Road trip · 10 days
Crete in Ten Days
Greece's biggest island done properly — a loop from Chania's old harbor to the pink sand of Elafonissi, the lagoon of Balos, the Minoan palace of Knossos, and a finish in Heraklion. Needs a car and ten days; anything less shortchanges it.
Day by day
- 01
Chania
Settle into the old town; harbor dinners and a walk to the lighthouse.
- 02
Chania
A second slow day in Chania's old town and Venetian harbor.
- 03
Falassarna
West to Falassarna for a long beach day; overnight nearby.
- 04
Balos
Boat or drive to the Balos lagoon; overnight in Kissamos.
- 05
Elafonissi
South to Elafonissi's pink sand; overnight in a south-coast village.
- 06
South Crete
A slow day on the south coast — Chora Sfakion or Paleochora.
- 07
Phaistos → Heraklion
Phaistos in the morning, then drive north to Heraklion.
- 08
Knossos
Knossos in the morning; Heraklion museum and city in the afternoon.
- 09
Heraklion
A final slow day in Heraklion.
- 10
Fly home
Fly from Heraklion via Athens, or direct where available.
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