Is there much to see/do in Heraklion for 2 days in mid August? OR should we bus from ferry port to Chania right off the batt? We will be on Cretr 3 full days.
Thank you. Marcy
Posted by
4434 posts
I would want to see the Knossos palace at the very least, but you should choose based on your own interests.
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Thank you. We may do that on our return to this port.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3321 posts
YOu don't give us enough info to supply the best advice. What you need to do is tell us What day AND time of day you arrive on ferry ... and What Day/time of day you leave Crete and from Where and HOw (Chania? Ferry? FLight? to Athens or ??? EUrope??) We're pretty experienced about Crete but we are not Mind-readers.
IF you arrive f rom Santorini on the ferry docking about 7:30 at night, the Chania bus leaves f rom the big new Station A On Efesou street just a few meters from the ferry pier ... goes hourly, 8 pm and last bus at 9pm. ticket is about €15, trip is about 3 hr 45 mins, you arrive Chania Bus Station at edge of Old Town, walkable to most Old Town accommodations. IF u r not that interested in Classical & pre-Minoan history, you can catch that bus and then have 3 full days in CHANIA
BUT if you have studied up and are excited about the Minoan civilization and its treasures, you might decide to devote 1 day to HEraklioin/KNossos. My advice in that case: go to hotel near port - I like HOtel Kronos right on seafront. Drop your bags, a nd go have a wonderful Crete-Mezedes dinner nearby right on Water at Ippocampus. Early in AM, go to Museum & see all the gorgeous Minoan treasures. Then go back , check out of hotel & take bags to Bus STation & check them into lockers there... Then taka LOCAL bus (30 mins) to KNOSSOS ... there are licensed guides @ gate who put together groups @€10 per head usually... they are great help in understanding the ruins. When you have had enough (I HOPE U r not doing this in August heat!!) take bus back to Heraklion Bus station and board 1st available bus to CHANIA... you may get there in time to check into hotel, have a nap, and enoy a sunset drink on the Old Harbor... and still have 2 days to enjoy O ld Town Chania, may be even a trip to countryside. If it's warm weather & you'd like a quick dip, y ou walk along the seafront about 20 mins (or ask your hotel whre to catch a bus), and you'll be at the local's favorite "town beach" -- Nea Chora https://www.west-crete.com/chania-nea-chora.htm -- there are lots of seafood cafes right by the sand. We discovered this beach on Sept & had such a good time we just stayed on & had dinner in our swimsuits!