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Voyage Crète : nos offres de vacances

La crète : une île empreinte d’histoire et de charme.

96 offres de voyages Crète

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Présentation de la Crète

Géographie de la crète.

La plus grande des îles grecques propose un éventail de paysages exotiques. Quatre chaînes de montagnes alternent avec des plaines et de hauts plateaux fertiles en agriculture. La Grande bleue borde le sud de l’île par la mer de Libye, et le nord par la mer de Crète. Un séjour en Crète captive les amoureux de nature et de vastes espaces à la découverte d’une île sauvage et montagneuse, parée d’un manteau verdoyant d’oliveraies.

Climat de la Crète

La Crète bénéficie d’un climat méditerranéen agréable, ponctué d’étés chauds, de printemps et d’automnes ensoleillés, bien agréable lors d’un voyage en Crète , et d’hivers lumineux et doux. Les précipitations sont rares, souvent de courte durée, survenant en général entre novembre et mars. Les vents contribuent parfois à refroidir le climat lors des séjours, avantage appréciable pendant la saison estivale caniculaire.

Planifier son voyage en Crète

Meilleur moment pour un séjour en crète.

La période idéale pour un voyage tout compris en Crète s’étend de mai à octobre. Durant l’été, l’affluence touristique dans les hôtels club est maximale. Pour profiter de journées paisibles et de températures plus douces, il est recommandé d’organiser ses vacances dans un resort en Grèce en juin ou en septembre.

Coût de la vie en Crète

En moyenne, le coût de la vie en Crète est 15 % moins élevé qu’en France. Le salaire mensuel moyen net, impôts déduits, est d’environ 800 €. Il faut compter à peu près 420 € pour la location d’un T2 en centre-ville. Côté budget alimentaire, il s’avère deux fois moins cher que le budget alimentaire français. Quant au prix de l’essence, il est similaire : 1 litre de SP95 coûte approximativement 2 €.

Documents et visas nécessaires pour un voyage Crète

Les ressortissants de l’UE doivent se munir d’un passeport ou d’une carte d’identité pour des voyages en Grèce. Si vous envisagez de louer un véhicule durant votre voyage en Crète , alors le permis de conduire français ou international sera nécessaire. La carte européenne d’assurance maladie (CEAM) est utile en cas d’accident, et la souscription à une assurance voyages pour vos vacances est optionnelle, néanmoins recommandée.

Les incontournables pour un voyage en Crète

Les meilleures plages de la crète.

Le long des 1 000 km de littoral se succède une multitude de plages en bordure d’hôtels, pour des séjours paradisiaques en famille. Parmi celles qui méritent le détour, citons :

Les sites archéologiques à voir en Crète

Le riche patrimoine historique de l’île atteste son appellation de berceau de la civilisation occidentale. Les sites à visiter absolument lors de votre voyage en Crète sont l’impressionnant palais du roi Minos à Cnossos, et celui de Phaistos.

Les villages traditionnels crétois

Les balades dans les villages crétois montagnards durant votre voyage Crète resteront des souvenirs impérissables. Les ruelles pavées dans lesquelles se succèdent des maisons blanchies à la chaux ornées de toits de tuiles rouges contribuent à leur charme. Lors d’un week-end hôtel en Crète, partez à la découverte du village Sissi à l’est d’Hersonissos, ou d’Anogia, dans la région de Rethymnon.

Les montagnes et gorges de Crète

Envie d’une randonnée en famille dans l’un des massifs crétois durant votre voyage en Crète ? Le massif des Montagnes Blanches (2 454 m) domine l’ouest de l’île. Au cœur de celui-ci, se logent les gorges de Samaria, s’étirant sur 16 km. Au centre de l’île, le mont Psiloritis culmine à 2 456 m. Plus à l’est, s’élèvent les monts Dikti (2 141 et 2 148 m) et le massif de Sitia (1 476 m).

Culture et gastronomie crétoise

La cuisine crétoise.

La gastronomie crétoise demeurera une découverte culinaire mémorable de votre voyage Crète. Les légumes et les légumineuses sont servis en salade ou mijotés avec de la viande de chèvre ou de mouton. En général, les poissons frais sont grillés tandis que les fruits juteux ajoutent une note sucrée aux fins de repas. Les buffets de nos hôtels club, garnis de spécialités crétoises, raviront vos papilles.

Les traditions et les festivals en Crète

Les fêtes religieuses, comme Pâques ou Dormition (15 août), rythment la vie des Crétois. En février, le carnaval de Rethymnon bat son plein durant une semaine. Si votre voyage en Crète se déroule en période estivale, le festival d’été se déroule de juillet à septembre dans les théâtres en plein air d’Héraklion.

La musique et les danses crétoises

La musique crétoise rythmera probablement votre voyage Crète. La lyra est l’instrument phare de la musique crétoise, souvent accompagnée d’un laouto (mandoline). Les danses traditionnelles, comme le pendozalis ou la sousta, expressives et dynamiques, sont un spectacle à partager lors des animations nocturnes de nos hôtels club.

Se déplacer lors de son séjour Crète

Comment se rendre en crète .

Les vols directs vers Héraklion pour votre voyage en Crète sont proposés par plusieurs compagnies aériennes, au départ des villes françaises et de Genève. Les durées de vol pour la Grèce sont les suivantes :

Transport public en Crète

Pas de train en Crète, mais un réseau de bus « K-tel » bien développé, propice à la découverte des paysages, permettant de se rendre facilement d’une ville à l’autre.

Doit-on louer une voiture pour un voyage Crète ?

La location d’un véhicule procure une certaine autonomie et permet d’explorer plus aisément les villages de l’arrière-pays lors d’un séjour Crète. Il est possible de louer un véhicule depuis la France, c’est meilleur marché que les sociétés de location locales.

Les excursions à faire en Crète

Excursions en bateau autour de la crète.

Les excursions en bateau facilitent la découverte des plages de la côte sud à partir des ports d’Hersonissos, Ierapetra ou Agios Nikolaos. Elles offrent également l’opportunité d’accéder aux îles de Chrissi, de Spinalonga ou de Dia, une excursion de rêve à organiser en famille pendant votre voyage en Crète . La réception de votre hôtel se fera un plaisir de vous recommander les meilleures excursions en bateau de leur région.

Randonnées en Crète

Les gorges de Samaria sont l’un des treks les plus populaires de l’île. Ce sentier de 16 km mène le randonneur à travers des paysages spectaculaires, des gorges étroites et des falaises vertigineuses. Pour une randonnée plus courte et moins physique, la plage de Préveli (Palm Beach) est un excellent choix. Le sentier de 5 km traverse une forêt de pins et de cyprès, avant de déboucher sur une plage de sable blanc bordée de palmiers.

Visites guidées en Crète

Pendant séjour en Crète, optez pour une visite guidée dans Héraklion ou la région d’Hersonissos. La plupart des hôtels proposent des activités culturelles ou de loisirs, à partager en famille, de quelques heures à une journée entière. Après votre journée de visite, rendez-vous au spa de votre resort pour une relaxation bien méritée.

Questions fréquemment posées

Quels sont les principaux aéroports en crète .

Le principal aéroport international de l'île est celui d'Héraklion (HER), situé à 5 km au nord-est de la ville.

L'aéroport international de La Canée (CHQ) est le second aéroport de l'île, localisé à 14 km au sud-ouest de La Canée. L'aéroport national de Sitia (JSH), troisième aéroport de l'île, est situé à 18 km au nord de Sitia.

Quel budget prévoir pour un voyage en Crète ?

Un bon déjeuner au restaurant pendant un séjour Crète coûte 15 à 20 € par personne. Les prix peuvent augmenter dès qu’il s’agit de commander des fruits de mer ou un poisson frais. Le tarif d’un taxi varie selon les villes, de 1,50 à 1,80 € par km. Quant aux tarifs d’entrée dans les sites archéologiques et les musées, ils sont compris dans une fourchette de 15 € (Cnossos) à 3 €. Découvrez notre guide de vacances en Crète complet pour vous aider à préparer au mieux votre voyage en Crète

1. Sélectionnez votre date de voyage 2. Choisissez votre mode de paiement en 3 ou 4 fois 3. Validez votre commande 4. Complétez le formulaire de notre partenaire Oney 5. Recevez une confirmation immédiate !

Le paiement en 3 ou 4 fois par carte bancaire

Afin de bénéficier du paiement en plusieurs fois, les seules conditions à remplir sont :

Réserver un séjour à partir de 100 € et jusqu’à 4000 €
Être une personne majeure
Résider en France
Être titulaire d’une carte bancaire Visa ou MasterCard (hors cartes Electron, Maestro, e-card, Indigo, American Express, …)
Posséder une carte bancaire dont la date de validité est supérieure à la durée du financement choisi
Un premier paiement est dû le jour de la réservation. Les autres échéances suivent 30 et 60 jours après pour le paiement en 3 fois ou 30, 60 et 90 jours après pour le paiement en 4 fois.
Pour le paiement en 3 fois, les frais correspondants sont de 1,61% du montant total de la commande (dans la limite de 25€ maximum). Vous pourrez bénéficier d'un paiement en 3 fois par carte bancaire pour des achats d'un montant compris entre 100 et 4000 euros.

Exemple : Paiement en 3 fois pour un achat d’un montant de 150€, apport de 52,42€, puis 2 mensualités de 50€. Crédit sur 2 mois au TAEG fixe de 21,68%. Coût du financement 2,42€ dans la limite de 25€ maximum

Pour le paiement en 4 fois, les frais correspondants sont de 2,40% du montant total de la commande (dans la limite de 50€ maximum). Vous pourrez bénéficier d’un paiement en 4 fois par carte bancaire pour des achats d’un montant compris entre 350 et 4000 euros.

Exemple : Paiement en 4 fois pour un achat de 400€, apport de 109,60€, puis 3 mensualités de 100€. Crédit sur 3 mois au TAEG fixe de 21,61%. Coût du financement 9,60€, dans la limite de 50€ maximum

Offre de financement sans assurance avec apport obligatoire, réservée aux particuliers et valable pour tout achat de 100€ à 4000€. Sous réserve d’acceptation par Oney Bank. Vous disposez d’un délai de 14 jours pour renoncer Oney Bank - SA au capital de 51 286 585€ - 34 Avenue de Flandre 59 170 Croix - 546 380 197 RCS Lille Métropole - n° Orias 07 023 261 www.orias.fr

Pour le paiement en 3 fois sans frais : le coût du financement est de 0% du montant total de la commande. Exemple pour un achat de 150€, apport de 50€, puis 2 mensualités de 50€, Crédit d’une durée de 2 mois au TAEG fixe de 0%. Coût du financement : 0€ Pour le paiement en 4 fois sans frais : le coût du financement est de 0% du montant total de la commande. Exemple pour un achat de 400€, apport de 100€, suivi de 3 mensualités de 100€. Crédit d’une durée de 3 mois au TAEG fixe de 0%. Coût du financement : 0€

Pour toutes vos questions complémentaires sur le fonctionnement du « paiement en 3 ou 4 fois par carte bancaire », pensez à consulter nos conditions générales de vente .

Voir les conditions > Cette solution est proposée par notre partenaire Oney Bank. Conditions : Cette offre est réservée aux particuliers (personnes physiques majeures) résidant en France et titulaires d’une carte bancaire Visa et MasterCard possédant une date de validité supérieure à la durée du financement choisie. Les cartes à autorisation systématique notamment de type Electron, Maestro, Nickel etc… ainsi que les e-cards, les cartes Indigo et American Express ne sont pas acceptées. Modalités de souscription : Après avoir terminé votre commande, il vous suffit de cliquer sur « paiement en 3x 4x Oney par carte bancaire ». Vous êtes alors redirigé vers la page internet 3x 4x Oney de notre partenaire affichant le récapitulatif détaillé de votre commande et la demande de financement personnalisée, que vous devez ensuite valider. Vous saisissez vos informations personnelles ou, si vous disposez d’un compte 3x 4x Oney, vous vous identifiez au moyen des identifiants de connexion liés à votre compte 3x 4x Oney. Vous prenez connaissance des conditions générales de paiement en plusieurs fois auxquelles vous souhaitez souscrire qui vous sont fournies sous format PDF afin que vous puissiez les lire, les imprimer et les enregistrer avant de les accepter. Vous notifiez ensuite votre acceptation électronique par la case à cocher correspondante. Vous reconnaissez que le « double clic » associé à la case à cocher sur la prise de connaissance des conditions générales valent consentement à contracter et constituent une acceptation irrévocable et sans réserve des conditions générales du produit. Sauf preuve contraire, les données enregistrées par Oney Bank constituent la preuve de l’ensemble des transactions passées entre vous et Oney Bank. Si vous demandez à bénéficier d’une solution de financement proposée par Oney Bank, les informations en rapport à votre commande seront transmises à Oney Bank, qui les utilisera à des fins d’étude de votre demande pour l’octroi, la gestion et le recouvrement de crédit. Oney Bank se réserve le droit d’accepter ou de refuser votre demande de financement en 3x 4x Oney. Vous disposez d’un délai de rétractation de 14 jours pour renoncer à votre crédit. Oney Bank - SA au capital de 51 286 585 € - Siège social : 34 avenue de Flandre 59170 CROIX - RCS Lille Métropole 546 380 197 - n° Orias : 07 023 261 - www.orias.fr - Correspondance : CS 60006 - 59 895 Lille Cedex 9 - www.oney.fr

Crete Itinerary: 6, 7 or 8 days + My Best Tips

7 days in crete: the best itinerary.

You’re traveling to Crete and you’re looking for the best 7 days Itinerary?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay , I have prepared this detailed 6, 7 or 8 days itinerary in Greece . During your trip, you will discover East Crete must-see attractions.

Quick note: If you prefer to visit West Crete (Chania, Balos lagoon, Elafonissi beach, Samaria Gorge ) , you should rather read my other itinerary: How to visit Western Crete in 1 week.

And if you prefer to spend 7 days in Crete staying in just 1 place , you can click here.

During your trip to Crete, you will have the opportunity to visit Heraklion , Spinalonga island, Vai beach and the most beautiful beaches of the East as well as Zakros Gorge and Matala .

In this travel guide, in addition to the best places to visit , you will find a list of the best accommodations depending on your budget . And as always, I will also give you all my best tips to make the most of your stay!

So, what are the best things to do in 7 days in Crete? Where to stay?

Where to stay in Heraklion?

Accommodation in elounda, where to stay in sitia, where to stay in matala, 5) return to heraklion (1 day), 7 days in crete, staying in 1 place, 7-day tour in crete – with a travel agency, renting a boat in crete, you’re traveling to crete these articles will help you, 1) heraklion (1 day).

To visit Crete in 7 days , you must arrive in Heraklion.

Thanks to its international airport, it is the best connected city in the East of the island. You can compare flight prices for Heraklion at the end of the article in the section “Going to Crete”.

For this 7-day itinerary in Crete , you will need to rent a car. To compare the rates of all the rental companies present at Heraklion airport and make your reservation , please go to the website Rentalcars.com.

This is the most practical site because you will directly see which rental company offers the lowest prices or which has the best reputation thanks to customer reviews.

And if you don’t already have insurance included with your credit card, you can also benefit from comprehensive insurance (optional) which covers expenses in case of accident or theft.

If you already know the dates of your 7-day trip to Crete , click on the button below to compare prices now:

For this first day, you must visit Heraklion.

If you are interested in history, you can’t do better than starting with a visit to the historical museum of Crete (€5) . With an audio guide in English (very rare in Greece!), you can learn more about the whole Byzantine period up to the 2nd World War.

With a less than a 5 minute walk from the museum along the seafront, you must then go to the fortress of Koules (€4) . The rooms of the fortress have an exhibition on the history of the place . You can also climb the ramparts to admire the view.

Continue on a walk through the old town of Heraklion , which is located along the rue 25 Avgoustou and the surrounding streets . In addition to the shops and restaurants, you must visit:

Agiou Titou square where the church is located
The Town hall
Saint Mark’s Basilica
The Morosini Lions Fountain
The rue 1866.

It’s then time to discover one of the must-see sights of this 7-8 day tour in Crete: the archaeological museum of Heraklion.

The 27 rooms are chronologically organised and display a remarkable collection of objects ranging from the Neolithic period to the Roman period.

Among the best known objects are those dating from the Minoan civilisation and found at the archaeological site of the Palace of Knossos (next visit on the agenda).

The museum being the main place of interest to see in Heraklion, there is always a huge crowd . You really must buy your ticket early to avoid queuing.

You can choose from 2 types of tickets:

The classic entry ticket , that needs to be purchased by clicking on the green button below:
The combined ticket including the museum + the Palace of Knossos.

This is the one I recommend because it will also help you skip the queue for palace. It also includes a downloadable audio guide for both sites:

The visit to the museum goes hand-in-hand with Knossos , so you must continue by visiting the most famous archaeological site in Crete.

Being located 5 km from Heraklion city centre, you will have to go there by car or take the public bus (line no. 2 – departure from the bus station located 200 metres from the museum).

At the peak of the Minoan civilisation, the Knossos palace formed a vast complex consisting of the residences of the king and the queen , those of officials and priests , baths , warehouses where food was stored and a theatre.

Today, some parts have been reconstructed but it still takes a lot of imagination to visualise the place as it is almost entirely ruined.

Among the things to see , you will find the frescoes, the throne room and the queen ‘s room (the Megaron).

As I told you, entrance to Knossos is included in the combination ticket with the archaeological museum (click here) but if you want to know everything about the history of the place , you can book it too (click on the orange links):

A digital tablet that displays the relics in the palace in 3D + Audioguide in English. The price of the ticket is added to the rental of the tablet.
Guided tour of the Palace of Knossos in English – Small group of 8 people maximum.

After this first day full of exploration, return to Heraklion for the night.

If you don’ t have time to visit the Palace of Knossos in the late afternoon, you can catch up the next morning before leaving Heraklion. What’s great is that if you took the combined ticket, it will still be valid .

For more details on places to visit in Heraklion , you must read my article: The best things to see and do in Heraklion?

And you can find all the practical information about Knossos here: How to visit the Palace of Knossos?

Intra Muros Hostel: Hostel located a 5-minute walk from the old town. Dormitory bed from 21€. Strong points: comfortable, warm welcome, cleanliness, roof terrace. The best choice for cheap accommodation in Heraklion!
Kronos Hotel: Located just next to Heraklion fortress. Double room with impeccable cleanliness and balcony (some with a sea view) from 65€, breakfast included. Strong points: the location is perfect for visiting Heraklion, good breakfast and friendly staff.
Atrion Hotel: Located in the historical centre. Comfortable and warm double room with balcony from 85€, breakfast included. Strong points: excellent location and excellent breakfast. It’s my favorite hotel for its excellent value for money in Heraklion!
DOM Boutique Hotel: Located in the heart of the old town. Modern, spacious and elegantly decorated double room from 110€, breakfast included. Strong points: excellent breakfast, attentive staff, setting, very good bedding. This is my recommendation for an upscale stay in Heraklion!
GDM Megaron: This 5-star hotel is also located in the centre of Heraklion, not far from the Venetian port. The hotel offers beautiful rooms with a balcony from 190€, breakfast included. Strong points: rooftop swimming pool, wellness area, exceptional breakfast, great staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Heraklion!

2) Elounda (2 days)

The following day , to continue your 7-8 day stay in Crete , you must go to the Lassithi plateau. From Heraklion, you can drive to the plateau in just 45 minutes.

On this day, you can take the time to explore this rural area and its typical villages while enjoying nice views all along the road.

I recommend the following itinerary:

The Panagia Kera Kardiotissa monastery offers a quick visit to its small chapel with beautiful frescoes and a beautiful view of the mountains.
Visit to the Homo sapiens museum. The car park offers a beautiful view of the whole plain but the museum itself is not worth visiting.
Visit the cave on Mount Dicte that is also called the Cave of Zeus or the Cave of Psichro . This is the main tourist attraction of Lassithi , as legend has it that this is where Zeus was born. To get to the cave, you will have to walk about 10 minutes on a path that goes up quite steeply and then down a long staircase because the cave is very deep. Price: €6

Next to the cave car park, you can visit the Greek Mythological Park , which depicts scenes from Greek mythology that you can experience with an audio guide in English . Frankly, I was a bit worried that it wasn’t worth it, but I was pleasantly surprised: the decor is well done and the explanations are clear.
The Lasinthos Eco Park , where entry is free. There are several weaving, pottery, candle -making workshops where you can attend demonstrations. If you are travelling with children for 7 days in Crete, there is also a small farm with goats and ponies.
The ancient city of Lato: a renowned archaeological site that also offers a beautiful view of the entire bay below – The ruins of this ancient fortified city date from the 4th and 3rd century BC. Entrance costs €3.
Panagia Kera Church, located in the village of Kritsa, is known for its extremely well-preserved Byzantine frescoes.

From Kritsa , you can reach the seafront and the small town of Agios Nikolaos in 20 minutes by car.

By parking your car in the municipal car park (costing €3/day), you can walk along the sea to see the Voulismeni lake in the centre of the city. There are shops and restaurants all around.

Then drive up to the last stop of the day , 10 km North of Agios Nikolaos: Elounda.

Spend the night in Elounda.

Today, you must stay in Elounda and to discover one of the unmissable places on a 7-day road trip in Crete : Spinalonga island.

Spinalonga owes its fame to Victoria Hislop’s novel, “The Island” , which takes place on the island. The novel is world-famous and has even been adapted into a series and a film.

To get there, you will have to take the boat at the Elounda port . The return ticket costs €12 and there are departures every 1/2 hours in peak season. Spinalonga is 15 minutes away.

Once you land there, entry to the site costs €8.

Spinalonga is an ancient fortress built in the 16th century which later served as a leper colony in the 1900s . Today, you can walk in the old buildings of the village, the leper hospital, the church and the fort.

You can also climb up the hill to enjoy the view of the peninsula and the Elounda coast.

It takes a good hour, or even a little more to go around on foot.

Then take the boat back when you want. By now It will certainly be time for lunch in one of the taverns of Elounda.

In the afternoon, drive to the Spinalonga peninsula, at the end of the village of Elounda.

Take the small track (1 km) and park at the end of the path. A 10-minute walk down to the sea will take you to Kolokitha beach.

With its shallow turquoise waters, its white sands and the magnificent setting, this small creek is just magnificent. It deserves its place among the most beautiful beaches to go to Crete in 7 days!

There is usually a bit of a crowd as some of the tour boats stop on the way back after having been to Spinalonga but if you go a little to the right, you also have 2 other, quieter coves.

Between swims, you can also walk on either side of the beach , along the peninsula which is really untamed.

Spend another night in Elounda.

If you don’t feel like spending the whole afternoon at the beach, you can also drive North of Elounda to Plaka . Continuing along the road which begins to climb and offers beautiful views of Spinalonga Island and the peninsula.

It is possible to make a circuit around the cape through the villages and olive fields.

Adrakos Apartments (Adults Only): Located on the road between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. Cosy and comfortable studios and apartments, with kitchenette, from €50 per night, breakfast at €11. Strong points: unobstructed view of the entire bay, swimming pool, comfortable beds.
Elounda George Studios: Located at the entrance of Elounda on arrival from Agios Nikolaos. Studio rooms for 2 people with kitchenette and balcony from €55 per night. Strong points: cleanliness, facilities, warm welcome.
Kalypso Suites Hotel: Located in the centre of Elounda. Modern double room with fancy decor from €80 per night. Strong points: location, comfortable rooms, very nice owner. It’s my favorite for its excellent value for money in Elounda!
Elounda Akti Olous (Adults Only): Located at the end of Elounda, towards the peninsula. Modern double room with sea or garden view from €90, breakfast included. Strong points: the rooftop with its swimming pool and bar, private parking, good breakfast, private beach.
Elounda Heights (Adults Only): Located in the mountains of Elounda. Studio and apartment with sea view from €95, breakfast at €8. Strong points: the view, excellent breakfast, swimming pool and beautiful garden.

Elounda is a well-known seaside resort and the place where you will find the best luxury hotels on the island.

Here is my selection of the most beautiful 5* hotels in Elounda for your 2-week stay in Crete:

Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel: This luxury hotel offers spacious rooms with sea view and a large terrace from €185 per night, including breakfast. Strong points: private beach, large swimming pool with a magnificent view, friendly staff.
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection: Magnificent suites with very elegant decoration, some with jacuzzi or private swimming pools starting from €250 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: splendid Spa, the beach, the view, superb location.
Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Resort: Luxury bungalow with sea view and lounge area from €300, breakfast included. Strong points: the 2000m² spa and its facilities (hammams, saunas, jacuzzi, indoor swimming pools), private beach, excellent restaurants.
Cayo Exclusive Resort Spa: Superior room with private pool from €330, breakfast included. Strong points: heated pool, calm atmosphere, excellent breakfast, attentive staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Crete!

3) Sitia and the beaches of East Crete (2 days)

Today, to continue this 7-day itinerary in Crete, you must now start heading East.

The next stop will be the city of Sitia but you could take stops during the day.

Start by stopping at the beautiful Voulisma Beach, a 25-minute drive from Elounda. Ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, you will immediately understand why after seeing its turquoise colour and shallow water.

Rest assured, you won’t be able to resist taking a dip! You can also try water activities such as the buoy rides or jet ski.

After a refreshing dip, get back on the road to the village of Mohlos , 30 minutes away. On the way, you can also admire the pretty views.

Located on the seafront, this small, quiet, and picturesque village is very pretty with an island located in front of it , which you can swim to easily from the beach. The water is very clear and it is very pleasant for swimming.

If you haven’t had lunch yet, you’ll find several family-run inns where you can have a good local meal and enjoy the surroundings peacefully.

The rest of the day will be a little more athletically-oriented, with a hike in the Richtis Gorge.

To do this, drive up to the village of Exo Mouliana (35 minutes from Voulisma) where you’ll find the well-designated car park for the Gorge, along the main road. If the one on the left is full, you have another one on the other side of the road.

From the car park , it takes about 20 minutes on foot (downhill) to reach the starting point of the hike on the Lachana bridge. You will find a security hut where you will have to pay the €3 for the entrance.

From here you will have to walk for about 1 hour in the forest . It’s quite easy as the path is flat but there are a few passages in the rocks which require nimble dexterity, so make sure you are wearing at least a pair of sneakers and avoid flip-flops.

You will then arrive at the very pretty Richtis waterfall, 65 feet high , where you can take beautiful pictures and swim in its pool.

Once there, you can walk back in the direction you came from or continue to the seaside with a 30 minute walk. You will arrive at a small, pebbled beach but the water is very deep and the place quite windy, so it’s not ideal for swimming.

From the beach, if you are tired and you don’t want to walk back, you can take a taxi that will take you back to the car park . The taxi number is displayed on the beach trees. It costs €25 for 2.

Then reach the town of Sitia (15 minutes drive) for the night.

We continue this 7-8 day tour in Crete with the discovery of the Easternmost part of the island.

The agenda for the day will be relatively similar to yesterday with stops at very beautiful beaches and a small hike in the middle.

From Sitia , the first stop of the day is at the Moni Toplou monastery, a 20 minute drive away. The monastery (€4 entrance fee) includes several spaces converted into small museums and mainly displaying engravings. The church is also famous for its beautiful icons.

Then continue for 9 km and you will arrive at the beaches of Itanos. These are 2 small, sandy beaches that are very pretty and very quiet. They are not very crowded because they are not part of the classic tourist circuits.

Then continue on the road and in less than 5 minutes, you will be at Vai beach, much better known than its neighbours. It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches to see during this 7-day stay in East Crete.

And its reputation is well-deserved because it is indeed a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear waters and bordered by a forest of palm trees . You can rent deckchairs/parasols for €10 to 15 (depending on the location).

On the beach you will also find inns/cafes and you can indulge in water activities: jet ski, paddle boat, buoy rides.

You must take the stairs to the right of the beach to get to the view point.

If you don’t feel like staying on the beach all day long, you can take a short walk through the Zakros Gorge. This gorge is about a 40-minute drive south of Vai Beach.

For the record, the Gorge is called nicknamed “The Valley of the Dead” because during the Minoan period, the dead were buried in the many caves dug into the cliff surrounding the Gorge.

There are 2 entrances to the Gorge:

The car park and entrance A are located first on the road, on the left. There is a sign. Passing through here, the path goes down to the bottom of the Gorge. It takes about an hour and a half to walk to the village of Kato Zakros, where the Gorge ends.
The car park and entrance B are located 1.4 km below on the main road. Also marked by a sign. This path overlooks the Gorge and offers beautiful views. The walk to the village takes 1 hour .

This hike is considered one of the must-do activities in Crete in 7 days.

You can then turn around or take a taxi that will take you back to the car park (€12 or so for the journey).

If you don’ t feel like hiking , you can also drive down to the village. From the road, you will arrive at a beautiful view point of the end of the Gorge.

To end the day in style, you must go to one of my favourite places in Crete: Xerokampos and its beautiful beaches! This dream spot is just a 10-minute drive from Zakros.

You will find a succession of coves and beaches, all more beautiful than the others.

And guess what, they are still not very crowded! There are plenty of places where you can relax without anyone and swim in the incredible turquoise waters.

I particularly liked 2 beaches:

Katsounaki beach (Maps.me name), also called “ Paralia Anola” (Google Maps): a pretty cove with fine sands accessible by car via a dirt road.
The Ambelou beach (on Maps.me) or “Paralia Mazida Ammos” (if you search on Google Maps) which is just beautiful! You can park all along the road and access the beach directly.

Return to Sitia for another night . From Xerokampos, it is just over an hour away by car.

Nora Hotel: Located in the port of Sitia. Very simple and basic room starting from €35. Strong points: cleanliness, very kind owner, sea-view.
Hotel Petras Beach : Located just opposite the beach. Nice and spacious room from €45. Strong points: the beautiful garden and its flowery terrace, friendly staff, close to the sea.
Hotel El Greco: Located in the centre of Sitia. Comfortable and warm double room with balcony from €50. Strong points: warm welcome, calm atmosphere, view.
Sitia Beach: Located in the bay of Sitia. 5* hotel with very spacious and bright double rooms with balcony, from €120 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: swimming pool, spa with sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, private beach, location. My favourite for its excellent value for money!
Oceanides Luxury Apartments: Located 3 km away from the centre. 2 bedroom, well-equipped, and spacious apartments from €250. Strong points: superbly maintained garden, magnificent pool area, perfect welcome from the owner, peace and comfort. The pefect choice for a luxury stay!

4) Island of Chrissi and Matala (1 day)

For the second-last day of your 7-day road trip in Crete, you must first go to Ierapetra, a 1 hour drive from Sitia.

The city is the departure point for boat trips to Chrissi island. Boats depart every day between 10:30am and 12:00pm , the journey takes about 1 hour and it will cost between €20 and €25 per person for the return journey.

You don’ t necessarily have to book in advance because these are big tourist boats that can carry hundreds of passengers (which also means that you shouldn’t expect to be alone on the island…).

Once there, you will only need a few minutes’ walk to get to the main beach and its turquoise waters: Golden Beach.

There are also other beaches which can be reached on foot all around the island and are much less frequented.

Boats leave from Chrissi from 4:30 pm.

A few things to know about the island of Chrissi:

It is a nature reserve, so the island is totally wild: there are no restaurants, toilets or facilities.
There is no shade on the beach . You can rent parasols on the boat for € 4 or sit a little further under the trees (but spots are quickly taken).
Bring water , picnic materials, and sunscreen.
There are many sharp rocks, you will absolutely need shoes to go in the water.
Avoid going to Chrissi if it’s too windy, it won’t be very pleasant on the beach (or during the boat trip!).

If you don’t necessarily like spending 4 to 5 hours on the beach without being able to leave earlier or if you don’t like the tourist beaches, you don’t have to go to Chrissi.

You can resume the itinerary from now on.

From Ierapetra, it takes 2 hours 20 minutes to reach Matala.

This small seaside resort is famous for its neolithic caves carved into the cliffs . Used as a Roman necropolis in the time, they were, used as a squatting spot by a community of hippies in the 60s.

And one can understand why they chose this place, when you realise that the caves overlook a nice cove with translucent waters, perfect for swimming (and at the time, to have a good guitar session in the evening by the fire!).

The caves can be visited for €4.

Matala also has another beach that can be reached by a path that goes up from behind the village . Take the stairs and follow the signs that say “Red Beach”. It takes 30 minutes to walk there.

It is a small beach with golden sands, and has a bar and a toilet but the water is quite deep.

Even if you don’ t want to walk to Red Beach , you must at least climb the first set of stairs and take a right to go and see the view of the caves and Matala.

Spend the night in Matala.

For dinner in Matala , as a change from the local cuisine, you must head to the Bistronomy restaurant.

Everything is homemade (even the pasta) and it is excellent. We took the sushi as starter, risotto and burgers, and we had a treat. And like everywhere in Crete, we were treated to the dessert (cakes and fruit) offered with the liqueur.

Hotel Orama Matala: Located 10 minutes on foot from the centre. Double room, simple but comfortable, from €55, breakfast included. Strong points: the warm welcome, calm atmosphere, swimming pool.
Matala Bay Hotel Apartments: Located 500 metres from the beach. Spacious double room with comfortable bedding from €70, breakfast included. Strong points: location, swimming pool, excellent breakfast.
Nikos Hotel: Located 100 metres from the beach. Double room with balcony from €70. Strong points: warm welcome, private parking, near the beach
Valley Village: Located 15 minutes on foot from the centre of Matala. Double room from €60 or bungalow suite at €80, breakfast included. The suites are super spacious, with 2 terraces and a jacuzzi. Strong points: swimming pool, quiet atmosphere, private parking, full breakfast. It’s my favorite for its excellent value for money in Matala!

Now you are at the seventh and last day of this 7-day drive in Crete, which means you will have to return to Heraklion.

It takes about an hour and a half from Matala to reach the city.

But if you are taking a flight at the end of the day or the next day , you must take the opportunity to finish visiting the island or choose a very nice activity from my selection.

Here are my selections (your choice):

A boat trip from Matala to the islands of Paximadia.

You will take a traditional wooden boat that leaves around 10.30am and takes 90 minutes to reach the beach of Paximadia . Guests can enjoy snorkelling (masks and snorkels provided) and a barbecue lunch included.

Return to Matala around 5 pm.

The company organising the excursion is called Mare Sud Tours and has a kiosk in Matala (no website).

A small group cruise to the island of Dia from Heraklion
Another boat trip (click here) also from Heraklion
A day at a water park . There are 2 in Heraklion: the Watercity Waterpark and the Acqua Plus water park (ticket available here!) .
A quad bike trip (available in the mornings or afternoons from Agia Pelagia – 30 minutes from Heraklion).

The trip lasts 3 hours and 30 minutes and is really great because the route is off the beaten track . The guide is also very nice and speaks English.

However, you must book in advance by clicking on the button below:

Explore the wine region of Crete , which is located in the South of Heraklion. May estates offer vineyard visits and wine tastings. On the road between Matala and Heraklion, you can stop at the Diamantakis estate .

For a 6-day itinerary in Crete (East) , you could remove the day at the Lassithi plateau. From Heraklion, go directly to Elounda and resume the itinerary from the visit to the island of Spinalonga. You will only spend one night in Elounda.

To visit Crete in 8 days , you can choose one of the tours/activities that you did not do on the last day . You can also find other ideas in my article: What are the things to do in Heraklion and nearby?

On the eighth day, from Matala , you can also go to the famous Preveli beach which is bordered by a palm grove and has a river crossing through it.

Would you prefer to spend 6, 7 or 8 days in Crete, staying only in Heraklion?

No worries!

You should read my article by clicking here: What are the things to do in Heraklion?

You will find all my tips on how to organise your week in Heraklion.

If you don’t want to rent a car, with organised trips, you can also go to some of the places I talk about in this itinerary like:

One-day Land Rover Safari across the Lassithi Plateau with an English-speaking guide
Cruise to the famous island of Spinalonga
Trip to the small island of Chrissi
Jeep safari to the Preveli beach

From Heraklion , you can also visit West Crete and its unmissable sights, as you will find trips to:

The Samaria Gorge
Elafonissi beach, with its pink sand
Lagoon of Balos

However, it should be noted that these places are quite far away from Heraklion and if you really want to see them all, you must choose Chania as the starting point.

I have explained everything in my other article. To read , click on the following link: One week itinerary in Crete (West).

On Voyagetips.com , I give you all my best tips and itineraries to plan your trip to Crete by yourself. (All my Crete guides are here)

However, if you prefer to book a Crete tour with a travel agency , I recommend you to check the 10 best Crete tours by clicking the button below:

Do not hesitate to give us your opinions and suggestions on our 7-day itinerary in Crete!

If you have any questions for organising your 7 day tour in Crete, please feel free to ask me in the comments.

How to get to Crete: flights & ferries prices

To get to Heraklion, the best is to take a flight.

Heraklion Airport is just a 10-minute drive from the city centre.

As always, you should book your plane tickets as early as possible to get the best prices. You have to know that the flight prices to Corsica can vary a lot throughout the year!

So to check the rates and schedules, you can use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner:

Heraklion can also be reached by ferries from the port of Piraeus in Athens . It’s 8h30 to 9h30 journey.

You can also get to Heraklion from many Greek islands of the Cyclades archipelago: Santorini , Naxos , Paros , Mykonos, Tinos .

To check prices and schedules of ferries to Crete, simply click on the button below:

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Crete, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Crete? 😊

Discover all my articles about Crete : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Crete are listed there.

27 Best things to do in Crete : All the best places to visit and activities
Itinerary: 4-5 days in Crete – Itinerary to prepare a short stay in East or West Crete
Itinerary: One week in Crete – The perfect itinerary to visit Western Crete
Itinerary : 7 days in Crete – The best itinerary to visit East Crete in 1 week
Itinerary: 10 days in Crete – How to visit Crete in 10 days
Itinerary: 2 weeks in Crete – The perfect itinerary for 14-15 days in Crete
Road trip to Crete: The best itineraries for 5, 7, 10 and 15 days
Chania : The 15 best places to discover
Heraklion : TOP 13 places to visit
Rethymnon: The 13 best things to do
Balos Beach : All my best tips to visit Balos Lagoon!
Elafonissi Beach : The definitive guide to discover Crete’s famous pink sand beach
Palace of Knossos: The definitive guide to visit the most famous archaeological site of Crete
Samaria Gorge : How to plan the best hike in Crete
Where to stay in Crete? The guide to the best hotels, ordered by city and budget