9 days in Crete- itinerary help!
Planning to spend 9 days/nights in Crete in late Sept with my partner (will visit Athens, Naxos and Koufonisia befor Crete). Likely arriving and departing from Heraklion.
We are mid 30’s, super active, want to avoid overly touristed areas, looking for great hikes, beaches, and spots to relax and explore.
We plan to rent a car and have lots we want to see, but at the same time don’t want to feel rushed, or that we are spending too much time driving. Thinking of staying in the below 3 areas, so that we are not backtracking too much and can do short day trips. Would be great to get some tips on what to include/exclude, whether this sounds doable for 9 days.
rough plan:
Nights 1-3: Agios Nikolaus area- stay in Kritsa. Hikes and beaches, Richtis gorge, maybe Knossos/ archeology museum?
Nights 4-6: Matala area, check out remote beaches and chill, maybe a hike on Mount Ida
Nights 7-9: Chania town, Samaria gorge, more beaches!