Crete in 10 Days: The Ultimate Self-Drive Family Trip

Duration
10 Days
Theme
Group Type
- Private

Description
What is included
Why book with us

Step into a world of wonder with your family as you explore Crete, an island brimming with history, mythology, culture, and untamed beauty.

Road trip highlights

Visit the famous Palace of Knossos, where King Minos and the Minotaur lived, according to mythology
Explore the legendary islet of Spinalonga, a former leper colony and the Venetian fortress
Discover Diktaion Andron, the cave where Zeus was raised
Take a tour of ancient Eleftherna, one of the most significant sites of Crete, where excavation works still take place
Visit the beautiful Arkadi Monastery and learn about its awe-inspiring history
Find the best souvenirs in the village of Margarites, famous for its centuries-old pottery tradition
Explore the archaeological site of Aptera, tracing the centuries-old history of the island
Swim in the crystal clear waters of the best Cretan beaches, including Balos, Elafonissi and Falassarna
Share traditional ghost stories with the kids at the fascinating beach and fortress of Frangokastelo
Walk through the lovely palm forest of Preveli, a marvel of nature and a perfect spot to swim in the sea and the river
Enjoy mesmerizing gastronomic experiences at authentic mountain villages
Experience the unique culture of rural Crete

How does it work?

Step 1: Choose your itinerary
Step 2: Pick up the car either from the airport or the port of Heraklion or Chania
Step 3: Download the travel app on your electronic device (either smartphone or tablet) and find the predefined family-friendly self-drive itinerary
Step 4: Enjoy your self-drive adventure in Crete with your family!

Why choose our organized self-drive multiday tours for your family?

We take care of all the hassles of independent self-drive vacation planning! We book your car, and we carefully select family-run guesthouses. And, of course, we have designed your family-friendly Cretan Adventure driving itinerary day by day – all found in our innovative Travel App.

All information shared is clear and simple so that you can deepen your understanding of Cretan history and culture. Our local experts will offer professional support if you need advice or assistance throughout your journey. Also, if you wish, we can arrange for a local guide to wait for you at each stop (at extra cost).

Access to the App

7 days before your trip, we’ll send you a link through which you’ll have full access to the trip’s App, where you can find the detailed content of your journey, as well as optional stops, additional activities you can book, restaurant recommendations, audio stories, etc.

What’s included

Rental of category D car for 10 full days (Toyota Auris or similar), with Unlimited Mileage, Third Party Cover, Collision Damage Waiver (with excess based on category booked), Vehicle Theft Cover (with excess based on category booked), Airport surcharge, 24h road assistance (for accidents or mechanical breakdowns), Local Taxes
Nine accommodations at 3* & 4* hotels or traditional guest-houses
Nine traditional Greek breakfasts
Customized trip app featuring:
- thematic detailed itinerary & navigation
- enriched content, audio storytelling & advice from a top-rated guide at each location
- optional stops, local tips & points of interest
- suggestions for tours, audio-guided tours & activities
- restaurant recommendations in each area

What’s not included

Ferry or airplane tickets from/to Crete.
Car delivery and collection
Gas & tolls
Site entry fees
Meals
(Optional) local guided tours/audio guided tours/ activities

Important notes

This trip starts in Crete and ends in Crete, so it doesn’t include any transportation from/to Crete. Should you wish to include this, either by ferry or airplane, please let us know and we will be happy to inform you of the additional cost and proceed with the arrangements.

The Ultimate Self-drive Cretan Adventure for Families: 10-day itinerary is a fantastic way to experience Cretan culture with your family at your own pace and flexibility. Self-drive is a convenient and independent way of traveling.
We organize a wonderful trip for your family to meet and explore aspects of Greek life and Cretan culture in places and ancient sites of incomparable beauty.
Self-driving provides you with all the freedom and independence of traveling without a tour guide, but at the same time, you don’t have to worry about the schedule as everything is at your own pace. In other words, it takes care of everything without taking away the joy of personal choices.
We provide a full schedule of this 10-day vacation and a range of activities for you and your kids to select from.
You have recommended activities at every stop, and everything you need to know is planned for you beforehand.

START YOUR JOURNEY NOW!

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – Heraklion – Knossos

Day 2: Spinalonga – Kritsa – Diktaion Andron – Lasithi Plateau

Day 3: Anogia – Melidoni cave – Bali – Rethymno

Day 4: Eleftherna – Margarites

Day 5: Preveli Monastery – Spili – Patsos Gorge

Day 6: Vamos – Aptera – Chania

Day 7: Fragokastello – Chora Sfakion

Day 8: Elafonisi beach – Chryssoskalitissa monastery – Elos

Day 9: Balos beach – Falassarna

Day 10: Gavalochori – Lake Kournas – Departure

The Self-Drive Tour of Crete: 10-day-Itinerary for Families

Day 1: Heraklion - Knossos
Day 2: Spinalonga - Kritsa - Diktaion Andron - Lasithi Plateau
Day 3: Anogia - Melidoni cave - Bali - Rethymno
Day 4: Eleftherna - Margarites
Day 5: Preveli Monastery - Spili - Patsos Gorge
Day 6: Vamos - Aptera - Chania
Day 7: Fragokastello - Chora Sfakion
Day 8: Elafonisi beach - Chryssoskalitissa monastery - Elos
Day 9: Balos beach - Falassarna
Day 10: Gavalochori - Lake Kournas - Departure

Explore the city of Heraklion, the largest, most populated city in Crete and the center of contemporary life on the island.

Next, visit Knossos, one of the most powerful ancient cities and home of the mythical labyrinth and the Minotaur.

Overnight: Heraklion

Take a ride across the diverse landscapes of eastern Crete! Cruise through sunbaked plains, charming seaside towns, traditional villages, lush valleys, and mythical caves!

Visit the islet of Spinalonga, which for years was home to the most misunderstood patients: lepers.

You’ll reach the most famous cave in the ancient world, Diktaion Andron, the place where Zeus, the king of the ancient gods, spent his childhood.

Overnight: Heraklion

Explore Anogia, the most famous mountainous village of Crete, with a long tradition in music and folk culture.

Continue to the historic cave of Melidoni and the beautiful resort of Bali, a kid-friendly beach with shallow and warm waters, offering many opportunities to enjoy the Cretan sea and Cretan cuisine.

Overnight: Rethymno

The day opens with a visit to the most interesting archaeological site in Crete, Ancient Eleftherna.

Continue to the Arkadi Monastery, one of the most emblematic sites of Crete and a symbol of heroism and freedom. Marvel at the artistry of local ceramists in the picturesque village of Margarites before returning to the charming city of Rethymno.

Overnight: Rethymno

Explore the enchanting monastery of Preveli, a symbol of faith and Greek freedom.

Drive through the lush forests of Rethymno prefecture to the charming village of Spili, where you can relax in its cool, shaded square and enjoy traditional sweets and drinks by the soothing sound of running waters, a perfect spot for kids to play.

Finally, you reach the gorge of Patsos, a smaller and less crowded gorge than Samaria, perfect for hiking with kids!

Overnight: Rethymno

A day dedicated to the captivating region of Apokoronas, one of the most beautiful areas of Crete, offering a unique mix of stunning coastal scenery and charming traditional villages.

Visit the picturesque villages of Vrisses and Vamos, where families can explore the serene, semi-mountainous surroundings filled with farmland and wild nature.

The journey continues to the fascinating archaeological site of Aptera, a great spot to ignite young imaginations, before arriving in the enchanting city of Chania.

Overnight: Chania

Visit the fairytale castle of Frangokastello, where, according to local myths, the ghosts of the Drosoulites warriors appear at dawn each May.

Next, explore the breathtaking region of Sfakia and its small villages surrounded by the steep White Mountains. Finally, dive into one of the many beautiful beaches of southern Crete.

Overnight: Chania

Discover one of the most breathtaking beaches and the most famous Natura Region of Crete, Elafonissi, famous for its clear shallow waters and pink sand that kids will love!

Drive to the southernmost and westernmost point of the island, where the majestic Monastery of Chrysoskalitissa is built on rocks overlooking the sea. Your final stop will be Elos, a tiny, picturesque village full of plane and chestnut trees.

Overnight: Chania

Set off on a day trip from Chania to enjoy Crete’s two most famous beaches: Balos and Falassarna. These stunning, kid-friendly destinations are among the island’s most exotic and extraordinary beaches, creating unforgettable memories for the whole family.

Enjoy the shallow crystal-clear waters and soft sand, perfect for children to play and parents to relax. A day of fun, relaxation, and natural beauty awaits!

Overnight: Chania

We saved two special destinations for the grand finale: Lake Kournas and the picturesque village of Gavalochori. These family-friendly spots blend traditional village life with stunning natural landscapes, offering a perfect way to conclude your adventure through Crete’s diverse and vibrant beauty.

Relax by the serene lake, explore the rich history of Gavalochori, and create lasting family memories!

START YOUR JOURNEY NOW!

FAQ

How many milies is that self driving trip?
How many overnights are included in this self driving trip in Crete?
Is there breakfast included?
Can you drive around Crete in a day?

You will drive in total around 646 miles (1,041 km)

There are nine overnights in total (2 in Heraklion, 3 in Rethymno and 4 in Chania)

Yes. There are nine traditional Greek breakfasts included.

Driving from one end of Crete to the other takes about five hours, without any stop on the north part. However, driving around Crete in a day is not possible as driving in the south part is more time consuming as there is no highway.