TIPS & ARTICLE

You’ve booked your trip to Crete, arranged your car rental with Rent car in Crete and now you want to fit as much as possible into your precious holiday time. That’s where our 35 years’ experience of island life can help you. Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. Its elongated shape spans 260km from east to west and is 60km at its widest point, narrowing to as little as 12km close to Lerepetra. To fit in as many sites as possible, it is a good idea to plan a route to discover the most beautiful cities and regions of Crete.

A coastal tour by car from Heraklion

Starting in Heraklion, where you can pick up your rental car from our convenient collection point at the airport, here are some of our touring tips for a great adventure.

Heraklion – or Iraklio – is the capital of Crete. The city boasts a beautiful old town as well as an impressive harbour fortress, dating back to the Venetian era – a must for those interested in history and culture. Be sure to visit the Archaeological Museum and explore Heraklion before you drive off on your adventure too.

En route to Rethymno

Drive along the coastal road E75 westwards towards Rethymno. The small village of Panormo is just an hour away, where you will find beautiful small streets and typical Greek shops. You can experience authentic Cretan flair, away from the big tourist attractions. With steep cliffs and two small sandy beaches, there’s exploring and relaxing in equal measure. Why not spend the night, enjoy a delicious dinner in Panormo and set off early the next day to Rethymno?

Roam around Rethymno

With its impressive buildings, it’s worth spending a few days roaming around Rethymno. Be inspired by the beautiful buildings, enjoy the ambience of the alleys of the old town and soak up the atmosphere of the harbour’s spectacular sea views. Before you get back in your rental car to discover more of Crete, relax for at least a day and try out some of Rethymno’s 21 beaches.

Westwards to Chania

Refreshed from your time on the beach, continue westwards, via the E75 and A90 to Chania, making a scenic stop at Lake Kournas – the only natural fresh water lake on the island. In spring or autumn, you may be lucky enough to see countless migratory birds resting there.

In Chania, you will be able to take in the beautiful old town. Although it’s closed to cars, you can park or drop off your car rental at Rent car in Crete and enjoy a stroll down the promenade along the beachfront. The church of St. Nicholas, the synagogue, the market hall, the city park and the Venetian yard at the harbour are all well worth a visit.

Day trips in your Crete rental car

If you just want to take a day trip, there are many other impressive places to visit in Crete in your rental car. Perhaps visit the beautiful white beaches Elafonissi or Falassarna, or take a trip to 17km-long Samaria Gorge, the longest in Europe.

Whether it’s a day trip or a self-drive tour, we offer a range of rental options to suit your travel plans. Contact our Customer Service team on +30 28340 51505 between 07:00a.m. and 21:00p.m. (MET) 7 days a week or email [email protected] to see how we can help you.