📍 Greece

ETERNAL CRETE: MINOAN PALACES, GORGES AND TURQUOISE SEAS

Q: What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, ideal temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent value, Easter celebrations, optimal conditions. Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for islands, vibrant nightlife, festival season. Fall (September-October): Warm seas, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent weather, good value, harvest season, ideal photography. Winter (November-March): Mild weather, lowest prices, minimal crowds, rainy season, ski season mountains, cultural focus, cozy atmosphere.

Minoan palaces with blazing frescoes, Venetian harbors bathed in golden light, turquoise bays at the foot of gorges. Crete, timeless.

≈ 5

Days

137

Stops

📖 3 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Enter Knossos at the heart of Minoan frescoes and corridors, then let Rethymno unfurl its Venetian harbor and Renaissance grace. Lose yourself in Chania between stone lanes and mountain-sea contrasts, then follow the Samaria Gorge through pure limestone drama. Crete pulses with ancient soul and wildness.

Heraklion: minoan museum palace grandeur
Rethymnon: venetian harbor renaissance charm
Chania: old-town alleys mountain-sea soul

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day

Heraklion

minoan treasures pulse through museum ancient glass

6 photos

Day 1

🔍

Discover

Knossos Palace Minoan site 1900 BC Evans reconstruction bull frescoes throne room.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum Minoan collections Phaistos disc frescoes snake goddess.

Koules Venetian fortress 1523 port defense Saint Mark's lion military architecture.

Saint Titus Cathedral Byzantine patron saint relics icons dome.

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

Visit Knossos palace legend Minotaur Theseus sophisticated Minoan civilization.

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Museum exploration Minoan art masterpieces ceramics frescoes gold jewelry.

→

Venetian port walk fortress animation restaurants seafood evenings.

+3 Optional activities

Day

Heraklion

minoan treasures pulse through museum ancient glass

6 photos

Day 2

🔍

Discover

Historical Museum of Crete Byzantine Venetian Ottoman modern periods icons collections.

Venetian walls Martinengo bastion Kazantzakis tomb writer view city.

Heraklion Market 1866 local products herbs cheeses honey olive oil animation.

Agarathos Monastery 15th century Byzantine frescoes garden vineyards wine production.

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

Exploration modern Heraklion markets animation urban Cretan daily life.

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Excursion Phaistos Minoan palace Messara valley panorama Mount Psiloritis.

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Visit caves Cretan vineyards indigenous grape varieties vidiano vilana kotsifali tasting.

+3 Optional activities

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 78.1 km

Travel time: 1h18

Day

Rethymnon

venetian harbor glows with renaissance merchant dreams

6 photos

Day 3

🔍

Discover

Fortress Fortezza Venetian 1590 hill sea view old town military architecture.

Old town Rethymno alleys Venetian Ottoman Rimondi fountain minarets mosques.

Venetian port Rethymno lighthouse taverns fish romantic atmosphere entertainment.

Archaeological museum Rethymno Minoan Roman Byzantine collections ceramics.

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

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Exploration old town Venetian Ottoman architecture cultural blend craft shops.

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Visit Fortezza fortifications bastions panorama sea town Venetian history.

→

Excursion Arkadi monastery history resistance Cretan renaissance architecture.

+3 Optional activities

🚗

Next stop

Distance: 58.7 km

Travel time: 59min

Day

Chania

old-town maze where mountain meets turquoise

6 photos

Day 4

🔍

Discover

Venetian port Chania Egyptian lighthouse Hassan Pasha mosque Ottoman architecture.

Old town Chania Venetian alleys colorful houses Etz Hayyim synagogue.

Maritime Museum Crete naval history models Battle of Crete 1941.

Archaeological Museum Chania Minoan Roman collections ceramics mosaics.

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

Venetian harbor promenade tavernas seafood sunset romantic entertainment.

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Exploration of the old town Kastelli alleys artisans jewelers leather goods.

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Visit covered markets Agora 1913 Cretan products cheeses herbs spices.

+3 Optional activities

Day

Chania

old-town maze where mountain meets turquoise

6 photos

Day 5

🔍

Discover

Samaria Gorge 16km national park UNESCO hiking walls 300m height endemic flora.

Omalos village plateau 1080m altitude departure gorges mountain tavernas.

Agia Roumeli isolated village arrival gorges accessible by boat beach Libyan Sea.

Loutro picturesque village accessible by boat white houses turquoise coves.

+1 Places visited

🎯

Activities

→

Hiking Samaria Gorge mythical route wild nature endemic kri-kri goats.

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Swimming Libyan Sea Agia Roumeli hiking reward crystalline waters rest.

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Exploration south coast villages Loutro Hora Sfakion authenticity preserved charm.

+3 Optional activities

🗺️ Itinerary map

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🛡️ Travel advice - Greece

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming landscapes, ideal temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent value, Easter celebrations, optimal conditions.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for islands, vibrant nightlife, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Warm seas, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, excellent weather, good value, harvest season, ideal photography.

Winter (November-March): Mild weather, lowest prices, minimal crowds, rainy season, ski season mountains, cultural focus, cozy atmosphere.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 4 and 6 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Greece?

Ancient civilization birthplace with stunning islands, incredible history, and Mediterranean lifestyle. Experience mythology sites, beautiful beaches, and authentic Greek culture. The country offers cultural depth with natural beauty and culinary excellence. Greece provides historical significance with island paradise and cultural authenticity in Mediterranean setting.