5 days in Crete: my itineraries

If you've got a week in Crete, you're in for a treat! Beautiful beaches, mountains, historic sites...
We'll take you to the best sites and experiences on the island with our itineraries ideal for visiting Crete in 7 days, with accommodation in Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion or Malia.
We've also included alternatives if you don't want to drive.

1 week in Crete: what you need to know

Is a week too long in Crete? And is it enough?

7 days are certainly enough to get a good overview of the island and enjoy some of its most popular sites and experiences.
On a seven-day itinerary, you can explore Crete's breathtaking landscapes: beaches, villages, lagoon, mountains...

But you won't get to see the whole island. It's quite large and has many beautiful places to discover!
Compare available flights.

Do you need a car?

With 7 days, we strongly recommend renting a car for several reasons:

• to explore everything at your own pace
• to visit fascinating places off the beaten track
• to admire the sunrise or sunset, or just the right moment...

Don't worry, driving in Crete is very easy. Read my article on the subject.

A week in Crete - where to stay?

The island is quite long.
It's a 2h30 drive from Chania to Malia.

We recommend:

• To the west: Chania - it's got it all: a town with lots of charm, mountains and beaches nearby....
  See accommodation in Chania
• To the east: Malia or Elounda for access to a wide variety of activities and places of interest: mountains, archaeological sites, churches, beaches....
  See accommodation in Malia

My itineraries:

I've decided to suggest different itineraries depending on where you're staying:

• Chania or Retyhmnon
• Heraklion or Malia
• A road trip around Crete to see as much as possible.

7-day itinerary in western Crete: Chania or Rethymnon

Best hotels to stay in

Here are our recommendations for Chania:

• Luxury - Casa Delfino Hotel and Spa with lots of charm! - See photos, prices and availability
• Boutique Hotel - Residenza Vranas with fantastic views - See photos, prices and availability
• Apartments - Studios Semeli near the beach - See photos, prices and availabilities
• Family - Palazzo Duca with spacious suites for 4 people - See photos, prices and availability

Here are our recommendations for Rethymnon:

Day 1: Chania

I really enjoyed my visit to Chania. One aspect that particularly struck me was the town's charming and colorful architecture. As I stroll through the streets, I'm greeted by a pleasing palette of warm pastels and earth tones adorning the buildings. The combination of Venetian and Ottoman influences adds an extra layer of appeal, giving the impression of stepping back in time.
What's more, the old port holds a special place in my heart. The sight of the lighthouse, fishing boats and cozy waterfront cafés creates a serene, picturesque scene.

Explore:

• the Venetian port and lighthouse
• the Maritime Museum of Crete
• the Greek Orthodox cathedral
• the beach

Day 2: West coast and Elafonisi pink beach

Head down the west coast of Crete to the pink beach.
Elafonisi is a beautiful, secluded beach on the south coast. It has become famous for its warm shallow waters and pink sand (because of the crushed shells). It is even often cited as one of the best beaches in Europe.
The lagoon was formed between the small island of Elafonisi and the coast.
We recommend you get there early to enjoy it before the crowds.
Read more in my article on Elafonisi beach.

If you don't want to spend a lot of time on the beach, you can combine it with the town of Palaiochora, climb up to the castle ruins to see the sea and the mountains.

On the way back, you can plan two stops:

Stop1: Moni Chrisoskalitissis
Stop 2: The pebble beach of Stomio with its small white chapel.

Day 3: Balos Lagoon

It's clearly one of the most beautiful places on any trip to Crete. It's a very popular spot for good reason.
The area is wild, with mountains falling into the sea, islands creating a bay and a shallow lagoon to enjoy it all.
The sand is white and pink, the water is turquoise, the rock is dark and (hopefully) the sky is blue... it's a beautiful rainbow of colors!
More photos in my article.

The easiest option is to take the boat from Kissamos, which stops first at the island of Gramvousa and then takes you to the Lagoon.
Alternatively, there's a 4X4 track that starts west of Kissamos.
Or you can take organized tours from the towns.

See programs and prices.

Day 4: Rethymno and Arkadi

Today, you can discover a little of the island's more recent history:

Start by visiting Arkadi Monastery, a 30min drive from Rethymno.
The tragedy that occurred here in 1866, killing hundreds of locals, had a significant impact on how the revolution against the Turks was perceived internationally.
Today, you can explore many of the monastery's rooms and see traces of the battle. The museum has some beautiful exhibits.
But I thought it was the atmosphere that had the greatest impact. It was like no other monastery I've visited in Crete.
Read more about my article on Arkadi monastery.

Then explore the town of Rehymnon with its long beach, old town and Venetian fortress.

Day 5: White village of Loutro

Head south to the town of Hora Skafion to take the boat to the remote white village of Loutro.
The village is isolated in a small cove on the rugged south coast. The white of the houses contrasts with the orange of the mountains and the emerald of the water.
The location is breathtaking!
If you're in shape, you can hike to the village (medium difficulty) and return by boat.
See my full article

Day 6: Samaria Gorge or day at the beach

Option 1: for sporty types: a hike in the Samaria Gorge

Samaria is Crete's most famous gorge and most famous hike.
The walk takes you between vertiginous mountain walls. At times, it is very narrow.
If you complete the whole hike, it's 16 to 18 km (you can pay for a bus for the last 2 km).
You can do the whole hike (downhill then flat, no technical difficulty) - from Omalos to Agia Roumeli - the easiest option is to book a day trip from one of the main towns (because you don't end where you started) - See options

Option 2: Day at the beach

You can either enjoy the palge in Chania or Rethymnon, and relax, or take the car to discover other beaches such as Seitan Limani or Kalyvaki.
Or further afield, you can visit some of Crete's most beautiful beaches on the south coast: Triopetra beach and Preveli beach.

Day 7: Heraklion and Knossos Palace

Today, we're going even further back in time and doing a bit of archaeology.
Our first stop is Knossos Palace.

Knossos is Crete's most famous archaeological site. Easily accessible from the capital, some of the buildings were recreated by Sir Arthur Evans and his team.
Knossos has been called by some the oldest city in Europe. It was built around a large Minoan palace dating from the Bronze Age.
I recommend arriving at 8am to enjoy the site without the large group (buses start arriving around 8.45am).
See my article on Knossos Palace.

You can then go to the town of Heraklion to visit the archaeological museum.
It boasts a vast collection of Minoan artefacts from all the island's sites. You'll find the head of the Minotaur, the Phaistos disk, the mosaics of Knossos.... and pieces of all sizes in good condition.

7-day itinerary in Eastern Crete: Heraklion or Malia

Meilleurs hôtels où séjourner

Our recommendations for Heraklion:

• Luxury - GDM Megaron - See photos, prices and availabilities
• Boutique - Hotel Veneziano - See photos, prices and availabilities

Our recommendations in Malia:

• Luxury - Ammos Beach Hotel - See photos, prices & availabilities
• Boutique - Sunshine Boutique Hotel - See photos, prices and availabilities
• Aparthotel - Pyrgos Beach Apartments - View photos and availability

Day 1: Malia and the ruins

Located on the north coast (east side), Malia is famous for its archaeological site. It's also an ideal region for exploring both sandy and rocky beaches.
Malia is my favorite of Crete's 3 main Minoan palaces. Not only because my uncle was an archaeologist there, but also because the walls are higher than elsewhere. So it's much easier to imagine what it might have looked like.

Then you can relax and enjoy Malia and the resort atmosphere.

Day 2: Zeus cave and Lassathi plateau

The Grotto of Zeus is the most famous in Crete. You can visit a single chamber full of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Located on the Lassithi plateau, the road to get there is very pleasant. It is surrounded by the myth that this is the birthplace of Zeus.

From the parking lot, it's a steep 20min walk into the cave - and inside there are 200 steps down and back up (not for people with knee problems) - unguided tour.
See my article on Grotte de Zeus

Then visit the Lassithi plateau with its mills and monasteries.
On the way down, stop off at the small monastery of Panayia Kera. The church is truly charming.

Day 3: Gortyna, Phaistos and Matala

Stop 1 - Our first stop is Gortyna on the south coast of Crete. It's an archaeological site unlike any other, covering the Minoan period through to the Hellenistic period (3rd and 2nd centuries BC) and the Roman periods during which the city reached its peak (1st to 5th centuries AD).
The main thing not to miss is behind the theater: the walls covered in writing. This is the Gortyn Code of Law (5th century BC).
You can also enjoy the theater, the ruins of St. Titus church, a legendary tree, sculptures....

Stop 2 - Then you can visit the Phaistos Palace. Inhabited since the Final Neolithic (3000 BC), it reached its apogee during the palatial period (around the 20th century 00 BC to the 15th century BC).
Visiting the site, you can clearly appreciate the strategic position with beautiful views over the valleys.
The storage rooms are among the best rooms to see, with pottery inside.
You can also see in which section the Phaistos disc was found (a clay disc with symbols thought to be Minoan - but which remains an enigma). It is now on display at the Heraklion Museum.
See my article

Stop 3 - End the day in Matala and wait for the sunset.
If you want a hippie vibe combined with a beautiful sunset, Matala is for you.
The beach has a good orientation, and when the sun gets lower and lower, it makes the wall and its grotto even more fascinating.
See more photos

Day 4: Spinalonga Island

Probably fortified by the Venetians in the 16th century (it seems they also cut off part of the land to make an island).
The fortress was retaken by the Turks in 1715.
In the 20th century, it became a leper colony.

You can tour the entire island along the fortification walls, stopping off at the church along the way.
You can climb to the top of the fortifications for a breathtaking view of the bay.
The buildings of the old town include a cistern, warehouses, houses... and a small museum with exhibits on each historical phase of the island.

Located on the north coast, just north of Agios Nikolaos
The island is accessible by boat from Plaka (the shortest), Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.
There are also organized day trips from various tourist towns - See options
See my article.

Day 5: Triopetra and Preveli beaches

Today, discover two of Crete's most beautiful beaches on the south coast.

Triopetra is rarely listed as one of Crete's best beaches, probably because it's a pebble beach without many facilities.
But the rock formation at the end is well worth a visit. The beach's name means 3 rocks.
Their structure is fascinating, resembling sheets of rock stacked on top of each other.
See more photos

Preveli is a unique place in Crete. The gorge leading to the beach is full of water and palm trees.
What's more, you can see it from above with your own eyes (not with a drone). I love it! I think it's one of the best viewpoints in Crete.
You can drive up to the large parking lot and walk down the 400 steps to the beach.
Or you can take a day trip that includes Preveli beach - See programs
Or you can take a boat from Plakias that takes you directly to the beach, in season.

Day 6: Chania or day at the beach

Depending on how much you want to rest today, I suggest two alternatives.

Option 1: A short drive to discover Crete's most beautiful city: Chania.

I really enjoyed my visit to Chania. One aspect that particularly struck me was the town's charming and colorful architecture. As I stroll through the streets, I'm greeted by a pleasing palette of warm pastels and earth tones adorning the buildings. The combination of Venetian and Ottoman influences adds an extra layer of appeal, giving the impression of stepping back in time.
What's more, the old port holds a special place in my heart. The sight of the lighthouse, fishing boats and cozy waterside cafés creates a serene, picturesque scene.

Explore:

• the Venetian port and lighthouse
• the Maritime Museum of Crete
• the Greek Orthodox cathedral
• the beach

Option 2: relax on Malia beach or Heraklion beach.

Day 7: Heraklion and Knossos Palace

Today, we're going even further back in time and doing a bit of archaeology.
Our first stop is Knossos Palace.

Knossos is Crete's most famous archaeological site. Easily accessible from the capital, some of the buildings were recreated by Sir Arthur Evans and his team.
Knossos has been called by some the oldest city in Europe. It was built around a large Minoan palace dating from the Bronze Age.
We advise you to arrive at 8 a.m. to enjoy the site without the large group (buses start arriving around 8.45 a.m.).
See my article on Knossos Palace.

You can then go to the town of Heraklion to visit the archaeological museum.
It boasts a vast collection of Minoan artefacts from all the island's sites. You'll find the head of the Minotaur, the Phaistos disk, the mosaics of Knossos.... and pieces of all sizes in good condition.

7-day road trip in Crete: itinerary

If you want to see as much of Crete as possible in 7 days, it's best to go on a road trip and change accommodation every night.
Here's an example of a road trip itinerary with a bit of every kind of landscape.
But depending on your interests, you can create your own itinerary using my eBook:

Day 1: Chania

2-hour drive from airport

I really enjoyed my visit to Chania. One aspect that particularly struck me was the town's charming and colorful architecture. As I stroll through the streets, I'm greeted by a pleasing palette of warm pastels and earth tones adorning the buildings. The combination of Venetian and Ottoman influences adds an extra layer of appeal, giving the impression of stepping back in time.
What's more, the old port holds a special place in my heart. The sight of the lighthouse, fishing boats and cozy waterfront cafés creates a serene, picturesque scene.
It's the most beautiful town in Crete.

Explore:

• the Venetian port and lighthouse
• the Maritime Museum of Crete
• the Greek Orthodox cathedral
• the beach

Overnight in Chania - see top-rated accommodation in Chania.

Day 2: Balos Lagoon and Elafonisi pink beach

Start by heading to Kissamos to take the boat to Balos lagoon.

It's clearly one of the most beautiful places on any trip to Crete. It's a very popular spot for good reason.
The area is wild, with mountains falling into the sea, islands creating a bay and a shallow lagoon to enjoy it all.
The sand is white and pink, the water is turquoise, the rock is dark and (hopefully) the sky is blue... it's a beautiful rainbow of colors!
More photos in my article.

The easiest option is to take the boat from Kissamos, which stops first at the island of Gramvousa and then takes you to the Lagoon.
Alternatively, there's a 4X4 track that starts west of Kissamos.
Or you can take organized tours from the towns.

See programs and prices.

Then head down the west coast of Crete to the pink beach.
Elafonisi is a beautiful, secluded beach on the south coast. It has become famous for its warm shallow waters and pink sand (because of the crushed shells). It is even often cited as one of the best beaches in Europe.
The lagoon was formed between the small island of Elafonisi and the coast.
We recommend you get there early to enjoy it before the crowds.
Read more about my article on Elafonisi beach.

Overnight in Elafonissi (few accommodations, book early)
You can find some accommodation close to the beach (not on the beach though), up the unpaved road.
I stayed at the Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family - Very close to the beach is the Elafonisi resort with its modern villas surrounded by olive trees - see prices and availability.

Day 3: Arkadi and Rethymnon

Start by visiting Arkadi Monastery, a 30min drive from Rethymno.
The tragedy that occurred here in 1866, killing hundreds of locals, had a significant impact on how the revolution against the Turks was perceived internationally.
Today, you can explore many of the monastery's rooms and see traces of the battle. The museum has some beautiful exhibits.
But I thought it was the atmosphere that had the greatest impact. It was like no other monastery I've visited in Crete.
Read more about my article on Arkadi monastery.

Then explore the town of Rehymnon with its long beach, old town and Venetian fortress.

Overnight in Rethymnon - See best rated accommodations

Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:

• My option 1 - Check out the local company Rental Center Crete - excellent ratings and a zero-excess insurance policy included
• My option 2 - Compare prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best rated comparison sites! 
• Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for comfort on mountain roads)
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See my 36 tips about renting a car in Crete

Day 4: Gortyna, Phaistos and Matala

Stop 1 - Our first stop is Gortyna on the south coast of Crete. It's an archaeological site unlike any other, covering the Minoan period through to the Hellenistic period (3rd and 2nd centuries BC) and the Roman periods during which the city reached its peak (1st to 5th centuries AD).
The main thing not to miss is behind the theater: the walls covered in writing. This is the Gortyn Code of Law (5th century BC).
You can also enjoy the theater, the ruins of St. Titus church, a legendary tree, sculptures....

Stop 2 - Then you can visit the Phaistos Palace. Inhabited since the Final Neolithic (3000 BC), it reached its apogee during the palatial period (around the 20th century 00 BC to the 15th century BC).
Visiting the site, you can clearly appreciate the strategic position with beautiful views over the valleys.
The storage rooms are among the best rooms to see, with pottery inside.
You can also see in which section the Phaistos disc was found (a clay disc with symbols thought to be Minoan - but which remains an enigma). It is now on display at the Heraklion Museum.
See my article

Stop 3 - End the day in Matala and wait for the sunset.
If you want a hippie vibe combined with a beautiful sunset, Matala is for you.
The beach has a good orientation, and when the sun gets lower and lower, it makes the wall and its grotto even more fascinating.
See more photos

Overnight in Matala - Discover the best-rated accommodations in Matala

Day 5: Spinalonga Island

Probably fortified by the Venetians in the 16th century (it seems they also cut off part of the land to make an island).
The fortress was retaken by the Turks in 1715.
In the 20th century, it became a leper colony.

You can tour the entire island along the fortification walls, stopping off at the church along the way.
You can climb to the top of the fortifications for a breathtaking view of the bay.
The buildings of the old town include a cistern, warehouses, houses... and a small museum with exhibits on each historical phase of the island.

Located on the north coast, just north of Agios Nikolaos
The island is accessible by boat from Plaka (the shortest), Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.
There are also organized day trips from various tourist towns - See options
See my article.

Overnight in Malia - See best rated accommodations

Day 6: Zeus Cave and Malia Palace

The Grotto of Zeus is the most famous in Crete. You can visit a single chamber full of beautiful stalagmites and stalactites. Located on the Lassithi plateau, the road to get there is very pleasant. It is surrounded by the myth that this is the birthplace of Zeus.

From the parking lot, it's a steep 20min walk into the cave - and inside there are 200 steps down and back up (not for people with knee problems) - unguided tour.
See my article on Grotte de Zeus

Head back down to the coast to discover Malia and its famous archaeological site. It's also an ideal region for exploring both sandy and rocky beaches.
Malia is my favorite of Crete's 3 main Minoan palaces. Not only because my uncle was an archaeologist there, but also because the walls are higher than elsewhere. So it's much easier to imagine what it might have looked like.

Overnight in Malia - See best rated accommodations

Day 7: Knossos and Heraklion

Today, we're going even further back in time and doing a bit of archaeology.
Our first stop is Knossos Palace.

Knossos is Crete's most famous archaeological site. Easily accessible from the capital, some of the buildings were recreated by Sir Arthur Evans and his team.
Knossos has been called by some the oldest city in Europe. It was built around a large Minoan palace dating from the Bronze Age.
We advise you to arrive at 8 a.m. to enjoy the site without the large group (buses start arriving around 8.45 a.m.).
See my article on Knossos Palace.

You can then go to the town of Heraklion to visit the archaeological museum.
It boasts a vast collection of Minoan artefacts from all the island's sites. You'll find the head of the Minotaur, the Phaistos disk, the mosaics of Knossos.... and pieces of all sizes in good condition.

A week in Crete without a car

Where to stay in Crete without a car

If you want to do some sightseeing, the best places to spend a week in Crete without a car are:

• Chania - see top-rated accommodations in Chania.
• Heraklion - See top rated accommodations (ideal if you want to take the bus)
• Rethymnon - See top-rated accommodations.

This is where you'll find the most organized tours.

On the other hand, if you want to relax, enjoy the beach and party, take your pick:

• Malia - See best rated accommodations
• Bali - See best rated accommodations
• Rethymnon - See best rated accommodations

What to see in Crete without a car

Among the tours organized from Chania, we recommend:

• Balos Lagoon: see program and availability
• Hiking in the Samaria Gorge: see program and availability
• Pink beach of Elafonissi: see program and availability 
• Knossos Palace and Heraklion: see program and availability

We recommend tours organized from Rethymnon:

• Balos Lagoon: see program and availability
• Matala and south coast: see program and availability 
• Hiking in the Samaria Gorge: see program and availability 
• Monastery, cave and village: see program and availability

We recommend tours organized from Heraklion:

• Spinalonga Island - see program and availability
• Matala: see program and availability 
• Knossos: see program and availability
• Balos Lagoon: see program and availability
• Cave of Zeus: see program and availability

Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?

• 20 best things to do in Crete – read article
• The 27 best beaches in Crete – read article
• The most beautiful archaeological sites – read article
• The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete – read article
• The best destinations in Crete, where to stay – read article
• Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary – read article
• Tips for driving around Crete – read article
• The most beautiful boat trips around Crete – read article
• Which side of Crete is best? – read article

Planning a trip to Crete?

Check out my travel guide eBook to help you plan: