Disclaimer: this post is based on my experience and it is a DIY schedule. It covers the main tourist attractions and not the hidden gems 😊
Let’s take the following scenario:
· You have a car (rented or your own)
· You have a week of vacation or a couple of days
· You want to explore Crete as much as possible
Well, when I first arrived on the island we only had 4 full days to discover Crete. Therefore I planned this time in the smallest details, so that we can see as many places as possible. And we did see😊
Below are some suggestions on how you can organize your time to enjoy all the beautiful must-see places in Crete. They are grouped by main accommodation areas/starting points and time-drive effective. The order is random and each number in the list is considered a full day. Enjoy!
Heraklion – including: Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia, Kokkini Chani, Gournes, Gouves, Analipsi, Anisaras, Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida
1. Knossos Palace and Heraklion
2. Quad safari (Karteros Canyon) and Nikos Kazantzakis Museum
3. Cretaquarium (Thalassokosmos), Dinosauria Park, Labyrinth Park, AquaWorld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Center – for those of you who travel with kids 😊
4. Gortys Archaeological site, Minoan Palace of Phaistos, Agia Triada Archaeological site, Matala & Matala Caves
5. Agia Pelagia, Fodele, Bali
6. Hersonissos, Lychnostatis open air museum, Malia archaeological site, Potamos Beach
7. Selinari Monastery, Amazonas Park, Agios Nikolaos
8. Agios Nikolaos, Spinalonga, Plaka, Elounda
9. Agios Nikolaos, Ancient city of Lato, Kritsa
10. Melidoni cave, Margarites, Ancient Eleftherna, Arkadi, Rethymno
11. Arolithos Traditional Cretan Village, Archaeological site of Tilisos, Agia Marina Monastery
12. Agiofaraggo Beach, Maha Beach, Psili Ammos Beach, Tripiti Beach
Agios Nikolaos – including: Elounda, Ammoudara (of Agios Nikolaos, not Heraklion)
1. Ancient city of Lato, Kritsa, Myrtos
2. Voulisma beach, Archaeological site of Gournia, Ancient Olive tree Azorias, the Mysterious town of Azorias, Mochlos fishing village
3. Richtis Gorge, Siteia
4. Toplou Monastery, Vai Beach
5. Lasithi Plateau Windmills, Cave of Zeus (Diktaion Andron), Panagia Kera Kardiotissa Monastery
6. Ancient Naxos, Spinalonga, Plaka, Elounda
7. Ierapetra, Chrissi Island
8. Makri Gialos, Koufonissi Island
Siteia
1. Zakros Gorge (Gorge of the Dead), Kato Zakros, Minoan palace of Zakros – you can leave the car in Ano Zakros, hike through the gorge and then take the bus back to where you left the car
2. Vai Beach, Itanos Archaeological site, Itanos beach
3. Choros Pressos Archaeological Site, Fort Monte Forte, Voila Tower, Livari Beach
Rethymno – inlcuding: Bali, Panormos, Adelianos Kampos, Giorgiopoli
1. Kourtaliotiko Gorge, Preveli Monastery, Preveli Beach, Triopetra beach
2. Armeni post Minoan cemetery, Plakias, Damnoni Beach
3. Ancient Lappa, Kournas Lake
4. Glyka Nera Beach, Loutro
5. Samaria Gorge – best way is by organized day trip
6. Ancient Aptera, Souda, Chania
7. Imbros Gorge & Frangokastello
8. Balos & Gramvoussa – boat from Kissamos
9. Elafonissi
10. Falassarna
Chania – including Almyrida, Kalyves, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani
1. Allies’ Cemetery from Souda, Agia Triada Tzagaroli, Gouverneto, Seitan Limania
2. Kolymvari, Panagia Odigitria Gonia Monastery, Terra Creta, Ancient Olive Tree from Ano Vouves
3. Balos & Gramvoussa
4. Falassarna & Ancient Falassarna Archaeological Site (open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
5. Sfinari & Platanakia Beach
6. Topolia Gorge, Elafonissi & Kedrodasos
7. Samaria Gorge
8. Arkadi & Rethymno
9. Chania
Links for other attractions will be updated once I write about them. Unfortunately my time is limited, but I am doing my best.
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