Tips to Plan an Unforgettable Road Trip in Crete!
Fool-proof and flexible guide to plan a road trip in Crete: Tips and suggestions to better tour Crete island by car, including a map and photos.
📍 Must-do: Balos Cruise 📍 Knossos Palace 📍 Check rental car rates for Crete 🚗
If you’ve been following my articles about Crete, you already know I always suggest discovering Crete by car. With so much to see and do, the best way to discover the island is to take a road trip. By car, you’ll be able to see the best beaches and the most stunning mountains. You’ll be free from schedules to explore historic sites, ruins, monasteries, and incredibly beautiful villages.
This guide is a great tool for preparing to see the best of Crete and discover unique, off-the-beaten-track places.
Road trip in Crete: Essential things to know
The more you read about Crete, the more you want to visit many places on the island. And if this is your first trip to Crete, I understand your enthusiasm.
However, you don’t want to forget that the island is big and the landscape mostly consists of mountains. On Crete, there are bendy and narrow roads, and speeding is never a good idea. So, it’s better to start by planning every step of your trip.
If you’re still uncertain about which regions to visit, check out these top 50 things to do in Crete before booking anything. They will help you decide what you want to see.
These are important tips to remember before sketching your road trip to Crete. They will save you time and give you a better idea of what to expect.
📌 ROADS
Most roads in Crete are in good condition. It’s important to remember that the northern coast is well connected through the National Road, while the southern coast is more isolated, and driving times tend to be longer.
The National Road (also known as BOAK or A90 on road signs) connects the four main cities of Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos, as well as important towns such as Kissamos in the west, and Sitia in the east.
📌 LANDSCAPE
Crete is more than 80% mountains; therefore, roads are rarely straight. Driving from North to South implies endless hairpin turns, tunnels, cliffs, and bends.
Mountain roads require a little skill and extra time. There can be unexpected animal traffic or rocks on the way, and some roads might be closed in extreme weather conditions (it usually snows in winter). To play it safe, always overestimate when establishing driving times.
Likewise, you cannot drive everywhere. Especially on the southern coast, some villages (for instance, Loutro or Agia Roumeli) can only be reached on foot or by boat.
📌 TIME ON THE ROAD
For the reasons stated above, but also because Crete is really big, crossing the island from west to east can take 4 to 6 hours, depending on how many times you stop along the way.
📌 TOLLS
It’s still free to drive on Crete, no matter what road you choose!
📌 WHEN TO VISIT
The island is packed with tourists from late June until mid-September. July and August are usually overcrowded.
Most visitors rent a car to travel the island in summer, so traffic tends to be heavy on the National Road. There will also be more long-distance buses and private vans during this period.
However, the roads leading to lesser-known villages are not so overcrowded. The roads to the most popular beaches, including Balos and Elafonisi, are usually jam-packed.
😉 RELATED ARTICLE
→ Guide to driving and renting a car in Crete
What destinations to include in your Crete road trip
4 different regions make up the island of Crete, from west to east. They are Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, which also hosts Crete’s capital, and Lasithi.
You can decide exactly where to go according to the holiday you prefer. Below is a quick overview of the highlights in every region.
Chania Region
Chania is the second most important region of the island. It’s located in the west and features fascinating beaches. Famous beaches include Balos, Falasarna, Elafonisi, and Paleochora.
The region is also home to a beautiful old town and some wild, hidden beaches.
You can also hike the spectacular gorge of Samaria (or choose a more accessible mountain hike, such as Imbros Gorge). In the Chania region, the mountain areas of Therisos and Sfakia are perfect places to learn about ancient local traditions.
Some of the places in the region can be only accessed by boat (or walking), such as the fantastic fishing villages of Agia Roumeli and Loutro.
→ Read more: 52 Things to Do in Chania Region
Rethymnon Region
Rethymnon is located between Chania and Heraklion, and it’s a favorite place for holidays. Rethymnon is a popular place to stay if you want to explore a bit of every region by car.
South Rethymnn features some stunning beaches, such as Triopetra, Plakias, Preveli, Ligres, Agia Galini, and Agios Pavlos. Mountain villages you can visit include the traditional Anogeia and the fantastic Spili.
The region has several monasteries to visit, including the famous Moni Arkadi and Moni Preveli. Rethymnon is also home to Crete’s highest peak, Mount Psiloritis, 2456 meters above sea level.
Seaside resorts on the northern coast, such as Panormos and Bali are popular villages for those looking for a more organized holiday. On the north coast of Rethymnon, don’t miss the old town with its stunning Fortress and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.
→ Read more: 52 Things to Do in Rethymnon Region
Heraklion Region
Besides hosting the capital of the island, Heraklion is also a fantastic city with countless things to do. It hasbeautiful beaches, theme parks for children, and an active nightlife. But, above all, Heraklion is the best region to visit if you love history.
In the region, you’ll find the archaeological sites of Knossos, Malia, and Phaistos, three of the four Minoan palaces on the island.
You can also check out unique museums, the hippie Matala, the Cretaquarium, and fantastic wineries in Heraklion’s wine region.
→ Read more: 52 Things to Do in Heraklion Region
Lasithi Region
Lasithi hosts one of the most beautiful landscapes in Crete. Although the region is somewhat overlooked and forgotten, there are plenty of things to do on the north and south coasts.
Moreover, Lasithi is a region that perfectly fits any road trip, with endless empty roads and awe-inspiring scenes. For instance, the stunning Lasithi Plateau is one of the most beautiful scenic drives on the island.
On the northern coast, you can explore cities such as Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. In the south, Ierapetra is the perfect town to stay if you include a boat trip to Chrissi in your Crete itinerary.
→ Read more: 52 Things to Do in Lasithi Region
The four regions of Crete on a map
When to visit Crete: Pick a date
Crete is an amazing destination any time of the year, however, consider these if you need to decide when to take that road trip in Crete.
Summer in Crete
If you’re bound to Crete during your summer holidays (like most European travelers), your most obvious advantage is that knowing your available dates in advance, you can purchase your tickets and book accommodation with plenty of time. This usually allows you to save, cutting on high last-minute fees.
You will also get a better deal for your car rental and a wider car category choice. Looking for a car through a powerful search engine gives you a wider choice.
Fall in Crete
If you’re free to come any time, late September and October are great months to visit Crete. Cities and attractions are less crowded, finding accommodation is easier, and the sea will be still warm for long swims. The weather is generally quite good for long road trips in Crete.
Spring in Crete
Most hotels and tourist places start opening in March. However, don’t expect the island to be completely open until after Easter (always remember that Greece celebrates Orthodox Easter and that the dates change from Catholic Easter. Check this information in advance).
April, May, and early June are good months to visit, the sea is not quite warm yet, but the roads aren’t overcrowded. There’s almost no rain. The weather is especially pleasant for walks and outdoor activities.
Winter in Crete
Not many tourists make it to Crete during winter, although the island is starting to receive people wanting to experience Christmas on the island. However, many travelers are willing to escape the colder European winter… but that’s not the only reason to visit Crete in winter!
In winter, days are shorter, it can rain, it can snow in the mountains, and the temperatures are a bit chilly, yet, it’s easy to experience pleasant temperatures and plenty of sunshine as well. Although some ferry routes and mountain passes can be closed, you can tour a good portion of Crete in winter.
How much time do you need to tour Crete?
If you have just less than a week to visit Crete, forget the hassle and focus on one region only. Otherwise, you’ll be running from one place to another unable to enjoy a road trip in Crete. A whole week might give you more time to visit one region and do a few day trips to neighboring areas.
In my opinion, the best part of any road trip is the freedom you have when you’re driving around. No tight schedule will ever match such an experience.
😉 RELATED ARTICLE
→ How Big Is Crete? Distances and Travel Times Explained
You need at least 10 days to visit two (maximum three) regions, and even better if you have two weeks available. But it’s much, much better if the weeks available are three. You could discover so many interesting places!
If you decide to take it easy and explore one region at a time, there’s plenty you’ll be able to discover. In general, I suggest you devote 2-4 days to Heraklion, 5-7 days to the Chania region, 3-5 days to the Rethymnon region, and 5-7 days to Lasithi. You can do everything in fewer days, but times on the road will seem longer.
Ok, now that you know how much time to spend, where to go, and when to visit, let’s get to the fun part of planning your road trip!
Getting to the island: Travel to Crete
I’ve just published a great guide with every detail to travel to Crete by plane or ferry. It covers European flights and flights coming from the US, Canada, Australia, and Israel, among other areas.
It also includes a detailed explanation for those traveling to Crete from Athens by air or sea.
Discover how to travel to Crete. You can bookmark that guide and read it later. Now, keep in mind these important tips and two basic options:
Travel to Crete by plane
This option will save you extra travel time.
- The main airport is in Heraklion, but the Chania airport is also a great arrival point in summer. Choose the best place to arrive and depart from to plan your itinerary accordingly.
- It’s a great idea to arrive at one airport and depart from the other if you drive around the island.
- If you’re not coming from Europe, you will land in Athens. From there, it’s a 45-minute flight to Chania or Heraklion.
- Save even more time picking up your rental car at the airport. Choose a company allowing you to drop off your car at a different airport when it’s time to fly home.
- Greek carriers flying to Crete are Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air.
Travel to Crete by ferry
Considered the most traditional way to travel in Greece, it’s a great experience to sail from Athens on an overnight ferry to Crete.
- Those coming by car from the rest of Europe can board a ferry and drive their car on the island!
- The route Athens (Piraeus)- Heraklion/Chania takes 7-9 hours, Most ferries depart at night, although morning ferries depart in summer.
- The main port is in Heraklion, while the port of Chania is also quite busy in summer. As you can do with planes, arriving and departing from different ports is a good idea.
- If you rent a car, choose a company that allows different pick-up and drop-off points.
Renting a car for your Crete road trip
The first thing you should do is go and check this useful driving and car rental in Crete guide. It includes every detail for a hassle-free driving experience on the island. You can also bookmark it and read it later.
Essential things to remember
- Despite what car companies might suggest, a small car is the best way to tour the narrow roads.
- Small cars are okay to drive on off-road paths. If you don’t believe me, look at the cars that locals own! A 1.3 engine will be more than enough even in the mountains. The Fiat Panda, Suzuki Celerio, and Hyundai i10 are the most popular compact cars. Don’t feel they’re too small unless you have lots of luggage—they aren’t!
- There’s absolutely no need to rent a 4WD, but of course, it’s thrilling, so if your budget allows, go for it!
- It’s hard to get an automatic car. If this is an absolute must for you, rent well in advance and be ready to pay extra.
- Extra insurance is not really necessary, but it’s always advisable for peace of mind. Book an extra-driver option if you plan to drink the stunning local wines and spirits!
Car rental companies
- It’s a good idea to trust a car rental search engine to discover all the car rental possibilities you have on the island. Comparison and research are made including both local and international companies for you to find the best deal. Compare prices for rental cars in Crete here.
🚘 THE BEST WAY TO SEE CRETE IS BY CAR 🚘
Compare international car companies in Crete, or trust a reliable local company like Retyhmnon Cars.
Crafting your road trip in Crete: Plan the itinerary
This is definitely the most exciting part before the actual trip: Road trip planning!
Make yourself a cup of coffee, gather any travel companion, spread a good road map of Crete on the table, and keep my site open on your computer.
Check all the articles I’ve written about Crete through the years to discover both popular areas and off-the-beaten-track places to see. Let me guide you…
- If you’re a beach fan, you’ll love exploring the coast of Crete. You can bookmark this article including over 50 top beaches in Crete. I’ve also written dedicated articles for Crete’s popular beaches, such as Balos and Elafonisi. A guide to the south beaches, and a guide to the best beaches on Crete for naturists among many others.
- For those of you into history and cultural experiences, check this guide to visit Knossos, as well as this unique article exploring the most beautiful archaeological sites on the island.
- If you’re interested in the local lifestyle and traditions, discover authentic Cretan villages that you will actually see on the road. Also, you can check the wines of the island.
- If you’re interested in the cities, discover the best things you can do in Agios Nikolaos, Chania, and Rethymnon. For a short but intense visit to Crete’s highlight areas, check this 5 days in Crete plan.
Use my E-guides to plan the trip
I have written six short, thorough and easy to consult guides that you can keep on the phone as you visit. Download any of my e-books and start planning your trip!
Decide where to stop during your Crete road trip
Now that you’ve more or less an idea of what cities, villages, and seaside resorts you want to include in your Crete itinerary, go ahead and book accommodation.
I’ve often suggested the convenience of Booking (dot) com as a great platform to find the place that better suits your needs.
→ Don’t forget to check out all my accommodation guides.
- Chania region: Cape Akrotiri is a great place to stay because it has awesome beaches and is fairly close to the center. If you opt for a more romantic holiday, book a stay in the old town!
- Lasithi region: The quiet and lee-explored region of Lasithi is one of the most rewarding destinations for a road trip.
- Heraklion region: Choose the city center for comfort and to explore the best parts of the region.
- Rethymnon region: A stay in Rethymnon will allow you to navigate east and west, spending less time driving.
🎯 The best hotels sell out early. Book as soon as you know where you want to stay!
Packing for your road trip: Essentials
Yes, I’ve also written this article, it’s a very useful packing guide specially designed for a road trip on the island. You can bookmark it and read it when it’s time to pack, or you can take a look at it now.
These are some essentials that you should not forget:
- Have a great backpack with you if you’re a fan of carry-on-only trips. If you prefer a small suitcase, this Amazon Basics is great. It’s a 40-liter, hardshell spinner with a built-in TSA lock and wheels.
- Include a foldable backpack for trips to the beach, the mountains, and the city center. When flying, it can work as your personal item.
- Don’t forget your camera. It can be a phone camera, an action camera, or a DSLR… the views on the island are inspiring! Don’t forget extra batteries, charger, adapter, and extra SD cards.
- Grab a TomTom for ease of planning. I also include a good road map, always!
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, snorkeling kit, hat, hiking shoes, and flip flops: Indispensable!
Ready? Let’s go!
A road trip in Crete is one of the most rewarding experiences you can live in Greece, the island is just right for driving adventures.
When moving around, don’t forget to interact with the locals, try their stunning food, and venture into lesser-known areas. It will be a rewarding trip and definitely, one that you will want to repeat! Are you planning your road trip in Crete?
Planning a Crete itinerary that actually works
Because Crete is so large, planning a realistic route can make the difference between a relaxed trip and spending hours every day in the car.
If you’re unsure how to organize your itinerary, which regions to combine, or where to stay to minimize driving, you might find it helpful to start with a customized plan.
If you want help designing a realistic itinerary — including the best base towns, driving routes, and hidden places most visitors miss — you can book a Crete Trip Planning Consultation.
Book your consultation here
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Tips to Plan a Road Trip in Crete
Gabi, the Crete Insider
Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.
I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.
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