After dawn: Nightclubs
#2 | A Second Nightlife Hotspot (especially if you are a club-maniac)
Even though it is located 25-30 km East from the Heraklion city center, a visit to Hersonisos and Malia is a basic part of any Heraklion nightlife experience.
The trip to these nightlife headquarters is easier than you might. All you need to do is get to the through road and follow the many and clear signs. Or you take one of the many buses (one-way tickets for less than 5 euros. The routes stop to operate by midnight, but they start to run again at 6.00 – the time when most of the bars and clubs close.
In case you take a taxi back to Heraklion the fare will come down to 40 euros regardless of whether it’s day or night. Since the majority of Heraklion resort hotels are located around Hersonios and Malia the area is your way to go if your hotel is close by or even located with a 15 minute walking distance.
From the abundance of venues we recommend these:
Malia
Maybe it is because the photos were taken at the very end of season (middle of October) with almost all the clubs closed, but believe me when I say that during season the wide street which looks empty in the picture above is so crowdy and full that it is hard even to walk sometimes.
All the big clubs like Zoo, Oasis Bar, King’s Cross and Cloud 9, all with a capacity of more than 1000 people each, are in this street, almost next to each other. Also, at the end of th nightclub-laden asphalt road there are 2 big beach bars, open till sunset. You can check out the video to the right to get an idea about what clubbing in Malia is like.
There is a big similarity and a great difference between these two areas. They are both all full of young people enjoy ing their big night out, but in Heraklion it will be 80% locals and 20% tourists while things will be the other way round in Malia and Hersonisos. The latter are some of the most popular resorts for European youths looking to have fun till the early morning.
This comes with its natural downsides. Be prepared to see people lieing in the streets because of over-consuming alcohol.
Hersonissos
There is a pedestrian streetacross the coast that is full of restaurants, coffee bars and clubs like you would find them in the pedestrian streets in Malia. Many of them offer water pipe smoking, but the place for nightlife is the Hersonissos: New York Club is the most buzzy venue, with alcohol drinks for an all night party.
The Shenanigans Irish pub offers more rock classic entertainment.
48 Hours in Heraklion – Final notes
Tip: As mentioned before, it’s quite easy to have lots of eye-contact with the local ladies – and it’s also easy to get the wrong idea. Most of Cretans feel comfortable to stare other people (basically out of curiosity) without intending to flirt. Also be aware that it is very easy to get in trouble if you try to flirt a local young lady who is out together with male friends or relatives. Despite the many years of tourism, there are still many conservative and old-fashioned young men having strong values about ‘honor’. If they are a bit drunk, it is a combination that often calls for trouble.
However, most of the locals are very hospitable and ready to help you have a great time in the island they feel very proud of. Take a look at the Video to the right that is about Chania, the second largest town on Crete. Although a bit smaller than Heraklion the people of Chania perfectly reflect the mentalaity of the lcoals in Heraklion and that of all Cretians alike.
Finally, keep in mind that going to Heraklion means meeting a large number of young tourists who are all about chatting,
socialising and having a good time. The best thing of all is that you have the chance to meet lots of females from all kinds of European countries and even some from the US, Canada or Australia. All in the same night, without traveling all over the world – all you need to do is travel to Heraklion, Crete.
goCrete is a travel guiding service help people to discover authentic, not touristic, amazing places very well hidden from popular travel guide books. During our day trips you can taste the real grand mum’s Cretan cousin, meet nice, straightforward locals with the strong honest sense of hospitality that they have always had, and listen to many interesting (funny or touching) stories connected with the places we visit.
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