What to see in Crete by car on your own – route, description, reviews, map
What to see in Crete by car is of interest to tourists. And is it worth it to rent a car for a few days? Of course yes! After all, such a trip saves time for sightseeing and allows you to climb into the most delicious corners of the island. It is no secret that the main cultural objects of the island are located far from public transport stops. And transport, although it exists, but runs according to a free schedule. Therefore, a lot of time disappears, but I want to soak up the beach and have time to visit secret corners. And a rented car will help make your dreams come true.
Benefits of car rental
In Crete, the main highway E75, which stretches along the northern coast of the island and passes through the cities of Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos. This road is quite well equipped, it is comfortable to drive along it. From Heraklion towards Messara, European-level tracks are also laid. And when moving south of the E75, the roads are noticeably worse, often unpaved and unkempt. The quality of the highway should be taken into account when laying the route.
What does moving in a rented car give:
- Independence of movement around the island. The tourist is free from the schedule of public transport: after all, the bus goes to the most beautiful places, but remote from the resort villages, twice a day (in the morning and in the evening).
- The ability to build a schedule of movement at your discretion. Traditional routes are sometimes unacceptable for tourists for various reasons.
- Ease of travel. This is important when traveling with children. In addition, the tourist can take with him everything necessary for the excursion (food, water, sun umbrellas, beach mats). Items are loaded into the trunk, and when riding public transport, everything has to be carried in your hands.
- Travel comfort. You can build a route in such a way that you do not have to change the mode of the day.
- Renting a car will make your vacation unforgettable: there is no need to rest in one resort village. In accordance with the constructed route, you can go around the entire island, stopping in selected towns. Hotels should be booked in advance (as well as laying the route).
When renting a car, it is recommended to read the rental agreement. A full package of insurance services should be provided. And it is important to consider transportation costs: a small car will consume less gasoline. And all detected defects in the car are recommended to be immediately included in the contract.
We recommend the myrentacar.com service. Employees of the company work so that it is convenient for their customers:
- The selected car is delivered at the specified time to the specified location. Also available for rent at a location chosen by the customer.
- The deposit for the car is 30% less than other lessors. This is important: after all, the rest of the funds can be spent on organizing recreation.
- The contract states that the car is fully insured. But this, of course, does not relieve the driver from careful driving.
- When concluding a lease agreement, an employee of the company himself offers to fix the existing damage. This will eliminate controversial issues when handing over the car.
- The car is served with a full tank of gasoline: this is especially nice, you can immediately go on a trip.
- When providing a car, the wishes of the client are always taken into account.
- You can book a car in advance on the company's website. This saves a lot of time upon arrival.
And most importantly: after the delivery of the car, the company does not write off the reserved funds of the client! This type of fraud is completely excluded here!
Monastery of Arkadi
The monastery is located 25 km from the town of Rethymnon. You will have to drive in the direction of Heraklion along the main national highway. At the Tsesme Platania direction sign, get off at the old national road and drive for 16 km. Behind the village of Amnatos is Arkadi. The monastery is located in the mountains at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level, so this road is full of turns, ups and downs. For safe driving, you should pay attention to the warning signs.
The first Orthodox monks began to settle in Arkadi as early as the 5th century, and the main buildings were erected in the 16th-17th centuries. First of all, tourists visit the church of the 15th century, but this place has a tragic history. In 1866, an uprising took place in Crete against Ottoman rule and the forced imposition of Islam. And the monks sheltered about 1,000 Orthodox (military and civilians), over whom the Turkish sword of reprisal hung over. (It should be noted that the monks are forbidden to raise weapons at anyone without the special permission of the hierarch).
The besieged fought bravely, but after 3 days the Ottomans broke into the monastery. But the Orthodox gathered in the powder magazine and blew themselves up along with the ammunition. The Turks finished off the survivors, but the news of the atrocities of the invaders gave the liberation movement a new impetus. Arkadi has been declared a European Monument of Liberty by UNESCO. After Greece gained independence, the territory was cleared and the buildings restored.
Today you can see the territory of the monastery, where are located:
- Temple. It has an unusual double bell tower. Inside there is a cypress altar made in 1902.
- Refectory. Here are benches and tables, chopped up by angry Ottomans. Behind the refectory stands a tree with a shell in the barrel, which fell here during the assault.
- Remains of the blown up gunpowder warehouse. Today there is a small museum where a part of the chopped and shot Gospel is presented, a door with traces of bullets.
- The building of the former windmill. Today, those who died during the storming of the monastery in 1866 are buried here.
- Outbuildings: pantries, cellars, bakery, stables.
- The cells where the monks lived.
Entrance to the territory of the monastery is free, but those who wish can donate a certain amount.
Fresh lake Kournas
To visit this unique natural attraction, a car is indispensable. Departure point: Rethymno town. You should move towards the seaside village of Georgioupoli along the national road. Here you need to turn towards the village of Kournas. There is a paid car park in Kournas. You should leave the car on it, then move on foot to the lake. This fresh water lake is important for Crete, which suffers from a lack of fresh water.
Kournas is the only body of water that does not dry out in summer, which is why it was included in the list of protected national territories. Nevertheless, the lake is very picturesque, so tourists often visit it. Kournas was formed as a result of filling the basin with water. Its level is more than 3 m below sea level. And it is fed by 2 springs: one is always hidden, and the second appears in August, when the level in Kournas drops due to dry and hot weather.
It is at this time that tourists can walk around the lake: it is only 3.5 km. The Almyros River flows out of the lake and flows into the sea near the village of Kavros. As in Kournas, in Almiros the water is clean and clear. The depth of the lake is small (about 2.5-3 m), but in the center it reaches 23 m. Diving enthusiasts will enjoy diving into the crystal clear, blue water and watching colored fish.
The coastal area is divided into 2 parts:
- Ennobled. The beach is cleared here, umbrellas and sun loungers are installed, boat and catamaran rental is organized, there is a cafe.
- Wild. The beach appears to tourists in its original form. Birds nest here, snakes and lizards bask in the sun, freshwater turtles crawl out onto the sand at dawn. But it is here that danger lies in wait for guests: the coast is covered with boggy silt, which looks like pure white sand. You can get bogged down in such silt, like in a swamp.
In the village of Kournas, you can visit the Byzantine church of St. George, and shops sell excellent local ceramics and souvenirs.
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Kourtaliotiko Gorge
This gem of the island is easily accessible by car. Kourtaliotiko is located 25 km from the town of Rethymno. You should leave the E75 at the sign Spili to the south in the Rethymnon area. Then continue moving to the village of Koksare, where you need to turn at the signpost Preveli (to the right) and go to the village of Plakias: here is the entrance to the gorge. This gorge is difficult to pass at any time of the year, but it is so unusual that tourists tend to come here.
In Kourtaliotiko, you can hear the howling of the wind, the roar of waterfalls and applause. The place itself is picturesque: you should observe the beauty from 2 viewing platforms. And if you go down the stone stairs, you can taste the crystal clear cool drinking water from the Big River. By the way, at the fork, turn left: the right branch will lead to the pumping station. And lovers of cultural tourism will visit the temple of Nicholas Kurtaliotsky (locally venerated saint), which is located at the end of the stairs near the water.
Monastery of Preveli
You will have to drive 32 km from the town of Rethymnon to Preveli. You should leave the E75 at the sign Spili to the south in the Rethymnon area. Then continue moving to the village of Koksare, where you need to turn right at the signpost Preveli. Parking near Kato Preveli is paid. There is a small cafe nearby. This monastery was founded in the 16th century, although the first hermits appeared here in the 10th century.
The wealthy Cretan Prevelis family donated for the construction of Preveli, and the first abbot of the monastery was from this family. Preveli always fought for the freedom of Greece and was destroyed 6 times: 5 times by the Ottomans, the last one by the Nazis. The monastery has a descent into a convenient bay, where ships moored, which took away wounded soldiers and brought weapons.
The invaders executed the patriots and destroyed the monastery. After the last desecration, Preveli was not completely restored: the lower part, consecrated in honor of John the Baptist, was badly damaged. The upper part, consecrated in honor of John the Theologian, is less destroyed, now 3 monks live in it.
In Preveli you can see:
The tour of the monastery will take a little over an hour. In Preveli, you can venerate the miraculous cross of Ephraim of Preveli. This saint cures eye diseases.
Palm beach Preveli
You will have to drive 32 km from the town of Rethymno to Preveli beach. You should leave the E75 at the sign Spili to the south in the Rethymnon area. Then continue moving to the village of Koksare, where you need to turn right at the signpost Preveli. Parking near Kato Preveli is paid. Here it is recommended to leave the car and go down the stone stairs. You will have to go down 1 km.
The beach is called Palm because its territory is covered with date palms that have grown without human intervention. The place is picturesque, but at the same time it is a nature protection area: the river with drinking water Megalopotamos flows into the bay. Because of this, the Libyan Sea is clean here, fresher, but also cold. There is no usual tourist service here. Of the entertainment, only the rental of catamarans.
Fortress Fortezza
Fortezza is located in the town of Rethymnon at the address: Leof. Emmanouil Kefalogianni, 27. This is a monument of fortifications of the Byzantine era. The construction of the fortress began in 1540, after merchants began to settle in the bay, convenient for mooring ships. To protect them from pirates, the Venetians built a fortress. Subsequently, it was used by the Ottomans to protect the city from the sea.
Today you can see preserved:
Thematic exhibitions are held in the arsenal building.
Knossos palace
Tourists must visit this attraction, since the palace is located not far: less than 5 km from Heraklion. And getting here by car is easy. You can park your car for free near the entrance. Scientists managed to establish that the first palace (destroyed by an earthquake) was rebuilt by the Minoans around 2000 BC. It was restored: at the same time, the architects applied all the technical innovations.
But in the 16th century BC. and this palace was destroyed by the elements, this time by an earthquake. And the palace was forgotten for many years. Only at the end of the 19th century, Kalokerinos carried out small work, and the antiquities he discovered immediately became the focus of world archeology. At the beginning of the 20th century, Arthur Evans purchased land for large-scale excavations.
Today, for inspection, tourists are offered a cleared and reconstructed area measuring 130×180 m. There are more than 1000 rooms, intricate passages. By the way, on the ruins there is a labros sign, that is, a labyrinth. Therefore, historians have concluded that it was here that the legendary labyrinth of the Minotaur was located.
The throne room has been perfectly preserved for a simultaneous audience of 1.5 dozen people with a porphyry bowl. On the walls there are frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the Minoans in 1700 BC. Columns restored. All artifacts are concise and elegant at the same time. Visitors are invited to visit the Palace of Knossos with a guided tour or take an audio guide.
Matala beach
The picturesque place is located 70 km from Heraklion. You should move along E75 towards the town of Gazi, and here turn south towards Timbaki. In the village of Mires, follow the sign to Matala beach. The road goes up into the mountains, then down into the valleys. She herself is very picturesque. You should visit the beach because of the amazing sunsets: the sun descends here directly into the Libyan Sea. And the coastal cliffs are dotted with ancient caves.
Hippies lived in these man-made grottoes in the middle of the 20th century: representatives of the subculture came here from all over the world. But the locals of Cyprus, led by Bishop Gortinis, recognized the hippies. And the beach has retained its second name. Today you can see the caves, but it is forbidden to live in them. There is a small temple of the Most Holy Theotokos and a cave into which Brutus entered.
In June, the beach becomes the site of the Matala Beach Festival: the festival lasts for several days. Tickets are recommended to be purchased in advance. Matala is a Blue Flag holder. There is a developed infrastructure, in the village you can eat deliciously and inexpensively. Prepare national and European dishes.
Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos
The city of Agios Nikolaos is easily accessible from Heraklion if you move along the E75 to the east. This is approximately 63 km. The Archaeological Museum is located not far from the embankment along Paleolog street, house 74. The exposition is quite new: previously all the artifacts found were sent to the metropolitan museum in the city of Heraklion. But soon there was not enough space in the storerooms of the latter, so a branch was opened in Agios Nikolaos.
Here you can see:
The exhibits are in excellent condition. They describe the period from the Neolithic to the Roman Empire.
Lake Vulismeni
The city of Agios Nikolaos is easily accessible from Heraklion if you move along the E75 to the east. This is approximately 63 km. Lake Voulismeni (Vulismeni) is located right in the center of the city. The reservoir is filled with fresh water, has the shape of a saucer with a diameter of less than 140 m. And it has no bottom (according to the assurances of local residents).
True, this opinion was consistently refuted first in 1853 by Admiral Spratt in 1853, then by Jacques Yves Cousteau in the 80s of the twentieth century. It turned out that to the bottom of 64 m. Vulismeni is picturesque: the water in it is unrealistically dark, almost black, in color; from the west it is surrounded by rocks, and from the east – cafes and restaurants with local cuisine. The lake is perfect for a memorable photo session.
Zeus cave
From the E75 highway in the Heraklion area, turn southeast at the sign for Psychro. Behind the village of Psychro, a winding dirt road leads to the west, ending in a parking lot. Here you should leave the car and climb the mountain on foot. The trail is quite steep, but there are benches in the shade for weary hikers to rest. Donkeys can take those who are completely tired to the cave.
The cave in which, according to ancient legends, Zeus was born, is located in the mountains of Dikti. It was discovered in 1886 by Joseph Hadzidakis. Artifacts found in the cave are in the Heraklion Museum. Today, the Zeus Cave attracts tourists not only with the legend associated with it, but also with its amazing beauty. Visitors are surrounded by stalagtites and stalagmites, which grow together to form stalagnates.
It is proposed to move inside the grotto along metal stairs with railings. It is worth taking care of comfortable shoes: the steps are slippery in places. The walls are lit with colored lamps: it's all very romantic. At the exit from the cave there is an observation deck, from where a fantastic view of the Lassithi Plateau opens.
Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
The exposition is located in the center of Heraklion at the address: Xanthoudidou Str., 1. This is a great place for guests of Crete who are tired of a beach holiday and for lovers of cultural tourism. The initiator of the creation of the exhibition was Joseph Hadzidakis. It was thanks to his efforts that the exposition received its own building. And not just anywhere, but on the ruins of a temple that died during an earthquake. Visitors can see part of the unique masonry in the courtyard of the museum.
The permanent exhibition occupies as many as 20 halls. Here are artifacts discovered in Crete, covering the period from the time of the first settlements to Roman Greece. The department of jewelry and ceramics especially attracts visitors. And the pride of the museum administration is the Phaistos disc, on both sides of which a message is printed to the descendants.
Vai beach
This place is loved by beach lovers. And getting here, even on a rented car, is not easy. From Heraklion, you should move east along the E75 to the town of Agios Nikolaos. Here the good part of the E75 ends: the track becomes narrow and winding. You need to drive along it to Sitia, and then 29 km along the dirt road to the beach. There is organized parking, and a little further – spontaneous, but free. From Heraklion to your destination, you will have to drive about 150 km, sometimes along mountain serpentines.
And the beach is amazing: it is not without reason that it has been awarded the Blue Flag. The purest white sand is surrounded by a palm grove. The entry into the water is gentle, but you should enter carefully, because the sand is interspersed with slippery stones. The water in the Libyan Sea is warm, it is pleasant to swim.
The infrastructure on the beach is decent: you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, wooden flooring is laid on the sand, there are free changing cabins and showers. Too many vacationers are upset: you should come here early. But it is forbidden to put up tents and stop for the night: Vai is a nature protection area.
The sunken city of Olus
You can get to the unique object from Heraklion. First you need to go east on the E75 to the town of Agios Nikolaos, then get off on highway 90 and go north to Pissidos; then you should move to Ölanda. In the very center of the town, near the square in the Mirabello Bay of the warm Cretan Sea, there is a sunken city.
It was once a thriving city-state. He traded with neighbors, minted his own coin, fought with enemies. Scientists cannot unequivocally answer why Olus sank. The remains of the buildings were discovered in 1960 by Anastasios Orlandos. Today, in calm weather, tourists can see the remains of underwater structures, and even walk along some of them. And diving enthusiasts, when diving, will inspect all the buildings, and perhaps they will find something.
The ancient city of Gortyn
The most convenient way to get to the unique open-air complex is from Heraklion. From the national highway E75, turn south at the sign Mires, then move to the town of Agia Deka. Immediately behind it is the ancient Gortyn. It was once a wealthy city-state that minted its own coins. Since the Christianization of Greece for 1000 years, Gortyn has been the capital of Crete. The city was destroyed by an earthquake.
Today Gortyna is located on both sides of the highway, its diameter is about 10 km. Tourists can see the well-preserved:
Not far from the Cathedral of St. Titus, the walls of the praetor ruler of the city have been preserved.
Historical Museum of Crete
The center is located in the capital of Crete – Heraklion, at the address: Sofokli Venizelou Ave, 27. The exposition was opened recently: in 1953. Today it contains important artefacts found on the island. Tourists are invited to view the collection of objects from the first settlements on the island to the Second World War. All expositions are arranged in chronological order, there are interactive layouts.
Fortress Kules
Fortress address: 71202, Heraklion. Kules is one of the symbols of Heraklion. The Byzantines began to build it (then it was called Handax), the Venetians continued (renamed it Rocca a Mare), the Ottomans completed the construction (naming it Kules, that is, the water tower). This large-scale fortification has internal walls 3 m thick, and external walls 9 m thick. The permanent exhibition is small: cannonballs, cannons, edged weapons. But the thematic exhibitions are held in the fortress, and concerts are held in the open area throughout the year.
Bay of Balos
The unique place is located 50 km from Chania. You should go in the direction of the town of Kissamos, and then follow the sign towards the village of Kaliviani. After 2 km after leaving the village, a dirt road begins. It is narrow, unkempt, 8 km long. It should be driven at a speed of 12-15 km / h. The road leads to a small parking lot. Here you should leave the car and go down the path to the bay.
Balos is protected from winds and waves by Cape Tigani and the uninhabited island of Imeri Gramvousa. The sea here is quiet, transparent, swimming is pleasant. And in this place there is an amazing color of water: this is due to the fact that 3 seas are connected in the bay: the Aegean, Libyan and Ionian. They have different salinity and temperature, which is why there is such a variety of colors in Balos!
And the main surprise of the bay is the Balos lagoon. It is formed by two spits that connect Cape Tigani and the Gramvous Peninsula. In this place, a shallow pool was formed with always warm and calm water. Children and adults who do not like waves willingly swim here.
The bay is a national reserve, so there is a minimum of infrastructure:
But Balos offers not only passive recreation by the water. Here you can take small excursions:
Before driving a car, it is recommended to carefully study the insurance: it may not cover damage that the car received on a dirt road.
Elafonisi beach
Elafonisi received the Blue Flag. This is an attractive beach for tourists, remote from the central resorts of the island. It is located 75 km from the city of Chania, you need to go through Kissamos. The highway ends with spontaneous parking. It is recommended to arrive early to find a place here. A gentle slope leads to the beach. The road is mountainous, it has many sharp turns, ups and downs, so it is recommended to accurately calculate the travel time: all beach services (including rescue services) stop working at 6 pm.
Elafonisi is separated from Crete by an underwater isthmus 100 m long, it is easy to ford it. And the sand on the beach is amazing – pink. This color is given to him by particles of corals and shells living nearby. By the way, it is forbidden to take sand with you as a souvenir. The Minoans came up with an explanation for the red sand. Here, during the Ottoman rule, 800 Orthodox people took refuge. But the Turks captured them and massacred them. And the sand was saturated with the blood of the innocent and turned red forever.
The sea on Elafonisi is warm and clear, and in some places the depth barely reaches half a meter. Swimming here is pleasant and not scary. And the infrastructure is excellent: there are showers, toilets, changing cabins, a small cafe and rental of beach and sports equipment. Elafonisi is a protected area. Rare and Red Book species of plants and animals live here, so beach visitors are required to follow the rules. And for lovers of cultural tourism, there are also interesting places.
In the Topolia gorge, along which the road to Elafonisi goes, there is a cave of Hagia Sophia. Here, miraculously, an icon was found, preserved during the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans. The icon is located in the chapel built in the grotto. Chrysoskalitissa is a rock monastery founded on the site of an ancient temple in the 17th century. It is 5 km from the beach. A staircase with 90 steps leads to it. An amazing panorama of the Libyan Sea opens from the site of the monastery.
Maritime Museum
The complex is located in the city of Chania at the address: Halidon Str., 21. It is visible from all points of the city. And the exposition will be interesting for men of any age. The permanent exhibition tells guests not only about the history of shipbuilding on the island, but also about the cultural traditions of Crete. Visitors first get acquainted with the history of the accession of Crete to Greece in 1913.
And then the guests are invited to view the finds raised from sunken ships, sailors' household items, ship models. The center has interactive stands. And the branch of the museum, located in the docks of the Venetian Bay, presents old life-size ships. The ships were recreated according to the surviving engravings and drawings. All equipment works: it can be twisted and touched.