In the informal capital of Greek tourism, there is where to roam. The city is located in the north of the island. According to historical reports, Hersonissos was formed in the Minoan era, which is more than 3500 years ago. He achieved the heights of prosperity during the Roman rule, and after - and the Byzantine.

Due to strong earthquakes and regular pirate intimidation, the inhabitants of the island were forced to move and establish a new settlement. This is how Ano Hersonissos appeared on the slope of Mount Harakas, just a couple of kilometers from coastline. The chosen location was more than successful: pirate ships could be seen from afar and the inhabitants had enough time to hide.

Today Hersonissos is one of the most visited cities on the island of Crete. Since the middle of the last century, there has been a boom in the tourism sector, and everyone flew in to see the sights of Hersonissos. The city has moderate and quiet life, Cretan traditions are honored centuries later. Typically Greek harmony is felt in every little thing.

Attractions of Hersonissos: photo and description

In the vicinity of the city, a large selection of historical monuments and entertainment for the young in body and soul. The sights of Hersonissos are at a glance in our review for travelers who are looking for something fresh and pristine.

Museum under the gaping vault

Lychnostatis is located 500 meters from the outskirts of the city when going towards Malia. If you are wondering what is traditional to see in Hersonissos, then this museum is a great place to visit. In one place, there are several small museums where you can see the process of creating goods from various industries: workshops for yarn and leather, mills and looms. On the territory of the artificial Cretan village there is a chapel, a small garden with medicinal herbs, a shepherd's hut. All exhibits can be touched, so the museum is especially interesting for children.

Few tourists come here and tickets for entry are not sold. The length of the grotto is 160 meters, the width is 36, and the height of the arches is 10. The dungeon is divided into several rooms, in which intricate and unusual stalactites and stalagmites lurk. For those who are interested in information about what to see in Hersonissos with children, then 16 kilometers from the city there is a cave with interesting name Skotino. Arm yourself with a flashlight to see the beautiful deposits on its walls.

The famous and resort town is separated by 32 kilometers. During the Minoan era royal chambers were the most luxurious: more than 1 thousand halls, sewer systems, separate rooms and yards. Thanks to excavations and reconstruction, today you can imagine how the monumental buildings were more than 3500 years ago. If you are interested in history and mythology, then what to see in Crete in Hersonissos leaves no doubt.

Did you know? It was in the palace of Knossos, according to Greek mythology, was the Labyrinth of the Minotaur.

How to be by the sea and not visit water activities. Located at the end of the city entertainment center, which includes the water park, Spa area, beach, water sports, bars and restaurants. Explore the surroundings of the buildings for free. Star Beach Water Park is located on the premises of the hotel of the same name. A favorite pastime for children is a trampoline and a playground, and for young people - a foam party with incendiary music. On Crete in Hersonissos, everyone will find sights to their liking, and we will provide a photo.

Useful for the tourist:

Aquaworld Aquarium

In addition to underwater inhabitants, reptiles have found their salvation here. Visit the aquarium with your child, which will bring him incredible joy. Here you can stroke and feed the python, the Balkan snake, the spur-bearing turtle, and watch the iguanas walk in the backyard. And if you visit the aquarium before lunch, you can catch the feeding of its inhabitants.

Sissi village

Fans of small trips on the seas can sail from the port of Hersonissos to a nearby village. In the evening, such an excursion should be supplemented with dinner at the Sissi tavern. What can you see in Hersonissos? Go to the promenade by boat, where you can see a caretta caretta turtle or a moray eel.

Note to tourists: the city is officially named Limni Chersonisou, which translates as Port of Hersonissos. Once the town was the port of the village, which was located in the south, near the National Road (highway).

Crete is an excellent place for horseback riding. If you have never sat on a horse, but dream about it, then this is the place for you. A trained instructor will help you have a good time. On the territory there is a mini-zoo, a playground and a tavern. Children can ride ponies.

Outside the city there is a family park, which occupies a plot of 1300 m2. Not far from the town of Castelli, 4 kilometers away, the myth about Theseus, who ended up in the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, was restored. Here you can feel like a hero of the legendary Greek mythology and use the threads of Ariadne (paths and stairs) to get out of the confusion in 35 minutes. If heroic deeds are not enough, then on the island of Crete in Hersonissos there are other attractions of the famous Labyrinth Park: a mini-farm, archery, handicrafts.

ancient ruins

On the island of Spinalonga, you can see the remains of Venetian fortresses and a gloomy place where a leper colony was located in the last century. For lovers of ruins, a trip to the city of Gortyna to the Minoan caves is also suitable. Dragon Island should be seen on the outskirts: from different parties it resembles now a monster, now an open hand. Although this is an uninhabited area, there is a beautiful Orthodox chapel on it.

Minoan palace in Malia

Well, where without another famous royal court. The village is listed not only as the capital of the Minoan state, but also as the birthplace of Zeus. At this place, his son Minos founded a powerful kingdom, which was swallowed up by a volcanic eruption.

Did you know? In Malia, authentic ruins are presented for review - they have never been restored or decorated. Today it is a site of active archaeological excavations.

The sights of the city of Hersonissos are varied and entertaining. Do you doubt whether to go to the conquest of ancient places? Remember, it’s better to see something worthwhile yourself than to read numerous reviews of tourists without stopping.

Map of Hersonissos with attractions

Many worthy sightseeing spots are scattered throughout the city. During an exciting tour, the map of Hersonissos in Russian will become your faithful companion. You will not get lost and visit all the beautiful places.

Creta Maris beach in Hersonissos

Hersonissos is considered ancient city Crete. Its name comes from the Greek word for peninsula. The first settlements appeared here in the era of the Cretan-Minoan civilization (about 1500 BC). Studying the past of Hersonissos, archaeologists worked in Anissaras, a place located near the modern temple of Agia Paraskeva, to the west of the city port. They found many rare artifacts there. bronze age- fragments of dishes, tools and decorations.

During the Roman Empire, the main sea gate of the island, the Port of Tiganis, was located here. Hersonissos was considered so important that he had his own money. On his coins were minted images of Hercules and the patroness of the island of Crete - the goddess Britomartis.

Modern Hersonissos has gained fame among tourists as the unofficial island capital and is considered a noisy and cheerful place, where life is in full swing day and night. There are a lot of restaurants and taverns, Dutch and Irish bars, so the resort town is loved by tourists from England, Holland, Ireland and Germany.

Active nightlife, beach bars, clubs and discos attract many young people to these places. And at the peak of the tourist season (in July and August), Hersonissos becomes a real center of beach and entertainment for youth.

A lot of entertainment has been created at the resort: a mini-golf course, go-karting, an equestrian base, Star Beach amusement park, Labyrinth family park and even a small Aquarium. And for those who want to improve their health during their holidays, two modern medical complexes and an excellent thalassotherapy center are open in Hernosissos.

The resort town consists of several municipal communities formed on the site of coastal villages. Around the port there are modern hotel complexes and small apartments - Limenas Hersonissou. Construction here began in the middle of the last century, and over several decades, a modern coastal resort has grown on the site of a semi-abandoned fishing village, which has become a Mecca for all tourists coming to Crete.

In early Christian times, the port settlement suffered greatly from pirate raids, so most of its inhabitants moved to a safe distance from the bay - about 2 km inland. Here, on a hill, they founded the village of Hersonissos.

Today, the narrow green streets of this small and peaceful village are lined with traditional Cretan houses, two churches, small taverns and cafes. Absolutely everyone likes this place, saturated with national color. Tourists come to Old Hersonissos to admire the great scenery, taste traditional Cretan cuisine and buy souvenirs. In addition, from the port to old village It's not hard to get up the hill. Walking here takes only 20-25 minutes.

Sights of Hersonissos

From the ancient Roman city, old civil and port buildings, as well as early Christian basilicas, have survived to this day. In some of these buildings fragments of mosaic floors are still visible. In addition, near the village of Potamis, you can see the ruins of an old aqueduct, through which the Romans supplied water to the city. And near the resort supermarket are the remains of the foundation of the ancient Roman theater.

One of the visited attractions of the resort town is ethnographical museum"Lychnostatis". It is a 15-minute drive from the center of Hersonissos. The museum was established in 1991 and presents the guests the Cretan culture, history, nature and folk art.

Unique exhibits on display open sky and several buildings. Here you can see the traditional house of the inhabitants of Crete, a shepherd's hut, a windmill, looms, potter's wheels, a herb garden, as well as presses that are used to press olive oil and wine.

The museum is open daily, except Saturday, from 9.00 to 14.00. On ordinary days, a ticket here costs 6 euros (for children under 12 years old - 2 euros), and on Wednesdays - 12 euros, because on this day the museum hosts a tasting of local alcoholic beverages.

In the western part of the port, above the entrance to the famous Skotino cave, stands the miniature white church of Agia Paraskevi. It seems as if this temple grows out of the rock. In the Middle Ages, there was a small chapel built by the Venetians and consecrated in honor of Saint Paraskeva.

Not far from the port, 50 meters from the Spar supermarket, there is a small but very interesting Aquarium, which was opened in 1995. It not only shows tourists the inhabitants of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, but also conducts work in the reptile rescue center. From April to October, the Aquarium welcomes guests daily from 10.00 to 18.00. And if you come here at 10.30, you can watch how the animals are fed. Entrance ticket in the Aquarium for adults it costs 6 euros, for children - 4 euros.

Many resort guests make interesting trip on tourist "trains" that start from the city port. A shorter route takes 2 hours and goes past the port, along the waterfront to Old Hersonissos and back. "Compositions" on it recover every half an hour. A trip along this route will cost adults 10 euros, and children - 6 euros. It is convenient that you can get off at any of the stops, and then continue on the next train. You just need to remember to keep the purchased ticket.

The longer journey from the port starts at 9.00. It takes 5 hours and runs along the sea coast to the resort town of Analipsi and back. A ticket for such a long route costs 20 euros.

Just 4 km from Hersonissos, there is a large modern family park "Labyrinth", which is dedicated to the legendary ancient Greek myth about Theseus. This entertainment complex is especially popular with tourists with children.

The park has an intricate maze, mini-farm, pony riding, archery, mini-golf course, mini-quad bikes and a real pottery workshop. The "Labyrinth" is open from 10.00 to 20.00. On weekends, the park closes 2 hours later. Entrance ticket for adults costs 8 euros, for children aged 4 to 12 - 5 euros. And kids under 4 years old can get here for free.

Through Hersonissos there is a regular bus service between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, so from the resort town it is easy to independently make excursions to almost any corner of the island, for example, to Heraklion to see the Palace of Knossos, Historical Museum and the Venetian fortress, as well as in Lassithi and Rethymno.

From the port of Hersonissos for vacationers are held boat trips with a visit to the small resort town of Sissi or the Dragon Island - Dia. In addition, fascinating sea excursions are organized for tourists on the small ships Nemo and Poseidon. They have a glass bottom through which you can observe the life of marine life.

Beaches and water parks

Of course, rest in Hersonissos is, first of all, beach holiday. And, what is nice, you do not need to pay for entry to any of the beaches. The central and largest beach of Hersonissos stretches west from the five-star Creta Maris hotel. It has several sports equipment rentals, water sports centers, restaurants, cafes and a variety of beach activities. Renting two sun loungers and an umbrella will cost 5-6 euros here.

No less full of entertainment is the narrow Star Beach, which is covered with fine white sand. This beach is always crowded and often hosts popular foam parties. The well-equipped Drepanos beach near the Nana Beach Hotel, which is located in the east of Hersonissos, is also popular.

The only nudist beach is located in Anissare, 2 km northwest of the port, at Cape Sarandaris. Sea bottom there is rocky. And the beach itself resembles a stone slab with patches of sand and pebbles. It is not equipped, and a nearby road prevents privacy.

Local water parks are considered the best on the island and the most favorite entertainment among vacationers. A small "Star Beach Waterpark" is located in the eastern part of the resort town, and the water entertainment center is a little bigger size"Aqua Splash" - in the northwest of Hersonissos.

Video: Holidays in Hersonissos

Where to eat

During the summer tourist season in Hersonissos, many taverns do not close in the evening, but work until the morning. The price for one dish in them starts, as a rule, from 3 euros. And you can eat well for 10-15 euros. It is convenient that almost everywhere in the resort the menus are duplicated in Russian.

Many inexpensive restaurants and cafes are open right on the main street of Hersonissos. Restaurants along the seashore are usually more expensive. But a more comfortable atmosphere reigns here, and the choice of Cretan cuisine is much larger. Portions in any tavern in the city are not small, and the chefs of the establishments often add desserts, fruits or ice cream to the order as a gift for guests.

shopping

Prices in Hersonissos are lower than in Heraklion. Here you can buy high-quality leather goods, relatively inexpensive fur coats and jewelry. There are a lot of fur shops in the resort town, and most of them are located on the main street - along the Old National Road, as well as in the port area. Distinctive feature Hersonissos is that almost all local shopping establishments do not close until midnight.

When purchasing a fur coat in Hersonissos, you should not pay attention to the obviously overpriced price tag. You almost always need to bargain, and it is better to negotiate discounts with the store owner himself, since sellers give up a maximum of 10-15% of the price. It is also convenient that in each fur boutique you can arrange delivery or pick up the purchased fur coat at the end of the holiday.

Other purchases in the resort are made both in small shops and in supermarkets, the largest of which are the Spar and Select shopping centers. In large shopping centers you can buy clothes and shoes of the world's leading brands, souvenirs and a wide variety of products. Only the famous Feta cheese is offered here at least 12 varieties, and they cost from 6 to 12 euros per 1 kg. In supermarkets, a 0.7 liter bottle of wine will cost 2-3 euros. It is curious that for this money in small family stores you can buy 1.5 liters of homemade wine.

Souvenirs

Traditionally, travelers from Hersonissos try to bring souvenirs related to the theme Ancient Greece. These are picturesque ceramics, figurines of Greek and Roman gods, elegant vases of local production, as well as home textiles. Carpets made from goat and sheep wool, authentic jewelry are in great demand among tourists. self made and paintings by Cretan artists. As souvenirs, many resort guests buy quality Greek cheeses, olives, honey and local wines.

Transport

You can travel around Hersonissos and its suburbs on green buses, a ticket for which for short distances costs from 1.5 euros, regardless of direction. In addition, it is easy to rent a car, scooter, ATV or bicycle at the resort.

Special offers for hotels

How to get there

international Airport Nikos Kazantzakis is located in Heraklion and is 25 km away from the resort town. From Russia, both regular and charter flights fly here. There are taxis and buses from the airport to Hersonissos. A taxi ride will cost 50 euros.

By bus, the resort can only be reached with a transfer. First, by bus number 1 you need to get to the bus station of the city of Heraklion (0.8 euros). Buses to it leave every quarter of an hour from 06.00 to 01.00. In Heraklion, you should take a bus to Hersonissos. He reaches the resort in 45 minutes, and a ticket for it costs 3.8 euros.

An old national road passes through Hersonissos. And the main street of the resort, bearing the name of Eleftherios Venizelos, is its integral part. Even faster to the city can be reached on the new national road. But in order to get to the resort itself, you need to follow the signs to turn onto one of the exits to Hersonissos.

The capital of Georgia is famous for its huge number of attractions, among which the museums of Tbilisi take pride of place. A large flow of tourists visits them every year, spending more than one day on it in order to see as much as possible. There are situations when there is not much time for walking around the city, but you want to look at Georgian life, old paintings, exhibits, paintings and artifacts. Below is a list of popular places in the city, visiting which will bring aesthetic pleasure.

Tbilisi National Museum (National museum of Tbilisi)

It is part of one single network that unites many historical institutions of the country, which is called Georgian National Museum(Georgian national museum). The merger took place relatively recently in 2004 due to the reforms taking place at that time. For simplified management, it was decided to create a network of major museums, on the this moment their number reaches 13 pieces.

The Georgian National Museum is the oldest representative of the art corner, founded in 1825 and survived several unpleasant events. In 1921, he was taken to Europe, and the return took place already in 1945. In 1991, during the change of power, the building received multiple damages, and a year later there was a fire. AT this moment this is the best state museum dedicated to the history of the Caucasus.

On the first floor there are halls that have collected a museum exposition of the epoch of the llth century. BC. - coins, tools, utensils, jewelry. by the most interesting exhibit, tourists find fossilized remains ancient man who lived 2 million years ago. They belong to representatives of a species that lived off the coast of Africa.

The second and third floors are dedicated to the period of Soviet occupation.

Museum of Soviet occupation (The museum of Soviet occupation)

The opening took place in 2006, but it did not last long due to the closure for repairs necessary for the old part of the building. The restoration ended in 2011, presenting renovated halls, creating a striking contrast with Soviet symbols related to historical period Georgia 1921-1991 The modern interior, lighting, musical accompaniment in the hall distinguish the museum from similar institutions in the country.

At the entrance there is a fragment of the car in which the revolutionaries of 1924 were shot. Further, the movement through the hall proceeds clockwise, where you can see historical documents and photographs of the victims of political repressions in Georgia. Of particular interest are the exhibits of the 1920-1930s. In the center of the hall there is a commissioner's table where you can sit down. Despite the historical value that describes the brutality of the Soviet regime, the opening of the museum was condemned by certain Russian politicians pointing to the propaganda of nationalism in Georgia.

Ethnographic Museum of Georgia

A very unusual adventure will be a visit to an open-air ethnographic corner in Tbilisi, which was given life by the historian Giorgi Chitaya in 1966. The best exhibits brought from different corners all 14 ethnographic regions of the country. The exposition is divided into the same number of parts.

The museum complex resembles a village, in which, in addition to buildings, there are additionally:

1. Barns;
2. stables;
3. Kitchens;
4. hunting lodges;
5. Wine cellars.

It is very interesting to visit the buildings intended for housing. Inside everything looks like historical times. Each room corresponds to a certain region and includes its furniture, utensils, clothes, tools.

Among household items, a very interesting and popular is a deep goblet, inside of which a ring was placed at the bottom. The vessel was filled with wine, which a person must drink in one gulp. The test was considered passed when the knock of the ring on the empty goblet is heard.

Tbilisi museum of Pirosmani

Founded in 1984 Museum, completely dedicated to the life and work of the famous Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani (Pirosamishvili). The biography of the master is filled with interesting facts that surprise and deserve admiration for this person.

It is known that Niko is a native Georgian who became a self-taught artist. AT early childhood he lost his parents, so he had to learn to read and write on his own. Having changed a lot of auxiliary work, the artist decided to earn a living doing what he loves, painting signboards and gradually revealing his talent. At this time, popularity comes to him, which did not bring the long-awaited financial profit. A couple of years later, Niko dies in poverty.

One of the halls is a small room under the stairs, in which Niko Pirosmani spent last years life. The viewer is presented with hundreds of works by the master, among which paintings on oilcloths and copies of famous masterpieces are of interest.

In the other halls of the museum there are Pirosmani's personal belongings, his bed, work desk and his mother's author's carpet.

Doll museum

This is one of the most popular places to visit not only for adults, but also for young children. The founder was the teacher Tinatin Tumanishvili in 1933. Initially, only a couple of rooms were allocated for the collection. kindergarten Tbilisi. Later, as new copies were replenished, the museum moved to the House of Pioneers. In the early 90s, there was a robbery, 24 unique dolls which have not yet been found.

At the moment, 3,000 exhibits have been collected, among which are presented best work both folk craftsmen and representatives from different parts of the world, such as China, India, Europe, etc. The dolls belong to the era of the 19th-21st centuries and are made of various possible materials. The most popular works are:

• Russian dancing doll named Svetlana;
• A puppet holding a pearl;
• Bubble-blowing doll;
• Ensemble of playing dolls.

For those who are interested in the culture of the Caucasus, the National Museum of Georgia in Tbilisi will be an excellent guide to better touch the history of this country. For other visitors, this will be a new and educational pastime and discovery.