We may receive a commission if you make purchases through affiliate links (at no extra cost to you). Read why our approach to travel is different.
In my years of living in Greece, Crete stands out as one of the most unique of the Greek islands. You may have already seen our four-day itinerary for Crete, from Heraklion to Chania. However, since Crete is such a large island (over 160 miles long), you might also want to spend more time to explore more locally. This 7-day Crete itinerary is perfect for those wanting to dive a little deeper and explore the western end of the island.
Aside from being the largest Greek island, Crete’s unique history, cuisine and tradition all count towards its proud distinct identity. Counting Crete among the other Greek islands might be altogether misleading. What many people imagine about the Greek islands – windswept barren landscapes dotted with blue and whitewashed domes, like on Santorini, Milos or other Cycladic islands – isn’t exactly what you’ll find on Crete.
In fact, it’s easy to forget you’re on an island at all, what with the magnitude of its mountainous interior. Large modern towns like Chania also make Crete a major population center, with all of the cultural life and influence which that brings.
Think of Crete as a consolidation of all the best parts of Greece as a whole – still firmly Greek, but with an added swagger of confidence that comes from its geographical isolation from the rest of the country.
Planning Your 7-Day Crete Itinerary
How to Get to Western Crete
Book your flights into the well-connected airport at Chania, one of Crete’s two main entry points. There is a huge array of seasonal routes opening up for the peak summer months. You can also take one of the comfortable overnight ferries from Athens.
When to Visit Western Crete
As the southernmost sizeable landmass in Greece, the Cretan climate is generally a few degrees warmer than the rest of Greece. This means that the winters are a little more mild, but the summers are even more scorching hot.
For this reason, summer visitors will either want to spend most of their time by the coast, or take to higher elevations. The shoulder seasons (April-June and September-October) are perfect times to visit Crete.
7-Day Crete Itinerary
Day 1-2: Chania
The first impression you’ll get of Chania will most likely be of the Venetian-era port. Protected from the sea by a length fortified sea wall, this used to be one of the most important Venetian – and then Ottoman – cities in the eastern Mediterranean. The old town is layered with history, and the observant visitor will be able to distinguish hallmarks from each stage of the past.
A good example of that mix is the church of Agios Nikolaos. This is Greece’s only building to be comprised of both a (church) bell tower and a (mosque) minaret. Over the years, it has transformed from being a Catholic church, to then being a military barracks, an Ottoman mosque, and now an Orthodox church.
If you’re into more ancient history, be sure not to miss the Archaeological Museum of Chania, housed in a former Venetian monastery. My personal favorite way to enjoy Chania, however, is to slowly take it in at your own pace. Wander through the narrow alleyways, discover bakeries and coffeeshops, and just take in the atmosphere of the charming old town.
Excursions from Chania
For those interested in ancient history, you can take a half-day excursion out of town to the site of Ancient Aptera. There you can explore the ruins of a theater with sweeping views over the Bay of Souda.
For a more beach-oriented excursion, join a tour and visit Balos Beach. This beautiful beach is best accessed by boat, in order to avoid the hair-raising drive along an uneven dirt road followed by a hike. To visit Balos Beach, you should budget a whole day of your Cretan itinerary.
Best Restaurants in Chania
If you like to eat, you’re in good company on Crete. Cretan food is famous among the Greeks, and Chania boasts an array of excellent restaurants to showcase their local cuisine.
To Steno (literally meaning “the alley”) serves excellent fresh Cretan food, with a good selection of mezze sharer plates. Highlights include the pork in white wine and leek stew, as well as the ubiquitous Dakos salad (rusks topped with diced tomatoes, zingy mizithra cheese and capers).
Alternatively, just a short walk away from the harbor is Chrisostomos, which serves delicious Cretan food as well as more general Greek fare. You’ll want to ask if they have any traditional Greek desserts available.
Day 3: Elafonisi
Get yourself a rental car to take yourself out of Chania and into the Cretan countryside to explore. Elafonisi Beach is a stunning location at the very southwestern tip of Crete.
I often list Elafonisi Beach as one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece, which is really saying something. Some may even boldly claim that it is among one of the most spectacular beaches in the whole world.
The “-nisi” part of the name actually means “island”. The beach is in fact a shallow sandbar which connects the main island of Crete to another small islet, upon which sits a small lighthouse. Head away from the rows of overpriced sun-loungers and wade out through the knee-deep water to the islet.
Needless to say, the water here is pristinely clear. It’s about two hours’ drive from Chania, but there are numerous accommodation options nearby to make this a whole-day destination on your 7-day Crete itinerary.
Day 4: Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge offers one of Greece’s most spectacular hikes. I included it on our ultimate guide to the best hikes in Greece, so therefore it is must-see destination on this 7-day Crete itinerary.
This route stretches 16 kilometers and descending 1,200 meters in elevation. The path follows the gorge through dramatic cliffs and pine forests. The highlight for many is the “Iron Gates”, where the walls of the gorge narrow down to just a few meters apart. Hikers might also spot some of the endangered kri-kri goats along the way.
If you attempt this hike in the summer, be sure to take a lot of water, sunscreen and a hat, since temperatures can soar on Crete. Finish off the trek with a refreshing dip in the sea at Agia Roumeli, as well as fresh seafood at one of the waterside tavernas.
Day 5: Loutro
Loutro is probably south Crete’s best hidden gem. Inaccessible by road, the only way to reach this car-free village is by boat. Take the boat from either Agia Roumeli (at the bottom of Samaria Gorge), or from the east via Chora Sfakion.
The impossibly picturesque bay at Loutro has some of the clearest water I’ve seen anywhere in the world. It’s only a small village, with a handful of hotels and guesthouses, but that’s exactly what makes it so peaceful. Take your pick from one of the several waterside tavernas, punctuated by swims in the crystal-clear water. It’s hard to imagine a more perfect Mediterranean hideaway spot.
If you were to extend your time anywhere on this 7-day Crete itinerary, Loutro would probably be the best place to hide away for a few days.
Day 6-7: Rethymno
From Chora Sfakion, drive north to stunning Rethymno, which will be the final point on your 7-day Crete itinerary.
Rethymno is another beautiful port on the north Crete coast. Personally, I think Rethymno is even more picturesque than Chania. The Venetian heritage in Rethymno is evident in the Fortezza, a 16th-century castle rising above the town – the climb to the top is worth it for the views alone.
At the same time, you’ll find plenty of vestiges of the Ottoman past as well, from the hammam buildings, fountains, and former mosque minarets which can be found around the old town. It is exactly this blend of Venetian and Ottoman history which make Rethymno a great place to base yourself for these last two days.
Excursions from Rethymno
While in Rethymno, there a number of worthwhile excursions to round off your Crete itinerary.
Arkadi Monastery
This Renaissance-influenced complex used to house a school and library for its residents. The Arkadi Monastery played a key role in the Cretan resistance to Ottoman rule in the 19th century, and there is a museum which teaches you about this important chapter in Cretan history.
Eleutherna and its Archaeological Museum
Not far from the Arkadi Monastery, the ruins of this Eleutherna stretch along the hilltop with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside and down to the coast. The small archaeological museum which accompanies the site is also worth a quick visit.
Margarites
The characterful hillside village of Margarites is famous all over Crete for the quality of its pottery. There are many locally owned workshops across the village selling their crafts as tourist souvenirs. Visit the Giannousakis taverna while you’re here.
Melidoni Cave
Melidoni Cave is accessed by a steep flight of stairs into the hillside, and is filled with wonderful geological features. Once inside the large underground cavern, colorful illuminations allow visitors to enjoy its natural beauty. The cave can easily be combined with the Arkadi Monastery in one busy day.
Planning an elaborate Greek island tour? Don’t miss our ultimate 10 day Greek island hopping itinerary. And for those who prefer to stay on land, we have put together a remarkably unique 7 day (mainland) Greece itinerary which combines all of the country’s highlights.
Share This Article
Traveling soon? Subscribe to The Insight below and get exclusive access to our personalized travel advice community via WhatsApp so you can ask all your burning travel questions.
Looking for the best comprehensive travel insurance? SafetyWing has you covered.
And for your eSIM in every country, there is only one option we recommend: Airalo.
Read more of our best insights from around the world
- Ultimate 7 Day Poland Itinerary for 2025: Krakow, Warsaw and Beyond
- 10 Best Brunch In Kuala Lumpur Options With Trendy Food & Coffee
- The Ultimate Itinerary for Puglia in 2025
- The Definitive List of the Best Restaurants in Galle, Sri Lanka
- The Best Polish Street Food to Try in 2025
- One Day in Amsterdam Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide 2025
