We are planning to go to Crete as a couple for the first time. We will stay around 10 days and will rent a car. Any recommendations on which region to stay? We would like to chill and have a slow week with full of sea. I'm open to hear also recommendation on what not to miss. Thanks for any feedbacks:)
Posted by
Chania, Crete
33 posts
Are you going to Chania or Heraklion? Do you have any other interests beyond chilling and beach?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
That is one of the question actually:) When I did some research Chania and Heraklion was the two options that came up but I'm not sure how to pick from one of those. We would like to go out for dinner some evenings but mostly resting and sea during the day, including boat trips as well.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3804 posts
I would choose CHANIA as a base, because it's the most beautiful "Old Town" in Crete (and 2nd most beautiful inAll of Greece, next to Nafplio)... as compared to Heraklion, which has a FAB museum but is a trafficky Concrete Canyon. I would sulggest booking a room in Chania's Old Town area, up from the harbor on the picturesque flagtone pedestrian lane, lined with small hotels/pensions -- Theotokoupolou Street, You;re late in booking, so don't dither. The nearest beach is 15 min walk west along ocean front -- Nea Chora (new town) Beach -- https://www.west-crete.com/chania-nea-chora.htm it's not fancied-up, and not crammed with cruise crowds or daytrippers ... lots of local families enjoying it. In fact, it has so many apts & balcony rooms, you may have a better chance of finding a Sept room here, rather than in Old Town. Try both!!
From an ACE photographer, Chania-phile and top Steves contributor "stanbr" here's aphoto album of Chania beauty -- https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157671465596275
and here are his pix about othere beautiful spots in Western Crete
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632115757899/
I really think you should not depend on forum contributors to give you a complete briefing on Crete "musts" -- there are good websites that are not just promotions. In addition, there's now a wonderful local tour operation that is NOT giant busses, going to crowd-crammed places. this gret little outfit (run by mother-daughter team) has Small Group outings (a 12-pssger bus I think), for both half-day & Full-day excursions. My friend "stanbr" & spouse, who've been driving around western crete for 20+ years, have now stopped car-renting in favor of this relaxed day-trip. -- But the word is out; don't delay bookings -- https://wanderlustchania.gr/
... here are some of his pix - https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720318394812/ ... a particular favorite of theirs was the drive (or walk!) down the dramatic IImbros Gorge, then a boatride on the Lybian Sea to a beach only available from ocean.
You can ask about people's favorite restaurants, but it's faster to do some research on your own about general sightseeing .. it saves us all that keyboarding, when it's easy for you to find online -- such as This quick overview of Chania highlights - https://creti.co/blog/chania-old-town-venetian-port/
Suggested Action-Plan, since u have a late-start: Bok your overseas flight ticket -- and then book a flight to Chania on arrival day, on either Aegean Air or Sky Express (note - allow 3 hr layover... usually 2 hrs enough but there's a new EEC entry process that is slowing things up). Also book a flight back to ATH airport the night BEFORE your homebound fllight ... not safe to return on day of. A great place to stay for relaxed finale ... AVRA Hotel... about 25 mins from airport on FREE shuttle that runs 24/7. It has rooms looking on a beach, & is a few hundred yards from the tree-shaded village beach for a last-night dinner at a Greek taverna.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3804 posts
Actually, the perfect hotel, just outside Chania, for a "new couple" is this -- http://www.ammoshotel.com/ Right on beach, WITH a pool, and local bus to Chania old town in 20 miins... and famous chef too ... but only about 30 rooms and booked way way ahead. Just be happy if you find an place near the beach n Nea Chora, with a balcony on sunset.
IF you want to go full-on Tourism hotel w beach in West Crete --https://www.corinna.gr but you won't see much of authentic Crete.
Posted by
3577 posts
Here is my trip report from 2022 when we spent 11 nights in Crete. It is long but may give you some ideas. We loved Crete!!!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for all the replies!