for being one of the island’s busiest spots.
As you travel further east, there are several small, scenic sandy and pebbly coves that offer a feeling of tranquillity. Some of these secluded spots enjoy cool water due to the presence of freshwater springs in the sea. Next to these coves, you’ll find the Lychnostatis Folklore Museum, a place where visitors can delve into the historical Cretan way of life.
The final beach in the Hersonissos vicinity is located in front of the Nana Beach Hotel, at the edge of Drapano Cape, and is accessible by heading east. This well-maintained beach has sunbeds and a lifeguard on duty, with a variety of water sports and beach bars available. Thanks to the protection offered by two long piers, this beach enjoys calm waters all year round, as it’s shielded from the north winds.
Located 21km east of Heraklion and west of Cape Sarandaris, the tranquil resort of Anisaras is now home to a plethora of large hotels, most of which provide all-inclusive services. Small sandy beaches with rocky seabeds line the front of these hotels, all well-equipped with umbrellas and sun beds mainly offered complimentary to hotel guests.
Although beautiful, the beaches have a generally rocky seabed, making them popular with snorkelers. Regular waves can pose challenges. The beach near Analipsi, however, the longest in the area, is notably sandier. The coastal road of Anissaras starts from here, running along the coast, stopping before the large Anissaras hotel complex, and then extends southwards, passing around the hotels up to Cape Sarandaris. To swim at the hotel-front beaches, one must either stroll along the coast until finding a preferred cove or seek permission from hotel security to cross the hotel grounds.
The small, picturesque chapel of St. George can be found on Cape Sarandaris, offering breathtaking views of Hersonissos’ western coves. It can be accessed by walking eastwards from the hotel beaches or by taking the road that links Anisaras and Hersonissos. Near the cape, a stone footpath leads to the church.
Anisaras is not a structured settlement, but rather a scattering of hotels and holiday homes, limiting dining and entertainment options outside the hotels. However, the close proximity of Hersonissos provides alternatives. Access to Anisaras from Heraklion by bus is slightly problematic, with no direct route available. The buses destined for Hersonissos stop about 2km from the beach, necessitating a taxi.
Contrary to rumors, Anisaras does not derive its name from the plant anise, which is not found in the area. Instead, the name is a corruption of ‘agisaras,’ the Greek name for the plant Cistus creticus (also known as aladania), which is abundant in the region.
Analipsi, or Ascension, is a village situated 20km to the east of Heraklion and is named after the Ascension of Christ church. Positioned in a fertile valley, the area is primarily utilized for olive groves. In the early 20th century, it was known as Svourou Metohi, after the Turks who owned land there. Upon Crete’s liberation from the Ottomans, Analipsi was given to the shepherds of Agios Georgios village in Lasithi Plateau as a winter grazing ground. Now, these shepherds’ fortunate descendants own expansive properties featuring hotels, shops, restaurants, and various tourist amenities.
Compared to neighboring resorts, Analipsi is less touristy and more peaceful, making it a preferred destination for families. The village front features a quaint pier with a charming church dedicated to Agia Marina. To the west of the chapel, the coast is rocky, save for a small harbor with a lovely beach. East of the chapel, you’ll find the main sandy beach of Analipsis, which is well-maintained. Though the water isn’t deep, summer months often bring waves.
A leisurely afternoon can be spent wandering through the charming alleys of the old traditional village, admiring the beautiful gardens and stone-paved square. You might also want to visit the four-aisled Ascension church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Ascension of Christ, the Holy Cross, and Saint Efrosinos. The village’s main street, lined with cafes and shops, runs perpendicular to the coast.
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