Explore beautiful Crete with a rental car

Crete is the largest and most diverse Greek island and offers an abundance of natural and cultural attractions. The island is also a paradise for exciting road trips. So rent a car in Crete and hit the road! Experience the incredible combination of beautiful beaches, a mountainous interior with stunning natural scenery, archaeological treasures, charming villages, and lively cities.

If you only have one or two weeks of vacation, it’s impossible to see all of Crete. That’s why this guide is divided into four parts, each featuring the best places to visit, the most scenic routes to drive, and the best tips for an unforgettable trip. Do you have plenty of time? Then you can do this entire road trip if you rent a car in Crete!

Is driving a rental car in Crete difficult?

Most roads in Crete are in good condition, but there’s only one major thoroughfare: the A90 along the north coast. This 300-kilometer-long road connects the main cities from west to east: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos. The four regions of Crete share the same names as these cities, except for the easternmost region, which is called Lassithi. If you drive south, you’ll pass through mountainous terrain where the roads are winding, full of hairpin turns, and sometimes narrow. If you plan to drive there, be sure to rent a car with sufficient engine power. You should also allow plenty of time for the drive to your next destination; it usually takes much longer than expected. While driving your rental car, always be on the lookout for stray animals on the road.

Western Crete by Rental Car (Chania Region)

Once you’ve landed at Chania Airport, you’ll probably want to see the city first before setting out in your rental car. This former capital is a charming blend of Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek influences. The Archaeological Museum of Chania houses thousands of magnificent works of art and sculptures from antiquity. In an old fortress by the harbor, you’ll find the Maritime Museum, where the harbor has been recreated on a scale model to show what it looked like during the Venetian era.

About 40 kilometers west of Chania lies Kissamos, a small town with a long sandy beach. Many people take a boat from here to the Balos Lagoon, but they end up missing the fantastic views along the way. Thanks to your rental car, you can enjoy them! Please note: not all rental companies allow you to drive on this unpaved road, so check with them in advance. From the parking lot, it’s just a short walk, and you’ll immediately be treated to a stunning view of the lagoon’s turquoise waters and white sandy beach.

Next, take the beautiful roadto the pink-sand beaches of Elafonissi. But don’t just drive straight through—take your rental car down a side road every now and then. You’ll discover less crowded beaches along Crete’s west coast and ancient monasteries, often perched high on a cliff. Or explore the interior, such as the Agia Sofia Cave. This impressive stalactite cave was used for religious services during the Byzantine era, as evidenced by the magnificent icons and frescoes.

There are also beautiful beaches and rocky coves along the south coast, but you can’t always get close to them by rental car. That’s not the case in the town of Paleochora, which has both a sandy and a pebble beach. It’s a great base for exploring the surrounding area. “Just” 55 kilometers to the northeast lies the village of Xyloskalo, at the entrance to the Samaria Gorge. But be warned: that distance can easily take an hour and a half in your rental car! The gorge is especially famous for the section that’s only 4 meters wide, with walls 300 meters high. From the end point, Agia Roumeli, you can only return to the parking lot at the entrance by ferry and bus. You can also take a shorter hike starting in Agia Roumeli; in that case, park your rental car in the coastal town of Sougia (a beautiful drive from Paleochora!).

Rent a car and explore the Rethymno region of Crete

From Xyloskolo, drive your rental car around the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) to the coastal town of Hora Sfakion—also known as Sfakia, in keeping with the confusing Greek tradition of multiple names. The final stretch of the route is a beautiful winding road. No wonder, since the magnificent Imbros Gorge runs right alongside it. From Sfakia, you can take lovely excursions, such as to Aradena, where a pedestrian bridge spans high above another gorge. Or take a boat trip to the island of Gavdos, the southernmost tip of Greece (and Europe).

If you drive east along the south coast, you’ll arrive in Frangokastello, named after the Venetian-era castle right next to the beach. The route to the seaside resort of Plakias is another delightful winding road with panoramic views. Don’t forget to stop for a bit in the charming village of Rodakino. The wide beaches near Plakias are very popular; the smaller Kalypso Beach is less of a beach and more of a rocky cove, ideal for snorkeling or diving. The drive there in your rental car is quite challenging.

Next, drive through the Kourtaliotiko Gorge toward the town of Rethymno. Park your rental car at the food truck (“kantina”) you’ll see along the road. From there, walk along the sidewalk to a stone arch, where the trail begins leading to the narrowest part of the gorge, featuring an impressive waterfall.

From the village of Koxare, it’s about another 20 kilometers to Rethymno. In the old town, with its charming narrow streets, you’ll find many historic buildings from the Venetian and Ottoman eras. It’s a wonderful town to take a breather. Or to prepare for the next part of your journey: driving your rental car along Crete’s highest cobblestone road! That road begins in the traditional mountain village of Anogia. After 17 kilometers, you’ll reach the summit of Mount Skinakas (1,752 m) and be treated to a panoramic view. On a clear day, you can see the sea both north and south of Crete.

Exploring the Minoan Civilization by Rental Car (Heraklion)

From Anogia, it’s just over an hour’s drive to Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Along the way, you’ll pass through the town of Tylissos, home to a small archaeological site of a settlement dating back to the time of the Minoans, who settled in Crete some 5,000 years ago. Thanks to extensive trade, the Minoan Empire was very prosperous, and this is clearly evident in the gold and silver jewelry, richly decorated everyday objects, colorful mosaics, and other refined art on display at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. You can combine an admission ticket to this museum with a visit to the Palace of Knossos, the most famous remnant of the Minoan era. Heraklion isn’t just about history—stroll through the city’s markets, for example, which offer a fantastic selection of fresh produce. Stock up on provisions here for the next leg of your road trip in a rental car.

If you’ve rented a car at the Heraklion airport, you can take the A90 to Chersonissos, Crete’s party capital, but we’ll head south first. You’ll then pass through the Archanes wine region, also known as the “Tuscany of Crete.” Further southwest, you’ll reach the archaeological site of Phaistos (also known as Festos). These ruins from the Minoan era are just as interesting as Knossos, but much less crowded.

A little further on lies the popular beach town of Matala, which still retains some of its original hippie vibe. Kommos Beach, north of Matala, is quieter. Drive your rental car eastward through the fertile Messara Plain. It’s full of (olive) orchards. Love olive oil? Then pick up a bottle of the local product, which is of exceptionally high quality.

After the lowlands, the road begins to wind. So take it easy as you drive toward Myrtos. Occasionally take a side road to the coast, where you’ll find secluded little beaches. Stop along the way for a drink in a village or to take a walk through one of the small gorges.

Exploring Eastern Crete (Lassithi) by Rental Car

Still haven’t had enough of winding, narrow mountain roads? Then take the road north from Myrtos and drive your rental car via Christi to Ierapetra. The other option is the road that runs right along the coast. In Ierapetra, you can relax on one of the beaches or drive on to another beautiful beach near the fishing village of Makry Gialos, which means “Long Beach.”

Then take one of the two roads leading from Makry Gialos to Sitia on the north coast. Sitia is a charming little town and the perfect starting point for a pleasant drive in your rental car to the palm-fringed beach of Vai. No spectacular hairpin turns this time, but there’s a magical atmosphere, especially at sunset (don’t set out too late—driving in the dark isn’t recommended). Along the way, you’ll pass the large, ancient Toplou Monastery, which looks more like a fortress. Spend the night in Vai, enjoy a day at the idyllic beach, and then drive back to Sitia.

Along the north coast, you’ll find several beach towns, including Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka. From Plaka, you can take a boat to the small island of Spinalonga, a Venetian fortress that later became a leper colony.

It’s time for another beautiful mountain drive! Drive through the Diktis Mountains to the fertile Lassithi Plateau. The fields are dotted with hundreds of historic windmills, which, incidentally, are no longer in use. Near the village of Psichro, you can visit the Diktis Cave with its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites—and, according to Greek mythology, the birthplace of the supreme god Zeus.

Feeling inspired to visit Crete? Rent a car!

We hope we’ve given you some ideas for a vacation in Crete. For the best experience, a rental car is a must on this island. It allows you to reach places you can’t get to by public transportation and lets you fully enjoy the impressive landscapes, friendly locals, and secluded beaches—not to mention the stunning roads. We haven’t even begun to cover all the beautiful routes here. There are many more fantastic roads out there, and you can discover them for yourself by renting a car in Crete.