5 days in Crete

Day by day

1. Day 1: Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum

   Knossos, Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Koules Fortress and Heraklion's Venetian walls, then Chania Old Town and Venetian Harbour in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Knossos

      Arrive at opening or in the late afternoon to avoid the heat and tour groups, and see the museum in Heraklion the same day. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Heraklion Archaeological Museum

      Visit after Knossos so the frescoes and objects connect to what you have just seen. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Dakos

      Every taverna on the island, often the first dish on the table.

   4. Afternoon

      Koules Fortress and Heraklion's Venetian walls

      Walk out along the harbour breakwater after visiting Koules, then head to Lions Square for bougatsa. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Chania Old Town and Venetian Harbour

      Walk the breakwater to the lighthouse at sunset for the view back over the harbour and the White Mountains.

2. Day 2: Samaria Gorge and Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa

   Samaria Gorge, Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa and Elafonisi, then Malia in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Samaria Gorge

      Start early, wear proper hiking shoes and carry water and snacks; the descent is hard on knees and takes most people 5–7 hours. (Full day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa

      Take the first boat or go by car early to see the lagoon from the viewpoint path before the crowds arrive. (Full day, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kalitsounia

      Bakeries and tavernas across Crete, especially around Easter.

   4. Afternoon

      Elafonisi

      Visit early or late in the day; avoid taking sand or shells, as the area is a protected nature reserve. (Half a day, free).

   5. Evening

      Malia

      A strip of bars and clubs popular with young groups in summer.

3. Day 3: Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos and Lake Voulismeni

   Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos and Lake Voulismeni and Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza, then Hersonissos in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Spinalonga

      Take the short boat from Plaka, and allow time for a swim and lunch in Plaka afterwards. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Agios Nikolaos and Lake Voulismeni

      Climb the steps above the lake for a view over the water and the harbour. (2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sfakian pie

      Tavernas in Sfakia, Chania and along the south coast.

   4. Afternoon

      Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza

      Visit the Fortezza late in the afternoon for the sunset view over the sea. (Half a day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Hersonissos

      Seafront bars and clubs with a mixed resort crowd.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Santorini

   About 2 hours each way by high-speed ferry each way. Getting there: High-speed ferry from Heraklion.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Santorini

      About 2 hours each way by high-speed ferry (High-speed ferry from Heraklion); about 140 km.

   2. Day

      Santorini

      Seasonal fast ferries from Heraklion make a long day trip to Santorini's caldera villages possible, with time for Fira and Oia; organised tours handle the transfers on the island. Best for couples and first-timers.

   3. Evening

      Back in Crete

      Dinner: try Wedding pilaf.

5. Day 5: Phaistos and Gortyn and Matala

   Phaistos and Gortyn, Matala and Arkadi Monastery, then Chania Old Town in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Phaistos and Gortyn

      Combine both sites in a morning and finish with a swim and lunch at Matala. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Matala

      Visit the cliff caves in the morning, then swim and stay for sunset at a taverna by the beach. (Half a day, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Wedding pilaf

      Traditional tavernas in villages and in the main towns.

   4. Afternoon

      Arkadi Monastery

      Combine it with lunch in a nearby mountain village, then return to Rethymno for sunset at the Fortezza. (1 hour, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Chania Old Town

      Cocktail bars around the harbour and in the lanes of Splantzia.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Knossos before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Chania Old Town keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Platanias and Agia Marina ($$) suits families, beach and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 38–48 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.8 hours in December to 14.5 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Crete
• 2 days in Crete
• 3 days in Crete

Questions travellers ask