At the beginning of 2022, we took our first real road trip. After much deliberation, I finally had a rough idea of where I wanted to go for our sun-soaked vacation: Greece. More specifically, a Greek island. Unfortunately for an indecisive traveller like me, Greece has around 6,000 islands, many of which sound absolutely amazing. After extensive research, we finally chose Crete, the largest island in Greece.
Due to its size, there is so much to do on Crete, and you could easily spend several weeks exploring. The island offers incredible historical and cultural attractions, the most famous being the Palace of Knossos. Crete also boasts diverse landscapes, stunning beaches, some of which rank among the most beautiful in Europe, and a unique & authentic cuisine (and of course, raki… lots of raki).
We spent 12 days following our Crete itinerary, which was enough to see most of the highlights, but we would love to return to discover even more. Crete truly surprised us in the best way, and there are still plenty of places we haven’t explored yet.
Travel Period
May
Although May to October is good in terms of weather, we naturally recommend the shoulder months—May, June, September, and October—to avoid the crowds.
Mode of Transportation
Rental Car
We found a rental car to be an absolute must on Crete. There is so much to see, and driving on the island is a lot of fun. Though, they do drive a bit crazy at times.
Trip duration
12 days
Twelve days was a good amount of time to see the highlights of Crete, Greece. You can definitely see a part of the island in seven days or keep yourself entertained for 14 to 21 days.
Day 1: Arrival in Elounda
Our Crete itinerary began in Elounda, a charming seaside town on the eastern coast of Crete. After arriving at our hotel, Kalypso Hotel, we spent the day leisurely exploring the village and relaxing on the beach. Elounda is known for its luxury resorts and stunning views over Mirabello Bay. While it can be touristy, it was a quiet and pleasant place during the low season.
Check out our Elounda Travel Tips, for information on accommodation, parking, and the best dining spots.
Day 2: Exploring the island of Spinalonga
On day 2, we visited the famous island of Spinalonga. Spinalonga is a small, beautiful island known for its Venetian fortress and the leper colony that existed there until 1957. From Elounda’s harbor, a boat departs for the island every hour, making it a perfect day trip.
We spent the morning on the island, wandering through the old ruins and enjoying the stunning views over the bay. Spinalonga is definitely worth a visit, but make sure to go early to avoid the biggest tourist crowds.
Day 3: Drive to the Lassithi Plateau and the Cave of Zeus
On day 3, we drove from Elounda to the impressive Lassithi Plateau, famous for its traditional windmills and stunning views of Crete’s inland landscape. The plateau is about a 45-minute drive from Elounda, with plenty of beautiful stops along the way to enjoy the scenery or sample local honey and olive oil. Our final destination was the Cave of Zeus (Dikteon Cave), a significant site in Greek mythology.
The hike up to the cave entrance is quite steep, so good shoes are a must. The cave itself was interesting, though not particularly spectacular. However, the drive there was absolutely worth it, with beautiful landscapes and charming stops along the way. There was also a museum near the cave that provided more insight into Greek mythology, which we found really fascinating.
Tips and Recommendations
Adjustments to the route: None, we actually found this to be a perfect and relaxed start to our trip with beautiful views and a charming village If you want to do a bit more we recommend visiting Agios Nikolaos as it is said to be a great place to explore
Day 4: Palace of Knossos & Rethymnon
After three nights in Elounda, we continued our Crete itinerary with our rental car to Rethymnon. This charming city on Crete’s north coast is located exactly between the two major cities, Heraklion and Chania. Rethymnon is known for its Venetian history, picturesque old town, and long sandy beach.
On the way, we made a stop at the famous Palace of Knossos, the largest archaeological site in Crete. This palace is considered the center of the Minoan civilization (circa 2000–1400 BC) and is an absolute must-see for anyone interested in ancient Minoan history.
We ended the day at the beach, where Rethymnon’s wide sandy shores offer plenty of space and various activities. In the evening, we explored the old town of Rethymnon, wandering through its historic streets.
Check out our Rethymnon Travel Tips, for information on accommodation, parking, and the best places to eat.
Day 5: Preveli Beach and Monastery
On day 5, we took a day trip to Preveli Beach and the nearby Preveli Monastery. Preveli Beach is an iconic palm beach on the south coast of Crete, about an hour’s drive from Rethymnon. The beach is famous for the unique river that flows from the mountains through a palm forest before reaching the sea. Unfortunately, the weather was cold and windy that day, so we couldn’t swim in the river or sea, though we heard it’s definitely worth it.
The Preveli Monastery, located on the cliffs, offers stunning views of the coastline and is well worth a visit. You can walk through its historic buildings, churches, and a small museum. The monastery has a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, making it a great addition to a beach day.
Day 6: Melidoni Cave and Reptisland
Today, the weather was still a bit colder and less pleasant. We looked for things to do in Crete on a cloudy day and started with a visit to Melidoni Cave, an impressive cave with a rich history. Personally, we found this cave more beautiful and less touristy than the Cave of Zeus, and it had a special atmosphere. It is also a place with a tragic history, as many Cretans lost their lives here in the 19th century during a battle against the Ottomans.
After visiting the cave, we drove to Reptisland, a small but very interactive reptile house. Although it consists of just one room, it was a unique experience because you could hold many of the animals. The owner was incredibly passionate about the reptiles and made sure we had a fantastic time.
Day 7: Day trip to Matala Beach
On our last full day from Rethymnon, we visited Matala Beach. Matala Beach is famous for its caves, which were once inhabited by hippies. This unique beach, with its steep cliffs and stunning blue sea, is definitely worth a visit. Although the beach is smaller than Preveli, the history of the caves gives it a special charm. The village of Matala itself is also a great place to explore and wander around.
Tips and Recommendations
Adjustments to the route: We were again very happy with this part of the itinerary for Crete. The only downside was that the weather on the day of our visit to Preveli Beach wasn’t ideal. It was just a bit too chilly for swimming and that can only mean one thing: we have to come back!
Day 8: Our final destination Chania
After a few amazing days in Rethymnon, it was time to continue our Crete itinerary to our final destination: Chania. Located in the west of Crete, Chania is the second-largest city on the island. It is known for its beautiful Venetian harbor, charming alleys, and unique character. What makes Chania truly special is that it serves as a great base for visiting some of Crete’s most stunning beaches, such as Balos Beach and Elafonissi Beach.
The city immediately impresses with its Venetian architecture and picturesque streets, filled with cozy restaurants and shops. We stayed at Avra City Boutique Hotel, conveniently located near the center and equipped with its own parking garage, which is a big advantage since parking in Chania can be challenging.
We started our time in Chania with a walk through the old town and along the Venetian harbor. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy a drink or dinner, especially in the evening when the harbor is beautifully lit.
Check out our Chania Travel Tips, for information on accommodation, parking, and the best places to eat.
Day 9: Day trip to Elafonissi Beach
On day 9, we took a day trip to one of Crete’s most famous beaches: Elafonissi Beach. This beach is known for its unique pink sand and crystal-clear water. The drive there is an adventure in itself, with narrow mountain roads winding through stunning landscapes. Locals told us that it can get very crowded during peak season, so we decided to leave early to beat the crowds. Luckily, in May, it wasn’t too busy yet, and we were able to fully enjoy the beach.
Upon arrival, we found a large parking area, making it easy to access the beach. Sunbeds and umbrellas were available for rent, and there were also food and drink facilities. For those wanting to escape the crowds, there’s a hidden gem—walk across to the small islet and follow the sandy path through the dunes. This leads to a beautiful, quiet beach with the same pink sand and clear water, but without the crowds of the main area. This part of Elafonissi is perfect for snorkeling and still feels untouched.
This beach was definitely one of the highlights of our Crete itinerary!
Day 10: Yannis Beach Place and Snorkeling
fter a day at Elafonissi, we decided to stay closer to Chania on day 10. We discovered an amazing spot just outside the city: Yannis Beach Place, located near Agioi Apostoli. This beautiful bay has everything you need for a relaxing beach day: crystal-clear water that gets deep quickly (perfect for swimming) and rock formations on the side of the bay that make for great snorkeling.
This beach ended up being one of the highlights of our trip, especially because we spotted an octopus while snorkeling. For adventurous beachgoers, there are also the Mikis Theodorakis caves, which can be reached on foot from the beach and are fun to explore.
If you’re staying in Chania but prefer a quieter area away from the busy center, Agioi Apostoli is a fantastic place to stay. It offers tranquility, stunning beaches, and is still just a few minutes away from the city.
Day 11: The Venetian Harbor and Minoan’s World
The last day of our Crete itinerary had arrived, and we spent it leisurely exploring Chania. We started the day with a visit to the Venetian Harbor, a must-see spot where we also took some time to do a bit of shopping.
We also made a short visit to Minoan’s World, a 9D experience that offers a fun and educational way to learn more about the Minoan civilization. It’s a relatively short experience, but definitely worth it if you’re interested in Crete’s history.
In the evening, we had dinner at Chrisostomos, where we enjoyed the best lamb in Crete, cooked in a wood-fired oven. This restaurant is an absolute must-visit if you’re in Chania.
Tips and Recommendations
Adjustments to the route: If you plan to visit Elafonissi Beach, make sure to leave early to avoid crowds and traffic. Balos Beach is also a popular option from Chania, and we would have loved to visit it as well!
GetYourGuide Activities
Do you enjoy guided activities or prefer the convenience of being picked up from your hotel? Check out some popular GetYourGuide activities below that are definitely worth adding to your Crete itinerary!
Check our 12-day itinerary through Crete, packed with tips and highlights, including the famous Palace of Knossos, breath-taking landscapes, and hidden gems. Discover why Crete is a destination worth returning to!
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