Upon arrival, pick up your car and head east away from the city without delay. The road gradually opens up to views of the sea, and the first hour in Crete will give you an idea of how beautiful the coastline awaits you in the coming days.

Heraklion isn't a city where you'd want to spend entire days. But if you arrive early or are returning with time to spare, it's a very pleasant place for a 1-2 hour stop.

Agios Nikolaos is a town you'll fall in love with, located in the beautiful Mirabello Bay and is one of the prettiest towns in eastern Crete. Narrow streets, the harbor, cafes, and a relaxed atmosphere are ideal for the first evening after your journey.

This place is added so you can find the pier where the boats depart and parking for your car. 

The former Venetian fortress and later leprosarium lies on a small island opposite Plaka. In addition to a powerful story, you can expect beautiful views of the turquoise sea and stone streets between the ramparts.

Park at the harbor – there are several small parking lots and spaces along the road. It's usually not a problem in the morning.

 Boats to Spinalonga

• Boats run approximately every 30 minutes
• The cruise takes about 15 minutes
• Tickets can be purchased directly at the stands in the port (no reservation needed)
• You pay for the boat separately and the entrance to the island separately

Indicative prices

Boat: approx. €10–15 return

Entrance to the island: approx. €8

Allow about 1.5 hours on the island. You will walk through the fortress, go up the ramparts and enjoy the views.

After returning by boat, get in your car and drive to the peninsula opposite Elounda. The approach is via a dirt road, but passable by a normal car. Park at the end of the road. Then it's about a 10-minute walk to the bay.

The water here is incredibly clear and turquoise. Minimal people, no taverns, just nature and tranquility.

A short stop along the way. A fortress monastery in an absolutely barren landscape.

Vai is one of the biggest surprises of all of Crete. Suddenly you are standing by a beach where you don't have olive trees or rocks behind you, but a real palm grove. Turquoise water, sand and palm trees create a scenery that is more reminiscent of the Caribbean than the Mediterranean. And that's why it's a place worth stopping at, even if it's a bit off the main routes.

You park in the official parking lot directly above the beach. From here, a short path leads down to the palm trees and the sea. But before you go swimming, do one important thing: go up to the viewpoint above the beach (to the right of the entrance).

It's about a 2-minute walk and from there you'll see that iconic view of the entire palm grove, turquoise sea and coastline.

Practical tips

• Parking is paid (€ a couple), but convenient and large
• There are sunbeds, showers and a small bar

If you don't mind a really packed schedule, you can also add Zakros to your points today (if you prefer a quieter option, you can stay a little longer on the palm beach and then continue straight to Ierapetra. 

Zakros
The Valley of the Dead is one of the most peculiar places in eastern Crete. The steep cliffs are full of small caves that served as Minoan tombs. The whole valley feels raw, parched and very dramatic - the complete opposite of the turquoise beaches you saw today. And that contrast is why it's worth stopping here briefly.

Enter into navigation: Zakros Gorge Viewpoint. You will stop directly by the road.

Ierapetra lies on the southern coast by the Libyan Sea and has a completely different atmosphere than the north of the island. The landscape is drier, the air is warmer, there are very few tourists, and you feel like you are closer to Africa than Europe.

What to do here in the evening

• Walk along the sea: A long promenade with palm trees, taverns, and views of the open sea runs along the coast. There is beautiful light and tranquility in the evening.
• Old Town: A few streets with white houses, flowers, and cafes. Small but very authentic.
• Kales Fortress: A small Venetian fortress right by the harbor. A quick photo stop at sunset.

Chrissi is a small, uninhabited island about 15 km south of Ierapetra. The water here is incredibly shallow and turquoise, the sand is light, and there is an old cedar grove growing among the beaches. It is one of the most beautiful swimming spots in all of Crete and also a place where strict nature protection rules need to be respected.

Due to overload by mass tourism, entry to the island is prohibited during the season (May - October) from 2022. Now, only non-landing cruises from Ierapetra are permitted. Boats are allowed to anchor in designated swimming zones around Belegrina beach - even so, a swimming visit is worth it.
You can purchase a boat trip here (variants are without lunch or with lunch).

If you don't want to book a trip in advance, you can ask in the harbor in the evening for the next day. 

After returning around 3:00 PM, you'll get in the car and embark on a beautiful drive across the mountains towards the west. This is one of the most photogenic routes in all of Crete. The road winds through the mountains, offering views into the valleys and minimal traffic.

Allow approximately 2–2.5 hours of driving with short photo stops.

Matala is a small town on the south coast that has a completely different atmosphere than the rest of Crete. Above the beach rise rocky cliffs full of caves where hippies from all over the world lived in the 60s. Today, Matala is a relaxed, colorful and somewhat bohemian stop with beautiful sunsets.

What awaits you here in the evening

• Beach under the caves - Pebble and sand beach right under the rocks. Just go down to the water, take a short swim and wait for the sunset.
• Caves in the rocks - Formerly Minoan tombs, later homes of hippies. Today they are accessible as an archaeological site. Entrance fee a few €. Closing time in the afternoon (usually around 18:00). If you don't have time, just look from the beach – it's just as impressive
• Streets of Matala - Small colorful shops, cafes, music, relaxed atmosphere. It really comes alive here in the evening.

If you missed the caves yesterday or only saw them from a distance at sunset, morning is the perfect time. Take a dip in the sea before your day trip and you're good to go!

The Palace of Knossos is the most important archaeological site in Crete and the main center of the Minoan civilization, considered the first advanced culture in Europe. It is located about 5 km southeast of the city of Heraklion and its size and complexity represent the peak of the Bronze Age on the island. You can spend a really long time here, if you are real enthusiasts you can take a guided tour.

The palace is open all year round (8:00–20:00 in summer, 8:00 - 17:00 in winter).

Knossos is extensive, so we have prepared an ideal tour sequence:

1. Central Courtyard – an idea of the size of the palace
2. Grand Staircase and Living Quarters – architecture, light
3. Throne Room – the most famous room with frescoes of griffins
4. Warehouses with giant pithoi vessels – you will realize the extent of civilization
5. Northern entrance and frescoes of bulls

Don't forget: 

• Water (there is minimal shade)
• Cap / hat + apply sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes (stony surface)

After a day full of transfers, you arrive in perhaps the most beautiful city in Crete.

Start at the port: Head to the water and simply walk around the entire harbor. Pastel houses, boats, cafes, and reflections of light on the surface – exactly the image you will associate with Chania. Walk to the lighthouse: You can reach the end of the harbor along the stone pier. On one side the open sea, on the other a calm bay and the city behind you. It is most beautiful at dusk and after dark. On the way, you will pass the Janissaries Mosque: It is an iconic building right on the waterfront, which is beautifully lit in the evening. When you get hungry, sit in any tavern by the water. It's hard to choose badly in Chania.

Balos is a place that people travel to Crete for. The shallow lagoon with white sand and unbelievably turquoise water looks more like the Maldives than the Mediterranean. The water is shallow for a long time, so you can walk through the lagoon dozens of meters from the shore, and the colors change with every step. But the best part awaits you even before swimming. You walk the last few hundred meters to the lagoon on foot from the viewpoint above – and that's where the iconic view is, the one you know from photos. Be sure to leave time for it.

What's the best way to get there?

Option 1 – By car on a dirt road + on foot (most common)

You will drive a long dirt road from the village of Kaliviani (8 km). It is dusty, slow, and quite bumpy in places, but passable by a normal car. Just drive really slowly (allow about 30 minutes for this section). There is a toll to pay here – so it's good to have cash with you. It is also good to keep in mind that insurance does not cover most rental cars here.

At the end, you park and face about 20-30 minutes walk downhill to the viewpoint and then down to the lagoon. Because of this section, we recommend taking sandals or other sturdier shoes instead of flip-flops.

Advantage: cheapest and most time-flexible option.

Disadvantage: dusty road and climb back up in the heat.

On the way back, you can use a donkey taxi to take you back up.

Option 2 – By boat from Kissamos Port (most comfortable)

Boats sail directly to Balos from Kissamos Port, often with a stop on Gramvousa Island. You don't have to deal with dirt roads or parking, and you arrive directly at the lagoon from the sea. You can book boat trip tickets in advance here.   

Advantage: comfort, no difficult journey, beautiful arrival from the water.

Disadvantage: you are tied to the boat times and there are more people at the same time.

The Samaria Gorge is the most popular trek in Crete. It is a day-long trek from the plateau in the mountains to the sea. You can expect about 16 km mostly downhill, dramatic cliffs, narrow spots called "Iron Gates," and the feeling that you are walking one of the most beautiful treks in Europe.

And most importantly: you can't return from the gorge by car. At the end, you'll reach a village by the sea, and from there, you must continue by boat + bus/transfer back.

While organizing the departure and arrival by car is not impossible, an organized bus trip from Chania will save you a lot of trouble, we recommend this one. 

What you need to know in advance:

• The entrance to the gorge closes around 3:00 PM – you need to set off in time.
• The last boats have fixed times – keep an eye on them.
• Bring cash for the boat and the entrance fee.
• Sturdy shoes are a must. Most of the route is rocky.
• Less water is enough – there are springs along the way.
• The trek is long but technically undemanding. The difficulty lies mainly in the length.

How the whole day goes if you drive:

In the morning (very early), you drive to the Omalos plateau to the entrance of the gorge (Xyloskalo). Here you park, buy your ticket, and head down. The descent itself takes most people 5-7 hours, depending on the pace, taking photos, and breaks. Halfway there is a spring with drinking water, several rest areas, and the shade of the forest. In the afternoon, you will reach the village of Agia Roumeli by the Libyan Sea. Here you can finally swim, and that feeling after 16 km is priceless.

Then comes the crucial part:

From Agia Roumeli, a ferry departs to the port of Chora Sfakion (sometimes with a transfer). In Sfakia, a transfer back awaits you (must be arranged). 

Therefore, we strongly recommend an organized trip, which doesn't cost much but saves you a lot of logistics. 

Falassarna Beach - an ideal alternative to a gorge trek. If you don't want to do the 16 km Samaria Gorge trek, treat yourself to a day that's the exact opposite - minimal logistics, maximum relaxation by the sea. Falassarna is located on the open west coast and is a completely different type of beach than Balos or Elafonissi. No lagoons and shallows, but a long, wide sandy beach, clear water and a sense of space. Even in high season, you can easily find a place where there is no one around you.

How the day will go

In the morning, you'll set off from Chania on a leisurely drive through olive groves. You park a few meters from the beach and you're in the water in no time. Nothing is solved here - just swimming, relaxing and long walks on the sand. Around noon, you can take a detour to the tavern above the beach for lunch and return to the sea in the afternoon. If the wind is blowing, there are pleasant waves. If it is calm, the water is clear and ideal for swimming. You can stay until sunset. Falassarna is one of the best places in Crete to watch it - the sun sets directly into the sea.

Practical tips

• Parking is right by the beach.
• Sunbeds, showers and taverns are available.
• A great choice when you don't want a challenging day or when your feet hurt after the previous program.
• Works perfectly even on windy days when the lagoons on other beaches are choppy.

Elafonisi is not "just a beach". It is a huge shallow lagoon where you walk through the water tens of meters from the shore, the sand has a pink tinge, and the water plays with all shades of turquoise. From the parking lot, you arrive at the first part of the beach, but the best thing is to cross the shallows to the small island opposite. There are fewer people, more space, and even more beautiful colors there. Take your things in your hands and just walk through the water.

What your day will look like

Leave from Chania as early as possible in the morning. The road is mountainous, winding, and beautiful in itself – views of gorges and the sea. The sooner you arrive, the emptier the lagoon you will experience. Spend the morning swimming and walking through the shallows. Around noon, you can move to the dunes and cedar grove, where there is natural shade. In the afternoon, return to the water, when the light brings out the pink hues of the sand the most. If you are not in a hurry, stay until late afternoon. Elafonisi is even more beautiful with fewer people.

Practical tips

• Arrive early. After 10 a.m., the parking lot fills up quickly.
• Bring plenty of water and a snack. There are a few stalls here, but the prices are higher.
• Water shoes are useful – there are pebbles in places.
• Don't just stay on the first beach near the parking lot. Cross the lagoon to the other side.
• If a strong wind is blowing from the west, the water may be choppy – in that case, stick to the shallows near the islet.

Seitan Limania is exactly the kind of place that most tourists overlook, but when you come here, your jaw will drop. A narrow, winding bay cut deep into the white cliffs, water so turquoise it looks unreal, and a small beach below, reached by a steep path. It lies on the Akrotiri peninsula not far from Chania, but it feels like you're on a completely different island. The road here leads between bare hills, and the last few meters are more like a mountain road than access to a beach. And that's why the locals guard this place so closely.

You park up by the road, and from there you can see that iconic view down into the bay. Then you have about 10–15 minutes of careful descent down a rocky path. It's not long, but it's steep and slippery.

Down below, a small stretch of beach and incredibly clear water await you. Most people don't stay long – and that's why you'll often experience much more peace and quiet here than on the more famous beaches. From the cliffs on the right, you can jump into the sea from a pretty decent height. 

Practical tips

• Sturdy shoes for the way down are a very good idea.
• Take food and water - it's that kind of hidden gem where there's nothing else.

Rethymno has a completely different atmosphere than Chania. It is airier, calmer and more "beach-like". The old town is full of Venetian houses and narrow streets, but right behind them stretches a sandy beach several kilometers long. You can move from historical corners straight to the sea in a few minutes.

If you want a souvenir, this is the perfect place to buy it - you will find shops with natural olive soaps! Your friends will love you for them :-)

If you arrive in Heraklion with time to spare, you can still stop at one of the best archaeological museums in Greece and see the original artifacts from Knossos.

Heraklion Airport is quite small and very busy during the season. It is therefore worth arriving with a time buffer and not leaving anything to the last minute.