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.
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1 week in Crete: what you need to know
Is one week too long in Crete? And is it enough?
7 days is 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!
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.
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
A week in Crete: where to stay?
L’île est assez en longueur.
Si vous voulez voir tous les recoins de l’île, nous vous recommandons de choisir au moins deux hébergements à l’est et à l’ouest pour équilibrer les temps de route.
Entre Chania et Malia, il y a 2h30 de route
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:
- Luxe – Rimondi Boutique Hotel avec piscine – Voir photos, prix et disponibilités
- Hôtel Boutique – Hôtel léo avec du caractère – Voir photos, prix et disponibilités
- Appartements – Les Sea Front Studios – Voir photos, prix et disponibilités
Day 1: Chania
I really enjoyed my visit to Chania. One of the things that particularly struck me was the town’s charming and colourful architecture. As I strolled through the streets, I was greeted by a pleasing palette of warm pastels and earthy 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 cosy waterside cafés creates a serene and picturesque scene.
Explore:
- the Venetian port and lighthouse
- the Maritime Museum of Crete
- the Greek Orthodox cathedral
- the beach
Day 2: West coast and the pink beach of Elafonisi
Head down the west coast of Crete to reach 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 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 getting there early to make the most of it before the crowds.
Find out more about 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, climbing up to the ruins of the castle to see the sea and the mountains.
On the return journey, you can plan two stops:
Stop 1: Moni Chrisoskalitissis
Stop 2: The pebble beach of Stomio with its little white chapel.
Day 3: Balos Lagoon
This is 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 colours!
More photos in my article.
The easiest option is to take the boat from Kissamos, which first stops at the island of Gramvousa and then takes you to the Lagoon.
Alternatively, there is a 4X4 track that starts to the west of Kissamos.
Or you can take organised tours from the towns.
Day 4: Rethymno and Arkadi
Today you can discover a little of the island’s more recent history:
Start by visiting Arkadi Monastery, a 30-minute 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 rooms in the monastery and see traces of the battle. The museum has some beautiful exhibits.
But I thought it was the atmosphere that had the most impact. It was like no other monastery I’ve visited in Crete.
Read more about my article on Arkadi Monastery.
Puis explorez la ville de Rehymnon avec sa longue plage, sa vieille ville et sa forteresse vénitienne.
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 feeling fit, you can hike up 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 the sporty: a hike in the Samaria Gorge
Samaria is the most famous gorge and the most famous hike in Crete.
The walk takes you between vertiginous mountain walls. At times, it is very narrow.
If you complete the whole hike, it is 16 to 18 km (you can pay for a bus for the last 2 km).
You can do the whole walk (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 beach 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 the most famous archaeological site on Crete. 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 from the Bronze Age.
I recommend arriving at 8am to enjoy the site without the large group (buses start arriving at 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 disc, the mosaics of Knossos…. and objects of all sizes in good condition.
Where to stay in Crete?
My favorites:
- Chania, a charming town: See best rated accommodations
- Rethymno, history, beach and central location: See best rated options
- Heraklion, main city: See best rated options
- Palaiochora, for stunning scenery, away from crowds – See best rated options
- Mochlos, for a very quiet area: see best rated options
- For a sandy beach and some nightlife: Malia or Bali
7-day itinerary in Eastern Crete: Heraklion or Malia
Best hotels to stay in
Our recommendations for Heraklion:
- Luxury – GDM Megaron – See photos, prices & availabilities
- Boutique – Hotel Veneziano – See photos, prices & availabilities
Our recommendations for Malia:
- Luxury – Ammos Beach Hotel – See photos, prices & availabilities
- Boutique – Sunshine Boutique Hotel – See photos, prices & availabilities
- Aparthotel – Pyrgos Beach Apartments – View photos, prices & availability
Day 1: Malia and the ruins
Situated on the north coast (east side), Malia is famous for its archaeological site. It’s also a great area for exploring both sandy and rocky beaches.
Malia is my favourite of the 3 main Minoan palaces on Crete. 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 it is the birthplace of Zeus.
From the car park, it’s a steep 20-minute 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 the Grotto of 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, as it covers 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 theatre: the walls covered in writing. This is the Code of Law of Gortyn (5th century BC).
You can also enjoy the theatre, the ruins of St Titus’ church, a legendary tree, sculptures….
Stop 2 – Then you can visit the Palace of Phaistos. Inhabited since the Final Neolithic (3000 BC), it reached its peak 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 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 hippy 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 caves even more fascinating.
See more photos
Day 4: Island of Spinalonga
Probably fortified by the Venetians in the 16th century (it seems that 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 walk around 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 exhibitions 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 organised day trips from various tourist towns – See options
See my article.
Day 5: Triopetra and Preveli beaches
Today, set off to discover two of Crete’s most beautiful beaches on the south coast.
Triopetra is rarely listed as one of the best beaches in Crete, probably because it is a pebble beach without many facilities.
But the rock formation at the end is well worth a visit. The name of the beach means 3 rocks.
Their structure is fascinating, looking like 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 just love it! I think it’s one of the best viewpoints in Crete.
You can drive up to the large car park and walk down the 400 steps to the beach.
Or you can take a day trip that includes Preveli beach – See programmes
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 the most beautiful city in Crete: Chania
I really enjoyed my visit to Chania. One of the things that particularly struck me was the town’s charming and colourful architecture. As I strolled through the streets, I was greeted by a pleasing palette of warm pastels and earthy 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 cosy waterside cafés creates a serene and picturesque scene.
Explore:
- the Venetian harbour 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
Day 7: Heraklion and Knossos Palace
Knossos is the most famous archaeological site on Crete. 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 from the Bronze Age.
I recommend arriving at 8am to enjoy the site without the large group (buses start arriving at 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 disc, the mosaics of Knossos…. and objects 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 everything.
But depending on your interests, you can create your own itinerary using my eBook:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
Day 1: Chania
2 hours’ drive from the airport
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Chania. One of the things that particularly struck me was the town’s charming and colourful architecture. As I strolled through the streets, I was greeted by a pleasing palette of warm pastels and earthy 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 cosy waterside cafés creates a serene and picturesque scene.
This is the most beautiful town in Crete.
Explore:
- the Venetian harbour and lighthouse
- the Maritime Museum of Crete
- the Greek Orthodox cathedral
- the beach
Overnight in Chania – see the best-rated accommodation in Chania.
Day 2: Balos Lagoon and the pink beach of Elafonissi
Start by heading to Kissamos to take the boat to Balos lagoon.
This is 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 colours!
More photos in my article.
The easiest option is to take the boat from Kissamos, which first stops at the island of Gramvousa and then takes you to the Lagoon.
Alternatively, there is a 4X4 track that starts to the west of Kissamos.
Or you can take organised tours from the towns.
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 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 getting there early to make the most of it before the crowds.
Find out more in my article on Elafonisi beach.
Overnight in Elafonissi (limited accommodation, book early)
You can find some accommodation near 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 30-minute 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 rooms in the monastery and see traces of the battle. The museum has some beautiful exhibits.
But I thought it was the atmosphere that had the most 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 accommodation
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
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, as it covers 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 theatre: the walls covered in writing. This is the Code of Law of Gortyn (5th century BC).
You can also enjoy the theatre, the ruins of St Titus’ church, a legendary tree, sculptures….
Stop 2 – Then you can visit the Palace of Phaistos. Inhabited since the Final Neolithic (3000 BC), it reached its peak 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 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 hippy 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 caves even more fascinating.
See more photos
Overnight in Matala – Discover the best rated accommodations in Matala
Day 5: Spinalonga
Probably fortified by the Venetians in the 16th century (it seems that 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 walk around 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 exhibitions 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 organised day trips from various tourist towns – See options
See my article.
Overnight in Malia – See best rated accommodation
Day 6: Cave of Zeus 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 it is the birthplace of Zeus.
From the car park, it’s a steep 20-minute 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 the Grotto of Zeus
Head back down to the coast to discover Malia and its famous archaeological site. It’s also a great area for exploring both sandy and rocky beaches.
Malia is my favourite of the 3 main Minoan palaces on Crete. 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 accommodation
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 the most famous archaeological site on Crete. 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 from the Bronze Age.
I recommend arriving at 8am to enjoy the site without the large group (buses start arriving at 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 disc, the mosaics of Knossos…. and objects 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 accommodation in Chania.
- Heraklion – see top rated accommodation (ideal if you want to take the bus)
- Rethymnon – See top rated accommodation
This is where you’ll find the most organised tours.
However, if you want to relax, enjoy the beach and party, choose:
- Malia – See top-rated accommodation
- Bali – See top-rated accommodation
- Rethymnon – See top-rated accommodation
What to see in Crete without a car
We recommend the following organised tours from Chania:
- Balos Lagoon: see programme and availability
- Hiking in the Samaria Gorge: see programme and availability
- Pink beach of Elafonissi: see programme and availability
- Knossos Palace and Heraklion: see programme and availability
We recommend the following organised tours from Rethymnon:
- Balos Lagoon: see programme and availability
- Matala and the south coast: see programme and availability
- Hiking in the Samaria Gorge: see programme and availability
- Monastery, cave and village: see programme and availability
We recommend the following tours from Heraklion:
- Spinalonga Island – see programme and availability
- Matala: see programme and availability
- Knossos: see programme and availability
- Balos Lagoon: see programme and availability
- Cave of Zeus: see programme 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
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
Want to see more of CRETE?