10-Day Crete Road Trip: Adventurous & Outdoor-Focused

The Greek Island of Crete is a mountainous isle furrowed with over 400 gorges. Glorious roads cross the mountains, typically via gorges, connecting the north and south coasts and its many mountain villages. 

This rugged and wild island provides splendid mountain climbing trails, spectacular drives, and scrumptious, home-cooked meals. Right here within the land of premium olive oil and amber-colored honey, life slows right down to a life-affirming tempo. 

Crete is a seasonal vacation vacation spot, with a busy summer time season and a sleepy winter season. We visited in March, buying and selling in our SAD Lamp for some Cretan winter solar. It was magical: sunny, quiet, and stress-free. Nonetheless, shoulder season (April – Could, September – October) is an optimum time to go to, as extra tavernas are open and key ferries are working at greater frequencies. 

Our Crete street journey showcases the very best of West Crete, beginning and ending on the Chania Airport. Comply with this route in late winter when that you must escape mainland Europe, or in spring and autumn. 

Be aware: we didn’t embody the well-known Samaria gorge hike, as a result of it’s solely accessible from Could 1st till October thirty first. In case you go to throughout that timeframe, positively add it to your Crete itinerary.

Crete Highway Journey Map

The best way to Ebook this West Crete Highway Journey

Lodging

Ebook 3 nights in Chania | Minaret Suites & Residences (price range), Amphitrite Resort (budget-midrange), Theta Seaside Boutique Resort (budget-midrange), Malmo Historic Resort (midrange), Casa Delfino Resort & Spa (luxurious), 

Ebook 3 nights in Sfakia | Sofia’s Pretty Rooms (price range), The Genuine Village Boutique Resort (budget-midrange), Ventus Luxurious Suites (midrange), or Panorama New Technology (midrange-luxury)

Ebook 3 nights in Plakias | AELIA (budget-midrange), Paligremnos Infinity (midrange), Belvedere Luxurious Residences & Spa (midrange-luxury), KYMĀNI Boutique Resort & Suites (midrange-luxury), or AMÉNTE Aware Keep (luxurious)

Automotive Rental

We advocate utilizing the Discovercars.com automotive rental reservation platform to seek for and e-book automotive leases in Crete.

This intuitive reserving platform compares automotive rental offers from quite a few trusted suppliers, so that you could select the most suitable choice to your journey.

What to Pack

I like to recommend packing mountain climbing boots, reef sneakers (booties), sun shades, a solar hat, a microfiber towel, and swim swimsuit.

The faucet water in Crete is drinkable. We each packed two SIGG – Reusable Water Bottles, which we used each day.

Day 1: Arrive in Chania

Chania (pronounced and in addition spelled Hania) is the second largest metropolis in Crete, set between the Akrotiri and Rodhopou peninsulas alongside the northwestern coast.

Assuming that you just arrived within the Chania Airport, decide up your rental automotive and drive 20 minutes to Chania.

Relying on the place you keep in Chania (Previous City, Koum Kapi, Halepa, Nea Chora), your lodging might or might not have on-site parking. For an outline of the very best areas and lodging, learn the place to remain in Chania.

After checking into your lodging, dedicate the remainder of your day to exploring the slender lanes of the Previous City and the Venetian Harbor. 

For a well-rounded introduction to Cretan delicacies, eat dinner at Chrisostomos (Google Maps). For an atmospheric evening out in a classy brasserie, housed within the ceramic artwork studio of Alexandra Manousakis, eat dinner on the seafront Maiami (Google Maps). And for up to date Mediterranean flavors, eat at Salis (Google Maps) within the Venetian Harbor. 

Earlier than sundown, hint the ocean wall of the Venetian Harbor out to the lighthouse for essentially the most fascinating view of Chania, backed by snow-capped mountains. 

Keep in Chania

Kati and I stayed 3 nights within the trendy Theta Seaside Boutique Resort, advantageously located between the Venetian harbor and Koum Kapi neighborhood. We liked our trendy sea-view room, the simple parking (giant free automotive park throughout the road), the situation, and heat hospitality. 

Previous City | Minaret Suites & Residences (price range), Amphitrite Resort (budget-midrange), Malmo Historic Resort (midrange), Casa Delfino Resort & Spa (luxurious), AZADE Chania (luxurious), and Monastery Property Venetian Harbor (luxurious)

Koum Kapi | Hyperion Metropolis Resort & Spa (midrange-luxury)

Halepa | Skins Idea (2-bedroom house) Tanneries Resort & Spa (luxurious), Domus Blanc Boutique Resort (luxurious)

Day 2: Katholico Gorge and Seitan Limania Seaside

Breakfast in Chania

In winter, Theta Seaside Boutique Resort doesn’t supply breakfast at their associate café. So, we loved a scrumptious breakfast at Bakery Patisserie & Espresso Store Ntourountous Chania 1866 Sq. (Google Maps).

For espresso, Monogram (Google Maps), situated on the nook of Chatzimichali Ntaliani and Daskalogianni, sells the very best espresso on the town. And Pallas (Google Maps), on the Venetian Harbor, is the most suitable choice for brunch. 

Throughout your keep in Chania, we advocate devoting half-a-day to Akrotiri peninsula, beginning with Katholiko Monastery and ending with Seitan Limania Seaside. Alternatively, you may e-book this Full-Day Personal Seitan Limani Boat Tour from Chania. 

Katholiko Monastery, Bay and Gorge

For hundreds of years, Katholiko Monastery was a sanctuary the place monks embraced a lifetime of asceticism. Hidden amongst rugged cliffs, they lived in humble caves and distant hermitages, dedicating their days to prayer, meditation, and self-denial.

Katholiko thrived through the Byzantine and Venetian eras. Nonetheless, within the seventeenth century, relentless pirate raids compelled the monks to desert their sacred refuge, abandoning the ruins we see right this moment. 

Whereas monastery ruins curiosity many, it’s not the first cause we advocate visiting. Beneath the Katholiko monastery church, a path drops right down to the spectacular Katholiko Gorge. A principally stage, however rocky path winds between the hovering limestone partitions of the gorge to achieve the coast and Katholiko Bay. 

Beginning on the Gouverneto Monastery automotive park (Google Maps), this 4.3 km out-and-back hike takes round 2:10 hours. 

Learn our Katholiko Gorge path information for an entire description. 

Seitan Limania Seaside

Earlier than returning to Chania, drive 25 minutes to the Seitan Limania Seaside automotive park (Google Maps). 

Cradled between rugged cliffs, Seitan Limania is a placing S-shaped inlet the place creamy turquoise waters brush towards white rock. The dramatic distinction of colours and wild magnificence has earned it a repute as one of the crucial gorgeous seashores in Crete.

A brief round path, measuring not more than 0.5 km, connects the automotive park to the seaside. Heading clockwise, it’s a steep descent to the seaside throughout very rugged and free rocky terrain. Sturdy sneakers are important. Though simply as steep, the best way again is simpler, because of the fastened chains, just lately put in for security functions. 

Extra issues to do round Chania

Keep a Second Evening in Chania

Prime lodging in Chania | Minaret Suites & Residences (price range), Amphitrite Resort (budget-midrange), Theta Seaside Boutique Resort (budget-midrange), Malmo Historic Resort (midrange), Casa Delfino Resort & Spa (luxurious), and Monastery Property Venetian Harbor (luxurious)

Learn: The place to remain in Chania.

Day 3: Sougia and Lissos Gorge

Although I might have been content material to laze round, hopping between cafés and outlets, Kati needed to drive to Sougia on the southwestern coast to hike the Lissos Gorge circuit path. I’m very glad I adopted alongside with out an excessive amount of resistance, as a result of it was an exquisite day journey. 

The serpentine mountain street to Sougia is in wonderful situation and sufficiently broad. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to drive cautiously, as a result of there are various goats and sheep that roam about freely. 

Throughout our early March go to, the tiny seaside village of Sougia was nearly totally shut down, other than the Smaragdus taverna (Google Maps), the place we savored a scrumptious lunch after mountain climbing Lissos Gorge.

This brief and candy hike leads via the slender Lissos Gorge, inhabited by not less than 100 goats, earlier than climbing as much as a plateau. With broad views of the rugged shoreline, the path descends to Church of St Irene after which joins a street right down to Sougia. It takes round 2:30 hours to hike the 6.3 km loop path.

Keep a Third Evening in Chania

In winter, we advocate returning to Chania. Between mid-April and mid-October, chances are you’ll need to keep within the secluded countryside Monastery Property Retreat close to Sougia.

Prime lodging in Chania | Minaret Suites & Residences (price range), Amphitrite Resort (budget-midrange), Theta Seaside Boutique Resort (budget-midrange), Malmo Historic Resort (midrange), Casa Delfino Resort & Spa (luxurious), and Monastery Property Venetian Harbor (luxurious)

Day 4: Imbros Gorge and Chora Sfakion (Sfakia)

Drive to the white-washed seaside village of Chora Sfakion (additionally spelled Hora Sfakion) on the south coast. The capital of Sfakiá is a rugged, mountainous area with a proud historical past of resistance towards Venetian and Ottoman rule. Throughout Greece, the individuals of Sfakia are identified for his or her bravery and fierce independence.

On the best way to Chora Sfakion, you may hike via Imbros gorge. 

With sweeping views of the ocean, the street descends in broad serpentines to Sfakia. 

Imbros Gorge

The Imbros Gorge hike begins within the hamlet of Imbros and ends within the hamlet of Komitades. Those that park in Komitades, usually take a taxi to the start line and hike downhill one-way. Those that park in Imbros, both hike out-and-back half means, or take a taxi from Komitades again to Imbros on the finish of the hike. 

We hiked out-and-back from Imbros to an space simply past the Leonidas Bar, a shack that sells drinks (excessive season solely).

The start of the hike is underwhelming. Be ready to stroll 1:15 hours to achieve essentially the most placing part of the gorge: a slender, serpentine canyon with sheer sides. 

The place to Park in Imbros | We parked on the automotive park subsequent to Kalinorisma Taverna (Google Maps). Nonetheless, we don’t advocate parking there for 2 causes: (1) the automotive park isn’t free when the taverna is open and (2) by parking right here, you lengthen the hike unnecessarily. Heed our recommendation and park throughout the bus parking at Porofarago Restaurant (Google Maps – park right here). In case you have a look at the google maps photographs, you may higher visualize the place individuals park. 

Entrance Charge | Throughout the “summer time season,” there’s a small entrance payment. The ticket sales space is situated close to the beginning of the hike. 

Keep in Chora Sfakion

House to simply 265 residents, the whitewashed village of Chora Sfakion exudes easy allure with its pretty taverna-lined harborfront and alluring seaside. 

Whereas most lodging don’t supply on-site parking, free parking is usually out there only a brief stroll away.

Price range | Sofia’s Pretty Rooms is a cheerful guesthouse with air-conditioned rooms and a secret backyard–a quiet oasis within the coronary heart of Sfakia. 

Price range – Midrange | Adults-only The Genuine Village Boutique Resort options 14 enticing, air-conditioned rooms, geared up with COCO-MAT handcrafted beds in addition to kettles and low machines. 

Midrange | Ventus Luxurious Suites provides trendy air-conditioned rooms, some with non-public jacuzzis, close to the harbor. Breakfast is out there at an additional cost. 

Midrange-Luxurious | Constructed into the cliffs above the ferry port, Panorama New Technology impresses with its trendy seaview rooms, swimming pool, and fabulous breakfast. 

All lodging in Chora Sfakion.

Day 5: Aradena Gorge

The hike via Aradena Gorge is staggeringly lovely, and truthfully the spotlight of our Crete journey.

 The gorge descends in steps to the ocean, and the path alternates between flat rocky paths and steep boulder and scree descents, the place you’ll want to make use of your fingers. Although the hike is troublesome, it’s exactly waymarked (red-white) and there aren’t any scary sections. The notorious ladders are simply averted. 

Take a taxi (or a bus, if working) from Sfakia to Aradena village and hike via the gorge to Marmara Seaside. If the climate is gentle, bold hikers can proceed mountain climbing all the best way again to Sfakia alongside the coast, following the E4. That’s what we did, however it’s a difficult hike with some troublesome passages. 

If you wish to finish the hike in Marmara Seaside, it’s crucial to safe the variety of a taxi boat operator prematurely and ensure {that a} pick-up is feasible. 

For a whole path description and taxi info, learn How We Hiked Aradena Gorge. 

Keep a Second Evening in Chora Sfakion

Prime Lodging in Chora Sfakion | Sofia’s Pretty Rooms (price range), The Genuine Village Boutique Resort (budget-midrange), Ventus Luxurious Suites (midrange), or Panorama New Technology (midrange-luxury)

Day 6: Loutro – Sfakia Coastal Path

The idyllic white-washed village of Loutro is just accessible by boat, or by foot. In case you ended the Aradena gorge hike in Marmara Seaside, dedicate right this moment to the coastal path between Sfakia and Loutro. The hike passes essentially the most spectacular seaside in Crete: Candy Water Seaside. 

To be completely candid, this can be a very difficult coastal path, which requires surefootedness, a head for heights, and luxury navigating difficult paths. After we hiked the route, a part of the trail was damaged off attributable to a landslide. 

If the hike sounds too troublesome, journey to Candy Water Seaside and Loutro by taxi boat, or ferry. 

By way of course, it’s most likely greatest to hike from Sfakia to Loutro, so you may finish the hike with lunch and a swim in one of the crucial enchanting locations on the island. Undoubtedly return to Sfakia by boat (fairly than hike out-and-back). 

Study Extra: Loutro – Candy Water Seaside – Sfakia Hike

Keep a Third Evening in Chora Sfakion

Prime Lodging in Chora Sfakion | Sofia’s Pretty Rooms (price range), The Genuine Village Boutique Resort (budget-midrange), Ventus Luxurious Suites (midrange), or Panorama New Technology (midrange-luxury)

Days 7 – 9: Plakias

Plakias is a relaxed seaside city and vacation retreat on Crete’s southwest coast, 40-km east of Chora Sfakion. Nestled in a sweeping bay, framed by rolling mountains and olive groves, Plakias is among the island’s most tasty locations. 

To really soak in its gorgeous seashores, scenic hikes, and distinctive hilltop church buildings, we advocate spending not less than three nights right here. We stayed in Plakias for 3 weeks and didn’t need to go away. 

Drive to Plakias

A scenic street cuts east throughout the foothills of Oros Angathes, the mountain vary neighboring the White Mountains, connecting Hora Sfakion with a number of mountain hamlets.

In Kato Rodakino, you may both descend to the coast and comply with the coastal street to Plakias, or keep on the excessive mountain street to Sellia. Each methods are beautiful, however we significantly liked the excessive street. 

In Sellia, eat lunch (or dinner) on the fantastic Kouneno Sellia Taverna (Google Maps), run by the warmest hosts: Irene and Nikos. 

Cease by the roadside viewpoints for a picture-perfect view of Sellia village (Google Maps) and one in every of Plakias Bay (Google Maps). 

From Sellia, you may both drive straight right down to Plakias following a really slender and curvy street. For a better and wider possibility, proceed driving east to Myrthios village and drive down from there. 

What to See and Do in Plakias

With two full days in Plakias, we advocate seaside hopping, mountain climbing the Kako Mouri headland circuit path, visiting Agios Paisios Church above Damnoni Bay, and mountain climbing right down to Preveli Palm Seaside. In case you lengthen your keep, it’s value doing a day journey to Matala and Crimson Seaside.

I’ve outlined all the very best issues to do in our Plakias Journey Information.

Keep Three Nights in Plakias

Price range – Midrange | AELIA provides seafront residences in a superb location and at an inexpensive value. 

Midrange | Paligremnos Infinity and NERĒA Boutique Resort are situated steps away from the very best space of Plakias Seaside.

Midrange – Luxurious | Prime-rated Belvedere Luxurious Residences & Spa enjoys a town-center location close to Plakias Seaside. In case you’re within the temper for somewhat further pampering, you’ll love having breakfast delivered to your room every morning, stress-free by the outside pool (open seasonally), and unwinding on the spa (remedies out there).

Midrange – Luxurious | KYMĀNI Boutique Resort & Suites is a small boutique resort with trendy, impeccably-designed rooms, an outside swimming pool, and a tasty breakfast delivered to your private terrace. The resort is strolling distance to the Plakias Promenade and Seaside. 

Luxurious | AMÉNTE Aware Keep is a trendy, design-forward luxurious resort providing a serene escape with simply 10 lovely rooms. 

Tip | In case you’re struggling to e-book lodging in Plakias, lengthen your search to small mountain village of Myrthios: STELLA within the village (price range), Chrisanthi Studios & Residences (price range), Fedra Suites Myrthios (midrange-luxury), and Mirthea Suites (midrange). 

Day 10: Kourtaliotiko Gorge and Rethymno

Kourtaliotiko Gorge

The drive north to Rethymno takes you thru the jaw-dropping Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The street itself is spectacular. However, don’t miss the brief hike down the Kourtaliotiko Gorge waterfalls and Church Of Saint Nicholas. 

I’ve defined the place to park and the best way to discover the hidden church in our Kourtaliotiko Gorge mountain climbing information.

Lunch in Rethymno

On the best way to Chania Airport, cease within the metropolis of Rethymno (additionally spelled Rethimno and Rethymnon) for lunch. Throughout off-season, there may be ample free parking exterior the citadel partitions. We parked right here.

If visiting on a Thursday, don’t miss the weekly market (Google Maps); it’s a fantastic place to purchase Cretan honey. 

After exploring Fortezza of Rethymnon and the historic Previous City, we ate lunch at Stella’s Kitchen (Google Maps).

Rethymno Seaside is legendary for its nightlife. If you wish to lengthen your keep, take a look at Effie’s cozy outdated city studios (budget-midrange), Casa di Gaga Luxurious Suites (midrange), Fonte d’Oro Luxurious Rooms (midrange), adults-only Amalen Suites (luxurious), Mansio Boutique Resort (luxurious).

Drive to Chania Airport / Depart Chania

I hope you loved following our itinerary. In that case, please go away us a remark and tell us about your adventurous journey to Crete.