Popular Residential areas

Short facts about some popular residential areas from Heraklion district to the east:

View to Agia Pelagia

Agia Pelagia is a famous holiday place near to Heraklion with an amphitheatric bay, luxury villas and the breathtaking view of a Greek postcard.

Kokkini-Chani is a small holiday resort located 15 km from Heraklion. Here you will find many
souvenir shops, disco-bars and picturesque taverns in the traditional Greek style. Outstanding sandy beaches stretch out for many kilometers.

The holiday resort village Gouves is located 17 km from Heraklion airport. Sandy beaches are stretched out along the coast sloping gently down to the sea, separated from the hotels by a narrow road. The resort is divided into two parts: Pano Gouves(upper) and Kato Gouves(lower, nearer to the sea). In the old part of the village you will find typical Cretan architecture, with narrow streets and snow white houses. It is interesting to visit the numerous ancient churches located near the village. From Gouves it is only a short distance to the island of Dia, which can be reached by a hired boat.

Evening in Gouves

Not far from the village you can go to the aquapark or aquarium. Gouves is conveniently situated for visiting the sights of the entire island.

The green and small village Agriana is located close to Chersonisos, and only a five-minute drive from the sea. In ten minutes you can reach The International Golf Course, and in twenty minutes - the airport. 

The administrative center of Chersonisos is in around half an hour drive from the airport of Heraklion and includes the following populated areas: The harbour of Chersonisos, Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, Anissaras, Potamies, Avdou, Gonies and Kera. There are practically no local residents in the harbour of Chersonisos; in fact the town is only active in the tourist season, when it becomes the most lively holiday resort on the Northeastern coast of Crete, with numerous shops, bars, discos and clubs. In summer there is a mini golf course, go-carting, a small aquapark, diving centers and horse-riding. The beaches in the region of Chersonisos are partly sandy and partly pebbles. In the winter this place is silent- the shops and taverns are closed and the village is silently waiting for the following tourism season.

Cherssonisos

The excellent sandy beaches and the clean sea of the city Malia attracts tourists to explore the sea
and enjoy various forms of water sport. In the eastern part of the city, on the coast, you will find the ruins of a Minoan palace, in which the golden image of bees was found, which still is the talisman of Crete and is still made by local jewellers.

Sisi- a small village 39km from Heraklion and 15km from Chersonissos, attracts tourists for an easy and quiet holiday. Beautiful bay, few sandy beaches, a small port with plenty of taverns and cafes, narrow streets with souvenir shops remain for a long time in the tourist’s memory and is often calling them to go back again and again to enjoy this friendly seaside village.

Milatos – beautiful and calm fishing village is situated 16 km from Chersonisos. From the road to Milatos there is an extraordinarily beautiful panoramic sea view. Here you will find many coastal
tavernas, which serve all kinds of dishes from fresh seafood. Many Greeks, even from Heraklion, are coming here to enjoy the delicious fish. This is an ideal place for walking and bicycle trips. Milatos is located 45 km from Heraklion airport, in the center of the eastern part of Crete, and six kilometers from the village of Sissi. 

Agios Nikolaos in winter time

The environment of the city of Agios Nikolaos is very picturesque and attracts a great number of
tourists. A special attraction of the city is the deep freshwater lake of Voulismeni which is connected to the sea by a narrow channel. Somehow the water is not mixed and the city thus has a seashore and a lake shore. Agios Nikolaos is rightfully considered as the most beautiful coastal town of Crete. It is sometimes called the Saint Tropez of Crete. 

More popular villages in the neighbourhood of Agios Nikolaos is Elounda, located 7km from the centre in the Mirabello Bay and the fast growing village Plaka, a three minutes drive from Elounda. Beyond these areas are the most prestige and exclusive hotels of Crete. In the Gulf one finds the expensive yachts but from the highest land plots you will have the most wonderful views over to the Islands of Kolokytha (Κολοκύθα) and the Best Known Island «Spinalonga».