Star Beach Village
Star Beach Village is a massive waterpark and beach club complex that doubles as Hersonissos' biggest daytime party venue. The facility includes water slides, swimming pools, beach access, and a DJ booth that runs from midday through sunset. Foam parties, pool parties, and themed afternoon events are the signature attractions, drawing a young, international crowd of package tourists and backpackers. Entry to the beach area is free; waterpark access costs EUR 5 to 15 depending on which slides you want. Sunbed rental runs EUR 8 to 12 for the day. Drinks at the pool bars are EUR 5 to 8 for cocktails and EUR 3 to 5 for beer, with happy hour specials running in the early afternoon. A restaurant on site serves Greek and international food at EUR 8 to 15 for mains. After dark, the venue transitions into more of a club atmosphere, with the main bar area hosting DJ sets until around 1 AM. The crowd is predominantly 18 to 25, British, Scandinavian, and Dutch tourists on their first big holiday. The energy is high and unapologetic about being a party destination. Staff speak English fluently. Lockers are available for valuables. The venue is fully operational from May through October.
What to Expect
A large, loud beach complex full of young people in swimwear. Music pumps from speakers across the facility from late morning. The pool area is the social center, with waterslides providing entertainment between drinks. Foam cannons go off during scheduled party times. The atmosphere is holiday mode at maximum volume. After dark, the beach bars light up and the music shifts to evening club tracks.
Loud, sunny, and unashamedly party-focused. Spring break energy on a Cretan beach.
Commercial dance, EDM, pop remixes, and party anthems. Whatever gets the pool crowd moving.
Swimwear during the day. Casual summer clothes in the evening. This is a beach venue.
Young travelers looking for a party atmosphere, groups on holiday, and anyone who wants the beach-club-meets-waterpark experience.
Cards and cash accepted. Some pool bars are cash-only.
Price Range
Waterpark EUR 5-15, sunbeds EUR 8-12, cocktails EUR 5-8, beer EUR 3-5, food EUR 8-15
≈ $5-16 waterpark, $9-13 sunbeds, $5-9 cocktails, $3-5 beer
Hours
Daily 10 AM to 1 AM in season (May-October). Waterpark 10 AM to 6 PM, bar area until 1 AM.
Insider Tip
Arrive by 11 AM to get a good sunbed position. The foam parties happen in the early afternoon and are free to join. Keep valuables in a locker, not on the beach. The food at the restaurant is better value than the pool bar snacks. Bring waterproof sunscreen.
Full Review
Star Beach Village is exactly what it looks like: a purpose-built party venue for young holidaymakers who came to Crete for sun, drinks, and socializing. The waterpark facilities are basic but functional, with slides that provide bursts of adrenaline between pool sessions. The DJ booth pushes commercial dance music at volume levels designed to eliminate any possibility of boredom.
The foam parties are the signature event and worth experiencing at least once. Industrial foam cannons cover the pool area in suds while the DJ ramps up the energy. It's silly, messy, and fun in the way that only works when you've fully committed to holiday mode. The crowd eats it up, and the atmosphere peaks during these sessions.
Drinks are priced for the resort market, which means they're not cheap but not outrageous either. The cocktails lean sweet and strong, designed for poolside drinking rather than sophisticated appreciation. Beer is the safer bet if you're planning a long session. The restaurant serves decent food at fair prices, and eating here is more practical than walking into town.
Star Beach works best when you accept it for what it is. This isn't a place for cultural discovery or quiet reflection. It's a machine built to deliver maximum fun to young tourists, and on that metric, it succeeds. The staff is professional, the facilities are clean and well-maintained, and the party atmosphere is genuinely contagious. Just don't forget the sunscreen.
The Neighborhood
Star Beach is on the eastern end of Hersonissos, slightly separated from the main strip of bars and clubs. It occupies its own stretch of beach and functions as a self-contained venue. Many visitors spend the day here and then head to the strip for evening entertainment.
Getting There
From the main Hersonissos strip, it's a 10-minute walk east along the coast road. Local shuttle buses run between the strip and Star Beach during the day. Taxis from the strip cost about EUR 5. From Heraklion, take the KTEL bus to Hersonissos (about 30 minutes) and then walk or taxi.
Address
Star Beach, Hersonissos 700 14
Other Venues in Hersonissos
Camelot Castle Club
Multi-level nightclub on the main strip with themed rooms and mainstream dance music. One of the larger clubs in Hersonissos, drawing peak-season crowds seven nights a week during July and August.
Matrix Club
Late-night club that fills up after midnight when the strip bars start closing. Electronic and dance music across two floors. The crowd is young, loud, and there for one purpose. Gets messy by 2 AM.
Mojo Bar
Strip-side bar that functions as a pre-club warm-up spot. Cheap drinks, outdoor seating facing the main strip, and music loud enough to set the mood without requiring earplugs. A reliable starting point.
Hard Rock Cafe Hersonissos
The franchise outpost on the strip offers a more predictable experience than the independent bars. Rock music, branded cocktails, and air conditioning. Useful when you want a break from the chaos outside.