Hersonisos is full of dreamlike beaches; either for those of you who prefer the 'busy' ones, with umbrellas, sun chairs and beach bars, or for those of you who prefer the 'deserted' ones in order to enjoy the tranquility of the sun and the see. Three small-graphical villages are within walking distances from Hersonisos, these are: Old Hersonisos, Koutouloufari and Piskopiano. They are ideal for an evening stroll and the view from up there, since they are situated on the mountain, is panoramic.
Many restaurants and traditional taverns can satisfy any appetite of yours! Also, for your entertainment you can either choose to go wild in the bars which are on the coastal road, or relax and enjoy the drink at the bars

Distances from Melpo

• Town Centre: 200 m
• Airport: 23 Km
• Port: 25 Km
• Bus stop: 20 m

Sightseeing & Museums

CNN's TravelGuide Contributor Steve Nettleton, writes that "Crete is where gods were born, where myths flourished, and where Europe’s earliest civilization - the Minoans - rose from the Mediterranean". There is a wide variety of places of archaeological interest in Crete, for visitors who want to discover an admirable civilization.

• Festos Palace: The spectacular palace and surrounded city belonging to King Minos brother.
  Attraction type: Ancient ruins
• Malia: The ancient Minoan civilization, these majestic ruins are surrounded by the beautiful Cretan countryside.
  Attraction type: Ancient ruins
• The Palace of Knossos, Heraklion: Just outside the capital of Crete, Heraklion, lie the ruins of Knossos, the largest Minoan place ever built and the centre of the Minoan civilization. Knossos was thought to be a mythical location; the setting for the stories of
• Minotaur’s Labyrinth, of Theseus and Icarus.
  Attraction type: Ancient ruins, historic site
• The Archaeological Museum, Heraklion: One of the most important museums of the world, where the authentic frescoes, sculptures and artefacts recovered from the Knossos site are kept. The exhibits are divided into twenty halls and each of these halls represents different time and thematic eras.
  Attraction type: History museum
• Venetian Walls an Tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, Heraklion: "I hope for nothing, I fear nothing, I am free", says the inscription on the tomb of Kazantzakis. Not only a famous writer, but also socialist and a patriot.
  Attraction type: Historic site
• Gournia: An ancient town dating back over 3,500 years, excavated and restored to show visitors how common people lived in ancient Crete.
  Attraction type: Ancient ruins, Historic site
• Harbour Fort (The Koulers), Heraklion: Koule, built on the site of a series of earlier forts went up between 1523 and 1540, and although greatly restored, is essentially the Venetian original. Both its exteriors and interiors are impressive in their dimensions, workmanships, and details; thick walls, spacious chambers, great ramparts, cannonballs, the Lion of st. Mark.
  Attraction type: Historic site
• Historical Museum of Crete, Heraklion: Founded in 1952, it is the of the Archaeological Museum, holding exhibits from the Byzantine, Roman and Turkish besieges.
  Attraction type: History museum
• The Venetian Fortezza, Rethymnon: This beautiful 16th century fortress is a fusion of medieval European and Moorish architecture.
  Attraction type: Historic site
• Historical and Folk Art Museum, Rethymon
  Attraction type: Historical Museum
• Maritime Museum of Chania, Chania
  Attraction type: Maritime history
• Lychnostatis Museum, L. Hersonisos: A museum that represents the every day life of a Cretan family living in a traditional village.
  Attraction type: Scenic site

Naturally, there are plenty more of interesting sights since, undoubtedly, Crete is an island with a heavy historical burden.

Festivals

Summer is really festive in the island of Crete. Many festivals take place in each and every town (literally!!!). Such festivals occur throughout the summer in the central square of Hersonisos next to the port, and at the villages nearby Hersonisos.

Sports & Recreation

If you are the active kind of person, then you will find yourself with endless choices in Crete. There are two water fun-parks near Hersonisos (20 and 40 minutes away from the hotel by car). There are also clubs that organize mountain biking, climbing, trekking, paragliding and scuba diving. On top of all these, there is the golf course in Hersonisos. It has 18 runways and covers a total expanse of 720.000 m². The desert-style course is Par 72 Championship Standard and 6400 yards long. There are two driving ranges and a state of the Art Academy with practice putting greens and Short game practice area. Four sets of tee positions on each hole will make it a challenging course for golfers of all levels. The course also comes with a full range of practice facilities for tourists, novice golfers and golf club members.

Shopping

There are plenty of shops in Hersonisos open throughout the day. Nevertheless, you can also visit Heraklion, which is, naturally, a big city and offers a wider variety of shops.