Our Location
Kokkíni Cháni is a beach resort located 12km east of the city of Heraklion, on the old national road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos.
The beach from Vatheianos Kambos, to the west, to Gournes, to the east, is protected by small piers that in some places form small lagoons. It has fine sand and it is clean and well cared, with umbrellas and sun chairs, lifeguards and sea sports.
Kokkini Hani is very popular today for its soft sandy beaches and excellent choice of tavernas and restaurants. The bustling beachfront village lies along the north coast midway between Heraklion and Hersonissos.
What to do in Kokkini Hani
There are over 40 small shops, pubs and coffee bars. For serious shopping and nightlife, the resorts of Hersonissos and Heraklion are both within just 12klm distance away and easy to reach, either by the local bus which runs services daily connecting to all places along the north coast or by taxi. Kokkini Hani’s friendly and hospitable residents make it the ideal choice for family holidays and solo travellers. It is a perfect base too, for exploring the rest of Crete.
There are plenty of local attractions to visit that will spark imaginations and curiosity such as Water city -water park, Arina Beach, Cretaquarium, Planetarium, and Dinosauria, as well as the famous Palaces of Knossos and Malia and archaeological museum of Heraklion which are all just 15minute drive away.
History of Kokkini Hani
Kokkini Hani, meaning “The Inn of Kokkinis” owes its name to an inn that used to be here in the 19th century, when travellers to Heraklion had to spend the night outside the walls waiting for the gates of the city to open with the first daylight.
Kokkini Hani was first mentioned at the census of 1940 as a small fishing settlement, part of the municipality of Anopolis, with 6 inhabitants and later in 1970 with 125 inhabitants. Since 1970 with the increase of tourism has developed into a modern tourist resort and a suburban area of Heraklion city.
About Transportation
The public transport is a nice way to discover Crete. A trip by bus is cheap and the busses are clean and modern. On the main street of Kokkini Hani there are busses going to Heraklion every half hour. You can also go every half hour by bus towards Hersonissos, Malia and Agios Nikolaos. From the bus station in Heraklion you can go with the local bus or a taxi to Knossos. And from Heraklion you can also go to Rethymnon, Ierapetra, Sitia and Chania.
Closer distances:
- Beach – 50 m
- Shops and Restaurants – 100 m
- Bus Station – 300 m
- Pharmacy – 500 m
- Hospital – 17 km
- Heraklion Port – 13 km
- Airport – 12 km
- Hersonissos – 12 km
- Malia Crete – 19 km