Crete to Naxos

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Crete to Naxos - Trip Ideas - this is Gramvousa Islet and Balos Lagoon in Crete

Crete to Naxos
Yiasas Carla!

Your trip to Greece sounds exciting and it is my pleasure to offer a few suggestions below.

Carla, you said that you are arriving into Athens around 21 September and return to Athens on 3 October, giving time to visit Crete and Naxos. In Crete you would most likely hire a car and depart via ferry from Heraklion. In Naxos you might just take local buses.

Some suggestions below, of course all up to you and only provided for your interest. Information pages are included below.

Accommodation
We have made suggestions for accommodation below.

September
This is a perfect month to visit Greece, as the weather is still warm but not crazily hot and the water temperatures are great for swimming, yet most of the hordes of tourists have departed. More space for you and easier to explore. We would recommend booking in early, however, for your accommodation in September, especially in Athens.

Athens
In Athens we suggest staying in the old quarter of Plaka right at the base of the Acropolis. Use this as a base to explore the city and beyond, and be surrounded by history and architecture at every turn. There are pedestrianised streets and relative calm. Athens is a big, bustly city, so it is best to pre-book your taxis.

Crete
It is a large island 260 by 60 km with 3 mountain ranges, 4 major towns and hundreds of beaches. There is a lot to see and choose from. The highlights of Crete are the ancient Minoan culture and layered history as well as unique geography and folk music.

Crete to Naxos Transport
From Heraklion to Santorini (Thira) there are many sailings per day even in late September you will easily find a ferry. Then from Thira to Naxos there should be plenty of ferries for this journey, even on a Sunday. This is a short 1.5 or 2 hour journey. It is not possible to see online to confirm this yet. Yes, it is frustrating as the ferry companies do not publish their schedules ahead of time. If you are concerned, email Sea Jets on info[@]seajets.gr to ask them about next September sailings.

Naxos
Yes, you could get around Naxos on public transport - see info here - always check the latest timetables upon arrival, go down to the bus stop in the middle of Chora (town) and work out your next few days. There are buses to take all around to beaches and into the hills. Also there are plenty of day tours to choose from, like a day of sailing or a half day of local cooking (see below).

Acropolis of Athens by night

Crete to Naxos

Your Personalised Itinerary

Crete to Naxos

Day 1 - Sat 21 Sep
Arrive Athens
Take a pre-booked taxi to your hotel in Plaka
Explore Plaka and Anafiotika on foot
Dinner in a Plaka taverna
Stay in Plaka
Stay at the Zillers Boutique Hotel

Day 2 - Sun 22 Sep
Walk up to the Acropolis on foot from Plaka - see the Parthenon, including the beautiful statues of Caryatids of the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike
Walk back down to the Athens Agora - see the green heart of the city - Stoa of Attalos, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the picturesque Holy Church of the Apostles from 11th century
Lunch in Plaka
Afternoon visit to the Acropolis Museum
Pre-book ‘Skip the Line’ tickets to the museum and take a 1.5 hour guided tour
Or take a short tour with a guide - 3.5 hour walking tour Acropolis
Choose other tours here
Stay in Plaka
Stay at the Zillers Boutique Hotel

Day 3 - Mon 23 Sep
Athens
Stay in Plaka
Stay at the Zillers Boutique Hotel

Day 4 - Tues 24 Sep
Take a pre-booked taxi from your hotel in Plaka to Athens Airport
Flight to Chania in Crete 1 hour
Fly Olympic Airlines or Aegean Airlines Chania code is CHQ
Take a pre-booked taxi to Chania Old Town
Enjoy the narrow streets of the Old Town and dining by the harbour
Stay at Alcanea Boutique Hotel

Day 5 - Wed 25 Sep
Day Tour to Samaria Gorge or Elafonisi Beach
Stay in Chania Old Town
Stay at Alcanea Boutique Hotel

Day 6 - Thurs 26 Sep
Pick up hire car in Chania town
Drive to Georgioupolis Beach 43 km
Day at the Beach
Stay in Georgioupolis
Stay at Georgioupolis Beach Hotel in village

Day 7 - Fri 27 Sep
Drive from Georgioupolis to Rethymnon 24 km
Explore the Old Town and have a seafood lunch by the harbour
Stay in Rethymnon Old Town
Stay at Casa dei Delfini

Day 8 - Sat 28 Sep
Rethymnon to Knossos 81 km
Allow 2 hours to visit the archaeological site
Also visit town for lunch and to see the museum
Stay near Heraklion
Stay in Archanes Village
Stay at the Archontiko Studios

Samaria Gorge in Chania Crete

Day 9 - Sun 29 Sep
Drop off hire car at Heraklion port
Ferry from Heraklion to Thira to Naxos
From Heraklion to Thira ferries run up to 5 times daily and duration is 2 hours
From Thira to Naxos ferries run at least 4 times daily and duration is 1.5 hours to 2 hours
Stay in Thira or Naxos
Stay at Venetiko Apartments

Day 10 - Mon 30 Sep
Perhaps a full day sailing tour (10 hours) with swimming, snorkelling and exploring caves and bays, on gorgeous yacht 'Annabella'
In Naxos
Stay at Venetiko Apartments

Day 11 - Tues 1 Oct
Perhaps a local cooking class in Potamia Village at Basiliko Family Tavern (4 hours) relax and feast afterwards, to enjoy your efforts
In Naxos
Stay at Venetiko Apartments

Day 12 - Wed 2 Oct
In Naxos
Stay at Venetiko Apartments

Day 13 - Thurs 3 Oct
Depart Naxos to Athens and beyond