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São Paulo to Crete: Heraklion, Rethymno and Chania

São Paulo → Heraklion → Rethymno → Chania

Rethymno
"Rethymno_-_Venetian_fortress.jpg" by Lapplaender, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Aerial view of the Old Venetian Harbour in Chania, Greece (Chania)
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Minoan palaces & Cretan towns Best season (general guide): Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

Crete is Greece's largest island, with mountains, gorges and the remains of the Minoan civilisation, one of Europe's earliest. This route crosses the north coast from Heraklion to Chania in eight nights. From São Paulo you'll connect through Europe and usually Athens. The itinerary spends three nights in Heraklion, two nights in Rethymno and three nights in Chania.

In Heraklion, the palace of Knossos was the centre of Minoan Crete, and its partly reconstructed halls give an idea of its size. UNESCO lists it among the Minoan palatial centres. The Archaeological Museum in the city holds the finest finds, including frescoes and the Phaistos Disc.

Rethymno has a Venetian harbour and an old town of narrow lanes, wooden balconies and minarets from the Ottoman period. The Fortezza, a large Venetian fortress, stands on the hill above the town, and a long sandy beach runs east from the harbour.

Chania is often called the most beautiful town on Crete. Its Venetian harbour is lined with restaurants, and the old town behind it is full of small shops. From Chania, you can hike the Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's longest, in its open season, or take a boat to the turquoise Balos lagoon.

April to June and September to October are the best seasons, with warm sea and fewer visitors than in midsummer. The Samaria Gorge opens seasonally, roughly from late spring to autumn; check the opening dates before you go.

Roads into the mountains are narrow and winding, so allow extra time between towns.

Good to know: Buses link the towns along the north coast, but a hire car is the easiest way to reach beaches, villages and gorges. Cretan food is a highlight, with olive oil, local cheeses, dakos and raki served after meals.

Suggested outline

  1. São Paulo

    Start

  2. Heraklion

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Knossos and the Archaeological Museum's Minoan treasures.

    Knossos
    "The "cup bearer" fresco Knossos Heraklion museum Crete Greece.jpg" by Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  3. Rethymno

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    A Venetian harbour town with a hilltop fortress and narrow old lanes.

  4. Chania

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Venetian harbour, the old town and the Samaria Gorge or Balos lagoon.

    Chania
    "Aerial_view_of_the_Old_Venetian_Harbour_in_Chania,_Greece.jpg" by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Heraklion — Arrive; Venetian walls and harbour· São Paulo → Heraklion (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Heraklion — Knossos
  3. Day 3 · Heraklion — Archaeological Museum
  4. Day 4 · Rethymno — West to Rethymno; the old town· Heraklion → Rethymno (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Rethymno — Fortezza and the beach
  6. Day 6 · Chania — To Chania; the Venetian harbour· Rethymno → Chania (overland)
  7. Day 7 · Chania — Samaria Gorge (seasonal) or Balos lagoon
  8. Day 8 · Chania — Old town and markets
  9. Day 9 · Chania — Travel home from Chania· Chania → São Paulo (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Heraklion

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Plan the trip: Heraklion

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Rethymno

Nearest airport: Heraklion Search fares · Heraklion ↗

Chania

More about Chania →

Plan the trip: Chania

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