My husband and I will be docked for the day (8am-6pm) in Heraklion as part of a Mediterranean cruise and are looking for suggestions on how to spend the day. We will have access to a car and driver (and guide, if we want). My first thought was Knosses but we will be seeing Ephesus and Lindos in Rhodes and ruins aren't really my husband's thing. I have heard wonderful things about Chania but I hear it is too far from Heraklion for a day trip. I'm not sure what we are looking for but I know we want to stay away from ruins and museums on this stop in favor of a pretty village (?) and a nice place to hang out.
Any help would be most appreciated.

Chania is not too far from Heraklion for a day trip. It takes about 2 hours, and you could break the drive in Rethymnon which is also a nice town. If you have a driver, there are also lovely small villages and beaches in the west and lovely countryside.

Carolena

I think Chania and/or Rethymnon myself; but as an alternative, you could go up onto the Lassithi Plateau where all the windmills were/are and visit the birthplace of Zeus

Thanks for the input. I will look into all the suggestions.

I have two suggestions ....

First, the town of Arhanes which is about a half hour's drive south of Iraklion. The town and surrounding area are lovely, with vineyards and ancient ruins scattered about, and there's relatively little tourism. In my opinion, you're right about skipping Knossos, but if you wanted to stop by for an hour or so, it's not far from Arhanes.

If you prefer to be on the coast, try Rethymnon (it's about an hour's drive from Iraklion vs. 2 hours for Chania) You can visit the Venetian fortress and have lunch in the old town. You will see a lot of tourists and souvenir shops, but try walking on some of the side streets which are charming and less-commercialized.