Crete is huge! So, if you want to make the most of your visit to the island, renting a car is the wisest decision you can take. The reasons? Plenty! But to put it shortly, exploring Crete by car is an experience you will long remember. Keep reading to discover more and uncover the best places to visit in Crete by car. 

Posts include affiliate links to products or services. I might earn a commission if you make a purchase.

Best Places to Visit in Crete by Car

>> Join our Facebook Group!

What Places You Should Visit in Crete

There are tons of places that I could recommend you to visit in Crete with your car, many of them I discovered by chance, just wandering around on the island while driving on any given Sunday afternoon.

And there’s always a pleasant surprise on the road, always a hidden gem. Don’t believe me? Take a look…

Villages and Towns for Every Taste 

Whether you are looking for a cosmopolitan setting, a picturesque resort, or a traditional village, Crete has you covered!

Towns such as Chania and Agios Nikolaos redefine what you may think of Greek cities.

At the same time, villages such as Sfaka (in Lasithi), Anogia (in Rethymnon), or Rogdia (in Heraklion)can travel you back in time within seconds of your arrival. 

Exotic Beaches as if They Come Out of a Card Postal

Crete may not be tropical, but it is a paradise on Earth. And its spectacular beaches are enough to make you fall head over heels for the island.

Out-of-this-world beaches such as Elafonisi and Balos Lagoon may be the highlight of Crete, but these are just the tip of the iceberg!

A Lush Landscape That Will Leave You Breathless

Crete is an island blessed with such a natural beauty that will never cease to surprise you. In every corner, there is something new to discover, and keep falling in love with this majestic corner of Greece.

And the highlight in this dance of Mother Nature is no other than the Cretan gorges. Samaria Gorge may be the most popular of them all, but remember it is just one of the many! Besides, other gorges, including Imbros, Therisos, Topolia, or Kourtaliotiko can be visited by car too!

Enormous Mountains That Will Put You in Awe of Your Surroundings

You may visit Crete for its beaches and culture, but you will see mountains wherever you turn your head. And it was in those mountains that many Greek villages and old civilizations thrived.

Above all, the Cretan mountains offer some of the most breathtaking views you can have on your road trip!

Best Towns in Crete That You Must Visit

There are several cities and small towns worth your time, in every region of Crete. Don’t miss them!

The Picturesque Town of Chania

If you have to visit only one town in Crete, that should be no other than Chania. Imagine a small charming settlement full of life and fantastic architecture.

Its lovely harbor, the old city, and its lively market are only a portion of what Chania can offer.

Above all, the food here will be the main reason you’ll want to extend your stay in the town!

The Cosmopolitan City of Heraklion 

The capital of Crete is the third biggest city in Greece. In other words, it has everything, from renowned museums, cathedrals, and picturesque old towns to bars, restaurants, and shops of every kind.

That is enough reason to visit Heraklion while you drive around Crete! Yet, if you want to give the city justice, take it slow and explore its well-hidden yet beautiful corners.

The Medieval Town of Rethymnon 

If driving the distance between Chania and Heraklion sounds too much, go halfway until reaching Rethymno.

Not only will this medieval city captivate you with its sheer beauty and vibes, but you will also have the chance to explore terrific ancient sites.

The Lively Town of Agios Nikolaos

The seaside settlement of Agios Nikolaos has all you ever wished for from a holiday destination.

Spectacular beaches, mild climate all year long, buzzing nightlife, and souvenir shops for every taste.

Let alone the delicious local gastronomy that includes a blend of traditional and modern Greek cuisine!

The Holiday Resort of Elounda 

Although it used to be a quiet fishing village, Elounda has transformed into an all-out summer resort that offers the ultimate holiday experience.

Spectacular coastline, crystal clear water, archaeological sites, shaded beaches, and the island of Spinalonga are only some of the reasons you will fall in love with Elounda.

Above all, it remains a relatively quiet and serene destination, thanks to the area’s spacious resorts, hotels, and villas. 

Places to Visit in Crete by Car

Nothing wiser than renting a car when arriving in Crete to see and enjoy the best of this big Greek island.

Driving in Crete isn’t as hard as you may think, so get behind the wheel and discover some unforgettable places, think of historical monuments such as Phaistos, Gortys, or Agia Triada, to name only a few.

Knossos: the Symbol of Minoan Civilization 

Perhaps one of Greece’s most important archaeological monuments, Knossos Palace, deserves a visit while driving around Crete.

Imagine walking on a four-thousand-year-old structure that emits history in every corner or sign of ruin.

If you like what you see, make sure to also visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, where many findings from Knossos have moved.

Arkadi Monastery

A few kilometers south of Rethymno, you will come across one of Crete’s most prestigious and historical monasteries.

Arkadi Monastery was a sight of martyrdom when sieged Greeks decided to bomb themselves after being surrounded by Ottomans during the Cretan Revolution in 1866.

Falasarna Beach 

Considered by many the best beach in Crete, Falasarna Beach has all you ever dreamed of from a Greek beach.

You will be swimming in crystal clear waters, walking in golden sand, and enjoying ecstatic views of the surrounding mountains.

Malia’s Minoan Palace

No matter which stone you move in Crete, a great deal of history hides beneath it. And that is what happens around the modern resort of Malia, east of Heraklion.

Here lies Crete’s third-largest Minoan Palace, home to prehistoric houses, streets, theaters, workshops, and royal tombs.

All you have to do is drive to the site and explore its 7500 square meters at your own pace. You will love the whole experience!

Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada)

Traveling Crete by car means that you have the opportunity to explore every hidden corner of the island.

As you do that, sooner or later, you will come across hidden gems that will make you wonder why they are so peaceful and free of tourists.

Holy Trinity Monastery is one such gem that lies 15 kilometers north of Chania, in the Akrotiri Peninsula. It is about a 17th-century Byzantine monastery, which also houses a museum of rare religious work.

✈️ Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.

Road Trip Ideas in Crete

Getting on the road in Crete can be a very rewarding experience, driving surrounded by an ever-changing majestic landscape is one of the perks of taking a road trip in Crete.

In the section below you will find some fantastic road trip ideas to have a great time when visiting Crete!

From Heraklion to Matala 

Drive 70 kilometers from Rethymno towards Matala on the southern side of Crete, and prepare for a route full of history and archaeological monuments.

Gortys archaeological site, the Temple of Apollo, Agia Triada, and the Minoan Palace of Phaistos will all be on your way! 

Although the ride is full of historical sites, expect to explore natural wonders such as the Labyrinth Cave or Nymphs Waterfall and monasteries like those of St. George Gorgolaini or Panagia Kaliviani.

Above all, make sure to stop over at the picturesque mountain village of Zaros, where you can also spend the night.

If you do, that’s a handy opportunity to explore the nearby lake and gorge early in the morning.

And when you reach the end of your route at Matala, remember to head to Matala Beach and cool down in its calm waters.

From Chania to Rethymnon

One of the most famous road trips you can take in Crete is no other than from Chania to Rethymnon.

Although you can do the same route on a bus for around €7, nothing beats the fun and freedom of driving your own car.

Let alone that you want to be able to visit the attractions along the way.

Think of beaches like Episkopi, fishing villages such as Kalives and Georgioupoli, and picturesque churches like that of Agios Fanourios near Metohi. And all that in less than 70 kilometers!

If you want to spend a night somewhere between Chania and Rethymno, consider staying near Lake Kournas.

From Rethymnon to Plakias

If you are in Rethymno, a must-route you have to take goes through Preveli in the south and then Plakias in the west.

Although there is a fast road from Rethymno to Plakias, you want to take the longer, more scenic path through the mountains around Preveli.

That way, you will have the chance to explore the breathtaking local scenery and visit Kourtaliotiko Gorge! For many, this gorge is as beautiful, if not more, as the more popular Samaria Gorge in the West.

And once you have admired Preveli’s lush landscape and mountains, head toward its beach, which is also the endpoint of the Kourtaliotiko gorge.

Relax and take in the exotic scenery all around. This beach is the crossroad between the ocean’s blue, the forest’s green, and the brown of the mountains. In other words? A nature’s canvas like no other!

Finally, your end stop Plakias does not fall far behind in natural beauty. You will have the Libyan Sea in your footsteps and the tall Cretan mountains on your back.

From Agios Nikolaos to Vai Beach 

If you want to go a bit off the beaten path, consider driving from Agios Nikolaos to Vai Beach in the eastern corner of Crete.

It is about a 90-kilometer route that follows the northern coastline of Crete and travels you through ever-changing scenery.

Expect to stop by the spectacular Richtis Gorge, the seaside settlement of Mochlos, the archaeological site of Gourna, and tens of beaches along the way.

Because there are so many things to see, it might be good to spend a night at Sitia and explore this picturesque little town and its delicious cuisine. 

Then, prepare to drive uphill and stop by Toplou Monastery before you descend again towards Vai Beach.

There awaits the highlight of your trip! Imagine a tropical-like beach with palm trees reaching the golden sand and the turquoise waters.

From Sitia to Ierapetra 

Again in the more secluded eastern part of Crete, a road trip from Sitia to Ierapetra can offer memories that will last a lifetime.

The attractions in the area in between are so many that the biggest dilemma you’ll have is which specific route you shall take.

If you follow the northern coastline and take the inland road, you will be driving through scenic routes and in between tall, imposing mountains.

Apart from the must-visit to the spectacular Richtis Gorge, include in your itinerary stops in the traditional mountain villages of Exo Mouliana and Kavousi.

If you instead take the southern route from Sitia to Ierapetra, you will be visiting beautiful coastal beaches and locals seaside settlements.

Think of beaches like Diaskari and fishing villages such as Makrigialos, not to mention the amazing Mylonas Gorge and Waterfall.

From Ierapetra to Matala 

If you want to explore a somewhat forgotten part of Crete, a road trip from Ierapetra to Matala will show you a different side of Crete. Although you will be driving along the southern coastline of Crete, more than half of the route is through mountainous terrain.

The first 60 kilometers are flat and pass through the seaside settlement of Myrtos and the region of Viannos.

Here, you will find most of the sandy beaches of this road trip. So, remember to take advantage of them before entering the rocky southern part of Archanes-Asterousia municipality.

Although you can skip all the difficult driving by taking the highway in the north, the fun, and the memories pass through the south.

In other words, if you decide to take the challenging yet scenic route, you will come across little traditional villages such as Kaloi Limenes, secluded pebble beaches like Trypiti, and gorges such as Koumos Canyon. 

Are You Ready to Visit Crete by Car?

All in all, driving around Crete is the most efficient way to explore its wonders.

Not only will you have the chance to see popular attractions and take them off of your bucket list, but you will also come across pleasant surprises and sites you have never considered visiting. 

Perhaps the most memorable experience of your time in Crete hides somewhere in the remote parts of the island. So, what are you waiting for? Have you made your list of places to visit in Crete by car?
Rent a car and go make those memories!

>> Join our Facebook Group!

More resources to enhance your Crete adventure

Start by checking out my guide to planning your trip to Crete, packed with helpful essential information. Explore the articles on prices in Crete, common mistakes to avoid, and insider secrets. If you prefer, you can purchase one of the digital travel guides I’ve specifically written about Crete. They are affordable and practical to check from your mobile.

When it’s time to plan, explore the best places to visit on Crete Island, discover my tours and activities, and be amazed at Crete’s incredible beaches. If you are exploring specific areas like Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lasithi, and Chania, I’ve got detailed guides to help you make the most of your time.

Suggested accommodation in Crete

No time to read all my accommodation guides? Check out these places to stay:

• Heraklion: Galaxy Hotel.
• Chania: Porto Antico.
• Rethymnon: Archipelagos Hotel.
• Agios Nikolaos: Hotel Port 7.

Pin this Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Crete by Car!

---

---