5-Day Crete Road Trip from Heraklion traveling west to Chania

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.

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.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Heraklion, Peskesi. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 9,953 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Heraklion is Merastri. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,788 customers.

Locals recommend 7 Thalases as one of the best restaurants in the city of Heraklion. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,791 customers.

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 Central Park. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 3,471 customers.

Locals also enjoy Xalavro Open Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,916 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-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 Chania. You’ll stay in Chania for 2 nights. 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 Heraklion Archaeological Museum. This much-appreciated archaeological museum and attraction is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 27,621 visitors. Each year, around 104,717 visit this remarkable site to admire its unique features.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Morosini Fountain. This fountain and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 21,456 visitors.

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 Rocca a Mare Fortress is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 9,392 visitors have left this must-see tourist 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 Chania. Chania offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular KAIKI. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.8 out of 5 stars in 2,026 reviews.

The remarkable Kouzina EPE is another top restaurant in Chania we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,762 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous MonEs is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 620 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Chania, the fantastic Sinagogi coctail bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,489 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful Fagotto Jazz Bar Chania. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 548 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is PALLAS. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,286 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Crete!

On day 3 of your road trip across Crete, you’ll have the perfect day exploring the wonderful city of Chania. You’ll stay in Chania for 1 night, meaning you have plenty of time to discover the best things to see and do in the area.

We recommend you stay at the Belmondo Hotel & Suites, one of the best 4-star hotels in the city of Chania. This hotel has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 696 guests.

The best luxury hotel option in the city of Chania is the 5-star Lagon Life Spirit Boutique Hotel. The hotel is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,619 guests.

One of the best hotels we recommend in the city of Chania is the 3-star El Greco Hotel. This 3-star hotel has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 858 guests.

Our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best alternatives if these hotels are not available.

You'll have easy access to popular travel destinations in the city of Chania, like the outstanding Seitan Limania. This attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,577 visitors.

Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) Tzagaroli Monastery is another popular attraction you could visit in the city of Chania. This incredible attraction is a place of worship and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,172 visitors.

One of the best attractions you could visit in the city of Chania is the extraordinary Old Chania Market. This best-rated sightseeing destination is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars in 13,234 reviews.

As the day moves along, one attraction you’ll probably want to visit is the incredible Old Venetian Port of Chania. Around 31,371 visitors have given this top-tier point of interest an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Today you'll also have the opportunity to spend some time at the fantastic Lighthouse of Chania. Lighthouse of Chania is a popular top-tier point of interest, rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,941 travelers.

Come to Chania prepared by adding some tours and tickets to your vacation package. Book a popular and budget-friendly activity you can do on this day in Chania.

After a day of exploring, try one of the best restaurants in the city of Chania.

We recommend you eat at a delicious restaurant that locals enjoy, like TAMAM RESTAURANT CHANIA, after your day of exploring the city of Chania. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 4,144 customers.

Cabana Mare Beach Club is another of the best restaurants in the city of Chania. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 3,373 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Chania is Chrisostomos. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,773 customers.

Locals recommend Salis, one of the best bars in the city of Chania, for a refreshing evening drink to finish your day. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,808 customers.

Alternatively, you could choose another of the most popular bars in the city of Chania, Feidias cafe bar Chania. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,977 customers.

Nama RestoBar is also one of the best bars in the city of Chania. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,201 customers.

It's a perfect place to relax and enjoy another amazing evening in Crete.

Rise and shine on day 4 of your road trip in Crete. Today, you'll wake up in Chania and embark on a scenic drive to Heraklion, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Chania before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Chania. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Gramvousa. This attraction is an island that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 4,230 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Balos Lagoon. This attraction, a beloved beach, has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 13,591 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Venetian Fortezza Castle. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 15,083 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Rimondi Venetian Fountain. This must-see tourist destination and attraction has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 8,550 reviews.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Apiri greek_eatery. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,190 customers.

Locals also recommend Mezedopoleio "I Ayli", another of the best restaurants in Heraklion. Mezedopoleio "I Ayli" is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 1,012 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Vourvourladikon. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,141 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Ntoré Gastronomy to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Heraklion, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,213 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Crop. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Crop has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,200 customers.

Kuzina Casual Food is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,188 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Crete, and look forward to more great days to come!

Day 5 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.

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.

Alternatively, we also recommend Ligo Krasi Ligo Thalassa for your last chance at a meal in the city of Heraklion. The Ligo Krasi Ligo Thalassa restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 4,264 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Hacienda. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,372 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!