Crete Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Crete reveals the largest and most diverse island in Greece, from the extraordinary Minoan Palace of Knossos, the finest Bronze Age site in Europe, to the dramatic Samaria Gorge, the longest gorge in Europe, the remarkable Venetian old town of Chania and the extraordinary beaches of Balos and Elafonisi. This route covers the essential Crete experience: the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the finest ancient museum in Greece, the dramatic Samaria Gorge walk, the extraordinary Venetian harbour of Chania and the remarkable lagoon beach of Balos, the finest beach in the Mediterranean.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ) airports
Getting Around
Car essential. Crete is enormous. National highway links main cities.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Samaria Gorge is 16km strenuous walk.
DAY 1
HERAKLION
MORNING
THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS
Knossos is the most extraordinary Bronze Age site in Europe, the remarkable Minoan palace complex of the legendary King Minos covering 20,000 square metres and containing the extraordinary throne room, the finest preserved Bronze Age royal chamber in existence, the remarkable Grand Staircase and the reconstructed frescoes giving the finest insight into the Minoan world. Entry approx 15 euros. Drive: 30 min drive to Heraklion
MIDDAY
HERAKLION ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is the finest ancient museum in Greece and one of the greatest in the world, its extraordinary collection of Minoan art including the remarkable Bull's Head rhyton, the extraordinary Snake Goddess figurines and the fascinating Phaistos Disc giving the most complete picture of the Minoan civilisation available anywhere. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: Walk to harbour
AFTERNOON
HERAKLION VENETIAN HARBOUR AND OLD TOWN
The Heraklion Venetian harbour, dominated by the extraordinary Koules Fortress, is the finest Venetian fortification in the eastern Mediterranean. The remarkable old market street of 1866 Street gives the finest Cretan produce market in the island. The extraordinary Venetian Loggia and Morosini Fountain are the finest Renaissance monuments in Crete. Fortress entry approx 4 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Minoan Palace of Phaistos in the Messara Plain south of Heraklion is the finest hidden Minoan site in Crete, its remarkable hilltop position giving the most extraordinary views of any Bronze Age site in Greece, with the White Mountains to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south. Far fewer visitors than Knossos. Entry approx 8 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kafeneion near Knossos Traditional Greek coffee and fresh pastries before the early morning visit to Knossos. | Lunch: Taverna in Heraklion old town Outstanding Cretan lunch with local dakos, grilled lamb and excellent local Cretan wine. | Dinner: Restaurant at the Venetian harbour Outstanding fresh seafood dinner at the extraordinary Heraklion Venetian harbour.
DAY 2
SAMARIA GORGE
MORNING
THE SAMARIA GORGE
walking The Samaria Gorge is the most extraordinary natural walk in Greece, its remarkable 16km path through the longest gorge in Europe descending 1,200 metres from the Omalos Plateau through extraordinary White Mountain scenery, rare Cretan wild goats and the famous Iron Gates where the gorge narrows to 3 metres. Strenuous but extraordinary. Entry approx 5 euros. Buses from Chania. Drive: Continue to gorge end
MIDDAY
AGIA ROUMELI AND THE LIBYAN SEA
Agia Roumeli at the southern end of the Samaria Gorge is the most extraordinary reward in Greek hiking, its remarkable position on the Libyan Sea accessible only on foot through the gorge or by boat giving the most remote village atmosphere in Crete. The extraordinary turquoise Libyan Sea swimming after the gorge walk is the finest post-hike experience in Greece. Free. Drive: Ferry to Chora Sfakion
AFTERNOON
CHORA SFAKION AND FRANGOKASTELLO
Chora Sfakion is the most extraordinary small port in Crete, on the wild Sfakia coast with the finest views over the Libyan Sea. The nearby Frangokastello fortress, finest Venetian coastal castle in Crete, appears from the road like a mirage on the flat coastal plain. Fortress entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ghost village of Anopoli above Chora Sfakion is the finest hidden village in Sfakia, its abandoned stone houses and extraordinary views over the Libyan Sea giving the most atmospheric deserted village in Crete. Birthplace of legendary resistance fighter Daskalogiannis. Free. Accessible by road from Sfakion.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before Samaria bus Very early start required. Buses to Omalos leave Chania from 6am. Eat before departure. | Lunch: Taverna in Agia Roumeli Outstanding fresh lunch at the end of the gorge. Local Cretan food and cold beer after the extraordinary walk. | Dinner: Restaurant in Chania old town Outstanding Cretan dinner in the most beautiful Venetian old town in the Mediterranean.
DAY 3
CHANIA AND BALOS
MORNING
CHANIA VENETIAN OLD TOWN
Chania is the most beautiful town in Crete, its extraordinary Venetian old town of covered markets, Ottoman fountains, Venetian mansions and the finest harbour lighthouse in the Mediterranean giving the most atmospheric Venetian heritage in the Aegean. The remarkable Etz Hayyim Synagogue is the finest Jewish heritage site in the Greek islands. The covered market is extraordinary. Free to explore. Drive: 1.5 hr drive to Balos
MIDDAY
BALOS LAGOON
Balos is the most extraordinary beach in the Mediterranean, its remarkable lagoon of shallow turquoise water between the Gramvousa Peninsula and the Cape Tigani headland giving the finest combination of pink sand, turquoise water and wild landscape in Greece. Accessible by boat from Kissamos port or by 4WD and a 2km walk. Boat approx 18 euros return. Drive: Return to Chania
AFTERNOON
CHANIA HARBOUR AT SUNSET
The Chania Venetian harbour at sunset is the most extraordinary scene in Crete, the remarkable lighthouse and the curved harbour walls catching the last light above the extraordinary turquoise water of the inner harbour. The harbour promenade gives the finest evening walk in the Greek islands. The mosques and arsenali along the waterfront are free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Venetian lighthouse at the end of the Chania harbour wall is the finest walk in the old town, its remarkable 16th-century tower giving extraordinary views back over the entire Venetian harbour and the White Mountains above the city. The walk along the outer harbour wall is almost entirely free of tourists despite being 200 metres from the main promenade. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breakfast in Chania covered market Outstanding Cretan breakfast in the extraordinary covered market of Chania. Local honey, cheese and pastries. | Lunch: Snack on Balos beach Pack food and water for Balos. No facilities on the beach. The boat trip takes 45 minutes each way. | Dinner: Seafood restaurant at Chania harbour Outstanding fresh seafood dinner at the extraordinary Venetian harbour. The finest setting in Crete.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Heraklion, Night 1 Stay near the Venetian harbour for the finest location. Hotels from 60 to 150 euros. Book ahead in summer. Chania, Night 2 Stay in the Venetian old town for the finest atmosphere. Boutique hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Budget option Heraklion and Chania both have excellent budget hotels from 40 euros outside the old town areas.
Top Tips
1. Knossos is most extraordinary before 9am when you can have the throne room almost to yourself. Arrive at opening and buy tickets online in advance.
2. The Samaria Gorge walk is 16km and takes 5 to 7 hours. Wear proper walking shoes, bring 2 litres of water and start early for the best experience.
3. Balos lagoon is extraordinary but the boat trip books up fast in summer. Book the Kissamos ferry online the day before or at the port early morning.
4. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is the finest ancient museum in Greece. Allow 2 hours minimum. The Minoan frescoes on the top floor are extraordinary.
5. Chania Venetian harbour is best in the early morning before 9am and at sunset. The midday heat and crowds are intense in July and August.
6. Cretan cuisine is extraordinary. Order dakos (barley rusk with tomato and cheese), lamb stew with local herbs, and local Cretan wine at every meal.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day