Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Crete
You'll touch down in Crete and head to the rental car counter to pick up your vehicle. From there, it's a drive to Chania, where you can check into your hotel and get settled. The historic center has plenty to see if you want to wander around this evening, or you might prefer to rest after traveling.
Optional Activities
- Explore Chania's historic center (described as an open-air museum of civilizations)
Landmarks/POIs Chania - Day 2
Crete (Free Day)
Today you have the full day to yourself with your rental car. The island has some great beaches to choose from, so you could head to Balos Lagoon, Elafonisi, or Falasarna depending on what you're in the mood for. It's really up to you how you spend your time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Balos beach
- Visit Elafonisi beach
- Visit Falasarna beach
Landmarks/POIs Balos Beach Elafonisi Beach Falasarna Beach - Day 3
Chania to Agia Galini
After breakfast, you'll drive south toward Agia Galini. Once you're there, you have options for the rest of the day. Preveli Beach has palm trees and waterfalls if that appeals to you, or Matala offers caves carved into cliffs along with calm waters in the Bay of Messara.
- Meals
- Breakfast (tasty breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Visit Preveli beach
- Visit Matala beach and explore the caves (archaeological site, overnight stays forbidden)
Landmarks/POIs Preveli Beach Matala Beach Megalopotamos River - Day 4
Agia Galini to Agios Nikolaos
Following breakfast, head northeast toward Agios Nikolaos along the southern coast. You might stop in Ierapetra to look around, or if you're interested, take a ferry out to Chrisi Island. Another option is the Milonas waterfall, which sits about 15 km away. Later, continue driving north to reach Agios Nikolaos, your base for exploring eastern Crete.
- Meals
- Breakfast (exquisite breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Visit Ierapetra town
- Take ferry from Ierapetra to Chrisi Island
- Visit Milonas waterfall (approximately 3 km walking path from Ierapetra)
Landmarks/POIs Ierapetra Chrisi Island Milonas Waterfall - Day 5
Agios Nikolaos (Free Day)
You have another free day to check out Mirabello Bay and the surrounding area. Lake Voulismeni is worth a visit, connected to the sea by a canal with cafes lining the waterfront and offering nice views. If you'd rather hit the beach, Voulisma has white sand and tropical water. The mountain town of Kritsa is also nearby if you want to browse local handmade items.
- Meals
- Breakfast (tasty breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Visit Lake Voulismeni
- Visit Voulisma beach (15 minutes from Agios Nikolaos)
- Explore Kritsa mountain town
Landmarks/POIs Mirabello Bay Lake Voulismeni Voulisma Beach Kritsa - Day 6
Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion
Spend your morning however you'd like, whether that's resting, getting some shopping done, or revisiting any beaches or spots you missed earlier. In the afternoon, drive to Heraklion, Crete's capital. The Palace of Knossos is the main draw here, the oldest palace complex in Europe and worth seeing before evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Heraklion
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Knossos Heraklion - Day 7
Heraklion to Chania
An early drive takes you back toward western Crete. Stop in Rethymno to walk through the old town, where you'll find Venetian and Ottoman architecture including mosques, old baths, churches, and traditional houses with their characteristic high windows and wrought-iron balconies. After exploring, head back to Chania.
- Meals
- Breakfast (tasty breakfast)
Optional Activities
- Explore Rethymno old town
Landmarks/POIs Rethymno - Day 8
Departure from Crete
After breakfast, drive your rental car to Chania airport. Drop it off at the car rental station and head inside to catch your international flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Chania Airport
