For our 40th wedding anniversary, my husband and I are taking a cruise that departs from Athens and visits Santorini, Rhodes, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Thessaloniki before returning to Athens on June 6, 2026. After the cruise, we’d love to extend our trip by spending about a week on one of the Greek islands.
Initially, we were leaning toward Santorini, but since we’ll already be stopping there during the cruise — and considering how busy and touristy it can be — we’re now thinking Crete might be a better option for a more relaxed and authentic experience.
If we do choose Crete, we're interested in staying somewhere like Chania’s Old Town unless there is another area. We won’t be renting a car, so we’d like to stay somewhere walkable with access to public transportation or organized tours. We enjoy history, light hiking, exploring different cuisines (we’re vegan), and would love to experience local culture in a less touristy setting.
Is Chania a good option to stay in (or would six days in be too long) or would it make a good base for exploring? Or would staying at Chania for 3 nights and Heraklion for 3 nights?
Would Crete be a good fit for this type of trip, or is there another island you’d recommend for a quieter, more immersive experience?