It is no secret that a road trip is the best way to fully experience the diversity of Crete. As the largest Greek island, it has many interesting things to do and stunning places to explore. That is why a road trip through this dreamy island is undoubtedly one of the best travel experiences in Greece. In addition to the amazing beaches, there are also many charming towns and villages that will leave you in awe with their beauty and authenticity ! In this article, you will find everything you need to know to organize your road trip perfectly.
Travel Together Gr contains affiliate links. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤︎ Read our full disclosure policy here.
Things you should know before your road trip to Crete
Why Crete is a must-visit place in Greece ?
Although there are countless islands in Greece, Crete is one of the most beautiful and diverse places to explore. Not only its Mediterranean climate, but also its history, architecture and stunning beaches make it a little paradise. The local Cretan cuisine is another reason why Crete is so special. That’s why you should to visit it at least once in your life. You will quickly find out that Crete is one of the rare cases where an island has it all.
Are 7 days enough for a road trip in Crete ?
As we said earlier, Crete is a big island with various places to visit, between charming cities, interesting cultural sites, picturesque villages and dreamy beaches with turquoise waters. However, if you can only spend a week, you will still get a good taste of this unique island ! In case you visit during the summer months, it will be filled with thousands of tourists. So, better to combine the touristy with the less crowded places. The best advice we can give you is to try to get out of bed as early as possible to enjoy all the places to the fullest. We can assure you that it is really worth it, especially for the incredible views.
You are going to spend at least 7 days in Crete and will undoubtedly need mobile data for your GPS, find details about Crete, social media etc. Depending on the country you are from, you may not be able to use your data (or free roaming between European countries) . For this reason, we strongly recommend using a global digital eSIM card. You can easily buy it online and save time and money. In our personal experience, your need for mobile data is even greater when you’re on a road trip.
How to get to Crete ?
Crete is an easily accessible island. You can arrive either by boat or by plane. It has two airports, the first in Heraklion which is the main airport and the second in Chania. So, there are many international and domestic flights per day, especially in summer. You can alternatively take the ferry from any nearby island or Athens which is a more affordable option. Whichever way you choose, be aware that tickets sell out quickly during peak season (from June to late August). During this period, it is best to book your tickets in advance ! If you plan to fly to Crete for this trip, renting a car is your best option for getting around.
The best time to take road trip in Crete
Crete’s perfect Mediterranean climate makes it the ultimate summer destination. But, as it is very crowded and hot during the summer, you can visit during the shoulder season. In fall or spring, Crete is also amazing with more bearable temperatures and not so high and of course you can enjoy your favorite places with less tourists. You should know that it can be visited at any time, even in winter. So, it totally depends on your plans and needs when you take this fabulous Crete road trip. However, you should avoid winter, because it can rain a lot and the roads will be quite dangerous under these conditions. Additionally, You should be aware that the driving situation in Crete is bad. People are careless and drive at high speed and without respecting driving rules. Therefore, it is better to take this Crete road trip and drive yourself, if you are an experienced driver.
The best 7-day Crete road trip itinerary
Day 1-Arrive and stroll around Heraklion
In this itinerary, we use Heraklion as our starting point, since it has the main port and airport. Thus, it is the perfect place to start and end your road trip through Crete. Of course, you could use Chania, as an alternative. We could say that Heraklion caters for all tastes, as it is a beautiful coastal city with a lively atmosphere, stunning ocean views, cozy cafés and restaurants and an amazing night life ! Another reason why Heraklion is an important Greek city is because the most important archaeological site of Crete is located just a few kilometers from the city center. It is called “Knossos Palace” and it is a must-visit place in Crete and in Greece in general ! Since it is one of the most popular tourist attractions, we highly recommend booking your tickets online to save time and avoid long queues on hot summer days.
Day 2-Head and spend the day in Agios Nikolaos
You cannot leave Crete without visiting the most colorful and picturesque town called “Agios Nikolaos”. Personally, it is one of our favorite places in Crete. Agios Nikolaos with its charming buildings, the harbor, the cute souvenir shops and of course the turquoise waters of the sea will not disappoint you. Just a few steps from the city center, you will even find a small lake called “Voulismeni Lake”. It is very pleasant to take a walk in the center and admire all these incredible spots. On summer days, apart from a dip in the surrounding beaches, we suggest you drink an iced coffee (Freddo or Frappé) while enjoying the amazing view that the small harbor offers. Another interesting thing to do is to take the boat and visit the island of Spinalonga, where the lepers (victims of leprosy) lived. Since you only have a day in Agios Nikolaos and you want to save time, it is better to buy your tickets online.
Day 3-Go to the dream Voulisma Beach and Sitia
Voulisma beach is one of the best beaches in Crete and not by chance. It offers stunning mountain and ocean views. You will find this amazing beach just 15 kilometers outside of Agios Nikolaos. For us, it was one of the highlights of our Crete road trip. The turquoise waters and surrounding mountains make you not to want to leave the water, especially if you are an ocean lover. We visited early in June, on a weekday and it was really quiet with only a few people. But, the situation probably will not the same on weekends during the peak season. If you plan to visit at that time, make sure to arrive as early as possible. This beach is the perfect place to spend your summer day, as you can either spread your towel on the white sand, or pay for a sunbed at the beach bar.
Not far from Agios Nikolaos and Voulisma beach, you will find a quiet town called “Sitia”. You can end your day there enjoying a magical sunset by the sea. The 2 best beaches to visit are Sitia beach and Vai beach. The latter is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire island, mainly because of its tropical vibes. There are countless palm trees on this beach ! It depends on your preferences to choose which beach to spend your day on. As for us, we decided to spend our afternoon at Sitia beach, as we would like a rocky beach for sunset. However, you can choose Vai beach, in case you want a beach full of palm trees.
Day 4-Drive and spend the day in Chania
Chania is a unique place to visit, full of colors and vibes. It could also be the alternative starting point of your trip. Some of the most dreamy beaches of Crete are actually located very close to Chania, such as Balos and Elafonissi beach. But, we could not include them in our one week itinerary, as you would need more time to go to these beaches, since we started this itinerary from Heraklion. There are many things to do in one day in Chania, such as visiting the old Venetian harbor and lighthouse, strolling through the old town and of course enjoying your lunch or dinner overlooking the waterfront restaurants. The best time to walk around the old town and port of Chania is undoubtedly early in the morning or at sunset. As on the 4th day we have to drive to Chania, it is not possible to go out early for the sunrise. However, you can easily manage to watch the magical sunset.
Day 5- Spend the day at Seitan Limania Beach
You can consider Seitan Limania beach as one of the most special beaches to visit not only in Crete, but also in Greece. It offers stunning views, turquoise waters and huge rock formations. It is the perfect beach for adventures and hikers who love remote beaches. This beach is only accessible by car. That’s why we included it in this road trip itinerary ! At this beach, you will find a parking lot that fills up quickly during the summer peak season. Then, follow the path to get down to the beach. You have to hike a bit, so comfortable shoes are a must for this beach. Seitan Limania is secluded and there are no facilities. Be sure to bring your own food and water for a fun day at this wonderful beach.
Day 6-Head to South Crete to Chora Sfakion
Chora Sfakion or Sfakia is a small town on the south coast of Crete. It is the most authentic place we have visited on this road trip. This village is the capital of the mountainous region of Sfakia and is one of the most beautiful places in Greece. The white old houses, the Cretan mountains and the amazing view of the ocean make it a real gem. It has only 278 inhabitants and is the perfect place to explore if you want to immerse yourself in Greek history. There are a few cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops. Although it is a small remote place, there are many tourists every summer. So, we suggest you get there as early as possible to have it to yourself ! Access is quite easy. Chora Sfakion is located approximately 75 kilometers (1 hour 20 min) from the city of Chania. The sea and mountain views along the way will take your breath away.
Day 7-Return to Heraklion for departure from Crete
On your last day, you will drive back to Heraklion to drop off your car (if a rental car) and then catch your flight or ferry. Depending on the time you depart from Crete, you may have a few hours ahead. If so, we can’t recommend it enough to grab an iced coffee, take a last dip at any of Heraklion’s surrounding beaches, and then get ready to leave this unique island. You will return home with lifetime memories.
Final Thoughts
For us, the island of Crete is one of our favorite Greek islands and undoubtedly a must-visit island in Greece. The beautiful and diverse landscapes, the friendly locals, the delicious Cretan food and the overall atmosphere will NOT disappoint you. We hope you now have a better idea of how to organize your Crete road trip and of course what to expect from this trip. Remember that all that matters is having fun. So choose the places you really want to visit in these 7 days.
Don’t have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later ? Just pin it!
