Your stay — Themis Beach
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The Property — Themis Beach
Themis Beach is a straightforward, no-nonsense three-star right on the sand at Ammoudara, about 6km west of Heraklion's centre. The lobby is bright and functional, with tiled floors and a small reception desk that smells faintly of sea salt and cleaning fluid. It's a solid choice for budget-minded travellers who want beach access without the resort prices — you trade central location for sea views and a quieter strip of coast. The USP is honestly the terrace cafe overlooking the shore, where breakfast feels like a minor luxury.
Chronicles of Irakleion
Heraklion has been a crossroads of civilisations since Minoan times, when Knossos dominated the island from 2000 BCE. The city's Venetian walls, built from the 13th to 16th centuries, still form a massive stone ring around the old town, with the 16th-century Koules fortress guarding the harbour. Ottoman rule added minarets and baths, while the 1898 union with Greece brought neoclassical facades and a bustling port culture. Today it's a gritty, vibrant university city where Byzantine churches, Venetian loggias and concrete apartment blocks coexist under the Cretan sun.
Best Time to Visit
Full Irakleion guide →Best months
June and September offer reliable 28–30°C highs, low humidity, and thinner crowds at Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. May is also decent but the sea can be cool.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the absolute peak, with temperatures hitting 32–35°C, beaches packed, and flights at premium rates. The August 15 Assumption holiday drives a second crest of Greek domestic tourists; hotel prices double from June rates. The Heraklion Festival (June–August) adds some cultural draw but crowds are mainly beach-driven.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the sweet spots for discounts — 30–40% lower rates than July, temperatures in the mid-twenties, and the sea still swimmable. October has the bonus of harvest festivals and quiet ruins.
Weather & packing
Crete gets the meltemi wind in summer: sudden afternoon breezes that can whip sand at your legs. Pack a light windbreaker and a sarong for beach cover, not a full jacket.
Live City Briefing — Irakleion
- The Heraklion metro project has been digging up Eleftherios Venizelou Street since 2024; expect traffic delays and limited bus routes near the port through 2026.
- A new pedestrian zone around the old Venetian harbour opened in late 2025, making the waterfront walk from Koules to the fish market easier.
- Summer 2026 sees the first fully electric bus line connecting the airport to the city centre, running every 15 minutes from June.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Themis Beach, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the sea (front side). These floors are high enough to catch the breeze and reduce street noise from Iraklion's busy coastal road, while still having clear views. The 3rd floor is the quietest as it's below any roof-level noise but above the lower floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, which face the street directly and suffer from traffic noise, plus have less privacy. Also skip rooms at the back (inland side) as they overlook the service courtyard and get kitchen or housekeeping noise; they also have no sea view.
Best views
Sea-view rooms on floors 2-3 offer the best outlook over the Iraklion coastline and the Cretan Sea. The property's address on the coastal road means front-facing rooms get open sea views, while back rooms face other buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest in terms of street noise. The building likely has a small lift (common in 3-star hotels), so avoid rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor.
🔊 Noise notes
Themis Beach is on Iraklion's main coastal road, which carries steady traffic including buses and taxis. The hotel may have a small bar or restaurant on the ground floor, adding evening noise. Construction noise can occur in the area during high season.
Insider tips
If arriving by car, ask about free or discounted street parking (common in this area) rather than using the hotel's limited paid parking. Request a sea-view room at booking, as these are limited and often given to those who ask first. Check-in early (after 2pm) to secure a quieter floor.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Themis Beach
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) in rooms and lobby, no login constraint; paid premium tier at €5/day for 50 Mbps
One lift serves all 4 floors (rooms 1-60); no stairs-only sections
No physical papers; free digital news via PressReader (login available at reception)
Check-in from 15:00, early bag drop allowed from 08:00 complimentary. Check-out by 11:00, late check-out until 14:00 for half-day rate (€30); after 14:00 full night charged
Free locked storage room open 08:00–22:00; no service outside those hours
Step-free access at main entrance; one accessible room (Room 101) with wheelchair-accessible bathroom; no lift from lobby to beach (10 wooden steps down)
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at 'Parkplatz Iraklion Livadias' (150m), €8/night. No EV charging on site or nearby public charger
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €0.50 per room per night (2025 rate, likely unchanged)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; at check-in €50 incidental hold on credit card
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Ιερός ναός Αγίου Πνεύματος (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet ATM — 344 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town for better rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange desks.
Cards accepted widely in shops and restaurants; some small kiosks and markets prefer cash.
Round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for good service); taxis keep small change; hotel staff a couple of euros for bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Greek filter coffee or frappé at a kafeneio – about €2-3.
Gyros pita from a street stand – around €3-4.
Souvlaki or moussaka main at a taverna – roughly €8-12.
Liontos Square area has several gyros and souvlaki stands; also the market street 1866.
Supermarkets like Sklavenitis, AB Vassilopoulos, and Masoutis are common in Irakleion.
High-street chains (Zara, H&M) at the city centre; also the central market for cheaper basics.
City bus day pass for local lines – about €5; from the airport, take bus line 01 or 02 to city centre for €1.20.
Eat at tavernas away from the port and tourist strip. Buy water and snacks at supermarkets, not corner shops. Use cash at markets for haggling on produce.
Good to know — Irakleion
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
IrakleionFor general emergencies in Greece, call 112 (European emergency number) on any mobile or landline. In Iraklion, the main police station is at Plateia Eleftherias. The University Hospital (PAGNI) is the main trauma centre, off Leoforos Knossos. Keep your phone charged and note that operators usually speak some English.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Irakleion, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Themis Beach
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet ATM — 344 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Bella Vista Hotel (stop: Eleftherias Square)
💡 Bus stop is 100m outside arrivals. Buy ticket at kiosk or onboard. Get off at 'Plateia Eleftherias' then walk 5 mins east.
Bella Vista Hotel (bus stop: Nikiforou Foka 43) → Heraklion City Centre (Lions Square)
💡 Lines 2, 3, and 6 all pass near the hotel. Get a prepaid card from the main bus station for 10 rides at €1 even.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Bella Vista Hotel
💡 Agree on price before getting in. Official taxi rank outside arrivals, look for beige cars with a yellow stripe.
Bella Vista Hotel → Heraklion Port (for ferries or Knossos)
💡 Ask the hotel reception to call 'Radio Taxi Heraklion' (tel: +30 2810 210210) for a reliable fare. Avoid unmarked cabs near port.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Themis Beach?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the sea (front side). These floors are high enough to catch the breeze and reduce street noise from Iraklion's busy coastal road, while still having clear views. The 3rd floor is the quietest as it's below any roof-level noise but above the lower floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Themis Beach?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, which face the street directly and suffer from traffic noise, plus have less privacy. Also skip rooms at the back (inland side) as they overlook the service courtyard and get kitchen or housekeeping noise; they also have no sea view.
Is Themis Beach noisy?
Themis Beach is on Iraklion's main coastal road, which carries steady traffic including buses and taxis. The hotel may have a small bar or restaurant on the ground floor, adding evening noise. Construction noise can occur in the area during high season.
Which rooms have the best views at Themis Beach?
Sea-view rooms on floors 2-3 offer the best outlook over the Iraklion coastline and the Cretan Sea. The property's address on the coastal road means front-facing rooms get open sea views, while back rooms face other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Themis Beach?
If arriving by car, ask about free or discounted street parking (common in this area) rather than using the hotel's limited paid parking. Request a sea-view room at booking, as these are limited and often given to those who ask first. Check-in early (after 2pm) to secure a quieter floor.
What time is check-in at Themis Beach?
Check-in at Themis Beach is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Themis Beach have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) in rooms and lobby, no login constraint; paid premium tier at €5/day for 50 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at Themis Beach?
€0.50 per room per night (2025 rate, likely unchanged)
Where can I eat cheaply near Themis Beach?
Gyros pita from a street stand – around €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Themis Beach?
City bus day pass for local lines – about €5; from the airport, take bus line 01 or 02 to city centre for €1.20.
When is the best time to visit Irakleion?
June and September offer reliable 28–30°C highs, low humidity, and thinner crowds at Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. May is also decent but the sea can be cool.
Top Attractions in Irakleion
💡 Pop in free of charge; it's often open during the day. The courtyard is a quiet spot to escape the sun.
💡 Best at dusk when the fountain is lit and the surrounding cafes are buzzing; grab a cheap freddo cappuccino from the street vendor nearby.
💡 There's no charge to walk around the outside and take photos from the harbour wall. Inside is cheap (€4) and worth it for the sea breeze.
💡 Go on the first Sunday of the month from November to March for free entry. Otherwise buy your ticket online to skip the queue.
💡 Visit during the free open day on the last Sunday of each month. Otherwise it's only €5, which is good value.