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.
It’s easy to underestimate just how big Greece’s largest island is. And with that, it’s even easier to underestimate how much there is to see and do. Crete may be all you expect from a Mediterranean island paradise, but it’s so much more, too.
Home to the Minoans, Europe’s first advanced civilization, Crete’s history goes back centuries before Christ. Since then, it’s been under the control of the Mycenaeans, the Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman Empires before finally becoming a part of Greece in 1913.
Of course, most visitors come to Crete for sun, sea and sand. And of those, it has more than its fair share. With everything from busy tourist beaches to secluded coves, family-friendly waterparks to wild nightlife and unparalleled natural beauty to millennia-old remains, Crete really does have it all. Our 4-day Crete itinerary includes a little bit of everything this stunning island has to offer.
Skip to...
The Best Time for this Crete Itinerary
Crete has a fairly typical Mediterranean climate. Being equidistant between Athens and the Libyan coast, it enjoys slightly higher temperatures than the Greek mainland.
Peak tourist season is through the school summer holidays (July and August). Whilst they offer the best weather, we recommend visiting in the shoulder season. April to June and September are warm and, more often than not, fairly dry. They also bring the benefit of lower hotel prices and fewer crowds.
Getting to Crete
As with any island, transport options are fairly limited. You can either fly or take a ferry. Crete has two major international airports: Heraklion (HER) and Chania (CHQ). A third airport, Sitia (JSH), handles mainly regional flights and summer charters. Both Heraklion and Chania see several daily flights from Athens, with frequent flights to destinations across Europe. Both airports have good local bus connections to their respective city centers and several car rental agencies.
The alternative to flying is to arrive in Crete by ferry. The most popular option is to take an overnight crossing from Athens (Piraeus) to either Heraklion or Chania. The journey time is around 9 hours. These routes are operated by large cruise ferries with restaurants, bars and cabins onboard. If you prefer to sail in daylight, Seajets offer one departure every morning which involves a change in Santorini.
The Ultimate Crete Itinerary
Day 1: Heraklion
Morning: Discover Minoan Culture
Kicking off this Crete itinerary in the island’s buzzing administrative center, start by hopping aboard an open top bus to get your bearings. This audio-guided tour will take you to all the places we’ve included in today’s plan.
Make your first stop the Historical Museum of Crete. Filled with ceramics, sculptures and art covering over 1,700 years of history, it’s the perfect place to get a taste of what Crete has to offer.
To take a brief reprieve from day one of this Crete itinerary’s history lessons, go for a wander through the narrow streets of the old town in search of lunch. There’s no shortage of choice for traditional Cretan cuisine. Duck down the side streets running off of Plateia Eletherias to avoid the tourist crowds.
Travel tip: Our favorite spot is Antipodas. Their simple grilled platters and fresh locally caught seafood never fails to hit the spot. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for one of their daily specials.
Afternoon: Archaeology in Action
Back on the history trail, take a short walk to Heraklion Archaeological Museum. If you feel like you’ve been time traveling once already today, this next stop on our Crete itinerary is going to send you back further still. Almost 8,000 years further.
With its earliest exhibits dating from the Neolithic period around 7000 BC, this is a history museum worthy of the name. Following a chronological order, you’ll start your visit in the Minoan period, working through to the comparatively modern Roman era.
Now you’ve seen evidence of the Minoan civilisation in museum form, it’s time to see it in action. Hop back on a tour bus (or the local Heraklion City Bus) to the Palace of Knossos. The island’s largest and best excavated Minoan palace, Knossos is guaranteed to be a highlight of any Crete itinerary. It’s well worth booking your entrance ticket in advance to save time and ensure you’re able to get in.
Round off your first day in Crete watching pleasure craft bob about in Heraklion’s Venetian harbor. Marina Café is the ideal spot to wind down. With views across the harbor, they serve simple Greek favorites with plenty of local wines to accompany.
Where to stay in Heraklion
We recommend you plan a two night stay in Heraklion. Day 2 of our Crete itinerary works perfectly as a day trip from the city. For the best views of the harbor, look no further than Kronos Hotel.
If you’d rather stay in the old town, which is within walking distance of the harbor, beautiful Mirabello Hotel might just be one of Crete’s best bargains. For a slightly more indulgent stay, consider the modern Olive Green Hotel.
Day 2: Agios Nikolaos & Spinalonga
The second day of our Crete itinerary takes you to another island entirely. Follow the coast road west past the resorts of Malia and Sisi to Agios Nikolaos. If you haven’t rented a car, KTEL intercity buses leave every hour from Heraklion Bus Station. The journey follows the coast and takes around 90 minutes. Alternatively, join a day tour which includes all transfers as well as the ferry to Spinalonga.
Travel tip: If you’ve made your own way to Agios Nikolaos, you’ll only need to book the ferry. Consider this option which comes with lunch onboard.
Sitting just 750 meters off the Crete coast, Spinalonga served as a fortress until the end of Venetian rule in 1715. In 1903, its fate took a rather unexpected turn when the Cretan government elected to turn the island into a leper colony. It was only in 1957 it was finally abandoned again and in 2005, the island opened to visitors.
Back on the mainland, spend a little time relaxing on Agios Nikolaos’s miles of sandy beaches before making tracks back to Heraklion. If you’ve driven yourselves, make a stop at the Ancient City of Lato. Excavations, which ran for over 100 years, uncovered the remains of a 5th century BC settlement which was destroyed around 200 BC.
Day 3: Crete Coast & Countryside to Rethymno
Warning: Day 3 of this Crete itinerary is very difficult – if not, impossible – to complete by public transport. If you aren’t driving, head straight to Rethymno by KTEL bus to join a tour of all the locations we’ve included.
Morning: Melidoni & Margarites
Home to one of Crete’s only accessible caves, the village of Melidoni lies 70 kilometers east of Heraklion. Used for religious ceremonies during the Minoan period, the cave more recently provided shelter for Cretans during the Ottoman invasion of the 19th century.
The next stop on our 4-day Crete itinerary is just a few kilometers down the road, in the village of Margarites. If you were hoping this was a misspelling of a cocktail or pizza, you may be disappointed – but there’ll be plenty of time for both of those in Rethimno this evening. Margarites is the center of the Cretan pottery industry.
Spend a while admiring the many pottery workshops before pausing for lunch at traditional Taverna Veranda (Erap Od, Aggelianon-Elefthernas). Enjoy classics like moussaka and souvlaki rounded off with a glass of local ouzo.
Afternoon: Arkadi Monastery
Dating back to the 16th century, Arkadi Monastery is still an active Eastern Orthodox monastery. Rising to fame, like Melidoni, as a place of refuge during the Ottoman insurgence, the locals didn’t give up Arkadi without a fight. When they knew all was lost, rather than surrender, they set off barrels of gunpowder, taking their own lives before handing over the monastery.
Evening: Venetian Rethymno
Without doubt one of the most beautiful spots on this Crete itinerary, the ancient port city of Rethynmo (also spelt Rethimno) was built up during Venetian rule. A never ending maze of cobblestone streets, it’s easy to loose yourself here for hours, only to find yourself just a few feet from where you started.
Take a moment to marvel at the view from the Venetian fortress which looms above the city before heading down to the harbor. As the sun sets, find a spot for dinner gazing out towards the lighthouse. Achinos has one of the best views in town. To make the most of the location, go for one of their seafood specials; the seabass and grilled squid are divine. And, as promised, they do a pretty neat margarita.
Where to stay in Rethymno
It would seem almost criminal to spend a night of your Crete itinerary in Rethymno without allowing yourself a harbor view. Faros Beach Hotel offers the perfect blend of traditional features and modern comforts with balconies facing the lighthouse. A street back from the harbor, Porto Enetiko Suites are ideal if you want a little more privacy.
Day 4: Chania
It may be a cliché, but we’ve saved the absolute best of this Crete itinerary until last. Pronounced, and sometimes spelt, Hania, Chania is a wonderful mismatch of Venetian and Ottoman designs. The bustling old town could keep you captivated for weeks, whilst spending the evening overlooking the harbor would fail to bore even the most restless soul.
Start your day in Chania with a visit to the Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Collection. Housed in a beautifully restored Venetian church, the museum holds a collection of artefacts from Byzantine Crete right up to 1913.
After a few hours strolling through the old town searching for nick-nacks and curios in the endless rows of independent shops, head for the harbor. The Maritime Museum of Crete is a definite must for the final day of your Crete itinerary. Covering everything from the Byzantine period to the present day, Crete, like every island, has a proud and colorful maritime heritage.
As evening falls, take up a spot at Enetikon, tucked away on a narrow alley in the old town. Here, you can enjoy one final night of authentic Cretan food. From Cretan salads and pasta to Greek classics, you won’t leave hungry. If you fancy a break from Greek cuisine, harborside il Padrino is a fantastic Italian with a view to match.
Where to stay in Chania
In recent years, Chania has become something of a hotspot for boutique hotels. Many occupying former Venetian-era buildings with views of the old town or harbor, choosing a hotel in Chania is anything but easy.
To end your Crete itinerary with a spot of luxury, Domus Renier Boutique Hotel is our top pick in Chania. Right on the harbor, choose between a room with a view or a room with your own private hot tub on the terrace. If you’re seeking value without compromising on location, Nostos Hotel is the place for you.
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
- A Day Trip to Türkiye: A Guide to Crossing the Border in Cyprus
- The Ultimate 4-Day Crete Itinerary for 2025
- 7 Beautiful Places in Nepal – and a Hidden Gem Few People Know About
- 10 of the Best Restaurants in Ravello, Including Sea Views to Gasp Over
- 9 Spots For The Best Brunch In Rome For Late Risers
- We Found The Middle East’s Best New Hotel for 2025
