15 top destinations in Crete

Car Rental Heraklion Airport offers you the unique chance to explore the island of Crete. With an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi) and a coastline of 1,046 km (650 mi) Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

You need five hours to cross the island from west to east (without any stops). Given these fact, you will need a car for a number of days, in order to enjoy the scenery and visit the most worthy places possible. Car Rental Heraklion Airport is the best way to explore Crete’s main attractions. Let’s take a look at the 15 top places of interest.

The biggest city of the island has a number of attractions, such as the Venetian Fort of Koules, the Venetian Arsenals, the Old Town, the Archeological Museum with world class exhibits (the Minoan frescoes, the Snake Goddess, the Phaestos Disk), the Natural History and the History Museums, the Morosini Fountain with the Lions, Loggia (Town Hall), beautiful Churches, the Cretaquarium. Outside the city you can make day trips to the marvelous Minoan Palaces of Knossos and Phaestos (Phaistos) or the El Greco Museum at Fodele. Car Rental Heraklion Airport is situated only 4 km from the homonymous city

Only five minutes from the city of Heraklion lies Ammoudara Beach with golden sand and crystal clear waters. The beach is organized and equipped with umbrellas and sun beds. Roaming waiters from which you can buy food and drink are also available. Moreover on the spot you can find a kite school, providing lessons and rentals for kiteboarding.

26 km east from Heraklion is a resort area which hosts the only golf club in Crete. There you can find a string of beautiful beaches but also the Hersonissos Aquarium, the Labyrinth Theme Park and the Dinosauria Park in Gournes. You can also visit the pyramidal Roman fountain with mosaics of fishing scenes and the ruins of an early Christian basilica with mosaics.

Nearby Hersonissos you can find a series of sandy and rocky organized beaches which worth a visit. The traditional village of Analipsi, the astonishing view from the Saint George church and the estuary of Aposelemis river, where 30 different bird species live, really worth a visit. Car Rental Heraklio Airport is the only way to visit them since public transportation is infrequent.

34 km east from Heraklion lies the coastal town of Malia, famous for its intense nighlife. 3 km east of the modern town you can find the archeological site of the 3^rd most important Minoan Palace of the island. Nearby, at the village of Krasi, you can admire the really old plane trees and the spectacular fountains behind them.

Just 6 km east of Malia lies the picturesque harbor of Sissi and some beautiful beaches. Nearby you can visit Epano Sissi, a traditional Cretan village and the amphitheatrically built monastery of Saint George at Selinari with the miraculous icon.

70 km east from Heraklion the Lasithi Plateau is famous for the white-sailed windmills, the Psychro or Diktaean Cave (the birthplace of Zeus), the arcaheological site of Karfi and the picturesque villages.

The coastal town of Agios Nikolaos is famous for its small lagoon (Lake Voulismeni), where a small park features. You can make day trips to Spinalonga island, an old Venetian fortress turned into a leper colony, the sunken ancient Olous, the colourful village Plaka and the fabulous resort Elounda, one of the best in Greece.

A village located 75 km south-west from Heraklion, which became famous in the 60’s, when the hippies from all over the world frequented the artificial Neolithic caves, creating a liberal commune. Car Rental Heraklion Airport can provide you the means to get there easily.

Moving to the extreme eastern part of the island, you can visit Sitia, a picturesque town with its archeological museum and Kazarma a very well preserved Venetian fortress. On the way to Vai, the largest natural palm forest in Europe with a stunning beach, you can make a stop at Toplou monastery. Moving further you can visit the Venetian villa in Etia, the Medieval settlement of Voila, Zakros (the 4^th Minoan palace of the island) breathtaking canyons, and enchanting beaches (Kouremenos, Chiona, Maridati, Goudouras, Xerokambos etc.)

Opposite Ierapetra lies the exotic island of Chrissi, full of cedar trees and dunes, with its sandy beaches and shallow waters. Another island, Koufonissi, with unique beaches and a well-preserved ancient theatre is reachable by boat from Makris Yalos, itself being a fine resort.

50 km west of Heraklion thanks to the Car Rental Heraklion Airport you can reach the fishing port of Bali, which has become over the years a resort. You can also visit the nearby islands.

The coastal city of Rethymnon presents a blend of Greek, Italian and Turkish architecture. Don’t miss the cobbled streets of the old town, the Old Venetian Harbour, Rimondi fountain, Fortezza (the fortress), Neratze Mosque, the Arcaeologican and the Historical & Folk Museum and of course the sandy beach. The historical monastery of Arcadi is only 23 km southeast.

Looking out on the Libyan Sea lies the pebble beach of Phoenix at Preveli lagoon, hidden away from the homonymous monastery, 36 km south of Rethymnon. It lies at the Kourtaliotis’ river estuary, at the end of a gorge, full of date palms and wild vegetation; a true tropic scenery. You can leave the vehicle you chose (preferably a 4X4 Jeep for this atraction) from Car Rental Heraklion Airport at the parking area and follow the narrow, rocky path leading along the coast and then a long flight of steps.

Near the town of Kissamos, at the western part of Crete, you can reach by boat Balos lagoon with its famous pink sand and turquoise waters. From the town you can also take a cruise to Grambousa islands and visit the local fortress on one of them. Another breathtaking rosy beach is Elafonissi. Before leaving, you must pay a visit to Chania, one the most beautiful Greek cities: the colourful old port, the old town, the seawall, the maritime museum, the Archeological museum, the old monasteries (Agia Triada, Gouverneto, Katholiko), the Municipal Market in form of a cross. The Samaria Gorge, 42 km south of Chania, with its 18 km route is ideal for hiking enthusiasts

Why would anyone miss the innumerous beauties of Crete? Everything is possible if you choose Car Rental Heraklion Airport with its clean and safe vehicles. You can pick up the vehicle of your preference at the Heraklion airport and go wherever you want. And don’t forget: the more days you rent, the less money you pay.

Car Rental Heraklion Airport assures this exclusive offer for you. Once you have landed, go straight to our Car Rental Heraklion Airport office, select the appropriate vehicle, offer yourself a considerable number of days for excursions and enjoy the magical island of Crete!