Crete 1st time - where to stay with no car ?

Heraklion is close to the site of Knossos, a short bus journey from the port. The archaeological museum is also a must see. Busses go from Heraklion to Chania which would be where I would want to stay, a lovely old city, beautiful harbour/waterfront, lots of good restaurants etc. Lots to see and visit on Crete and there are companies in Chania who will get you to places by boat or coach. Look for visits to remoter beaches, olive farms and wineries, archaeological sites, monasteries etc. KTEL is the bus company on Crete and their website will provide all the info you need. The best guidebook I have found is the Rough Guide to Crete.

Pat,

Much of Crete is very accessible without a car. Since all the ferries go out of Heraklion, I would take a bus upon arrival to Chania. Chania is lovely and we spent four nights there without any day tripping.

There are companies that will take you places from there but I would recommend you also consider spending some of your time on the south west coast. We did rent a car for part of the time we were in Crete but did this part by bus and ferry. There are no roads in this part of Crete and you can go down one way and come up another way like we did and see different landscape. It is truly unique. I would highly recommend Sougia as a destination. Loutro is another choice which my son and fiancé also stayed in and liked a lot but Sougia stole all of our hearts.

Here is my trip report which may help you.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/report-on-trip-to-crete-delphi-and-meteora

Pat — we’ve been to Crete several times without a car. I’d suggest immediately after landing in Heraklion, take the bus to Chania for 3-4 nights, then bus to Sougia on the southern coast for 3 nights. It’s a peaceful little village with amazing restaurants— we are going there for our 4th extended stay in September.

From Sougia you can catch a ferry to Agia Roumeli & walk a little ways up the Samaria Gorge, if you’re so inclined, and then continue on to Loutro, another gorgeous little town. Maybe 2 nights here, then a ferry across the bay to Hora Sfakia & a bus back to Heraklion for a night or two, to see Knossos & the archeological museum. Then catch your ferry for Syros.

We’ve been to Greece many times too and Crete is one of our favorites. You don’t need advance tickets for any of the little southern coast ferries in Crete & I don’t think for your Syros or Naxos ferries either.

THANK YOU everyone !
Sorry was off forums for a few days so didn’t come right back to thank people .

I used to love planning , and now I’m just feeling so burnt out by it - perhaps because we have a longer stay so would be moving around more , it just feels confusing - or it’s a combo of menopause and dementia. lol

Hi Pat. You have received good advice. I will just add my voice to the chorus.

You will indeed arrive in Heraklion on the ferry. There are pretty much hourly buses from Heraklion to Chania. It will be about a 2 hour trip. The bus depot is about a 10 minute walk after you depart the ferry terminal. Turn right out of the gate and even with luggage it is an easy walk.

In Chania I suggest you find a hotel in the old town within the city walls. Staying in old town is a real treat. You might want to find a hotel on or near Theotokopoulo Street. Its full of small hotels tavernas and shops. It is very close tot the old town harbour but just far enough away to be fairly quiet at night.

You can easily spend your first couple of days just wandering the old town and harbour.

There are several places you can visit from Chania by KTEL bus or excursion. Look for a bus to Balos and Gramvossa. You get a boat ride along the rugged coast, a ship wreck, pirate fortress and two great beaches on this excursion. We did it by KTEL bus but we almost missed the return bus because it did not return to the drop off point. There were about 20 of us waiting at the drop off. Perhaps an excursion may be better. Any travel agent in Chania can sell you an excursion. KTEL has a bus to the Botanical gardens which we really enjoyed. Elafonissi is also a really good beach which you can get to by KTEL bus or an excursion.
This year we discovered Wanderlust Tours. It is a small group Max 12 people and it has several unique tours available.

You will have to return to Heraklion for the ferry to syros so you might want to find a hotel near the ferry port. We have stayed at Kronos several times. Its close to the Center of the old town but has sea view rooms. You can walk to the ferry port from there which will be about a 15 to 20 minute walk.
Here are a few images
Theo Street https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632118491316/
/Gramovossia,Balos and Elafonissi https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157698932695812
Chania 2024 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720318408008/
Wanderlust tours Chania https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720318394812

I also would second the suggestions that you stay a few nights in Sougia. The bus ride is spectacular as you cross over the white mountains. You can also take the ferry along the south coast.

Ferry trip Libyan Sea https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157653434073393
Samaria Gorge from the bottom https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157670610409530
Crete Libyan Sea villages https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157645487373222
Sougia https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157696633322660/with/45364786821/

LOL Pat — I know exactly how you’re feeling. I’m nearing 80 and as I look back at previous trips I’ve made … piecing together 8 or 10 hotels & buses & trains & ferries … I get exhausted.

I suspect you’ve been to Naxos previously so that’ll be easy. I’ve not visited Syros but it’s smaller & not so much on the radar so it should be simple too.

As for Crete, you can make your trip as busy as BethFL’s or laid-back as my September one will be — 4 weeks on the southern coast, with just taxis & ferries for transportation. Nothing prearranged except for hotels & the first taxi. It all depends on what you’re interested in doing & seeing.

Let us know if you need hotel recommendations— it’s probably best to start booking them soon.

Edited to add: I was typing at the same time as StanBr. His advice is excellent — he was a huge help on my first trip to Crete.

I would do one of the following:

1. Go to Chania upon arrival. Stay there most of your time. Make day trips from there as Stanbr suggests. Spend last two nights in Herkalion.

2. Spend 4 nights in Chania and then go to the southwest coast. This is more complicated but really it is so special as evidenced by how many times Charlene has been there. I have not returned but keep thinking of it. The day trips Stanbr discusses are lovely but honestly the southwest coast is in a class of its own.
   I would spend two nights in Loutro and the rest you have in Sougia. Or if you want to keep it simpler, just stay in Sougia.