4-Day Crete road trip from Heraklion to Rethymno and surrounding area

Your road trip adventure in Crete begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Heraklion. You’ll stay in Heraklion for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Heraklion has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Morosini Fountain. This attraction is a fountain and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 21,456 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

Heraklion also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Heraklion is Swing Thing. This bar has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 512 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Heraklion is Xalavro Open Bar. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,916 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 4-day vacation in Crete!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 2 of your epic road trip in Crete, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Heraklion. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Rethymno. You’ll stay in Rethymno for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Heraklion’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Heraklion, start your day with a visit to the amazing Rocca a Mare Fortress. This much-appreciated top-tier point of interest and attraction is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 9,392 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Heraklion Archaeological Museum. This archaeological museum and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 27,621 visitors. As one of the top places to visit in the city, the incredible Heraklion Archaeological Museum welcomes 104,717 visitors annually.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Church of Agios Minas and Pantanassa to make the most of your road trip across Crete. The spectacular Church of Agios Minas and Pantanassa is an eastern orthodox church that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,606 visitors.

The lovely Nikos Kazantzakis Grave is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 1,670 visitors have left this best-rated sightseeing destination average ratings of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

If you feel like visiting another type of sight or don’t want to jump into the car quite yet, spend some time at the spectacular Knossos Palace. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 42,799 reviews.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Heraklion has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Rethymno. Rethymno offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Rethymno, the fantastic Fraoules. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,586 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful LivingRoom GastroBar Rethymnon. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,355 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is Lux Cafe. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,983 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Crete!

Day 3 of your road trip through Crete is your chance to discover two places in one day, the city of Rethymno and the city of Malia. Get ready to experience some of the most famous attractions in the area!

One of the best places to visit in the city of Rethymno is the amazing Rethymnon Municipal Garden. This attraction is a park and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,875 visitors.

You could also go sightseeing at the incredible PORTA GUORA. This top-tier point of interest and travel destination has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,022 visitors.

Rimondi Venetian Fountain is another popular attraction you can explore in the city of Rethymno. This well-known attraction, a spectacular top-tier point of interest, has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 8,550 reviews.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the city of Rethymno is Venetian Fortezza Castle. This attraction is an amazing best-rated sightseeing destination and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 15,083 visitors.

Joining a top-rated tour in Rethymno is another excellent way to spend your new day in Crete. The best tours in this travel destination will take you on an exploration to some of Crete’s most well-known attractions and best-kept secrets.

With this tour, you’ll set out on a journey to Crete’s most interesting sights. As you go along this remarkable tour, you’ll also have the unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of Crete’s scenic spots.

You’ll also have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Heraklion.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Apiri greek_eatery, one of the best restaurants in the city of Heraklion. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,190 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Crete!

Day 4 of your road trip in Crete is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Heraklion before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Venetian Port of Heraklion is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Heraklion. This best-rated sightseeing destination and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,727 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Heraklion and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Crete.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Heraklion at The Home before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 555 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Heraklion. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Crete!