6 nights in Greece (Athens & Crete), first time!

Posted by elenaneale7 on 08/30/26 12:20 AM

Hi everyone!

My friend and I are going to Greece in mid-October and are planning on dividing our week between Athens and Crete. It will be both of our first times in Greece (we know it's a short trip!) and would love feedback on our loose itinerary:

Day 1: Land in Athens at 10:45am, fly to Chania, Crete. Explore Venetian harbor and settle in. Stay in Chania for next 3 nights.
Day 2: Day trip to Balos Lagoon and then explore Old Town Chania.
Day 3: Elafonissi Beach.
Day 4: Drive or take bus to Heraklion and go to Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Stay one night in Heraklion.
Day 5: Knossos Palace. Then fly to Athens. Stay 2 nights in Athens.
Day 6: Acropolis, Parthenon, Anafiotika and Plaka (morning/early afternoon), Temple of Hephaestus, Agora, Monastiraki Square and Changing of the Guard (afternoon).
Day 7: Fly out of Athens airport in the morning.

Any thoughts on the overall itinerary, suggestions for lodging/food/sights/transportation in each location, and anything else to keep in mind is much appreciated! We want to make the most of our short amount of time and see a lot, but also don't want to attempt to squeeze in more than what is realistic.

Thanks!

Posted by BethFL

08/30/26 01:23 AM

3635 posts

I think you are trying to do too much in Crete. On Crete, I would choose either Balos Lagoon or Elafonissi Beach. You aren't going to end up with much time to explore Chania. Both are full day trips. There are tours for both that run out of Chania. Balos beach is down a narrow gravel road where you aren't supposed to take a rental car (although we did see a lot). We rented a jeep for the day (manual only).

There is a bus that goes from Chania to Heraklion if you are not already renting a car.

For Athens, you have some thing listed separately that really are the same or in same area. I would go to the Acropolis/Pathenon and Agora/Temple of Hephaestus in the morning. Have lunch in Plaka. It is mostly restaurants and shops.

You might consider going to the Acropolis Museum in the afternoon. You could focus only on the floor (top I think) that has parts of the Parthenon displayed.

I don't have much to say about the rest of your plans. We wandered through Monastiraki Square, could not find Anafiotika, and did not see the Changing of the Guard.

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest - Occitanie

08/30/26 06:35 AM

4203 posts

There are several possible access points for Anafiotika. I’ve marked a few of them on this map:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ljBd_LqYpmCOpd5bVmAyMvR6P5cAbBA&usp=sharing

2 examples:

Look for Prytaneiou 9, you’ll arrive at a small flight of stairs, that’s one of the paths.

Street View: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FWQGXF3Dc4ts8SbN8

Further west, look for the Dioskouroi restaurant at 13 Dioskouron Street, there is an alleyway running alongside the Ancient Agora. You can go that way, too.

Street View: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TaizoTb1Shf2k39V8

Changing of the Guard:

There are several spots around the Presidential Palace where the guard changes every hour (I’m not referring to the main ceremony at 11 a.m. on Sundays). You can avoid the crowds at the Parliament by going to Irodou Attikou Street, located between the National Garden and the Presidential Palace gardens.

Street View: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dwF57DrqULBhLPqf9

Posted by tommyk5

NH (USA) aka crazyh

08/30/26 01:19 PM

1511 posts

I think flying to Crete for just 3 days isn't worth the effort and you'll just get a small "taste" of the island.

It's the largest island in Greece and could take weeks to fully explore.

There are closer islands that will be easier to get to, quicker and offer a good opportunity to enjoy a Greek Island.

However, if you have your heart set on Crete then by all means go for it.

I always go to Anafiotika every time I am in Greece. It's an amazing place that looks like a village on one of the Cyclades Islands.

A bit tricky to find but once you do it will offer an alternative to wild and crowded Athens.