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By Katia Luz
Crete Samaria and West - many people ask us their holiday questions and we are more than happy to help.
Below is a 10 day holiday itinerary which gives many tips to help you in your own trip planning.
Hi Diane, we are happy to be your Crete travel guide and offer a few suggestions.
Your Trip to Crete Samaria and West
Heraklion is not the most pleasant town for a quick stopover. It lost much of its architecture due to bombing in the second World War and the history and character that is there requires a little time to discover.
For this reason we recommend staying in a lovely rural village – Archanes which is very convenient to Heraklion airport.
We also recommend this because of the lovely restored mansion which is so characteristic of Crete and gives an immediate relaxation – Arhontiko Studio.
So we suggest this for your first and last nights.
Unless you do not want to return to the same place twice, so we suggest the seaside village of Agia Pelagia, specifically the 'Out of the Blue' resort, because it is within reasonable driving distance from the airport and very beautiful.
This itinerary may be completed with a hire car, or with taxis and transfers and day tours, however obviously your approach would be more flexible with a hire car.
We suggest you take a day tour for the Samaria Gorge due to the logistics – it is a one way walk with a return ferry ride – it is much easier to do with an organised provider.
Below we have suggested a few nights each in Rethymnon and Chania in the old towns. Of course if you would prefer to stay in another rural location, there are many lovely ones to choose from – email us and we can revise this itinerary.
Day One - 14th May
Arrive Heraklion airport - transfer to accommodation
Stay at Arhontiko Studio in Archanes - 16 km
Villa Arhontiko
or stay at Out of the Blue Resort in Agia Pelagia - 28 km
Out of the Blue Resort
Day Two – 15th May
Early visit to Knossos Palace
Visit to wineries
Transfer to Rethymnon
Stay in the Old Town
Avli Lounge Apartments
Day Three – 16th May
Enjoy old town of Rethymnon or inland drive to Arkadi & Margarites
Visit Agreco Organic Farm
Stay in the Old Town
Avli Lounge Apartments
Day Four – 17th May
Transfer to Chania
Enjoy the Old Town
Stay in the Old Town
Casa Delfino
Day Five – 18th May
Samaria Day Tour – long day
Stay in Chania
Casa Delfino
Day Six – 19th May
Visit nearby beaches or inland village of Theriso
Stay in Chania
Casa Delfino
Day Seven – 20th May
Stay at Elia Guesthouse
Visit Ano Vouves village and olive growers, not far is the Dourakis winery
Day Eight – 21st May
Visit Falasarna Beach (drive) or Gramvousa Islet (drive and boat trip)
Stay at Elia Guesthouse
Day Nine – 22nd May
Stay at Elia Guesthouse
Day Ten - 23rd May
Transfer from accommodation
Arhontiko Studio in Archanes – 16 km
Out of the Blue Resort in Agia Pelagia – 28 km
Depart Heraklion Airport
Your Crete Vacation - the information pages that you may find useful for this trip are below:
Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.
Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.
More on flights and ferries below.
Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.
When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.
We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us Contact Us Kaló taxídi!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us