Itinerary
- Day 1
Chania
You'll arrive in Chania and head to the Allied War Cemetery at Souda Bay, a quiet place that honors over 1,500 soldiers from WWII. After checking into your accommodation, take an evening walk through the old town where Venetian architecture lines narrow alleys and cobblestone streets. Dinner by the harbor gives you waterfront views while you settle in.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at the old port with traditional Cretan recipes)
Included Activities
- Visit Allied War Cemetery at Souda Bay
Optional Activities
- Early evening walk around Chania old town
Landmarks/POIs Allied War Cemetery Chania Old Town - Day 2
Elafonisi - Kandanos - Chania
Today's drive takes you across mountainous western Crete to reach Elafonisi, where white-pink sand and clear water make for excellent swimming. You can wade out to the offshore islet when the tide is low. On the return trip through Kandanos, a village with WWII significance, you'll stop for a relaxed lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend in Chania however you'd like, whether that's shopping or just wandering around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Slow lunch in Kandanos with raki and local hospitality)
Included Activities
- Visit Elafonisi beach and lagoon
- Stop at Kandanos village
- Lunch in Kandanos
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Elafonisi
- Walking to offshore islet
- Shopping in Chania
- Visit Chania harbor
- Relax at cafés in Chania
Landmarks/POIs Elafonisi Kandanos - Day 3
Agia Roumeli - Preveli - Plakias
Head to the traditional village of Sfakia, about 70 minutes from your base, then board a boat for the one-hour journey to Agia Roumeli at the southern tip of Samaria Gorge. After an hour of walking into the gorge, you'll have time to swim. Lunch comes at a waterfront tavern, and then you'll visit the historic Preveli Monastery. The afternoon at Preveli Beach, with its palm forest and freshwater river, feels tropical. You'll swim before heading to Plakias for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at seafront tavern in Sfakia)
Included Activities
- Visit Sfakia village
- Boat trip to Agia Roumeli
- Walk into Samaria Gorge
- Swimming in Samaria Gorge area
- Visit Preveli Monastery
- Access to Preveli Beach
- Swimming in river and sea at Preveli Beach
Landmarks/POIs Sfakia Agia Roumeli Samaria Gorge Preveli Monastery Preveli Beach Frangokastello - Day 4
Sfakia - Agia Roumeli - Marmara Beach - Plakias
You'll leave Rethymno heading toward Sfakia village, which has a strong resistance history. A boat takes you to Agia Roumeli for a short hike into Samaria Gorge. After that, you'll boat over to the isolated Marmara Beach where turquoise water is perfect for swimming. Lunch happens at a beachside taverna accessible only by water or hiking trail. You'll pass the historic Frangokastello fortress on the way to Plakias for the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at simple beachside taverna at Marmara Beach)
Included Activities
- Visit Sfakia village
- Boat trip to Agia Roumeli
- Short hike into Samaria Gorge
- Boat trip to Marmara Beach
- Swimming at Marmara Beach
- Pass by Frangokastello fortress
Landmarks/POIs Sfakia Agia Roumeli Samaria Gorge Marmara Beach Frangokastello - Day 5
Damnoni - Phaistos - Matala
Start at Preveli Monastery perched on a clifftop overlooking the sea, then walk down to Preveli Beach with its native palm forest and river flowing into the water. Swim and relax in the shade there. After lunch with sea views in Damnoni, you'll head east to the archaeological site of Phaistos, a major Minoan palace with grand courtyards and views across the Messara Plain. End the day in Matala, famous for its cliff caves and 1960s-70s hippie heritage, and catch the sunset from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Damnoni with sea views)
Included Activities
- Visit Preveli Monastery
- Access to Preveli Beach
- Swimming at Preveli Beach
- Visit Phaistos archaeological site
- Arrive in Matala
Optional Activities
- Relax or swim at Preveli Beach
- Sunset swim at Matala Beach
Landmarks/POIs Preveli Monastery Preveli Beach Damnoni Phaistos Matala - Day 6
Lasithi - Spinalonga - Elounda or Agios Nikolaos
You'll travel northeast across Crete to the Lasithi region and visit a local olive oil estate to see how Cretan olive oil is made, from hand-picking through cold pressing, with tastings included. Next, head to Plaka fishing village and take a boat to Spinalonga islet, a former Venetian fortress that later served as one of Europe's last leper colonies. Return to Plaka for a calm seaside lunch, then continue to Elounda or Agios Nikolaos. The afternoon is free to rest or check out the marina and lake area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Relaxed seaside lunch in Plaka)
Included Activities
- Visit olive oil estate and tasting
- Boat trip to Spinalonga islet
- Explore Spinalonga fortress and former leper colony
Optional Activities
- Stroll by marina or lake in Elounda or Agios Nikolaos
Landmarks/POIs Lasithi Region Plaka Spinalonga Elounda Agios Nikolaos - Day 7
Knossos - Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Travel westward to Knossos, the most important archaeological site on Crete where the Minoan civilization flourished over 3,500 years ago. You'll walk through the palace complex with its grand staircases, storerooms, and colorful frescoes connected to mythology about the Labyrinth and Minotaur. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds the world's largest collection of Minoan artifacts, including the famous Phaistos Disc and the Snake Goddess. After lunch at a coastal taverna, the afternoon is yours to explore Heraklion's Venetian streets, markets, and squares before your farewell dinner in the old town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at coastal taverna near Heraklion), Dinner (Farewell dinner in Heraklion old town)
Included Activities
- Visit Knossos archaeological site
- Visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Optional Activities
- Explore Heraklion city
Landmarks/POIs Knossos Heraklion Archaeological Museum Heraklion - Day 8
Heraklion Airport/Port
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Heraklion Airport or the port depending on your next travel plans. You could fly back to Athens for your return home or extend your Greek trip by heading to islands like the Cyclades or Dodecanese, or perhaps the mainland Peloponnese.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Continue to Cyclades islands
- Continue to Dodecanese islands
- Continue to Peloponnese mainland
Landmarks/POIs Heraklion Airport Heraklion Port
