Make Mitsis Selection Laguna your base for the day: check in, leave luggage with reception if your room is not ready, and take a little time to orient yourself around the pools, shaded seating and restaurants. The resort is in Anissaras, a quiet coastal area just east of Hersonissos; from Heraklion Airport, allow roughly 25–35 minutes by taxi or pre-booked transfer, depending on traffic. A taxi generally costs about €45–60 one way. Keep swimwear and sunscreen in your hand luggage, since check-in and room availability can vary, while the resort’s facilities are usually accessible from arrival. Spend the first three or four hours unhurriedly—this is a good day to recover from travel rather than immediately setting off.
When the strongest midday heat has eased, walk down to Anissaras Beach for an easy first swim. The coastline here is made up of small coves and pebbly or sandy sections rather than one long urban beach, so water shoes are useful and the sea can be choppier than it looks on windy days. Allow around 1½ hours, including time to rinse off and stroll back to the resort. September is still warm, but bring water and avoid leaving valuables unattended; beach facilities and lifeguard coverage can be seasonal and may wind down toward evening.
Return to Mitsis Selection Laguna for dinner at the main restaurant, the simplest choice after arrival and especially convenient if you are on an all-inclusive plan. Expect a broad buffet with Greek dishes, salads, grilled items and familiar international options; dinner service commonly runs through the early evening, but check the day’s posted hours and any reservation requirements at reception. If dinner is not included, budget approximately €25–45 per person. Afterward, keep the evening local with a slow drink or short walk around the resort rather than planning a late excursion—the first night is best used to settle in and confirm tomorrow’s pool, beach or day-trip options with the concierge.
After breakfast at Mitsis Selection Laguna, take a taxi or rental car up to Hersonissos Old Town, about 10–15 minutes inland from the coast. Start around 9:30–10:00, before the day becomes hot, and spend roughly 90 minutes wandering the stone lanes, whitewashed houses and little squares. This is the quieter, more traditional side of the resort area, with cats in doorways and family-run cafés rather than beach crowds. Continue on foot to St. Paraskevi Church, a small characteristic village church near the old settlement; allow about 30 minutes, remembering to dress respectfully and keep voices low if services are taking place. A coffee or soft drink in the square is usually around €3–5.
Drive east to the Malia Palace Archaeological Site, allowing approximately 25–30 minutes from Old Hersonissos. Aim to arrive around 12:00–12:30; September opening times can change, but archaeological sites commonly close in the late afternoon, so check the official Hellenic Heritage ticketing information or ask reception before leaving. Allow two hours to explore the extensive Minoan complex, including the central court, storage areas and surviving foundations. Expect roughly €6–12 entry depending on the current ticket arrangement, and bring water, a hat and sturdy shoes—the site is exposed, with very little shade. Parking is generally straightforward near the entrance.
From the palace, continue toward Dolphin Beach Bar in Malia for a relaxed seaside lunch and drink, usually about 10 minutes by car. Budget approximately €15–30 per person, and take an hour to cool down rather than trying to fit in a full beach afternoon. Later, finish in Malia Old Town, reached in around 10–15 minutes depending on traffic, for an easy early-evening walk through the historic center. The older lanes are much calmer than the famous nightlife strip, with small tavernas and cafés opening into the squares; allow an hour, or stay for dinner if the atmosphere appeals. Return to the resort by taxi or car in roughly 20–25 minutes, and avoid driving after drinks.
After breakfast at Mitsis Selection Laguna, take a taxi or rental car to Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre in Hersonissos—roughly 10 minutes by car from the resort, depending on traffic. Allow about 90 minutes; it is a compact, hands-on place rather than a large modern aquarium, with rescued reptiles and marine animals and a friendly, informal feel. Check the opening time for September before setting out, as hours can vary seasonally; admission is usually around €10–15 per adult. Continue downhill afterwards to Hersonissos Harbour, where you can spend an easy hour strolling beside the fishing boats, excursion vessels and waterfront cafés. The harbour is best enjoyed before the strongest midday heat, and taxis are straightforward to pick up nearby if you do not want to walk back uphill.
From the harbour, take a taxi or drive east along the coast to Star Beach Water Park, usually 10–15 minutes away. Set aside around three hours for swimming, slides and the waterside activities; bring reef shoes or sandals, sunscreen and a small amount of cash for lockers, drinks or optional activities. Entry to the beach area is generally free, while individual attractions, loungers and water sports may carry separate charges. September is a good time to visit, with warm water and slightly less pressure than in high summer, but arrive by early afternoon if you want a convenient place to leave your belongings. Keep an eye on the sea conditions, as some activities can pause when the wind picks up.
For dinner, head inland to Kostas Taverna in the old-town area of Hersonissos. From Star Beach, allow about 10–15 minutes by taxi or car; parking in the narrow old-town lanes is limited, so it is easier to leave the car in a public space on the edge and walk the final few minutes. Expect approximately €20–35 per person for a traditional meal, depending on wine and shared starters. Order slowly—dakos, grilled meats, seasonal vegetables and local cheeses are the sort of dishes best shared—and allow around 90 minutes. A reservation is sensible for the evening, although September is generally calmer than July and August.
Leave Mitsis Selection Laguna around 8:00–8:30 for Elounda, allowing roughly 45–55 minutes by car or taxi via Agios Nikolaos. Aim to reach the harbour early enough to join a boat to Spinalonga; excursions commonly run from the waterfront and usually cost about €15–25 per person, sometimes with the island entrance fee of around €8 extra. Boats and tour schedules vary by season, so confirm the first departure with your hotel the evening before. Allow about three hours altogether for the crossing, exploring the Venetian fortress and former leper colony, and returning—wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sun protection, and expect very little shade on the island.
Once back in Elounda, stay by the waterfront for lunch rather than rushing on. Choose a taverna along the harbour promenade and look for the day’s grilled fish, prawns, calamari or dakos; a relaxed seafood meal should come to roughly €25–45 per person with drinks. The harbour is compact, so you can compare menus on foot, but avoid restaurants with aggressive touts and favour places busy with local families. After lunch, drive north along the peninsula toward Kolokytha Beach, about 15–20 minutes depending on traffic and the road conditions.
Spend the mid-afternoon at Kolokytha Beach, a sheltered, clear-water cove backed by low hills and olive trees. The final approach is on a rough, narrow track, so drive slowly and expect an informal parking area; a taxi may not be keen to collect you later, making a rental car especially useful. Bring towels, water and snacks, as facilities are limited and any beach service is seasonal. Two hours is enough for a swim and an unhurried break before continuing around 35–40 minutes to Agios Nikolaos.
Finish at Agios Nikolaos Lake, where the path around the small lagoon leads naturally toward the harbour and waterfront cafés. Allow about 90 minutes for a gentle circuit, a drink and a look at the fishing boats as the light softens. The area is lively in September, but parking in the centre can be tight; use a signed car park on the edge of town and walk rather than circling the harbour. From here, the return to Mitsis Selection Laguna takes approximately 35–45 minutes by car or taxi.
Leave Mitsis Selection Laguna around 8:00, taking the inland road through Hersonissos and Peza toward Knossos Palace; allow about 35–45 minutes by car or taxi. Arriving soon after opening is worthwhile: the exposed archaeological site becomes very hot, and the main paths are busiest later in the morning. Allow roughly 2½ hours to see the Central Court, Grand Staircase, throne area and fresco reconstructions. Tickets are usually around €20, with reduced or combined museum options sometimes available; wear proper shoes, carry water and use the shaded sections for breaks. Parking is available near the entrance, though taxis may drop you at the access road.
Continue into central Heraklion—about 15 minutes from Knossos—and visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum for around two hours. This is the best place to make sense of Knossos, with exceptional Minoan finds including the Bull-Leaping Fresco, Snake Goddess figurines and the Phaistos Disc; check the museum’s published hours before leaving, as seasonal opening times can change, and expect roughly €12 for admission. From there, walk downhill through the old centre to the Central Market of Heraklion along 1866 Street. Spend an unhurried hour browsing spice stalls, local cheeses, mountain herbs and small food shops—this is a good place for edible gifts, but compare prices before buying packaged products. Have lunch at Peskesi, a short walk away in a restored historic building; book ahead if possible, and budget approximately €30–50 per person for a leisurely meal of regional Cretan dishes. Its kitchen focuses on local ingredients, so ask about the day’s specials rather than ordering too heavily after the morning’s sightseeing.
Finish by walking toward the Venetian harbour and Koules Fortress, about 10–15 minutes from Peskesi. Allow an hour to explore the sea-facing fortress and stroll along the harbour wall; opening hours can vary, and the interior may close earlier than the waterfront, so check locally if you want to go inside. The harbour is especially pleasant as the light softens, with benches and open views across the water. For the return to Mitsis Selection Laguna, a taxi is simplest—roughly 30–40 minutes depending on traffic—or arrange a pre-booked car, since finding a taxi immediately around the harbour can be slower in the evening.
Leave Mitsis Selection Laguna around 8:00–8:30 for Mythi, allowing roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by car via the south-coast road and inland mountain routes. The drive is scenic but winding, so a rental car is much easier than relying on taxis; arrange a return pickup in advance if you are not driving. Begin the walk through the Gorge of Sarakina in the morning, when the rock walls provide some shade. Allow about 2½ hours, and wear proper shoes rather than sandals—there can be uneven rocks, shallow water and short sections requiring careful scrambling. It is free to visit, but conditions vary after rain, so check locally before setting out and carry water.
Drive about 20 minutes from Mythi to Myrtos Beach, where you can settle in for a couple of hours of swimming and quiet beach time. This south-coast spot is generally more relaxed than the resort beaches around Hersonissos, with clear water and a laid-back village atmosphere. The beach is pebbly, so water shoes are useful; bring cash for any umbrellas or drinks, as facilities are pleasantly limited. For lunch, choose a beachside taverna in Myrtos and order grilled fish, dakos, Greek salad or a simple plate of local dishes—budget around €20–35 per person. Service is unhurried, which suits the setting, so allow about 1½ hours rather than trying to rush through.
Finish with a slow wander along the Myrtos village promenade, browsing the small shops and stopping for coffee or something cold by the water. An hour is enough, though this is a good place to let the afternoon drift by. Before returning to Mitsis Selection Laguna, check your fuel level: the mountain roads are sparsely serviced, and the drive back takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, usually via the same inland route. Leave by about 17:30–18:00 to avoid arriving too late, and expect the final stretch around Hersonissos to be busier near dinner time.
For your final full day, take a slow breakfast at Mitsis Selection Laguna, then head uphill to Koutouloufari around 9:30. It is only about 10–15 minutes by taxi or rental car, but the village feels far removed from the resort strip: follow the stone lanes past whitewashed houses, bougainvillea and small terraces, allowing around 90 minutes for an easy wander. Wear comfortable shoes—the lanes are uneven and there are a few short uphill stretches. Parking is limited in the village centre, so leave the car on the lower approach and walk in; a taxi is simpler, usually around €10–15 each way from the resort.
Walk or drive a few minutes onward to Piskopiano Museum of Rural Life, a compact museum housed in a traditional village building. Give it about an hour to see the old agricultural tools, weaving equipment, household objects and displays explaining everyday Cretan life before mass tourism. Opening times can be seasonal and change outside the main summer period, so check locally or ask reception before setting out; expect a small entrance fee, generally around €3–5. Afterward, return toward the coast rather than adding another sightseeing stop—the point today is to keep the pace gentle before your final swim.
Continue back down to Sarandaris Beach in Anissaras, roughly 15–20 minutes from Piskopiano, for a relaxed final afternoon. This sheltered cove is good for swimming when the larger beaches are breezy; bring water shoes, as the entry can be rocky, and take your own towel and water because facilities are limited compared with the resort. Spend around two and a half hours between the sea and the shaded spots, then freshen up at Mitsis Selection Laguna before dinner. Reserve a table at Saradari Restaurant for around 19:30–20:00 and settle in for a leisurely Cretan meal by the coast—grilled fish, seasonal vegetables, dakos and local cheeses are good choices. Budget approximately €25–45 per person without extensive drinks; a taxi from the resort is advisable for the short return, especially after dark.