Hersonissos sits on the north coast of Crete, approximately 26 km east of Heraklion. The island runs on Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), which is UTC+3 from late March through to late October. That puts Crete 2 hours ahead of the UK and Central Europe in summer, and 3 hours ahead of the US East Coast.
Yes. Guest parking is available on site for suite guests. If you are driving to DIO, please let us know at the time of booking so we can confirm availability and provide directions.
Yes. Search for DIO Hersonissos on Google Maps for the most accurate pin. The venue is located directly on the beachfront in Hersonissos, on the northern coast. If you're using a navigation app, searching "DIO beach club Hersonissos" should bring up the correct location. Our street address is Themistokleous 9, Limenas Chersonisou 700 14, Greece.
DIO sits in Hersonissos, one of the north coast's most established resort towns. The immediate neighbouring areas are:
Stalida (Stalis) -- around 5 km east, a quieter, family-friendly beach resort with a long sandy shore.
Malia -- around 8 km east, a lively coastal town with its own beaches, nightlife, and the impressive Minoan Palace of Malia archaeological site.
Heraklion -- the island capital, approximately 26 km to the west, home to Knossos Palace, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Venetian harbour, and the main ferry port.
Knossos Palace is approximately 25 km west of Hersonissos, a 30 to 35-minute drive. It's one of the most significant archaeological sites in Europe and well worth a visit before or after a day at DIO. Taxis between Hersonissos and Knossos typically cost €30 to €40 each way.
Hersonissos is approximately 26 km east of Heraklion city centre, around a 30-minute drive along the E75 national road. Taxis between the two run regularly and cost in the region of €35 to €45 depending on traffic and time of day.
Yes. Heraklion Port is the main ferry hub for Crete and is well connected to Piraeus (Athens), Santorini, and other Aegean islands. Overnight ferries from Piraeus to Heraklion run daily throughout the summer and take around 8 to 9 hours. High-speed ferries from Santorini to Heraklion take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. From Heraklion Port, Hersonissos is a straightforward 25-minute taxi or transfer ride east along the coast road.
Ferry bookings can be made through operators including Seajets, Blue Star Ferries, and Minoan Lines, or via aggregator sites such as Ferryhopper.
Yes. KTEL buses run regularly along the north coast road between Heraklion and the eastern resorts, stopping in Hersonissos. If you're staying locally in Hersonissos, Stalida, or Malia, the venue is easy to reach without a car. Check current KTEL schedules for up-to-date timetables, as evening services can be less frequent.
Yes. Taxis are widely available in Hersonissos and across the surrounding area. You can hail one on the street, ask your accommodation to arrange one, or use a local taxi app. For event nights, we recommend booking your return taxi in advance rather than relying on finding one outside the venue at the end of the night, particularly during busy periods in July and August.
DIO does offer some limited parking on site. Hersonissos has on-street parking available in the area around the venue. Availability can be limited during busy summer evenings, particularly on event nights, so we recommend arriving with extra time if you're driving. A number of public and private car parks are also dotted around the town centre.
For HEDONISM and DIONYSIA nights we'd strongly encourage guests to consider arriving by taxi or transfer rather than driving, both for convenience and so everyone can enjoy the evening without restriction.
There are three main options from Heraklion Airport to Hersonissos:
Taxi -- The fastest and most convenient option. Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall and the fare to Hersonissos is approximately €30 to €40 for the cab (not per person). The journey takes around 25 minutes in normal traffic. Agree the fare with the driver before setting off; a fare board in the arrivals hall lists agreed rates to key destinations.
Pre-booked transfer -- Several local companies offer private airport transfers. Worth booking in advance if you're arriving late or travelling with a group and luggage.
Bus -- A cheaper option, though it involves getting to the central Heraklion bus station first (a short taxi ride or 2 km walk from the airport), then boarding a KTEL regional bus east towards Hersonissos. The journey takes 30 to 45 minutes and tickets cost a few euros. Buses run every 30 to 60 minutes during the day.
The closest airport to DIO is Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (HER), approximately 22 km west of Hersonissos. It's a straightforward drive along the E75 national road and takes around 25 minutes without heavy traffic. This is the airport to use for the vast majority of visitors arriving in summer, as it receives direct flights from across Europe.
Chania International Airport (CHQ) is the island's other main airport, roughly 130 km to the west. It's a viable option if flights are significantly cheaper or more convenient from your departure city, but factor in the additional 90-minute drive along the north coast road.
