Six days in Crete and Samaria Gorge

by Stephanie
(Montreal, Quebec)

Hello and thank you for helping us to plan part of our honeymoon in Crete.

We will be arriving in Heraklion on the mornign of May 27th by boat, and plan to rent a 4wd car, visit Knossos that day, and drive to either Elafonissos or Paleochora to stay six nights.

We would like to make an excursion to Samaria Gorge as a one day trip; can you please let us know if there is a tour departing from Elafonissos or Paleochora on either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday?

Options for Samaria Gorge

Hi Stephanie,

Your first day is possible, however quite ambitious.

The Samaria Gorge day walks generally walk from top of the gorge (on the north) to the sea (on the south).

The day tours are mostly designed this way and because it is a one way walk, the bus drops you at the start, then you take a ferry from the end, then a bus back to town.

If you already have a hire car you might want to drive to Chania on the first day (via Knossos) then take a day tour the next morning which will return you to Chania.

We recommend staying in the old town in Chania to experience the atmosphere and historic lane ways. Madonna Studios is a small guesthouse in a restored Venetian building dating from 1252! It has a lovely character and is situated in the lane ways just behind the harbour.

Then you could drive to Paleochora to stay for 4 nights and take a boat to Elafonisi Beach for the day or visit beautiful beaches around Paleochora.

In Paleochora we suggest the Aris Hotel as it is in a good central location and is run by a local family who will look after you.

Your itinerary might look something like this:

Day One
Arrive Heraklion Airport
Pick up hire car
Drive to Knossos Palace 8 km - allow 20 mins
Allow 2 hours to explore
Drive to Chania 140 km - allow 2 and a half hours
Stay Old Town
Stay Madonna Studios

Day Two
Whole day tour to Samaria Gorge - a long day but worth it
Stay Old Town Chania
Stay Madonna Studios

Day Three
Drive from Chania to Paleochora 70 km - allow 1 and a half hours
Enjoy the beaches
Stay Aris Hotel

Day Four
Day Tour by ferry from Paleochora to Elafonisi Beach
Stay Aris Hotel

Day Five
Enjoy Paleochora Beaches
Stay Aris Hotel

Day Six
Enjoy Paleochora Beaches, perhaps take a ferry to nearby beaches
Stay Aris Hotel

Day Seven
Drive from Paleochora to Heraklion Airport 210 km - allow 3 and a half hours
Drop off hire car
Depart from Heraklion Airport

Here you will find great information for your holiday:

Heraklion Airport

Knossos Info here

Tips for Visiting Knossos Palace

Samaria Gorge Info

Chania Town info

Paleochora Info

Paleochora Beaches Info

Options for Getting to Elafonisi Beach

Bon Voyage! Kalo Taxidi!