Crete Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Crete gives you the complete experience of the most extraordinary island in Greece, from the Minoan palaces of Knossos and Phaistos to the dramatic Samaria Gorge, the remarkable Venetian towns of Chania and Rethymno, the extraordinary beaches of Balos, Elafonisi and Vai, and the hidden villages of the White Mountains. This route covers the full Crete: the Palace of Knossos, the finest Bronze Age site in Europe, the Heraklion Museum, the Samaria Gorge, the Venetian harbours of Chania and Rethymno, the extraordinary lagoon of Balos, the palm forest beach of Vai, and the haunting ancient site of Aptera.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ). Drive between cities.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Crete is 260km long. Roads are good.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to strenuous. Samaria Gorge is a demanding 16km walk.
DAY 1
HERAKLION
MORNING
THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS
Knossos is the most extraordinary Bronze Age site in Europe, the Minoan palace covering 20,000 square metres and containing the remarkable throne room, the finest preserved Bronze Age royal chamber in existence, the Grand Staircase and the reconstructed frescoes. The site gives the finest insight into Minoan civilisation available anywhere. Entry approx 15 euros. Drive: 30 min to Heraklion
MIDDAY
HERAKLION ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The finest ancient museum in Greece and one of the greatest in the world, its extraordinary Minoan collection including the Bull's Head rhyton, the Snake Goddess figurines and the Phaistos Disc gives the most complete picture of the Minoan world available. The remarkable frescoes from Knossos and Akrotiri are extraordinary. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: Walk to harbour
AFTERNOON
HERAKLION VENETIAN HARBOUR AND WALLS
The Heraklion Venetian harbour dominated by the Koules Fortress is the finest Venetian fortification in the eastern Mediterranean. The extraordinary Venetian walls encircling the entire city, the most complete Renaissance fortifications in Greece, give the finest urban heritage walk in Crete. Fortress entry approx 4 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Minoan Palace of Phaistos in the Messara Plain is the finest hidden Minoan site in Crete, its remarkable hilltop position giving the most extraordinary views of any Bronze Age site in Greece. Far fewer visitors than Knossos, extraordinary landscape setting. Entry approx 8 euros. 45 minutes south of Heraklion.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kafeneion near Knossos Traditional Greek coffee and pastries before the early morning Knossos visit. | Lunch: Taverna in Heraklion old town Outstanding Cretan lunch with dakos, grilled lamb and local Cretan wine. | Dinner: Restaurant at the Venetian harbour Outstanding fresh seafood at the extraordinary Heraklion Venetian harbour.
DAY 2
SAMARIA GORGE
MORNING
THE SAMARIA GORGE
walking The Samaria Gorge is the most extraordinary natural walk in Greece, its 16km path through the longest gorge in Europe descending 1,200 metres through White Mountain scenery, past rare Cretan wild goats and through the famous Iron Gates where the gorge narrows to 3 metres. Strenuous but extraordinary. Entry approx 5 euros. Buses from Chania from 6am. Drive: Continue to exit
MIDDAY
AGIA ROUMELI SWIMMING
Agia Roumeli at the end of the gorge is the finest reward in Greek hiking, its position on the Libyan Sea accessible only by foot or boat giving the most remote village atmosphere in Crete. Swimming in the extraordinary turquoise Libyan Sea after the gorge walk is the finest post-hike experience in Greece. Tavernas and cold beer awaiting. Free. Drive: Ferry to Chora Sfakion
AFTERNOON
FRANGOKASTELLO FORTRESS
Frangokastello is the finest Venetian coastal castle in Crete, its extraordinary 14th-century fortress appearing from the coast road like a mirage on the flat coastal plain with the White Mountains behind and the Libyan Sea in front. The sandy beach below the castle is the finest deserted beach on the south coast. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ghost village of Anopoli above Chora Sfakion is the finest hidden village in Sfakia, its abandoned stone houses and extraordinary views over the Libyan Sea giving the most atmospheric deserted village in Crete. Birthplace of legendary resistance fighter Daskalogiannis. Free to explore. Accessible by road from Sfakion.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Very early breakfast before Samaria Buses to Omalos leave Chania from 6am. Eat before departure or at Omalos cafe at the gorge entrance. | Lunch: Taverna in Agia Roumeli Outstanding Cretan food and cold drinks after the extraordinary gorge walk. | Dinner: Restaurant in Chania old town Outstanding Cretan dinner in the finest Venetian old town in the Mediterranean.
DAY 3
CHANIA AND BALOS
MORNING
CHANIA VENETIAN OLD TOWN
Chania is the most beautiful town in Crete, its extraordinary Venetian old town of covered markets, Ottoman fountains and Venetian mansions giving the most atmospheric heritage town in the Aegean. The remarkable Etz Hayyim Synagogue is the finest Jewish heritage site in the Greek islands. The covered market is the finest food market in Crete. Free to explore. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
BALOS LAGOON
Balos is the most extraordinary beach in the Mediterranean, its remarkable lagoon of shallow turquoise water between the Gramvousa Peninsula and Cape Tigani giving the finest combination of pink sand, turquoise water and wild landscape in Greece. Boat from Kissamos port approx 18 euros return. Alternatively drive to the clifftop and walk down. Drive: Return to Chania
AFTERNOON
CHANIA HARBOUR SUNSET WALK
The Chania Venetian harbour at sunset is the most extraordinary scene in Crete, the lighthouse and the curved harbour walls catching the last light above the turquoise inner harbour. The walk along the outer harbour wall to the lighthouse gives the finest views in the old town and is almost entirely free of crowds despite being 200 metres from the main promenade. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Venetian lighthouse at the end of the Chania harbour wall gives the finest views back over the entire Venetian harbour and the White Mountains. The walk along the outer wall is almost entirely free of tourists despite being 200 metres from the main promenade. The finest hidden walk in Chania. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breakfast in Chania covered market Outstanding Cretan breakfast with local honey, cheese and pastries in the extraordinary covered market. | Lunch: Pack food and water for Balos No facilities on the beach. The boat trip is 45 minutes each way. Cold drinks available on the boat. | Dinner: Seafood taverna at Chania harbour Outstanding fresh seafood at the extraordinary Venetian harbour. The finest setting in Crete.
DAY 4
RETHYMNO
MORNING
RETHYMNO VENETIAN FORTRESS (FORTEZZA)
The Fortezza at Rethymno is the largest Venetian castle in Crete, its remarkable walls enclosing an extraordinary hilltop plateau above the old town giving the finest views over the Cretan Sea and the White Mountains. The extraordinary Ibrahim Han mosque inside the fortress walls is the finest Ottoman monument in Crete. Entry approx 4 euros. Drive: Walk down to old town
MIDDAY
RETHYMNO OLD TOWN
Rethymno old town is the finest Venetian and Ottoman townscape in Crete, its extraordinary Rimondi Fountain, Venetian Loggia and minaret-topped mosques giving the most layered historic streetscape on the island. The remarkable lighthouse at the harbour entrance and the extraordinary covered market give the finest heritage walk in central Crete. Free to explore. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
ARKADI MONASTERY
Arkadi Monastery is the most extraordinary and most significant historical site in Crete, its remarkable 16th-century Venetian church facade being the finest Renaissance architecture on the island. In 1866, hundreds of Cretan resistance fighters and civilians blew up the gunpowder store rather than surrender to Ottoman forces, making it the most sacred site in Cretan history. Entry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Melidoni Cave near Rethymno is the finest stalactite cave in western Crete, its remarkable chambers containing the remains of 340 Cretan resistance fighters killed by Ottoman forces in 1824. The extraordinary natural stalactite formations and the profound historical atmosphere make this the most moving cave site in Crete. Entry approx 5 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Breakfast in Rethymno old town Outstanding Greek breakfast in the finest Venetian townscape in Crete. | Lunch: Taverna in Rethymno harbour Outstanding fresh seafood lunch at the Venetian harbour of Rethymno. | Dinner: Restaurant in Rethymno Outstanding Cretan dinner in the old town after the Arkadi visit. Local lamb and excellent Cretan wine.
DAY 5
EAST CRETE
MORNING
ANCIENT APTERA
Aptera is the most extraordinary hidden ancient site in Crete, its remarkable hilltop ruins of a major Minoan and Classical city overlooking the Bay of Souda giving the finest panoramic view over the largest natural harbour in the Mediterranean. The extraordinary Roman cisterns and Byzantine monastery within the ancient walls are unlike anything else in Crete. Entry approx 4 euros. Drive: 2 hr drive east
MIDDAY
SPINALONGA ISLAND AND ELOUNDA
Spinalonga is the most extraordinary island in Crete, its remarkable Venetian fortress and former leper colony giving the most haunting heritage experience in the Greek islands. The extraordinary Venetian walls, the abandoned settlement and the remarkable church give the finest island visit in Crete. Boat from Elounda or Plaka. Approx 15 euros return. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
VAI PALM BEACH
Vai is the most extraordinary beach in Crete, its remarkable natural forest of Phoenix theophrasti palm trees, the only natural palm forest in Europe, giving the most unusual beach landscape in Greece. The extraordinary combination of golden sand, turquoise water and the endemic palm grove is found nowhere else in the Mediterranean. Entry to protected area approx 2 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Minoan Palace of Gournia near Agios Nikolaos is the finest and most completely preserved Minoan town in Crete, its remarkable street grid and small palace giving the finest insight into everyday Minoan life available anywhere. Almost entirely unvisited despite being one of the finest sites on the island. Entry approx 4 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast near Aptera Early start for Aptera in the morning light. The site is extraordinary with the Bay of Souda below. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Elounda Outstanding fresh seafood lunch at the finest harbour village in eastern Crete. | Dinner: Taverna in Elounda or Agios Nikolaos Outstanding Cretan dinner after the extraordinary Spinalonga and Vai day.
Where To Stay
Heraklion, Night 1 Near the Venetian harbour. Hotels from 60 to 150 euros. Early start for Knossos next morning. Chania, Nights 2 to 3 Venetian old town. Boutique hotels from 80 to 200 euros. The finest base in Crete. Rethymno, Night 4 Venetian old town. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Walking distance from the Fortezza and harbour.
Top Tips
1. Knossos is extraordinary at opening. Arrive at 8am before tour groups and the heat. Buy tickets online in advance to skip the queue.
2. The Samaria Gorge: wear proper shoes, bring 2 litres of water, start at 7am for the coolest experience. The Iron Gates at the end are extraordinary.
3. Balos lagoon: book the Kissamos ferry online. The boat fills fast in summer. Alternatively 4WD to the clifftop car park and walk down 2km.
4. Spinalonga: take the boat from Elounda village rather than the larger tour boats from Agios Nikolaos. The smaller boats give a better experience.
5. Vai palm beach is protected. The palm forest is the only natural Phoenix theophrasti grove in Europe. Arrive early before the tour buses from Agios Nikolaos.
6. Cretan food is the finest in Greece. Order local lamb, dakos, kalitsounia cheese pastries and the extraordinary local Cretan wine at every opportunity.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day