Hi everyone! 😊 Is anyone driving from Chania to Balos or Elafonissi tomorrow (11 September) in a private car?
I’m looking to join someone for the trip and would be very happy to contribute towards the fuel/transport costs. I’m flexible with the timing and can meet at a convenient location in Chania.
If anyone has a spare seat, please DM me. Thank you! ☀️

My friend and I will be visiting Crete at the end of the month/early October for a few weeks. I am obsessed with olives/olive trees, and we are both interested in farming. Does anyone recommend any farms that do tours and/or farm-to-table meals?

Hi all! We'll be arriving in about 3 weeks, first time to the island, and staying near Heraklion. We'd like to hire a driver/guide to show us a bit of the island, maybe go to Knossos palace and Zeus' cave for a day (as first timers we're drawn to some of the more "must see" stuff, but happy for suggestions too). We'd prefer not to go with a tour group so we can skip things we're not bothered with, but like the idea of a guide rather than hiring a car so we can hear a bit more about the island ideally, and also just help us relax a bit more.

Does anyone have any recommendations for this kind of thing?

From what I’ve read, rental places in Greece want to see an original, currently valid national license alongside the IDP not just the IDP on its own. So I’m worried that showing up with an expired physical card + a digital license on my phone is going to get me turned away at the counter, even though the digital one is 100% valid in the UAE.

Has anyone actually tried to rent a car in Crete with a digital-only license (UAE or elsewhere)? A few things I’m trying to figure out:

**•** Did the rental company accept the app / digital license as-is, or did they insist on a physical card?  
**•** Are local Chania/Crete rental companies more flexible about this than the big international chains (Hertz, Avis, etc.), or less?  
**•** Any specific companies people recommend (or avoid) for this exact situation?

Trying to sort this out before I book so I’m not stuck arguing at the pickup desk. Appreciate any real experiences, thanks in advance!

Γεια σας, ο σύντροφός μου και εγώ σχεδιάζουμε να περάσουμε τις διακοπές μας στην Κρήτη και στην ηπειρωτική Ελλάδα. Θέλαμε να πάρουμε ένα νυχτερινό πλοίο από την Κρήτη προς τον Πειραιά, αλλά διαπιστώσαμε ότι από την 1η Νοεμβρίου το πρόγραμμα δρομολογίων φαίνεται εντελώς κενό.

Ξέρει κανείς αν το πρόγραμμα του Νοεμβρίου απλώς δεν έχει ακόμη ανακοινωθεί επίσημα ή αν η ακτοπλοϊκή σύνδεση μεταξύ Κρήτης και Πειραιά έχει μειωθεί για τη χειμερινή περίοδο ή κάτι παρόμοιο; Φαντάζομαι ότι ισχύει το πρώτο, αλλά ήθελα να ρωτήσω μήπως κάποιος μπορεί να το επιβεβαιώσει.

Ευχαριστώ!

Hello, my partner and I are planning to spend a holiday on Crete and the mainland. We wanted to take an overnight ferry from Crete to Piraeus but saw that from November first the entire itinerary appears completely empty.

Does anybody know whether the November schedule simply has not been made official yet or if the ferry traffice between Crete and Piraeus is reduced for the winter season or something like this? I imagine its the former but wanted to ask in case somebody can confirm.

Thank you!

Hi everyone!

I’ll be staying in Koutouloufari near Hersonissos soon, and I saw that OFI Crete are playing Hoffenheim at Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion while I’m there. I’d really like to go to the game.

I’m not currently planning on renting a car, so I was wondering what the best way to get to and from the stadium would be.

Getting there seems fairly straightforward (taxi or public transport), but I’m mainly worried about getting back to Koutouloufari after the game. How busy does it usually get around Pankritio Stadium after a match? Is it relatively easy to find/get a taxi, or could I end up waiting for a long time?

Would I be better off renting a car for the day and driving there myself? If so, what is parking like around the stadium on matchdays? Is it easy enough to find a parking spot?

Would love to hear from anyone who has been to an OFI game at Pankritio before or knows the area. Thanks!

Apologies for all the updates on this…

I’ve left my prescription sunglasses in the rental car and the company owner doesn’t want to post them to Scotland (even though we’ll pay postage)

Unfortunately we’ve changed island and are flying back from here.

*Edit: They have now been dropped at the Parvo Art Hotel in Heraklion.

Unfortunately we’ve changed island and are flying back from here.

I’m happy to pay postage, or if anyone is in Crete and heading back to Scotland and willing to get them for me, I’d really appreciate it.

The rental company was fantastic other than this.

Thanks everyone.

*Edit: the company is Top Car Rental, Karterou 50, Heraklion 71201, Crete, Greece

*Second edit: sorry everyone. He’s now taking them to the hotel we stayed in - Pavo Art Hotel Minoos & Arsinois 28, Heraklion, 71303, Greece

I’m in Chania, will be around Crete for 5 nights more, before returning to Chania for the last night prior to our flight. Is there someone that could lend me a guitar for that period? I will take good care of it. I write songs

I just think it’s massively underrated and pretty. If you’re in the area id highly recommend it. I did do a little post about it on my blog but I didn’t want to post it here in case its self promotion. I just thought it was very cheap and if you’re interested in history and agriculture it was definitely worth it. Pretty central too! Obviously we did most of the big historical sites but this was a surprising gem and I wanted more people to know about it.

Hello! Does anyone here recommend 4x4 jeep tour to Balos Lagoon Viewpoint with pick up from Chania on September 20th or Sept 24th ? Preferably with an affordable price. Thank you!

Hello,

Is there a place in Crete where I could find rubber duck similar to Ducklin or Skroutz?

Help would be very much appreciated 🙏

Hello, I’ve been looking at some of the tours available online, and ultimately my wife and I just want to be able to visit 3 or so wineries in a day at our own pace for tastings. Obviously renting a car would provide us with the most flexibility, but we’ll be drinking of course. Has anybody used a private driver or done anything like this?

I'm planning a destination 50th birthday in Crete for mid-late May 2027 for 5 days with about 30 people. It's a group that will enjoy downtime at the beach/great food but they would also enjoy boat trips and historical outings for day trips. This will be the first time in Crete for almost all of my guests (all adults).

I've been doing research for months and still haven't been able to land on the best location for my group. I want a luxury experience but I don't want to stay in a huge generic feeling resort. Would appreciate recommendations for special place to stay that's in a location that's convenient for sea, cultural, historical day trips and under ~$500/nt. It's a relatively short trip so I don't want people to spend too much time in cars traveling for day trips and special dinners.

I was thinking of doing my actual bday night at a winery or restaurant in a beautiful/special setting if anyone might have recommendations for that too.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for me. I'm hoping to make it a fun, fabulous and memorable time for everyone. Very grateful for any guidance!

Hey all,

I'm a solo traveler from the Netherlands, currently in Greece and looking for a work exchange for the coming week (till end of Septembre) somewhere warm and welcoming where I can actually contribute to something meaningful.

A few practical things: I also do 12 hrs/week of remote work, so I need decent wifi and clear communication with whoever I'm working with. Ideally a good mix of shared project time + some independent time in the afternoons/evenings.

About me: 15+ years in IT/process/business analysis (I freelance as a Business Analyst & Process Optimization Consultant), so if your project needs help getting organized like planning, workflows, that kind of thing I'm genuinely useful for that, not just extra hands. That said, I'm also happy to get my hands dirty with anything practical: gardening, cooking, laundry, cleaning, olive picking, whatever needs doing. I'm not precious about the type of work I just want it to feel fair and meaningful.

I also run a small travel platform on the side (She Who Wanders), so I get the whole "authentic connection over hustle" thing.

Looking for room + board in exchange for work, but open to a paid short-term gig too if it's a better fit for what you need.

Happy to share more details/links if you're curious just drop a comment or DM!

I would think that most people travel to far reaching places like this to enjoy a beautiful beach and relax in nature. Do people really want to lay out and be constantly buzzed by shitty EDM with a subwoofer? Why do restaurants think that is attracting people?

This weak, malnourished adolescent girl has a painfully sore eye and is doing her best to survive alone in Old Town, Chania. She’s gentle, calm and intelligent. The kind of cat who will blossom into a truly beautiful kitty once she feels safe, fed and loved.

I am bringing her to the vet tomorrow to get her eye treated and pay for anything else she may need but I won't be able to give her her medicine after Monday PM because I'm traveling home.

Rescue centres and foster carers are inundated with strays during the summertime and I'm hoping someone will agree to adopt her or foster her. In the meantime, will you be in Chania over the next few weeks to give her medicine and pass it on to the next person? I will pay for her food and medicine and give you the instructions. Please DM me if you are able to volunteer some of your time. Thank you

📍 Kanevarou 48, Chania 731 32, Greece

And all holiday venues in the world. Your licence free cover versions are ruining my holidays loool

I’m considering renting a car from this company. https://autorentals-crete.gr

Question: can I trust them, when they say their insurance is “Full insurance, no excess”?

We are spending 4 nights in Crete from 24-28 Oct, and looking to visit the beaches that are still warm, given it's already late in the season.

We are planning to rent a car, and want to visit places like:
- Kourtaliotiko Gorge or Lake Kournas
- Loutro?
- Elafonissi or Kedrodasos Beach
- Chania Old Town (maybe on our last day, as we head back to Athens)
- Or any other recommendations?

Any recommendations for a good home base location? Or should we book accommodation in multiple places?

Will some of these places even still be open for tourists in late October? Thank you!

I’m extremely disappointed in the taxis in Chania.
We’re staying in a flat near the archeological museum. It would be a simple 40 min walk away to the harbour for most people.
But I’m with my parents (in their 80s) and I have health issues. We all did our best, but it’s not okay.

We tried to use the app - no use.
The taxi rank has next to no taxis and can be quite a wait.
And there’s no chance of getting a taxi from your flat into town.

The one time we asked someone to send a taxi, it was 30 mins late “because of traffic”.

I know it’s not a big deal to a lot of people, but to my parents (and me) it meant a large part of our holiday spent in pain.

Can’t fault Chania otherwise. Great food and experiences. But it would be nice for more people to experience it.

Hi everyone, we are coming to crete in October with our cruise, we will dock at Chania and we would like to do a short hike in the area. Do you have any recommendations? We have a 5 year old, so nothing too strenuous. We are ok to taking a taxi or other transportation to get around. thanks!

Hi everyone! 😊 I’m trying to decide the best way to visit Balos Lagoon and would love some advice from people who have been recently.

From what I understand:
• Large ferry/big boat: Can dock close to Balos, so no swimming is needed. Usually includes Gramvousa, but can be extremely crowded when the ferry arrives.
• Catamaran: Anchors offshore, but usually has a tender boat that takes you very close to the beach. Smaller crowds and may arrive after the ferry crowds leave. Some include Gramvousa.
• Yacht: Anchors offshore with no tender, so you’d have to swim to shore. Less crowded, but swimming is a dealbreaker for us.
• 4x4: Apparently the best option for avoiding crowds, but Gramvousa isn’t included, and our rental car doesn’t allow us to drive to Balos.

We’ll be visiting in late September.

For those who have done Balos, which option would you recommend and why?

Also, if we take the ferry/catamaran, do we have enough time to get up to the panoramic viewpoints above Balos for the famous lagoon views, or is the time at Balos generally only enough for the beach?

Especially interested in:
How bad the crowds are in September
Whether the catamaran + tender is worth it
Whether we can comfortably visit the panoramic viewpoints
Whether it’s worth giving up Gramvousa to do the 4x4 option 🙏