My husband and I (both seniors) are planning to spend 3-4 nights in Crete. We know how big the island is so we are limiting ourselves to Western/Central. Ancient Knossos is, of course, a must, and we are not interested in going to beaches. We heard that Chania is the prettiest city. Should we base ourselves in Chania or Heraklion? Any suggestions for hotels? (We're willing to splurge.)
Thanks very much for any suggestions.
Posted by
Irving
2972 posts
You need a minimum of four nights if visiting Heraklion and Chania. Two nights in Heraklion and two in Chania. There is a direct bus that connects the two cities (3h); check KTEL’s website.
Posted by
11185 posts
Stay in Chania the whole time and do a day trip to Heraklion. We had a car but there is bus service too. There is no comparison between the two cities.
Posted by
Irving
2972 posts
Stay in Chania the whole time and do a day trip to Heraklion.
Are you arriving in Heraklion as most people do? Spend at least one night in Heraklion if so. I agree Chania would be a better place to sleep but Heraklion is a not a day trip from Chania since it takes three hours to get there and three hours to get back. I don’t know the frequency of the schedule: https://ktelbus.com/en/ either.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3321 posts
To get the most relevant advice you need to provide key info What month is this trip? where are you coming from, and where do you go after Crete? What part of your trip is Crete -- start, middle, or end?? This info is key. Example of very different plans:
• 14-15 days, Greece-only, ARR Athens from US, plan 2+ islands & 2+ days in Athens
• ARR Crete from elsewhere in Europe, after Crete 4 more days in Greece then home
• Crete as part of 3-4 week visit to Greece
... Advice may also depend on month - May-June quite dif from July-Aug or Sept Oct. and also, do you want to rent a car for a day or two, to explore more?
To combine Crete with Santorini, the only ferry goes from Heraklion. Time-efficient plan:
• on ARR in ATH, transfer (2 hr layover) to Domestic flight to CHANIA
• Explore CHANIA & area, then bus or drive to HERAKLION
• Visit Knossos, ARch. museum, last night of stay in Heraklion
• In AM get 9:45 ferry to SANTORINI, arr about noon.
... if u have 5+ days, after Chania rent car, drive to S. Coast then N. E. to Heraklion
Posted by
11185 posts
Chania to Heraklion was about two hours each way, not a difficult day trip at all.
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1376 posts
If Knossos is a must it can be done on a day trip from Chania. Chania old town and harbour is certainly more attractive than Heraklion.
Return to Chania 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299646015
Heraklion https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157655935354556
If you really want to visit ancient sites Heraklion might be the best option. There are Minoen ruins such as Phastos as well as the Roman capital of Crete at Gortyz. There is a whole roman city hidden in the Olive groves . You can almost imagine you have just discovered a lost city. A car rental would be a good idea to explore this area.
Gortyz https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157666456665788
Posted by
Irving
2972 posts
Chania to Heraklion was about two hours each way, not a difficult day trip at all.
If you rent a car yes, if you take the bus no.