hania or Iraklion with only two nights
 

We only have two nights on Crete. My husband wants to stay in Iraklion to visit the Palace of Knossos and the archaelogical museum and I want to stay in Chania for it's charm and ambience. Would it be better to stay two nights in one place or split them up? Is the bus ok to take between the two cities or should we rent a car?

You should stay in Chania. We spent a month turning Greek's antiquities and Knossos was our least favorite.The Heraklion Acheological Museum with the finds from Knossos was terrific. I know that it is being closed for renovation but the highlights of the collections will be moved to another location. The Minoan history is mind boggling but the reconstruction of Knossos made it seem more like a Disneyland. Rent a car and drive to Knossos and then return to Chania.

No contest--stay in Chania!

Unfortunately, I think you're going to have to split your nights between the two cities. It's a 2-3 hour drive by car and unless you have a really late departure from Heraklion, it would be nearly impossible to squeeze in the museum and the Palace.

BTW- no doubt that Chania is much more beautiful and charming in every way. We stayed one night in Heraklion and there's no comparison, but my husband, too, really wanted to see the Palace and the museum.

POrtia, you did not say when you were going. Is it next spring or summer?

The reason I ask is that my favorite resident guru on things Greek, Xaroula, wrote recently on Thorn Tree that the display of Iraklion Museum treasures in an alternative setting has been delayed (wait for it!) by a shortage of glass museum cases! No indication of when this shortfall will be resolved.

If your Crete visit is Spring, have you considered staying in Hania, and instead of Knossos, driving down to Phaestos ruins and back in a day? And the Chania archeological museum, while small, has some choice selections, many minoan artifacts.

Chania is hugely nicer. But really, you can't miss Knossos. You can't.