Relaxed 12-Day Crete Self-Drive Road Trip With Itinerary from Heraklion to Sitia

Day 2 of your relaxed road trip through Crete means 24 hours of making the best memories in Heraklion. You’ll go sightseeing at famous attractions in Heraklion. In the evening, you will experience one of the most popular dining spots in the city. So buckle up and prepare to be blown away by Heraklion!

Check out the intriguing church, Holy Cathedral Temple Of Saint Titus. Afterward, continue to Venetian Loggia, a historical landmark every traveler should visit. As you explore Heraklion’s charming streets, take in the lively atmosphere and get to know the character of the city.

Next, make your way to Morosini Fountain. This notable monument is an essential stop. Following that, head to Escaperooms. Gr, another must-visit site that will enhance your experience. Don’t forget to stop by Heraklion Archaeological Museum, a popular museum in the city.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Crete. Check out all of the tours you can join this day of your leisurely self-drive holiday in Crete and ensure the experience of a lifetime.

After a laid-back day of exploring top attractions in the area, it’s an excellent idea to sit down for a lovely and peaceful dinner. We’ve collected the most recommended restaurants in the city for you, so you can check out the menus and make your reservation in advance.

Have a fantastic dining experience at Fabrica Espresso Bar & Food, a highly recommended choice for tonight's dinner. If you're looking to mix things up, Athali Cretan Cuisine offers an enticing alternative with its varied menu. Additionally, The Home is worth considering. Renowned for satisfying diners, it’s an ideal option for tonight in Heraklion.

As the day is coming to an end, retreat to your hotel for some rest, or head out to a bar to celebrate your time in Heraklion. The bars in Heraklion make the perfect setting for a laid-back drink and chilled hangout with your travel companions.

Continue your evening by exploring the vibrant nightlife scene at Swing Thing, a prime destination for a thrilling night out. Also, don’t forget to check out Stone Project, a bar that offers unique local touches. Likewise, Tita Briki provides an excellent alternative for a fun evening.

Raise your glass to celebrate another day of your laid-back and relaxed road trip experience in Crete!

On day 3 of your relaxed road trip across Crete, you’ll explore the area around Heraklion, where you’ll be staying for another 7 nights. With so many fun and inspiring experiences to offer, a tour of Heraklion will make you fall even more in love with the city and uniqueness of Crete.

Make time for Fortifications Of Heraklion, an increasingly popular monument that is worthwhile a visit in the city. Nearby, you’ll find Church Of Agios Minas And Pantanassa, enchanting visitors with its culturally significant appeal. Continue your exploration at Nikos Kazantzakis Grave. This cemetery is one of the city’s most curiosity-inducing spots.

Set your GPS to Kallithea and hit the road. Expect a journey of approximately 14 min without stops. Soak in the beautiful landscapes as you drive and look forward to exploring your next destination. Kallithea beckons with new experiences!

For a more meaningful self-guided tour of the city's best attractions, visit Knossos Palace, a well-known archeological site that is sure to impress. Take in the surroundings and enjoy the freedom of exploring at your own pace before you continue your journey.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll return to Heraklion and your accommodation.

After a laid-back day of exploring top attractions in the area, it’s an excellent idea to sit down for a lovely and peaceful dinner. We’ve collected the most recommended restaurants in the city for you, so you can check out the menus and make your reservation in advance.

Treat yourself to a delightful dinner at oyzeri toy Terzaki apo to 1978 / ouzeri tou Terzaki est. 1978, highly recommended for tonight's dining. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, why not try Merastri? It's another excellent option with a diverse menu. Consider reserving a table at Petoúsēs as well. Known for its consistent customer satisfaction, it’s an ideal pick for tonight in Heraklion.

A visit to a top-rated local bar is one of the most refreshing ways to cap off a beautiful night in Heraklion.

After savoring a delicious meal, step into the vibrant nightlife at Route 66 Rock Bar, where the evening is just getting started.

Grab a drink and enjoy every passing minute of this night of your relaxed road trip experience in Crete!

Your relaxed road trip in Crete continues on day 4 with more unforgettable memories to make. Today, you’ll get to know Crete better by exploring the top attractions of Heraklion and beyond. With 6 nights left in Heraklion, you’ll still have time to eat and unwind at popular restaurants and bars in the city.

One of the most beloved attractions included on the itinerary is Rocca A Mare Fortress. This picture-perfect castle will help you start your sightseeing on top. Then, take a leisurely stroll to Historical Museum Of Crete and learn what makes this heritage-rich museum unique.

Throughout the day, make sure to take breaks to appreciate the surroundings. Next up, visit the beloved Natural History Museum Of Crete. After exploring the museum, head to Fountain Karavola. This locally appreciated monument is a highlight in Heraklion.

When you’re ready to jump back into the car and say goodbye to Heraklion, you’ll hit the road in the direction of Nea Alikarnassos. This drive usually takes around 27 min.

One of our top recommendations for your sightseeing is Heraklion Lighthouse. Spend some time admiring the instagrammable features of the lighthouse before you continue to your next stop.

When you’re done exploring the area’s best attractions, you’ll drive back to your accommodation in Heraklion.

Exploring new places makes you hungry. Luckily, Heraklion has multiple restaurants that offer fantastic dining experiences to continue your laid-back and stress-free discovery of the city.

Dine in style at Vourvourladikon, a top recommendation for dinner tonight. Or, for a change of pace, Apiri greek_eatery boasts a menu that's sure to impress. Also, be sure to check out Kuzina Casual Food. Known as a local hotspot, it’s a great choice for tonight in Heraklion.

Hang out and unwind at some of the top bars in Heraklion.

Raise your glass and relax after another big day of your leisurely paced road trip in Crete!

On day 5 of your relaxed road trip in Crete, you’ll start your self-paced adventure in Heraklion and visit amazing attractions in Gournes, Piskopiano, and Krasion, just outside the city. You still have 5 nights left in Heraklion, so today is another excellent opportunity to dine at some of the top-rated restaurants and bars in the area.

After soaking in Heraklion’s unique atmosphere, jump into the car with a full heart and drive in the direction of your next destination: Gournes. Expect your car journey to take a minimum of 22 min. When you arrive in Gournes, it's time to take a break from the road.

Spend your afternoon discovering Cretaquarium Thalassokosmos, a popular aquarium known for its picture-perfect features.

Once you're ready to continue your road trip, it's time to buckle up and drive, eagerly anticipating your arrival in Piskopiano. This drive usually takes around 14 min, without any stops or traffic disruptions.

One of our top recommendations for your sightseeing is Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre. Spend some time admiring the instagrammable features of the aquarium before you continue to your next stop.

Once you're ready to continue your road trip, it's time to buckle up and drive, eagerly anticipating your arrival in Krasion. This drive usually takes around 27 min, without any stops or traffic disruptions.

Our first attraction recommendation in Krasion is Panagia Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, a beloved monastery that draws attention for its historic features.

When you’re done exploring for the day, you’ll return to Heraklion and your accommodation.

When you’re not driving and exploring some of the best places in Crete, it’s time to make your relaxed road trip even more comforting. Sit down for a lovely meal at one of the best restaurants in Heraklion.

Treat yourself to a delicious dinner at Ta Kalitera, an excellent option for tonight's dining. Looking for something different? Casa Donato offers a tantalizing alternative with its diverse menu. And don’t miss Hacienda. Known for great service, it’s a fantastic choice for tonight in Heraklion.

Take a stroll around the area, head back to your accommodation for the night, or continue your evening at one of the best-rated bars in the city.

Raise your glass to celebrate another day of your laid-back and relaxed road trip experience in Crete!

On day 8 of your relaxed road trip in Crete, you’ll start your self-paced adventure in Heraklion and visit amazing attractions in Malia, Stalida, and Anopolis, just outside the city. You still have 2 nights left in Heraklion, so today is another excellent opportunity to dine at some of the top-rated restaurants and bars in the area.

Malia is brimming with adventures.

As you explore Malia’s charming streets, take in the lively atmosphere and get to know the character of the town.

Malia’s wonders await as you prepare for another journey on the road, leaving the breathtaking surroundings of Heraklion behind. This drive usually takes around 33 min. Malia welcomes you with a multitude of unique vacation experiences.

Safari Club Crete is a frequently visited safari park we recommend visiting today. Discover its enchanting features before continuing your self-guided tour.

Embrace the thrill of the open road as you wave goodbye to Malia and set your GPS to Stalida. While on the road, immerse yourself in your favorite road trip tunes or sample the sounds from a local radio station. This car ride usually takes around 7 min. Upon reaching Stalida, unwind, observe, and explore. The best things to do, see, and eat are waiting for you.

Spend your afternoon discovering Paralia Stalidos, an intriguing beach known for its majestic features.

Anopolis’s wonders await as you prepare for another journey on the road, leaving the breathtaking surroundings of Stalida behind. This drive usually takes around 24 min. Anopolis welcomes you with a multitude of unique vacation experiences.

One of our top recommendations for your sightseeing is Watercity Waterpark Crete. Spend some time admiring the instagrammable features of the water park before you continue to your next stop.

When you’re done exploring the area’s best attractions, you’ll drive back to your accommodation in Heraklion.

Exploring the food culture in Heraklion offers you an exciting chance to connect with locals and experience diversity along your relaxed road trip. When you’re ready to eat, we recommend you visit one of the best dining spots in the city.

Treat yourself to a wonderful meal at Érganos, a top-rated dining spot in Heraklion. If you're in the mood for something new, try iridanos cafe-bar-bistro, another premier location with a delectable menu. You might also want to book a table at Eiffel. Known for its consistently satisfied patrons, it’s a perfect choice to elevate your evening in Heraklion.

After dinner, you can choose between heading back to your hotel to recharge, taking a leisurely stroll, or going out to a bar for a relaxed drink in great company.

Grab yourself a drink and savor every moment of your relaxed road trip experience in Crete!

Day 10 of your easy, relaxed road trip through Crete lets you travel at your own pace and visit multiple places in a single day. Begin by exploring the best sights in Agios Nikolaos. By evening, drive toward the Sitia, where you’ll stay at a top-rated hotel of your choice for 1 night.

Fasten your seatbelt and make your way to your next stop — Agios Nikolaos, home to many well-known sights in the region. Keep in mind that your travel time from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos may take around 57 min without traffic disruptions. Upon arrival in Agios Nikolaos, we highly recommend checking out some of the top attractions.

Savor the day by heading to Cretan Olive Oil Farm, an often recommended farm that draws visitors from near and far.

Next, explore Cosmina's Beach, yet another frequently visited place to see in the area.

When you’re not exploring beautiful places, you can relax in Sitia. Here, you can choose from the best hotels and other accommodations as you get to know more about the culture in the town.

After a laid-back day of exploring top attractions in the area, it’s an excellent idea to sit down for a lovely and peaceful dinner. We’ve collected the most recommended restaurants in the town for you, so you can check out the menus and make your reservation in advance.

Treat yourself to a delightful dinner at To limani, highly recommended for tonight's dining. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, why not try Krētikós? It's another excellent option with a diverse menu. Consider reserving a table at Zorba's Tavern as well. Known for its consistent customer satisfaction, it’s an ideal pick for tonight in Sitia.

Take a stroll around the area, head back to your accommodation for the night, or continue your evening at one of the best-rated bars in the town.

After enjoying a fulfilling meal, continue your evening at Rakadika, ideal for those looking to unwind with a drink in a comfortable setting. Alternatively, Exo Lounge Cafe offers a welcoming atmosphere for easing into the nightlife. Similarly, Nouvelle Boutique provides an excellent environment for a relaxed and enjoyable evening.

Raise your glass and toast to another unforgettable, laid-back road trip adventure in Crete!