
Crete - 15N


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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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Itinerary -
Chania 3N -
(Explore the Old Town) 3N (Via Rethimno's Old Quarter / Heraklion Archaeoligical Museum and Knossos Palace) -
Malia 2N - Hire car for 5 or 6 days to be picked up and dropped off in Chania
(Do a quad bike trip) - (Morning smoko at Sisi then go to Spinalonga Island on the way to)
2 hrs 30 mins / 175 km
Agios Nikolaos 2N -
(Go to Sitia for lunch and Vai Beach) - (Head up to the quant fishing village of Plaka for a seafood meal)
4 hrs / 200 km
Agia Galini 1N -
3 hrs / 165 km
Chania 1N - Drop the car off
(Via Priveli Monastery and Beach and remote Hora Sfakion - lunch - to)
3 hrs 45 mins / 160 km
Sougia 2N - Take a day pack for 6 nights
Walk through the Samaria Gorge (take the bus there) then take the ferry to Sougia.
Palaiochora 2N - Another ferry
Kissamoss / Maria Beach 2N -
(Go to Balos Beach or Elafonsi Beach the Pink Beach an hour south)
- Straight to airport or ferry pier in Chania
TOTAL = 15N
Islands -
CRETE - is the largest and most populous Greek Island 260 km x 56 km and the capital is Heraklion. It is made up of 4 regions from east to west
Greece is one of the Schengen countries so most people will get 90 days on arrival here.
New Entry Requirements for Travel into EU in 2025
Should be able to keep close to budget sharing rooms and car rental.
670,000 very hospitable people
Candia / Creta / Kirid / Kríti / Krete
About -
of Chania or you could fly in to Athens spend a couple of dayds in Plaka checking out the Acropolis and catch the ferry. Spend a few of nights here then rent a car. Find out where the bus to the gorge leaves from while you're in town.
See the sights of Heraklion on the way to Malia where you have 2 nights.
Stop in at the old Leper Colony island on your way to the amazing Agios Nikolaos for 2N. Lunch at Sitia and a swim at Vai Beach. -
Next is Agia Naglini and then back to Chania.
Leave most of your luggage here and you'll have to survive out of a day pack for the next 5 days. Remember you'll be carrying it for 5 - 7 hours and 16 kms. Next day take the bus then walk the Samaria Gorge (see below) then a ferry to Sougia for a couple of nights. Don't forget your bathers.
Another ferry will see you in Palaiochora for 2 nights. Hire a scooter / taxi or take public transport in these last two towns. See the Pink Beach.
Then take a bus up to the beaches of Kissamoss for 2 nights. Back to Chania, pick up your main luggage and out to the Airport to fly out
The Samaria Gorge is open from May to October so to do this trip you'll need to come in these months. Otherwise skip the gorge walk and continue on to Kissamoss by car.
From late March to early November the weather is ok for sightseeing
The larger cities stay open all year round
Shoulder season is April, May and October and prices are much cheaper
July to early September is Peak season
Low season is Late October to April
Airports -
Athens International Airport (ATH) -
Has 158 direct flights to destinations in 54 countries and is probably the easiest airport to connect up to if you are coming from outside Europe.
Heraklion International Airport (HER) -
Has flights all over Europe as well as Tel Aviv
Chania International Airport (CHQ) -
Has flights all over Europe as well as tel Aviv
a small community airport with flights back to Athens
There are direct flights from most major European airports between April to November and via Athens outside tourist season
A new airport will be built in Kastelli and when this comes on line Heraklion will close
Ferries -
From Piraeus (Athens) to Crete
takes 9 hours and goes to multiple ports and has 14 sailings per week
There is an internal ferry which goes along south west Crete
as there are no roads here
Stay -
Chania 3N -
Excellent location on the waterfront 100m from the Old Town, in-house bar- restaurant on the ground floor, very good breakfast included, you wont need parking while you are here
Malia 2N -
Close to the beach, outdoorswimming pool, free onsite parking, free continental breakfast on the beach, restaurant, close to supermarket, restaurants and bars but away from the noisy main action area
Agios Nikolaos 2N -
Excellent location on the waterfront and close to everything, free parking 100m from the hotel, bar, restaurant, cafe
Excellent location on the waterfront and close to everything, free parking nearby, cafe and minimart next door
Agia Galini 1N -
Excellent location close to the beach and the town, outdoor swimming pool with a breath taking panorama, free onsite parking, spectacular sea views, cafe-bar, very good breakfast included
Great location between the town and the beach, rooftop terrace with amazing views, recently refurbished, bar, free parking, cafe
Excellent location between the town and the beach, free parking, bar, BBQ
Chania 1N -
Excellent location on the waterfront 100m from the Old Town, in-house bar- restaurant on the ground floor, very good breakfast included, you wont need parking while you are here
Sougia 2N -
Perfect location on the beach and close to the ferry, snack bar, terrace, bar, close to minimarts and taverns, kitchenettes
Palaiochora 2N -
Excellent location on the beachfront with a terrace, free parking, exeptional breakfast included, snack bar
Perfect location beachfront and close to the bars, free parking, snacks, bar, Libyan sea views
Maria Beach / Kissamoss 2N -
Excellent location on the beachfront with beach service and free sun loungers and umbrellas, beachfront restaurant, bar, sea view terrace for breakfast buffet, close to town, free parking
If you want to stay closer to the action try
Perfect location by the sea and the promenade, terrace, free parking
Features -
Developed north, Undeveloped south / Incredible beaches, towns, mountains, history, food - something for everyone
By 3,000 BC the Minoan civilization was emerging. Their power peaked around 1600 BC. Around 1450 BC a massive earthquake destroyed Knossos and other centres.
Being at the crossroads of important trading routes made this sought after real estate. After the Minoans came the Mycenaeans, the Dorians, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs, the Crusaders, the Venetians, the Ottomans and finally the Greeks in 1913
· See -
Europe's oldest city
Old Leper Colony
Where Zorba was filmed
· Do -
Chania
the longest in Europe. You could take public transport - see details in the website. It will mean catching certain buses depending on the time of the year then making your way by bus to Agia Roumeli then catching the ferry at the pier to Sougia where you will be staying for a couple of nights. Check the logistics with a travel agent in Chania. You may decide it's easier to do it with a tour company.
Quad bikes / 4 x 4 Offroading -
Agios Nikolaos
Horse Riding - at Kournas Lake -
east of Chania
Traditional Cretan Cooking Class -
Chania
· Highlights -
Some of the most hospitable people in the world, Some of the best food, beaches, villages, Old Towns, Ruins etc etc
Eat -
CRETE - Cretan Cuisine
is based on olive oil, honey, herbs, spices, cheese, and wild greens
fried dough deserts
with soft cheese instead of fetta and paximadi
Saganaki -
deep fried cheese
Daos - filled softened Paximadi
Snails -
done many different ways
Drink -
Raki often served after a meal, on the house
Cretan Wine History goes back 4,000 years
Chania and Malia have vibrant nightlifes
Everywhere has lines of restaurants and bars overlooking the water
The Bohemian Sunset Tour - Chania 4 hours (see Sundowners link just above)
Restaurant in Agios Nikolaos
about an hour south of Kissamos
Chania
Specialties -
a wild green found everywhere and credited with their good health
Apaki - smoked ham
Tips -
Most people speak fairly good English
Manual rental cars are about half the price of automatics
Appetisers placed on your table aren't free
Pack lightly as you'll be living out of a daypack for 5 days - don't forget your daypack
Souvenirs -
A Cretan Knife made at Armenis in Chania
Famous -
Was the first centre of Europe's first advanced civilization - The Minoan
The birthplace of Zeus / for their incredible moustaches
· Festivals -
Name Days not Birthdays are celebrated and all are welcome
Carnival
Summer Arts Festival
Kornaria - Cultural Festival in Sitia
Renaissance Festival in Rethimno
Rethimno Wine Festival
The Sitia Sultana Festival
Matala Beach Festival - reliving the Hippy Days
In August in Kritsa a traditional wedding occurs and ALL visitors to the island are invited
The Chestnut Festival in Elos / Also many Religious Festivals and Feasts