Hersonissos, officially Limenas Chersonisou, is one of the busiest resort towns on Crete's north coast and the most concentrated stretch of sun-and-beach holiday infrastructure on the island. A long curve of sandy coastline runs east from the small harbour, lined with hotels, apartments, bars, tavernas and family-friendly resorts that fill steadily from May to October. It is a destination built around easy, good-value seaside holidays rather than authentic village life, but it has more variety than its reputation suggests.

The town divides into three distinct layers. The seafront strip is where most visitors stay and play, with a paved promenade, beach clubs, dive operators and almost every cuisine you can name on offer. The harbour area at the western end is the prettier corner, with fishing boats, a small chapel on a rocky outcrop and a cluster of seafood tavernas. Up the hill behind the modern resort, the original village of Old Hersonissos retains stone houses, family kafenia and a quieter, more local feel.

The wider area is also one of the best touring bases on Crete. The Minoan palace of Malia is on the doorstep, the Lasithi Plateau and the Cave of Zeus are an hour inland, and Heraklion with Knossos is a short drive west. Beaches stretch in both directions and the coastline east toward Stalis and Malia is virtually continuous sand. Expect everything from large family-friendly resorts and apartments to adults-only suites, water park hotels and self-catering villas in the hills.