Greetings wise fellow travelers! Hubby and I are taking an organized week-long hiking trip leaving from Chania in early October. We are starting in Athens for 3 days and then flying to Heraklion on October 1st (landing at 12:15 pm), specifically to see Knossos. (I've been before, hubby hasn't and really wants to go.) I figure we can leave our bags at the hotel if an early check-in isn't possible, and go to the Archaeological Museum, which closes at 8:00 PM (I checked). The next morning on October 2nd we can explore Knossos. Should we spend that night in Heraklion or take the bus to Chania that afternoon or evening? (I know there are interesting places in-between like Rethymno but we will be going to them on our hiking tour.) It sounds like the Chania area is nicer than the Heraklion area. We meet our group in Chania on Sunday, October 5th. Thoughts? I generally dislike one-night hotel stays which would be the main reason to stay in Heraklion the second night.
Posted by
204 posts
Ok, here is a vote for two nights in Heraklion.
You dislike one night stays. You can ease into the trip. If something goes wrong on your first day, you can visit the museum on the second day if needed.
And here is my number one reason for staying two nights:
You can sleep in if you feel like it. Or linger over breakfast. Or wander. Then go to Knossos. Where you can linger. Or wander. Or whatever you feel like doing.
Whatever you decide, enjoy Greece!
Posted by
587 posts
I’d go for the two nights; the museum is fabulous. A couple of other sites you could cover en route to Chania are Phaestos, another great house like Knossos but without the over-reconstruction, and Gortys the remains of a Roman city. You need the look at the KTEL bus site for info on getting there by public transportation. If you are interested it might be worth your hiring a car for the trip to Chauncey There is a small museum and a number of buildings and then various ruins throughout the nearby olive groves. Rethymno’s old town and the Venetian fortress are nice to visit.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
16059 posts
It depends on how much time you have in Chania. I spent 5 nights in Chania and enjoyed it all. I'd go back in a heartbeat, not so much for the sights - which were interesting- but for the walks along the shore, the Venetian port, the picturesque streets (very restricted vehicle access), the charming shops (yes, some touristy schlock but lots of good merchandise the browse. And lots of restaurants and cafes to enjoy. I had about 1-1/2 days in Heraklion including Knossos, the archeology museum and the Venetian port and was happy to leave.