8 Day itinerary in Greece, Europe
A cultural journey off the beaten track with a rental car
Discover Crete's main attractions and hidden treasures by rental car.
By Emmanouela, Katerina and Christina
Overview
Physical Difficulty
Easy
Recommended Age
Everyone
Operated in
English
GUIDANCE
On Some Day Trips
starting point
Heraklion
trip type
Private
trip attributes
Self-driving
Day Trips & Excursions
Visit markets
Meet local people
Hiking
Sun & Beach
Walking tour
Outdoor Activities and Sports
Culture & History
Cultural
Food & Culinary
Water & Coastline
Food & Culinary
Start/End
Night
Highlights
Visit archaeological sites, wine routes and traditional villages.
Enjoy excellent cuisine in hidden restaurants and taverns.
Take exciting hikes and explore picturesque routes.
Explore historic cities such as Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymnon and Chania.
Visit archaeological sites, wine routes and traditional villages.
Enjoy excellent cuisine in hidden restaurants and taverns.
Take exciting hikes and explore picturesque routes.
Explore historic cities such as Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymnon and Chania.
Itinerary
Accommodation Categories
Day 1
Welcome to Heraklion!
From Heraklion Airport, a taxi will take you to your city-centre hotel. There, your guide will meet you with all the documents and information you need for your stay. If you still have time, you can take a walk through the lively city centre or along the charming Venetian harbour.
Day 2
Culinary city tour and the great Minoan culture
After breakfast, discover the most important and interesting aspects of Cretan food culture on a culinary tour. Then visit the Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion to learn more about the great Minoan culture.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Lassithi Plateau
Today you will travel to the eastern part of the island. Take a detour on a very beautiful route that will take you through many small villages and breathtaking mountains, as well as over the legendary Lassithi Plateau, where you can take a short hike. Another scenic route takes you back to the sea, to the charming town of Agios Nikolaos and the fishing harbour of Elounda.
70 km – 1 hour, 2–3 hours hiking
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Spinalonga - Island of Tears
After breakfast, you can take a stroll around the beautiful harbour and discover the salt mines and the ruins of the mills and other stone buildings. Later, you will take a small boat to Spinalonga, where you will learn all about the island that once housed the souls of the lepers of Crete and is now a jewel in the bay of Elounda.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5
Traditional crafts and cultural heritage in Margarites with Rodakas
Today you will leave the east and head to the western part of Crete. On the way to Rethymno, you will visit the traditional village of Margarites, part of the Psiloritis Geopark, and take a guided tour of Margarites with Rodakas. This is an authentic experience with Planeterra!
Discover the picturesque village of Margarites on an authentic guided tour led by the villagers themselves. Explore the cobblestone streets, traditional stone houses and the area's artisanal heritage. Learn techniques such as dry stone wall restoration and traditional Cretan weaving – a special connection to the past.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
The hinterland of Chania
Today your route will take you through the region of Apokoronas, past Lake Kournas and the springs of Argyroupoli, to Chania. You can either follow one of the classic tours of the area or explore the countryside and discover lesser-known gorges and trails, as well as meet local artisans and producers. In the evening, there is time for a stroll around Chania.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Balos – The Blue Lagoon
Today you will experience an unforgettable visit, especially out of season: the famous Gramvousa Lagoon or Balos! The route then takes you back through typical villages surrounded by large chestnut groves and diverse nature, with countless places to stop for a bite to eat and enjoy the local cuisine.
1 hour
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8
Goodbye, Crete!
Today your holiday ends and you will return to Heraklion to return your rental car and start your journey back home.
Depending on your flight time, the programme will be adjusted (e.g. stay in Heraklion on the last evening).
We hope you have had a wonderful time and will return home with many happy memories!
Meals: Breakfast
What’s Included
Meals
- Breakfast (7)
- Lunch (1)
Extras
- Provision of maps & other information material for travellers & detailed discussion of the itinerary
- A complete manual prepared especially for your trip with references, texts, photos, maps & suggestio
- Car hire with semi-comprehensive insurance (days 3-8)
- 24-hour telephone assistance from our travel agency
- Value added tax (VAT)
- Public liability insurance
- Taxes
Not Included
- Tourist tax, to be paid directly at the hotel. Varies from 0.50 to 5.00 euro.
- Lunch, if not differently indicated in the programme (approx. € 15-30 per person, per meal)
- Drinks (soft drinks), tips and personal expenses
- Comprehensive insurance and fuel costs
- GPS for the car
- Private travel insurance (upon request)
- All services not mentioned in the programme
- International flights
- Guided tours & entrance fees at museums and archaeological sites, if not mentioned in the programme
About Emmanouela
TEAM LEAD
+2 Local experts
Baboo Certified
5 (5 reviews)
Hiking
Snorkeling/Diving
Visit markets
Meet local people
Rural home stays
Yoga
Meditation
Culture & History
Nature & Wildlife
Food & Culinary
Purposeful Travel
Water & Coastline
I’m a big believer of direct contact & substantial acquaintances in small groups, creating teams & friendships that are worth holding on to after the trip is over. This is why we have a network of locals that respect their homeland and their guests.
Travel that Makes a Difference
By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.
Let’s regenerate the planet together
We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.
$1,294.00 USD