Crete Road Trip

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the stunning landscape of Crete with the Crete Road Trip! This 5-day road trip starts and ends in Heraklion, the capital of Crete, and covers a distance of approximately 679km. The route leads you through some of the most beautiful towns in the region, such as Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Chania, and Rethimno. The best time to take this road trip is during spring and summer, when temperatures are mild and the days are long. Along the way, you will encounter some of the island's most famous historical sites, such as the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Venetian Castle of Rethymno, and the Samaria Gorge National Park. You will also have the opportunity to take in some of the most breathtaking landscapes and beaches in the Mediterranean. The roads in Crete are generally in good condition and the route is mostly flat with some curvy and narrow roads. However, due to the beautiful scenery and the numerous attractions, you will want to take your time and enjoy the trip. The Crete Road Trip offers an extraordinary experience and memories that will last a lifetime, and is suitable for drivers of all levels. Plus, it can be managed with a fair budget. So, hop in your car and get ready to explore the beauty of Crete!

Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is a must-see starting point for the Crete Road Trip. Located on the north coast of Crete, it is the largest city on the island and the fourth largest in Greece. Heraklion is home to many archaeological sites and museums, such as the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the most important archaeological collections in Europe. Here, visitors can explore the history of the Minoan civilization. Other sights to visit include Venetian fortifications, the Koules fortress, and the Church of St. Titus. Heraklion is served by Heraklion International Airport (HER), which is the closest international airport. It is connected with direct flights to major European cities. Car rental services are available at the airport, making it easy to start the Crete Road Trip. Heraklion is a vibrant city full of life, with many restaurants, shops, and cafes to explore. With its many historical and cultural sites, it is the perfect starting point to discover the beauty of Crete.

Embark on an unforgettable road trip from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos! This 63km journey will take you fewer than 2 hours, and along the way you will find some of the most interesting places to visit. Start off your trip in Heraklion, the largest city and the administrative capital of Crete. Here, you can explore the ancient ruins of the Venetian fortress, the Koules Castle, the Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum. Continue your journey towards Agios Nikolaos, a charming town with many attractions. Visit the lake Voulismeni, the Folklore Museum, the archaeological site of Olous, and the archaeological museum. Don't forget to check out the beautiful beaches and the picturesque harbor. Be aware that some sections of the road are narrow, so drive carefully! For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

Embark on a 111km road trip from Agios Nikolaos to Kato Zakros and explore the most interesting places in these locations. With a driving time of under 3 hours, you can enjoy a scenic road as you make your way through the winding roads and narrow sections of the route. Along the way, make sure to visit the picturesque Agios Nikolaos, with its beautiful lake and Venetian architecture, and Kato Zakros, home to the ancient Minoan Palace. With its stunning beaches and ancient ruins, it is the perfect place to explore and take in the culture of the region. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, the nearby caves and gorges offer plenty of opportunities for hiking and sightseeing. More information regarding attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route is available in the "Itinerary" of this stage. So, don't miss out on this memorable road trip and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

Embark on a road-trip through the stunningly beautiful Kato Zakros to Ierapetra! This 86 km route will take you less than two hours to complete, and along the way you will be amazed by the scenic road. In some sections, the road is very winding, and in other sections it is narrow, so pay attention when driving. You will pass through several charming villages, so be sure to take a break and explore the local culture. Kato Zakros is a great place to start your journey. Here you can explore the ruins of the Minoan Palace that dates back to the Bronze Age. After that, you can visit the nearby beach for a swim and a picnic. Your next stop is Ierapetra, a port city with an ancient history. Here you can take a stroll through the old town and visit the Venetian Fortress. You can also explore the nearby archaeological sites, such as the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapytna. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Embark on an exciting road trip from Ierapetra to Kokkinos Pirgos! This 120km journey will take you less than three hours to complete, and you'll be greeted with breathtaking views along the way. The road is winding in some sections, and narrow in others, so pay attention to the scenic road and enjoy the views! You'll pass by the beautiful beaches of Agia Fotia, Koutsounari, and Mochlos, where you can take a break and dip your toes in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. Once you reach Kokkinos Pirgos, you can explore the traditional village, with its cobbled streets, old churches, and traditional taverns. Be sure to also visit the nearby archaeological sites of Gournia and Palaikastro, where you can learn about the area's rich history. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check out the Itinerary of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

Embark on an exciting road trip from Kokkinos Pirgos to Chania! This 156 km drive will take you less than 4 hours, and you'll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful scenery in Greece. The winding roads of the countryside are sure to take your breath away, and the narrow sections will keep you on your toes. Along the way, you'll have the chance to explore some of the most interesting places in the region. In Kokkinos Pirgos, make sure to visit the Venetian Castle, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area. As you make your way to Chania, you'll pass through the villages of Kefali and Kolymbari, both of which have traditional Greek charm. When you reach Chania, you'll be able to explore the old town, the Venetian harbour, and the many picturesque beaches. For more information on attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage.

Embark on a road trip from Chania to Rethimno, a journey of 59 km that will take you less than two hours. As you drive, you will pass by some of the most fascinating sites of the Greek island of Crete. The first stop is the enchanting town of Chania, a beautiful settlement of Venetian architecture and a lively harbor. Here you can take a stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets, visit the Venetian Lighthouse and admire the exquisite churches. As you continue your journey, you will drive through the picturesque villages of Vamos and Gavalohori with their traditional stone houses and lush gardens. Enjoy the stunning views of the Cretan countryside and take a moment to admire the majestic White Mountains. The road will take you to the quaint village of Vrisses, where you can take a break and explore its old stone houses and the Venetian aqueduct. Be sure to keep an eye out for the narrow sections of the road, as you make your way to Rethimno. Finally, you will arrive at Rethimno, a beautiful town with Venetian and Ottoman architecture. Here you can explore the old city walls, the Venetian harbor and the archaeological museum. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the Itinerary of this stage. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s hit the road and explore the wonders of Chania and Rethimno!

Are you ready for an exciting road trip from Rethimno to Heraklion? This spectacular journey of 83km will take you less than 2 hours to complete. On the way, you will be delighted by the beautiful scenery of the area, so don't forget to take some pictures! Start your trip from Rethimno and make a stop to explore the old Venetian port, the Fortezza, and the picturesque alleys of the old city. Then, continue your journey to Heraklion, the largest city and the capital of Crete. Once you arrive, visit the Historical Museum of Crete, the Venetian Loggia, and the Koules Fortress. Make sure to take advantage of the amazing views of the city while you drive and also to take a few detours to explore the nearby villages. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your trip!

End your Crete Road Trip in Heraklion, a vibrant, historical port city in Greece! Heraklion is the capital of Crete and offers plenty of attractions and activities to make your final destination memorable. Visit the Venetian fortress of Koules, the old fortress of Kastelli, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, to experience the city’s long history. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Heraklion Prefecture in the nearby Koufonisi, a small island in the Aegean Sea with crystal clear waters. You can also explore the ancient Minoan archaeological sites of Knossos Palace, Phaistos Palace, and Malia Palace. If you’re looking for some relaxation, Heraklion is home to many lovely beaches including Ammoudara Beach, Amoudara Beach, and Psaromoura Beach. Afterwards, take a stroll in the city’s old Venetian harbor and enjoy the many cafes, restaurants and bars. Heraklion also has a lively nightlife with plenty of taverns, bars and nightclubs. Heraklion is served by the Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport (HER) which is only 5 km from the city center. The airport is the second largest in Greece and serves many domestic and international flights. End your Crete Road Trip in Heraklion and enjoy the city’s unique combination of history, culture, and natural beauty!

We believe that the presented journey idea has become an ideal inspiration for your future travels.
It is a ready-made option that can be conveniently turned into a longer tour – you can do literally anything you’d like.
If car travel is a travel mode that you prefer, there are a number of vital road rules to follow and a number of things to be mindful of to turn your adventure into pleasure. These tips will surely become useful for holidayers who opt for car hire or hiring a camper.
There are a number of road regulations to be followed while on a road trip around Greece. Alcohol is best to be avoided at all when Greece is your holiday destination. Travellers should remember that the amount of alcohol that can be consumed is very low and cannot exceed 0.5‰. Never exceed the allowed speed limit around the city streets, which is 50km/h. When travelling around non-build-up-areas, you should stick to the maximum allowed speed of 90km/h. Exceeding the speed limit of 130km/h. Having a fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your car and driving with your headlights on at daytime increase the safety of your passengers.
The majority of holidaymakers wonder about the costs of the whole trip. The total cost of the whole adventure may vary depending on the budget option of your choice. A wide range of budget configurations is showed below.
We estimate that the budget option when it comes to fuel to cover the planned 8 stages while travelling around Greece may cost roughly 88 EUR. Travel expenses connected with economy overnight stays will cost up to roughly 198 EUR. When it comes to the travel expenses connected with food and restaurants in this offer, the average expenses are 240 EUR. Travellers will have to pay approximately 135 EUR if they choose the cheapest car hire option as well. Thus, going for vehicle rental will increase the expenses of the road trip from more or less 526 EUR to around 661 EUR.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 88 EUR to cover the planned stages of the road trip. If you are into standard accommodation options, expect that the expenses may amount up to more or less 330 EUR. Holidaymakers can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost roughly 360 EUR. Travellers who are also interested in a standard car rental should expect a cost of around 225 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total around 1,040 EUR for travellers who would like to try vehicle hire and 815 EUR for those who are not interested in rental.
Holidaymakers who seek the highest level of convenience will be pleased with the premium offer. When it comes to this offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total about 1,978 EUR for holidaymakers who are considering vehicle hire and 815 EUR for those who do not need a hire car. Travellers who want to cover the road trip in a premium hire car should expect a cost of roughly 675 EUR. When it comes to the top standard configuration of the road trip, the gasoline cost will be up to about 163 EUR. Drivers who are considering top services in all aspects of their itinerary should expect to pay more or less 660 EUR for accommodation options and about 480 EUR for restaurants and food.
Our tour can be easily adjusted to the requirements of all camper fans. If you choose this mode of transport, you should expect the costs of approximately 1,125 EUR. Camper fans will spend about 188 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the road trip. Tourists who are interested in camper rental should expect to pay approximately 275 EUR for overnight stays and about 240 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the above details in a simple way.
There are numerous intriguing road trips that are available on our website if Crete Road Trip has inspired you. The broad spectrum of options will surely match up the expectations of the most demanding tourists.