I will arrive on Crete May 2 and depart on May 16. This is my second trip to Crete but I only visited Chania and Aptera the first time.

I plan on doing day trips from each base and my interests are history and archaeology, not beach time.

I won't be renting a car but relying on buses and taxis.

So far I have booked:

May 2 - arrive in Chania, depart May 6

May 6 - arrive Heraklion, depart May 10

May 10 - 15 ?

May 15 - overnight Heraklion airport hotel

May 16 - fly Heraklion to Athens

Any suggestions for one or two additional bases? I was also thinking of inserting Rethymnon and adding an eastern island base, perhaps Malia?

Southern Crete will have to wait for a third visit.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I wonder -- can you put all your time in Heraklion at the end? The airport is close enough to the city that you shouldn't need to stay near the airport unless your flight is really early.

I enjoyed a short visit to Rethymno. And FWIW, I spent a night in Agia Galini to visit Phaestos and the Roman ruins of Gortyna.

I didn't make it to Malia -- I'm envious!

If you haven't already seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report. The section on Crete begins with post # 48.
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

Hope that helps!

Kja, thanks for your suggestions especially Agia Galini for Phaestos and Gortyna, perfect. And I'll read your report later today, looking forward to that.