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Crete Vacations

Traveller's Questions

Crete Vacations - tips - ideas for your trip, accommodation and tour suggestions.

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Hi We Love Crete,

We are planning a short vacation to Crete between 27 July to 2 August. Our party includes my wife, our 3 daughters (21, 18, 14) and myself.

We have been reading the fascinating information on your site about the things to do in Crete and it is not easy to decide what to include and what to leave for the next time (this is our first visit to Crete).

We are renting a car for the whole period and part of our intention is not to move for a different accommodation every night but split the vacation into 2-3 places, travelling to the attractions from where we stay, maybe half the time based on Chania and the other half around Agios Nikolaos (our departure on the last day is around 2pm).

Could you recommend places to visit and stay?

Many thanks in advance,

Avri

Crete Vacations

Yiasas Avri,

Thank you for writing to us at We Love Crete.

What a wonderful holiday you have planned. We have created an itinerary for you below based on the info you gave us. We think that with your children‘s ages they might appreciate being in town for the accommodation rather than more quiet and romantic beach side accommodation. So we have kept your ideas of staying in Chania Town in the west and Agios Nikoloas in the east of the island.

This is a good idea as it give you a chance to explore both sides of the island with your hire car, during exciting day trips, then back to base in the evenings.

We have selected mid-range accommodation below, as you are paying for a whole family! Please choose and book soon as your dates are in peak season.

With Chania as a base in the west of the island you can travel by car to the very western tip of the island to visit Elafonisi Beach. This is a very scenic drive and will mean you have seen a lot of the western countryside.

With Agios Nikoloas as a base in the east of the island, you can travel by car to the very eastern tip of the island to visit the extraordinary Vai Palm Beach. This is also a great drive and you will see a lot of the eastern side of the island.

We have suggested one other day tour in each location and of course a visit to Knossos Palace in the centre of the island, when you make your way from west to east.

Two of the day activities we have mentioned, Balos Lagoon and Spinalonga Island, involve a boat trip. You have the option of driving to the boat departure point or taking an organised day tour which will include transfers from and to your hotel.

On your last day, if you would like to do one last activity, you could visit Malia Palace or Archanes Village, both within convenient distance of the Heraklion airport, to make the most of your half-day.

You have great Crete vacations in front of you - we wish you and your family well.

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Crete Vacations
Itinerary for West and East Crete

Tip - Use Chania Airport CHQ for your arrival

Crete Vacations - a personalised itinerary

Day One - 27 July
Arrive Chania Airport, pick up hire car
Drive to Chania 15 km
Explore the Old Town of Chania
Stay in Chania
Stay at Hotel Helena

Day Two - 28 July
Self-drive to Elafonisi Beach
74 km each way
Stay in Chania
Stay at Hotel Helena

Day Three - 29 July
Day Tour Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa
Self-drive to Kissamos 37 km, then boat trip
Or pre-book day tour to Balos Lagoon
Stay in Chania
Stay at Hotel Helena

Day Four - 30 July
Very early start - drive from Chania to Knossos Palace
Chania to Knossos 140 km
Visit Knossos Palace - get there early! Allow two hours
Drive to Agios Nikolaos 62 km
Stay in Agios Nikoloas
Stay at Hotel du Lac
Drinks overlooking the lake at Cafe du Lac

Day Five - 31 July
Day tour by self-drive tour to Vai Palm Beach
90 km each way
Stay in Agios Nikoloas
Stay at Hotel du Lac

Day Six - 1 August
Day trip to Spinalonga Island
Self-drive to Plaka 16 km, then boat trip
Or pre-book a day tour to Spinalonga
Stay in Agios Nikoloas
Stay at Hotel du Lac

Day Seven - 2 August
Return from Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion Airport
67 km
Visit Malia Palace or Archanes Village
Depart Heraklion Airport at 2pm

Tip - Use Heraklion Airport HER for your departure

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Information Pages

Below you will see the info pages you might need for this itinerary:

There are many more sights and activities you may choose along the way on some of these long journeys; with this itinerary you have a very memorable and comprehensive visit to Kriti, one your family will treasure for many years.

Bon Voyage! Kalo Taxidi!

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Your Itinerary in Pictures

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e-Book Route Guides

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Crete Vacations
Day Tours

If you make your own way around Crete with a hire car, feel free to take some organised day tours. Below you will see day tours for your itinerary for:

• Elafonisi Beach
• Balos Lagoon
• Knossos Palace
• Spinalonga Island

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Getting Here

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.

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About the Team

Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
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