This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.

Honeymoon Crete, Greece

Honeymoon Crete, Greece - Hi, my fiancé and I are planning on going to Greece for our honeymoon. We would be arriving in Athens July 8 and spending two weeks in Greece. We would like to go to Crete, Santorini, and maybe a third island.

Since we will be on our honeymoon we'd like to relax on beautiful beaches and stay in picturesque villages. We would like to do some sight-seeing but mostly relax.

How many days should we dedicate to each island? Our travel agent suggested we stay a week in Crete since there's a lot to do, and 3-4 nights on each of the two other islands.

Crete: We don't mind renting a car but don't want to have to drive every day. So which picturesque coastal village would you recommend as a base? We'd like the village we stay in to have beautiful beaches that are walking distance, nice little alleys with cafes to walk around in the evening. And of course...great food:) I love beaches surrounded by mountains! While in Crete, we'd like to go to Elafonisi and Balos. So we'd like to stay in a village that's not too far from this beach. Which other scenic day trip would you recommend? It doesn't have to be a beach. Maybe a scenic short/easy hiking trip (my fiancé has bad knees)? Or ancient ruins?

Santorini: Which town/hotel would you recommend we stay in? We'd like to have a private balcony and a hotel with a pool that has great ocean views. While in Santorini, we'd like to go to the Red Sand beach, and the Black Sand beach.

Third island: Any recommendations? Mykonos seems like too much of a party island. Are there any other islands with beautiful quiet beaches near Crete or Santorini? I thought of maybe starting the trip with an Ionian island (Cephalonia - to go to Myrtos beach, Corfu, or Lefkada...which would you suggest? and which coastal village/hotel?)and then flying from this island to Crete, then taking a ferry from Crete to Santorini. Does this seem feasible? Or should we stick to a Cyclades island as our 3rd island?

Thank you so much for your help! It's much appreciated! Giulia

Sea view from Fiscardo Studios, Cephalonia Island, Greece

Yiasas Giulia,

What a lovely honeymoon you have planned in Greece! We love to help people plan their honeymoon vacation travel.

Your first island is your choice, whichever island you go to you will need to fly from Athens to the island then back to Athens, then change planes and fly to Crete. These are all short local flights so it is perfectly possible and comfortable to do in one day.

For example if you went to Cephalonia, the flights might look like this:

Athens ATH to Cephalonia EFL
Flight OA410 Olympic Airlines Depart 05.20 Arrive 06.15

Cephalonia to Athens
Flight OA413 Olympic Airlines Depart 15.35 Arrive 16.30

Athens to Chania
Flight OA415 Olympic Airlines Depart 21.35 Arrive 22.30

This pattern would be the same no matter which island you chose – in the Cyclades as well – because the ferries would just take too long for a two week holiday. As it is, you will need to set aside that one day for travel.

We have put together a suggested itinerary below.We have suggested stays in Cephalonia, Crete and Santorini.

Note: you have chosen to travel at the high season for Europe and Greece. It will be busy and prices will be at their peak. This just means you need to book ahead, which you have already started to do early, so it should not be a problem.

In Cephalonia we have chosen accommodation in the beautiful historic village of Fiscardo (pictured below). This will allow you to roam the laneways and sit by the seaside at cafes and tavernas. You can easily take short trips to any number of glorious beaches from here.

Fiscardo is a small historic village in the north of Cephalonia

For your Honeymoon Crete, we have suggested staying in the old town of Chania. This is because you asked to be able to wander through historic streets and enjoy the atmosphere and cafés. From here you can easily access any number of gorgeous beaches. Also from here you can take the day tours you mentioned (Elafonisi and Balos) with ease. We have then suggested stays in Rethymnon and Agia Pelagia. Again, both give you access to the beach. Whilst you are in Rethymnon, you could take a short walk in the country with ‘Happy Walkers’ which will not be too taxing on the knees. All the links you will need are listed below.

In Santorini we suggest staying in Oia as it is very stylish and has incredible views. It is romantic, popular and expensive.

Accommodation: We have chosen a range of medium and high-end accommodation to suit your honeymoon Crete. We have chosen some really beautiful and romantic places, however in each destination you can easily find much cheaper accommodation if you choose.

Honeymoon Crete - romantic architecture of Serenissima Boutique Hotel in Chania Old Town

Honeymoon Crete - the romantic architecture of Serenissima Boutique Hotel

The Old Harbour of Chania is perfect for a romantic stroll at dusk

Honeymoon Crete
Customised Itinerary

Day One - July 8
Destination One - perhaps Cephalonia
Depart Athens Flight OA410 Olympic Airlines Arrive Argostoli (Depart 05.20 Arrive 06.15) up to three flights per day
Transfer from Argostoli to Fiscardo 66 km
Stay Fiscardo Village
Stay at Fiscardo Studios with sea view
Relax and enjoy the beaches

Day Two - July 9
Destination One – perhaps Cephalonia
Stay Fiscardo Village
Stay at Fiscardo Studios with sea view
Relax and enjoy the beaches

Day Three - July 10
Destination One – perhaps Cephalonia
Stay Fiscardo Village
Stay at Fiscardo Studios with sea view
Relax and enjoy the beaches

Day Four - July 11
Fly Cephalonia to Athens Flight OA413 Olympic Airlines (Depart 15.35 Arrive 16.30)
Athens to Chania Flight OA415 Olympic Airlines (Depart 21.35 Arrive 22.30)
Taxi to Chania Old Town
Stay at the Serenissima Boutique Hotel

Honeymoon Crete - visit the remote Balos Lagoon

Day Five - July 12
Day tour to Balos Lagoon or Elafonisi Beach
Stayat the Serenissima Boutique Hotel

Day Six - July 13
Day tour to Balos Lagoon or Elafonisi Beach
Stay at the Serenissima Boutique Hotel

Casa dei Delfini in the Old Town of Rethymnon, Crete

Day Seven - July 14
Hire car or taxi or bus to Rethymnon 60 km
Stay Rethymnon
Stay at Casa dei Delfini (pictured above)

Day Eight - July 15
Hire car or taxi or bus to Agia Pelagia Beach 64 km
Stay Agia Pelagia
Stay at the Out of the Blue Resort

Day Nine - July 16
Stay Agia Pelagia
Stay at the Out of the Blue Resort

Day Ten - July 17
Possible day tour to Knossos Palace
Stay Agia Pelagia
Stay at the Out of the Blue Resort

Day Eleven – July 18
Depart Heraklion Port by ferry to Santorini (Thira) 08.30 Arrive 10.35
Stay Oia
Stay at the Mystique Hotel

Day Twelve – July 19
Stay Oia - Visit Red or Black Sand Beach
Stayat the Mystique Hotel

Day Thirteen – July 20
Stay Oia - Visit Red or Black Sand Beach
Stay at the Mystique Hotel

Day Fourteen – July 21
Depart Santorini – 5 flights per day with Olympic – Flight 1 hour
Depart Athens for home

Agia Pelagia, fishing boat, Crete (image by Michael Goth)

Honeymoon Crete - Agia Pelagia has small coves and white sandy beaches

Info for Your Honeymoon Crete

Cephalonia Villages

Flights to Crete

Getting around in Crete

Chania Region

Chania Town

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Islet

Accommodation in Santorini

Giulia, you will be so happy for choosing to spend your precious honeymoon in Greece, it is so beautiful and perfect for romance and brilliant memories.

Happy Honeymoon! Ευτυχισμένο Μήνα του Μέλιτος