7-Day Crete Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Crete itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaCrete travel expert at TourRadar

• Incredible Crete!

  Crete reveals its charms over 7 days from Chania to Heraklion. The itinerary combines Knossos Palace tours, Spinalonga boat trips, and time at Elafonisi beach. Six nights in 3-4 star hotels complement authentic taverna dining experiences.

  

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  • Athens Greece

    171 mi

  • Chania Greece

    3 mi

  • Souda Greece

    3 mi

  • Aptera Greece

    36 mi

  • Elafonisi Greece

    54 mi

  • Rethymnon Greece

    30 mi

  • Agia Roumeli Greece

    10 mi
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  • Hora Sfakion Greece

    14 mi

  • Plakias Greece

    24 mi

  • Matala Greece

    56 mi

  • Agios Nikolaos Greece

    4 mi

  • Elounda Greece

    2 mi

  • Spinalonga Greece

    32 mi

  • Knossos Greece

    2 mi

  • Heraklion Greece

    199 mi

  • Athens Greece

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• 7 Day Crete Itinerary, incl. Heraklion and Chania

  A 7-day deep dive into Crete's heritage takes you from Heraklion's Archaeological Museum to the 2000-year-old plane tree in Krassi village. Off-road adventures lead to Zeus's cave, while visits to Spinalonga reveal its moving history. The tour winds through Chania's leather market and Venetian harbor with expert local guides.

  

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  • Day 1

    Heraklion Arrival & Orientation

    Arrive at Heraklion International Airport and get to your hotel in the city center, about 30 minutes away. Try to book a morning flight to avoid afternoon traffic in Heraklion. In the evening walk around the Korai Street area, where you can see locals enjoying their time at traditional kafeneia coffee houses.

    
  • Day 2

    Heraklion Beaches & Old Town

    Start your day at Ammoudara Beach just 15 minutes west of Heraklion by bus. In the afternoon explore the old town's Venetian walls and visit the Central Market to try local specialties like graviera cheese and Cretan honey. Visit the market before 2 PM when vendors start closing their stalls.

    
  • Day 3

    Spinalonga Island & Elounda

    Drive to Spinalonga (2 hours from Heraklion) and take the 15-minute boat ride from Elounda port to this former leper colony. Bring sturdy shoes since the island's paths are uneven and can be slippery. After exploring the fortress have lunch in Elounda which is known for excellent fresh seafood.

    
  • Day 4

    Palace of Knossos & Archaeological Museum

    Get to Knossos Palace early around 8:30 AM to avoid crowds and heat. It's only 15 minutes from Heraklion. Plan 2-3 hours to see Europe's oldest city then visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Book a guided tour at Knossos since there's a lot of complex history and mythology you might miss on your own.

    
  • Day 5

    Chania & Rethymnon Day Trip

    Plan for a full day exploring western Crete. The round trip is 326km. Start early for Chania's Venetian harbor and Old Town about 2.5 hours each way. Stop in Rethymnon on your way back and catch the sunset from its fortress. Look for deals at Chania's leather market but be ready to negotiate prices.

    
  • Day 6

    Zeus Cave & Mountain Villages

    Join a Land Rover tour into the mountains (7-8 hours). Bring hiking shoes for Zeus Cave's rough terrain and pack a light jacket since it's cooler in the mountains. You'll get great photos on the Lassithi Plateau drive especially when spring brings wildflowers.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure Day

    Leave at least 30 minutes to get to Heraklion airport from the city center. Add 15 extra minutes in July-August for peak season traffic. If you have a late flight leave your bags at the hotel and visit Koules Fortress by the harbor.

    

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• Treasures of Crete

  Crete's essential sites across 5 cities unfold over one week. The route connects Heraklion to UNESCO-listed Knossos Palace, includes a boat trip to Spinalonga island, and visits the Venetian harbors of Chania and Rethymnon. Land Rover tours navigate Lassithi Plateau and Zeus's legendary birthplace cave.

  

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  • Heraklion Greece

    33 mi

  • Spinalonga Greece

    32 mi

  • Knossos Greece

    2 mi

  • Heraklion Greece

    64 mi

  • Chania Greece

    28 mi

  • Rethymnon Greece

    37 mi

  • Heraklion Greece

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