Self-Drive Tour of Crete: Explore Ancient Sites, Beaches & Charming Towns

from $604

Duration

8 days

Type

Self Drive

Difficaulty

Very Easy

Reviews

(4)

4.35 /5

About This Tour

To Greeks, Crete is the Megalonissi (Great Island), a hub of spectacular ancient art and architecture. Fabled as the land of King Minos, it is a unique world where civilization is counted by the millennium. From every point of view, travellers discover landscapes of amazing variety. Mountains split with deep gorges and honeycombed with caves, rise in sheer walls from the sea. Snow-capped peaks loom behind sandy shorelines, vineyards, and olive groves. Miles of beaches, some with a wealth of amenities and others isolated and unspoiled, fringe the coast.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Heraklion: the hometown and resting place of Nikos Kazantzakis, is the largest town of Crete. It distinguishes itself for its impressive fortress, the Venetian port and the fish taverns along the waterfront.

Chania: Stroll the romantic streets of Chania, admire its medieval architecture, elegant mansions and the wonderful Venetian port, the most famous spot in the town.

Rethymnon: one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Greece, the perfect combination of orthodox and Catholic churches, mosques, majestic mansions of Venetian architecture, arches and cobbled paths which create a magical atmosphere.

Agios Nikolaos: sitting partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara, this coastal town is different from all other towns in Crete.

Destinations

Agios Nikolaos, Chania, Elounda, Irakleion, Rethymno, Sitia

Activities

Accessibility

Language

Themes

Arts / Culture

Max People

Operator

Destination Services Greece

Inclusions

ACCOMMODATION:

7 nights´ hotel accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-2 Heraklion

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic or similar 3*

Day 3-4 Chania

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Arkadi or similar 3*

Day 5 Rethymnon

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic Palladium or similar 3*

Day 6-7 Agios Nikolaos

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Apollon or similar 3*

CAR HIRE OPTIONS

Car Group A = Nissan Pixo A/C or similar

Car Group B = Fiat Panda or similar

Car Group C = Skoda Fabia or similar

MEALS:

7 Breakfasts

CAR HIRE:

7-Day care hire
Pick-up and drop-off at Crete International Airport
Unlimited mileage
Full insurance package with zero excess and VAT (CDW, theft protection, third party insurance and fire protection)

Exclusions

Tour guide
Entrance fees
Visa fees
Domestic flights
International flights
Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
Optional tours (if any)
Overnight city tax for the hotel overnights effective from January 1st 2018. Clients will have to pay the TAX on the spot at the hotels
Any visit not mentioned in the program
Porterage and gratuities
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

CAR HIRE EXCLUSIONS & RESTRICTIONS:

The insurance does not cover all damages caused to the vehicle while using it on a non–asphaltic road (i.e. Balos) or when violating the traffic law (i.e. driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, exceeding the speed limit, red light etc.)
Insurance paid on the spot: for Glass insurance coverage and coverage for tires and under part of the car
Age Restrictions: Drivers must be between 21-68 years old. The renter must own and present a valid driving license for at least 12 months prior to rental
After working hours: Deliveries and collections between 21:00-23:30hrs and 23:30-07:00 hrs will be charged extra
One way fee: There is a charge for one way rentals
Deliveries and collections to hotels will be charged extra depending on the location of the hotel

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 ARRIVAL CRETE / CAR-PICK UP – HERAKLION (3km – 15min)

Upon arrival at Heraklion International Airport, make your way to the car rental office and pick-up your vehicle. Drive to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 2 HERAKLION

Enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast at the hotel. Start the morning with a walk through the capital of Crete, Heraklion. Visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum which is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece, and among the most important museums in Europe. Continue by car to the most famous and popular of all attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. A journey back 5000 years into myths and legends and learn secrets of the oldest civilisation in Europe, the Minoans.
Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 3 HERAKLION – CHANIA (141km – 2hrs)

After recharging your energies with breakfast at the hotel, drive to Chania town. Chania is a great town for just walking around. It has a gorgeous harbour front. Try starting in the harbour’s eastern edge in the marina, where the Venetian boatyards are and maybe have your eye on a dockside tavern for later. If you are up to it you can walk out to the Egyptian lighthouse from here but definitely do this before dark because it can be a little bumpy. From the lighthouse, you have a great view of the main harbour.
Overnight in Chania.

Day 4 CHANIA – ELAFONISSI – CHANIA (165km – 4hrs)

Start early in the morning with your car towards the south-west to Elafonissi. Elafonissi ( some people also call it Elafonissos or Elafonissi ) is something like an island and a peninsula because to reach the island you have to walk through the sea. What characterizes the area of Elafonissos and makes it such an exotic place, are the little sand islets formed, the shallow turquoise waters of the sea, which at a point looks like a lagoon, and certainly the fine white sand, pinkish at several spots because of the crushed shell powder.
Overnight in Chania.

Day 5 CHANIA – RETHYMNON (65km – 1hr)

Indulge in a tasty breakfast at the hotel before check-out. Drive to Rethymnon and after settle in your room, discover the beautiful old town and harbour and explore the winding back streets. This will be a day full of discovery, beautiful scenery, and interesting history.
Overnight in Rethymnon.

Day 6 RETHYMNON – AGIOS NIKOLAOS – ELOUNDA – SPINALONGA – AGIOS NIKOLAOS (160km – 2.5hrs)

Have breakfast at the hotel and check-out before driving to your next destination: Agios Nikolaos. Located just a 10-minute drive down the coast from Agios Nikolaos, Voulisma Beach is a spectacular, shallow beach with clear turquoise water. It is considered one of Crete's best beaches for its curving ribbon of soft sand backed by cliff walls. One of the best places for shopping is 28is Oktovriou, a pedestrian street just back from the port and the lake, where you can find a wide range of stores that cater to tourists. Other stores line the waterfront of the port area. Continue by car to the small fishing village Elounda where you can take a small boat to the island Spinalonga, which is one of the better- known features in Crete and the location of the top-selling novel “The Island” (author Victoria Hislop). It was a former leaper colony (until 1957) and Venetian fortress and has centuries of history.
Overnight in Agios Nikolaos.

Day 7 AGIOS NIKOLAOS – SITIA – AGIOS NIKOLAOS (190km – 4hrs)

Sitia is a small and pleasant coastal town, built in a semicircle on the western side of the Bay of Sitia, a typical, peaceful Mediterranean port. Close to Sitia is the Monastery of Toplou – It is a historical monastery of the 15th century, which collapsed in the earthquake of 1612 and was rebuilt with the financial aid of the Venetians. During the Ottoman conquest of Crete, the monastery was destroyed and devastated by the Turks. Continue east for Vai is famous for its palm forest located right on the beach. It is the largest palm forest in Crete and these palms are endemic Cretan palms (Phoenix theophrasti).
Overnight in Agios Nikolaos.

Day 8 AGIOS NIKOLAOS – CAR DROP-OFF/ DEPARTURE CRETE (60km – 1hr)

Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Heraklion International airport and return your car hire and enjoy your flight home!

Meeting / Pickup

Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

What to Bring

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Crete. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.

Please Note

Please note that this tour is a suggested itinerary. While the sites listed may be visited independently, the package does not cover any applicable entrance or tour fees
Please consider that the driving times and distances are estimated and that they can vary because of many circumstances, such as the specific route is taken, hotel location, traffic, weather, road conditions, etc.
We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed

Cancellation Policy

We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 20 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 30% if booking is cancelled 30 days or less before the event

Reviews

4.35/5

Wonderful

4 verified reviews

Location (4.25/5)

Amenities (4/5)

Services (4.25/5)

Price (4.75/5)

Rooms (4.5/5)

4 Comments

Kofi January 6, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Exploring the charming towns and ancient sites of Crete on our self-drive adventure was truly a highlight, with stunning beaches serving as the perfect backdrop for our journey. While we loved indulging in local cuisine, we did find some roads a bit challenging, which slightly dampened our experience.
TrekLover September 29, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
We had a wonderful time exploring Crete over eight days, driving through the stunning countryside and visiting ancient sites that truly brought history to life. Each charming town we stopped in offered unique local flavors, and the beaches were a perfect way to unwind after our daily adventures. Our accommodations were comfortable and well-located, making it easy to access both attractions and lovely eateries. One drawback was the occasional difficulty in navigating some rural roads, but it added to the adventure. Overall, this trip was a fantastic blend of culture, relaxation, and family bonding.
Richard Wolf May 15, 2024
4.2
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Driving through sun-soaked landscapes and winding roads was a highlight of my trip, especially while discovering charming towns filled with vibrant local markets. I found myself enchanted by ancient ruins that whispered stories of the past, while the serene beaches offered a perfect spot to unwind with fresh seafood that felt like a feast for the senses. My only hiccup was the occasional difficulty finding parking in busier areas, but that hardly overshadowed the joy of exploring this beautiful slice of the world at my own pace.
Patricia Moore February 18, 2025
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our week-long adventure through Crete was packed with charm and discovery, especially when we visited the ancient ruins of Knossos. One of our favorite moments was lounging on the stunning Elafonissi Beach, with its pink sands and clear waters, providing the perfect backdrop for relaxation after a day of exploring. We really appreciated staying at a cozy hotel in Heraklion, which offered a warm atmosphere and easy access to local tavernas. However, the driving directions could sometimes be a bit tricky, leading us on a few unexpected detours. Overall, the blend of history, beautiful beaches, and quaint towns made our trip unforgettable!