Western Crete in Five Days
Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.
Even five days in this large area will be rushed, but it does allow time to explore Chania and Rethymnon, see some of the north and south coast beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge, and visit the historically important monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.
Day One
Morning
Visit Arkadi Monastery then take the pleasant country road (signposted at the end of the car park) to the ancient site of Eleftherna, which should only take 10-15 minutes. After looking round there, continue on for another 15 minutes to the potters’ village of Margarites, where there are places to have lunch. We like the Taverna Giannousakis at the upper end of the village for its excellent home-cooked food.
Afternoon
Drive northeast from Margarites to visit the Melidoni Cave, which is about a 20-minute drive away. Then continue on to the north coast, to Rethymnon. You have a choice of routes.
Evening
Spend the night in Rethymnon, where you can dine by the harbour. We like the Fanari, which is further away from the main harbour where people try to talk you into their restaurants. We like the Fanari’s more laid-back approach, and the food’s good too.
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
Day Two
Morning
Spend the morning exploring Rethymnon, perhaps taking in the museums and art galleries, and walking out to the Venetian fortress, the Fortezza. For a special lunch before you leave, book a table at Avli, one of the best restaurants on Crete.
Afternoon
Wander round the narrow streets of the old town, see the loggia, stroll around the harbour, and visit the public gardens.
Evening
As a change from the harbour, ask for directions to Kyria Maria, in a narrow side-street behind the Rimondi Fountain. Lamb kleftiko is a house specialty and is totally mouth-watering.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
Day Three
Morning
Time to leave Rethymnon and drive south across the island to the Preveli Monastery. It’s less than an hour’s drive, with the last stretch through dramatic gorge scenery. After touring the monastery (dress respectfully), head west to Plakias (20 minutes) and then along the narrow and winding coastal road to the Venetian fortress at Frangokástello, which is about another 40-50 minutes. Another 20 minutes will have you in Chora Sfakion, whose lovely little harbour makes the perfect lunch stop. We like the Livikon, or to give it its full grand name, Kitchen Stories from Samaria to Livikon.
Afternoon
Drive north out of Chora Sfakion past the Imbros Gorge, the entrance to which is about a 25-minute drive from the town. You could stop and walk in the gorge for a while, though you’ve an hour’s drive back to the north coast for a visit to the Allied War Cemetery at Souda. If you really wanted to walk in the gorge, you could probably skip the cemetery and drive straight to Chania for the night, which is also about an hour.
Evening
We recommend spending the next three nights in Chania and exploring from there. Enjoy your first dinner on the Venetian harbour, where we recommend the Amphora.
Day Four
Morning
Spend the morning seeing some of Chania’s attractions. You should be able to fit in the market, the Archaeological Museum, and the excellent little Folklore Museum. Have lunch at Tamam, another wonderful Chania restaurant.
Afternoon
Visit the Byzantine Museum and the adjacent Maritime Museum of Crete. A stroll through the old town and around the harbour are also Chania highlights.
Evening
Wander through a different part of Chania, the Turkish quarter, to have dinner at the fabulous Well of the Turk.
Day Five
Morning/Afternoon
Work off some of that food by devoting the day to the Samaria Gorge. You’ll need to book an excursion, as it’s a one-way hike from the mountains to the sea, so you need planned transport. It's one reason we recommend basing yourselves in Chania for three days, as this is the best place to book a Samaria Gorge hike with organised transport. It will be a very early start but you’ll be back in Chania for dinner.
Evening
For a final dinner, try the Semiramis where there’s often live music and always a terrific atmosphere. And there you have it – you’ve seen the best of western Crete in five days!
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Other Crete pages
Central Crete in Three Days
Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.
Western Crete Beaches and Villages
Western Crete has some wonderful golden sand beaches as well as mountain villages, monasteries, caves, and archaeological sites to discover.
Sitia
Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.
Shopping Tips for Crete
These shopping tips for Crete include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, icons, jewellery, leather, weavings, wood carvings, and food and drink.
Hiking the Samaria Gorge
Hiking the Samaria Gorge on Crete, one of the best things to do on Crete, by Greece Travel Secrets.
How to Make Petimezi
How to make Petimezi, the sweet Cretan syrup made from wine must, is explained to Greece Travel Secrets.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a pretty and popular town on the north coast of Crete and this page on Greece Travel Secrets covers its history, museums and beaches.
Paleohora and the South-West Coast
The area east from Paleohora along the south-west coast of Crete includes resorts like Agia Galini, gorges like the Imbros Gorge and quieter towns like Sfakia.
Elounda and Spinalonga, setting for The Island by Victoria Hislop
Elounda on Crete's north coast is a popular holiday town with a pretty harbour, from where you can take day trips by boat to see the island of Spinalonga.
Driving on Crete
Driving on Crete is the best way to see Greece’s biggest island and here is our driving advice and some information about Greek driving regulations.
Phaistos Minoan Palace on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets page on Phaistos or Faistos, the site of one of the finest Minoan palaces on Crete and is where the mysterious Phaistos Disc was found.
Hiking in Southwest Crete
Greece Travel Secrets goes hiking in southwest Crete with Ramblers Walking Holidays based in Paleohora and hiking the E4 footpath and to Anidri and Azogires.
Battle of Crete
The Battle of Crete during World War 2 inspired several books and took place with an airborne invasion over Maleme on the north coast of the island.
Our Hire Car in Crete
The travel tale Our Hire Car in Crete describes what it’s like when you go driving in Greece and get off the beaten track, resulting in kindnesses.
Lonely Planet Crete
Lonely Planet Crete is an excellent and thorough guide of almost 300 pages to the largest of the Greek islands.
Chania, in Western Crete
Chania is the main city in Western Crete with a lovely setting and a beautiful harbour as well as several museums.
Best Beaches on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.
Stilianou Winery near Knossos
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
The Herb Man of Kouses
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Cretan Botano herbs and spices shop near Matala in southern Crete in search of the herb man of Kouses.
Manousakis Wine Tasting
We visit and tour the Manousakis Winery on Crete with a wine-tasting and a chance to buy their tsikoudia, sea salt, olive oil and other goodies.
Making Rakomelo on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets visits Crete and learns about making rakomelo from Jorgos Kourmoulis in Agouseliana.
Goules Taverna Crete
The Goules Taverna in Goulediana, south of Rethymnon, has been called one of the best tavernas on Crete and Greece Travel Secrets recently visited them.
Zaros
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Margarites
Margarites is known on Crete for its pottery, with ceramics shops and workshops lining the streets of this charming small town not far from Rethymnon.
Life as a Minoan
What was daily life as a Minoan like on Crete, living in palaces like the ones at Knossos, Malia, Phaistos, and Zakros, and what were their religious beliefs?
Latest Posts
-
Thessaloniki Metro: A New Era on Track
Thirty years after the first plans were announced, a new subway system is changing not just how residents get around town but how they experience their city, too. -
3 Museums Showcasing Athens’ Industrial Heritage
Step beyond the well-trodden paths of Athens’ iconic landmarks and explore a different side of the Greek capital by visiting three lesser-known industrial museums. -
A Day Trip to Mount Parnassos
Busy schedules don’t always allow for extended getaways, but Mount Parnassos and its enchanting landscapes are perfect for a refreshing day trip. -
Greece’s November 20 Strike to Disrupt Ferry Services and Public Transport
A 24-hour nationwide strike is set to disrupt transportation in Athens and travel across Greece on Wednesday, November 20, as public transport and ferry employees join a general strike organized by Gr… -
Museum of Modern Greek Culture
A New Cultural Jewel in Plaka -
Zakynthos: Greek Draft Law Plans Ticket Requirement for Navagio Beach
Visitors to Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on the island of Zakynthos will be required to purchase tickets for entrance once it reopens to the public, according to a new draft law proposed by the Gre… -
Thessaloniki Bites: 6 Fresh Culinary Gems to Savor Around the Film Festival
With the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in full swing, we take a look at the city’s newest cafes, bars, and restaurants, along with some exciting culinary developments in the city. -
Musicians Ex Machina Breathe New Life into Greece’s Mountain Villages
A band of motorcycle-riding musicians is sending a powerful, melodic message from Greece's remote mountain villages that are at risk of being left deserted. -
Athens Metro Lines 2 and 3 Extend Weekend Service Hours Until 2 AM
Beginning November 1, Lines 2 and 3 of the Athens Metro will extend their Friday and Saturday night service until 2 o’clock in the morning. -
History of Thessaloniki
Greece Travel Secrets outlines the history of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, from its origins through Roman times and the Ottoman period through to today.
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
LATEST NEWS
Latest Posts
-
Thessaloniki Metro: A New Era on Track
Nov 30, 24 10:42 AM
Thirty years after the first plans were announced, a new subway system is changing not just how residents get around town but how they experience their city, too. -
3 Museums Showcasing Athens’ Industrial Heritage
Nov 23, 24 10:25 AM
Step beyond the well-trodden paths of Athens’ iconic landmarks and explore a different side of the Greek capital by visiting three lesser-known industrial museums. -
A Day Trip to Mount Parnassos
Nov 23, 24 10:25 AM
Busy schedules don’t always allow for extended getaways, but Mount Parnassos and its enchanting landscapes are perfect for a refreshing day trip. -
Greece’s November 20 Strike to Disrupt Ferry Services and Public Transport
Nov 19, 24 11:07 AM
A 24-hour nationwide strike is set to disrupt transportation in Athens and travel across Greece on Wednesday, November 20, as public transport and ferry employees join a general strike organized by Gr… -
Museum of Modern Greek Culture
Nov 16, 24 11:16 AM
A New Cultural Jewel in Plaka -
Zakynthos: Greek Draft Law Plans Ticket Requirement for Navagio Beach
Nov 11, 24 10:03 AM
Visitors to Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on the island of Zakynthos will be required to purchase tickets for entrance once it reopens to the public, according to a new draft law proposed by the Gre… -
Thessaloniki Bites: 6 Fresh Culinary Gems to Savor Around the Film Festival
Nov 09, 24 10:41 AM
With the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in full swing, we take a look at the city’s newest cafes, bars, and restaurants, along with some exciting culinary developments in the city. -
Musicians Ex Machina Breathe New Life into Greece’s Mountain Villages
Nov 09, 24 10:41 AM
A band of motorcycle-riding musicians is sending a powerful, melodic message from Greece's remote mountain villages that are at risk of being left deserted. -
Athens Metro Lines 2 and 3 Extend Weekend Service Hours Until 2 AM
Nov 04, 24 01:18 PM
Beginning November 1, Lines 2 and 3 of the Athens Metro will extend their Friday and Saturday night service until 2 o’clock in the morning.
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
