4-Day Relaxed Greece Road Trip in Heraklion

Your slow-paced and relaxed road trip through Crete begins when you reach Heraklion, where you’ll stay for a total of 3 nights.

Heraklion is an outstanding hub for culture, comfort, and exploration.

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. Take your pick and make it your home during your leisurely tour of the city.

In the city of Heraklion, nothing beats the comfort the incredible Galaxy Hotel Iraklio provides. This 5-star hotel is one of the most luxurious places to stay in the area and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,859 guests.

The best 4-star hotel we recommend in Heraklion is Lato Boutique Hotel. This hotel offers many conveniences and is the perfect base for your relaxed road trip activities. Lato Boutique Hotel has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 2,269 guests.

Budget travelers in Heraklion can stay cozy at the 3-star Iraklion. With an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 589 guests, this cheap hotel is the number one budget hotel option in the city.

These excellent hotels ensure guests a safe and relaxing stay in Heraklion. If these popular options are not available for your time in the city, our system will automatically help you find the best alternatives.

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.

An excellent example is Apiri greek_eatery. This restaurant offers a menu of comforting meals and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,190 customers.

The Home serves great food and is a favorite among hungry travelers and locals. This popular restaurant in Heraklion has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 555 reviews.

Xalavro Open Bar is another one of the city’s best restaurants. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,916 customers, Xalavro Open Bar is sure to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience.

If you’re curious about what Heraklion looks like at night, a trip to some of the best bars near your accommodation is what you need next. Experience the local nightlife at Swing Thing, our top recommendation in the city. Customers have rated this bar an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 512 reviews.

Veranda offers a variety of refreshing drinks and is one of the best places to relax in Heraklion. This well-known city bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,111 customers.

Free your mind of worries and enjoy your first taste of relaxation in Crete! Expect more to come as you continue this laid-back and relaxed road trip in Crete!

On day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Crete, you'll explore the best attractions in Heraklion at your own pace and immerse in the city's unique local culture. Today's laid-back tour features some of the best restaurants and bars in Heraklion, where you can sample some delicious local food.

The accommodation you’ll be staying at for another 2 nights will be conveniently located close to several attractions, like the famous Knossos Palace. This incredible best-rated sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 39,536 travelers.

Make the most of your slow-paced travel adventure in Crete by seeing another popular site in Heraklion, the wonderful Heraklion Archaeological Museum. This archaeological museum is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 39,536 travelers.

You can then move on to the incredible Morosini Fountain. This fountain has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 19,347 visitors.

Another stop you might want to add to your self-drive itinerary is the remarkable Church of Agios Minas and Pantanassa. This eastern orthodox church is sought after by many travelers from around the world. The popular attraction has received 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,217 visitors.

If you want to discover more, consider stopping by the famous Rocca a Mare Fortress. This amazing site is a wonderful top-tier point of interest with more than 8,332 wanderlust-filled travelers rating it an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Get a dose of thrill, excitement, and inspiration on day 2 of your unhurried and relaxed road trip in Crete. Check out the tours and tickets you can add to your Heraklion itinerary and feel all the emotions in this wonderful city. Add a highly recommended tour to your vacation package now and make this refreshing new day of your self-drive through Crete extra special!

After a long day exploring the popular attractions in the city, it’s time to sample the different kinds of mouthwatering foods served at the best restaurants in Heraklion. One of our top recommendations includes a selection of delicious meals on its menu, Érganos. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,634 customers.

You may also try the variety of dishes served at Ta Kalitera, which is an excellent choice if you want a nice place to eat near your accommodation. Ta Kalitera is rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by 1,514 customers.

You can also eat at the highly recommended Veranda. This amazing restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,111 food lovers.

After finishing your meal, it’s time to experience the amazing nightlife in Heraklion and unwind at the coolest bars in the city. Drink the night away and celebrate this day of your relaxed road trip at the popular News Cafe. This vibrant bar is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 941 customers.

If you want to try a different bar, check out the popular PLASTELINA. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 913 customers, this bar is a great place to try some excellent liquor.

Another recommendation you shouldn’t miss is Indigo. Drink up and relax in this amazing bar that serves different kinds of alcoholic beverages and cocktail drinks. Indigo has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 809 bar goers.

Enjoy the rest of day 2 of your relaxed road trip across Crete, and prepare for another day of unhurried adventure!

Today is also another excellent opportunity to dine at some of the top-rated restaurants and bars in Crete.

From your accommodation, or your home for another 1 night, you’ll leisurely drive to your first stop of the day, the remarkable Plaka Beach. This amazing attraction is one of the best travel destinations in the city of Agios Nikolaos. The famous Plaka Beach has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,328 visitors.

Another popular attraction worthy of a visit while you’re leisurely touring Agios Nikolaos, is the stunning Spinalonga fortress. As one of the most well-known attractions in the area, Spinalonga fortress has earned an impressive average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 10,517 travelers' reviews.

There’s still a lot of things to see and experience in Crete.

Your relaxed road trip across Crete continues as you discover more popular sites and explore to your heart’s content.

Another way to make your easygoing and relaxed road trip in Crete more special is by joining unique tours and activities in Crete. Heraklion offers a wide selection of experiences for every traveler.

When you’re done exploring the area’s best attractions, you can drive back to your accommodation in the city of Heraklion to rest and refresh yourself after your long adventure.

After relaxing at your hotel, you might want to grab a bite at one of the best restaurants in the city, like the News Cafe. This restaurant is a favorite among locals and is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 941 customers.

We also recommend that you try the different dishes served at PLASTELINA. This restaurant has many positive reviews which earned it an impressive average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 913 food lovers worldwide.

After your meal, it’s time to loosen up and experience the nightlife in Heraklion. Unwind at the amazing DISH BAR PARTY RESTAURANT and get a few glasses of their bestselling liquor. DISH BAR PARTY RESTAURANT is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 926 customers.

Hop on to another top-rated bar in the city and have an amazing night. Visit the Iridanos cafe-bar-bistro bar and try its wide selection of beverages and liquor. This bar is a favorite among locals and has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 547 customers.

Raise your glass and celebrate another amazing day in Crete with this fun but relaxed road trip escapade!

Day 4 of your relaxed road trip in Crete is your departure day. If you have a flight to catch, you’ll drop off your rental car well in advance before your departure. Choose a late flight to enjoy a stress-free last day in Heraklion.

Depending on when you need to leave, you might be able to fit in some sightseeing or shopping. Embrace the beauty of Heraklion once more and find some souvenirs to help you remember your time in the city. To end your relaxing road trip in Crete on top, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Nikos Kazantzakis Grave is an extraordinary attraction that is perfect for your last day in Heraklion. This top sight is a popular top-tier point of interest, rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,492 visitors.

Unwind and look back at the past 4 days of your relaxed road trip over a bite to eat. This is your chance to enjoy one last traditional meal in Heraklion or just grab something light to keep you going.

Check out the menu at DISH BAR PARTY RESTAURANT. Dining at DISH BAR PARTY RESTAURANT is one of the best food experiences you can have in Heraklion. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 926 customers.

Another top recommendation in Heraklion is Athali Cretan Cuisine. If you go to Athali Cretan Cuisine, you can expect delicious food, a nice ambiance, and great service. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 701 customers.

Alternatively, you could also go to a place like Pasiphae Restaurant. If you haven’t yet, a trip to Pasiphae Restaurant is your opportunity to have a lovely meal before leaving the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 888 customers.

Give yourself enough time to wave goodbye to Heraklion and begin your journey home. The unforgettable experiences you’ve collected along your 4-day relaxed road trip in Crete is a story you will tell for the rest of your life.