Crete

[Giulemani]

Crete holiday in september. I want some feedback if its wirth a visit for 9 days. Will be with a child. Things to do etc. obviously its a beach destination, old towns, but is there other than that like nature etc?

Samaria gorge is meant to be lovely. It’s a beautiful island.

Samaria Gorge is beautiful but it's a long walk and I would not want to do it in the heat - it's possibly the sort of thing you could decide on once you are there and know what the weather will be like.

The Samaria Gorge is a 10 mile walk! And it’s a gorge so it starts up in the mountains (hair raising bus trip) and you can’t access short sections for some sightseeing as it is a gorge through the middle of mountains.

How old is the child?

How old is the child?

We went for about that length of time. Stayed in Chania, took trips up into the outskirts of that area and did a cookery course, went to aptera Roman ruins (great place, not too huge but impressive), visited a big ottoman fort.
Then walked with a guide through Irini gorge - it was totally beautiful. Take walking boots as it’s knobbly and stony underfoot, but mostly in the shade as it’s a gorge. Ended up on the southern coast and took a boat to Loutro and stayed there for a few days - v small fishing tourist village with boat trips to nearby little coves etc. We did kayaking as a family - amazing. Then back to Chania. Didn’t manage to get to Knossos as we were poorly that day, sadly!

Ours was something of a managed holiday- guided picked us up and took us places in cars so it was dead easy. I think it would be fine to manage with car hire or booking local tours as well though, of course.

The kayaking was great, the gorge was beautiful and we loved the cookery school in the hills, plus the Roman ruins.

She ll be 5.. can you give me more details of the kayaking and example the person who took you from place to place?? I think its a nice vacation with kids right?

Yes i read about the samaria park , but want to know more things that can be done. I like to find a place in between to stay in a greenery area aswell but u dont think crete has that

We worked with Stubborn Mule Travel https://www.stubbornmuletravel.com/all-destinations/places-to-visit-greece/ - we said the kind of things we wanted and they helped develop the itinerary and organised taxis, drivers, and we had a guide who was with us some days and left us for others. I don’t have the individual details of the kayaking etc because it was all booked through the company, but I think there are several companies around that do it. We have older teens so they could probably manage more than a little one - but on the other hand a 5 year old has a lot of energy!

And yes, I think it would be lovely for kids. It’s really beautiful and there’s lovely wooded areas just in from the coast.

We went to Crete when my DD was 4 - we stayed in Elounda.
We went to Knossos - though he was disappointed he didn’t meet the Minotaur - we also went across to Spinalonga and visited Ag Nik.
And went on the bloody road train every single day 🤦‍♀️

As long as you'll have a car it's a great idea!

Crete is a massive island, with 3 major towns and 3 (or is it 4?) mountain ranges. There is loads to do!! You will probably be limited in most places unless you hire a car. There is greenery, but you are planning to go in September, at which point everything will be pretty parched.

My recommendation would be Plakias, on the South Coast. Relatively green, several beaches within walking distance, interesting trips to Preveli Monastery nearby.

Super info thanks :)