Help with Crete Itinerary
 

We're going to be in Crete for 7 nights in early September. Flying in and out of Heraklion. We'll have a car the whole time. We're planning on staying in 2 hotels only - one in Eastern Crete for 3 nights (probably in Hersonissos ) and the other in Western Crete for 4 nights - either in Chania or Rethymno.
My question is where to base ourselves in Western Crete. I know that it's all about personal preference but I'd like to hear some opinions. We're a 65+ active couple but we're not planning on any strenuous hikes or a hectic pace. On the other hand, we're not planning on lying on the beach - we want to visit interesting sites, villages and see great views. After reading up on the Net, I've come to the conclusion that Chania will be the furthest west we'll go this trip. Rethymno seems to be the best situated for day trips and the hotels I've looked at give us the combination of beach/pool option after our day trips but what is it like at night? At night, we want to enjoy tavernas with live music and a place where we can wander about.
I know that Chania will be more lively but might be more crowded even in September. We would actually like that but is Chania too far for day trips to Vamos and the area or to drive to some place like Plakias on the southern coast?
Thanks!

Personally I would do either East or west but not both. You will be eating into a half day to make that transfer and that's nothing but wasted time.

However since this is your stated intention then Rethymnon is probably your best option. Its only about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive from the east rather than the extra hour and a bit to get to Chania. Rethymnon is a smaller version of Chania with its old town and harbour area.
Rethymnon https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57654700502270


The deciding factor here is you mentioned Plakias. It is only an hour drive from Rethymnon while it is more than twice that from Chania.

Plakias Crete https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57665045541263

Again personally I would choose to do all 7 days using Chania as a base and do day trips to Ancient Aptera, Balos Gramovossa boat excursion from Kissamos, perhaps famous Elafonisi beach and a day trip or a couple of nights in Paleochora or even better Sougia on the Libyan sea. Perhaps even doing a night in a couple of the south coast villages where hiking mountains and the sea make an unforgettable impression.

Western Crete http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632115757899/
Aptera images 38-62 Balos Gramovossa images 79-106

Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632117917828/

Sougia https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57653311291723

Ferry trip Libyan Sea https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57653434073393

Unlike most others in here i love Rethymno and i find it more convenient for day trips, as it is located between Chania and Heraklion.

The old city has been restored and it's very beautiful even though it is not as big as the one of Chania, there is a sandy beach right in front of the city, that is one the longest of Crete and there is nightlife in the old town but also on the super long beach promenade.

You can easily reach the south coat of Crete from Rethymno as well as the west... driving time to Chania or Plakias is about 50 minutes.

Both Chania and Rethymno are lively and i am sure there will be tavernas with live music in the evening....

Hi I just replied on the other forum! But to add that Vamos is nearer Chania than Rethymno, it is around 30 mins drive. & you can easily make a good day out by combining it with visiting Aptera (above Megala Horafia village) & a drive round some of the local villages.

& Plakias is nearer Rethymno.

I agree with the above poster that the Chania region (& a day-trip to Rethymno) would be great for your week, I didn't like to suggest it first!

I read many recommendations about concentrating only on one half of the island but my husband insists on visiting Spinalonga in the East so we'll divide up the time accordingly. Crete is a place which is easy for us to come back to (an hour and a half flight) - many of our friends have been here more than once. So the next time, we can get to many of the places that were suggested.
My concern is that Rethymno won't provide enough nightlife and restaurants for 4 nights. I'm also not interested in areas with lots of resort hotels.

Rethymno has endless restaurants, Cafes and bars and a very active nightlife. Many people are spending not 4 nights but 2 weeks there.

Of course there are many resort hotels as the beach is one of the longest sandy beaches of Crete, but the same you will find west of Chania in the resort areas of Agia Marina etc.

IMO the best option would be to choose one of the many hotels in the old town of either Rethymno or Chania ( if you decide to stay there).

While there's much to see on Crete, Spinalonga would not be my first option.

I enjoyed Rethymno; I loved Chania! It sounds like Rethymno might be a better match for your interests for traveling in the area, and perhaps it would be better for your desire for nightlife. That said, I’ll admit that I found Rethymno a bit overly touristed. Chania certainly gets its share of tourists, and has lots of wonderful restaurants, but seemed to me a little less inundated by tourism, particularly in the evening. Just my impression -- and that could be because of when I visited (early May). As clausar notes, you will not run out of options for restaurants or nightlife in Rethymno! And I should note that I was not seeking nighlife – just good restaurants and walking opportunities at night.

IMO, neither would be a bad choice. Enjoy!

If your husband wants to see Spinalonga, then a couple of nights in Elounda makes sense. There are small hotels such as the Akti Olous, highly recommended, good value, very friendly, lovely position. & a few mins drive to Plaka to get an early boat to Spinalonga, the way the lepers travelled.

In Rethymno there are several lovely little boutique hotels in renovated old buildings, in the old town or a perfect location is on the border between the old town & the beach, where each would be only a few minutes stroll. Plenty of tavernas to keep you satisfied for a few days & longer. Decent shopping too, & the fort is a great place to visit.

But this plan is only reccommended if you come another time for at least a week in Chania!

jwugg - if we enjoy ourselves as much as everyone says we will, I promise to come back. :)

As far as visiting Spinalonga, it's the one place my husband insists on visiting (I have a free hand with the rest of the itinerary), so I can't refuse.