Welcome to Crete, the largest Greek island, and a beautiful destination for a vacation! With a rental car, you can see everything the island has to offer in a short time. Indulge yourself in its history, culture, and landscapes. Alternate between cultural sights, Greek food at a taverna or a dip in the crustal-clear sea. Keep on reading to find out what highlights to visit during your road trip through Crete.
Pick up your rental car in Heraklion
Once you arrive by plane, you can pick up the rental car directly at the Heraklion airport counter. You can also choose to pick it up after exploring the city. Our experts share their top 3 sights to not miss in Heraklion:
- The Venetian harbor and Rocca a Mare
- The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
- The central market
Continue the road trip to Chania
As you drive along the breathtaking coastline to you next stop, you will pass various deserted beaches to stop along the way. Make a stop in the village Bali and take a refreshing dip in the beautiful turquoise sea. Your destination for today is Chania, a charming city known for its small alleys with traditional houses, souvenir shops and tavernas. The buildings are colorful, and there is also a Venetian harbor. Wander through the small and charming alleys and try authentic Greek dishes.
Explore the Samaria Gorge or the Imbros Gorge
Adventurers craving adrenaline are in the right place at the Samaria Gorge. Descend into the depths of the narrowest gorge in the world, surrounded by steep cliffs. At some places the gorge is only four meters wide with cliffs up to 500 meters. Put on your walking shoes, protect yourself from the sun and enjoy this special but challenging hike. You can park your car in Omalos, at the entrance (Xyloskalo) of the Samaria Gorge. Looking for a less extreme hike? The Imbros Gorge has an easier walkable route but still offers cliffs up to 300 meters. You can park your car in the parking lot at the official entrance of the gorge. Both gorges are quite famous, that is why it is wise to go early to secure a parking spot.
Relax in Rethymno and Spili
After the adrenaline rush, it is time for a well-deserved rest in the idyllic Rethymno. Enjoy the charming tavernas and local shops or take a dip in the sea. Near Rethymno is also a small mountain village called Spili. This mountain village is easily accessible by car and has nice terraces, shops, and an old church.
Visit Spinalonga in the East
A fun day trip is visiting the historical island Spinalonga. You can park your car in either Agios Nikalaos, Elounda or Plaka and take the boat to Spinalonga. Originally, the island was used for the defense of Greece with a large fortress. Later, it served as a refuge for leprosy patients. On the island there are exhibitions, but you can also visit the places where the leprosy patients lived. Including the houses, church, and hospital.
Return to Heraklion
End this beautiful road trip by enjoying the last bits of Greek sun on the beach. Return the car to your rental location in Heraklion, where you can spend your last days in the capital of Crete.
