As part of a 3-stop trip to Greece, we will have approximately 3 days in Crete, in between Athens and Santorini.
Because the ferry to Santorini leaves in the mornings, and only from Heraklion, we will need to spend at least Night 3 in Heraklion.
We will not have a car, and are interested in all 3 of the main towns on the northern end (Heraklion, Chania, Rethimno), but don't know if we can pull it all off.
What would your advice be for this itinerary? We want 1 "chill" day at the beach somewhere, and otherwise are happy to wander around towns, go to historic sites, etc. We can either fly to Crete, or take an overnight ferry from Athens (will save time because it's overnight, but we aren't sure how well we would sleep and don't want to be too tired).
Any insight is appreciated! We don't know if trying to see all 3 places is overextending ourselves.
3 days in Crete is very little for an island that size. My suggested minimum is at least 5 days & that is if you plan on spending time either on East or West side of island ( not both ) .
With no car it will take about 1 .5 hrs between each location by bus or little over an hour by taxi ( likely to be quite expensive) .
Ferry , if you take a cabin should get some sleep but if you are not used to ferry sleeping or a light sleeper then it’s likely not to be great sleep . Could fly into Heraklion on last flight out the night before , so no difference than taking the ferry with regards to lost time .
Would stick just to Heraklion side, enough to do that it’s not going to be worth it to go to the other side .
Personally my family prefers the Chania side and the beaches in south west of island but we also used to spend a week or so of of our trips in the east.
Would stay in Agia Pelagia, Elounda or close to Agios Nickolas. Beaches around here are nice . Can visit Knossos & or Spinalonga.