Hi everyone!

I'm currently planning my itinerary in Crete and considering how to best wrap up my time there. Initially, I had planned to spend two nights in Rethymno, then drive to Heraklion for one night to return the rental car (with a €50 one-way fee), and take the ferry the next day to Milos.

I’d use the day in Heraklion to visit the Archaeological Museum and possibly the Palace of Knossos, and end the evening with a traditional Cretan dance dinner show in Karouzana.

Lately, though, I’ve been wondering if it might be more relaxing to extend my stay in Rethymno and skip Heraklion entirely this time — skipping the museum, Knossos, and the show — and just keep those for a future trip focused on the eastern part of the island.

Would love to hear your thoughts — does it sound like I’d be missing out too much by skipping Heraklion, or does sticking to Rethymno and having a more laid-back end to the trip make more sens.
Thank you

Hi everyone!

I'm currently planning my itinerary in Crete and considering how to best wrap up my time there. Initially, I had planned to spend two nights in Rethymno, then drive to Heraklion for one night to return the rental car (with a €50 one-way fee), and take the ferry the next day to Milos.

I’d use the day in Heraklion to visit the Archaeological Museum and possibly the Palace of Knossos, and end the evening with a traditional Cretan dance dinner show in Karouzana.

Lately, though, I’ve been wondering if it might be more relaxing to extend my stay in Rethymno and skip Heraklion entirely this time — skipping the museum, Knossos, and the show — and just keep those for a future trip focused on the eastern part of the island.

Would love to hear your thoughts — does it sound like I’d be missing out too much by skipping Heraklion, or does sticking to Rethymno and having a more laid-back end to the trip make more sense?

It depends on your interests! Personally, I thought the Archeology Museum in Heraklion a highlight of my time in Crete. I found one night in Rethymno enjoyable, but one night was more than enough for me.

If you haven't seen it, you might find some useful information in my trip report. The section on Rethymno begins with post # 66, Heraklion, post # 78.
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

Your two threads were merged and the Greece tag added

Thank you for your recommendation and the information. Do you think it's possible to visit the Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Knossos, and also attend the traditional dance show on the same day? Or would you recommend limiting my stay in Rethymnon to one night and spending two days in Heraklion instead?

I think doing all three would require a very early start -- the kind of start that would require being in Heraklion the night before. And I think that would be a LONG day. So I'd say only one night in Rethymnon, two days in Heraklion. YMMV.