New to WeRoad? Save with WEROADER100

Discover Crete, the largest and most populous island in Greece: explore Knossos, swim in Bali and Matala, sail across Mirabello Bay, and relax on the pink sands of Elafonissi. All of it paired with pita, tzatziki, and feta – could you ask for more?

Is this trip for me?

Party and nightlife
Relax
Nature and adventure
City and cultures
Monuments and history
Physical effort
Trip type
Searching best flight prices

Itinerary

If a trip to Greece is one of your summer priorities, then you can't help but think about vacationing in Crete. This island is the largest and most populous in Greece and the fifth largest among the Mediterranean islands. So there is a lot to do and discover, and we will be there for a good 8 days, during which we will enjoy its (stunning) sea its good food (the influences on the cuisine here are both Greek and Turkish), as well as the east coast with Mirabella Bay, the largest gulf of the Greek islands.

Our trip to Crete begins with a visit to the site of Knossos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe and the cradle of myths and legends. But the call of the sea could not be long in coming, and right from the start, we dive into the wonderful Greek waters that will take us to discover some of the most amazing corners of the island. From Bali to Matala, we will move to the east coast to discover Agios Nikolaos and Mirabella Bay, where we will have the chance to enjoy a relaxing cruise letting ourselves be lulled by its waters. Then it is the turn of Kissamos Cave and its crystal clear waters where we will dive for some healthy snorkeling. You cannot miss Elafonissi, also called 'pink beach' because the sand is, of course, pink (better to specify it, that you never know). Leaving this island will be difficult, but the great thing is that there are so many others to discover, all over Greece!

A stylized map of Crete showing a tour itinerary with connected points and a designated start and end location.
An ornate stone monastery with a bell tower sits in a courtyard, viewed through a weathered stone arch under a partly cloudy sky.

Check-in: our adventure starts in Stalida!

Check into the facility near to Stalida and begin the welcome meeting. We are on the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean, and in one week we will have a chance to discover it slowly-this evening we start with its flavors: the typical cuisine of Crete will amaze us, with its Greek and Turkish influences. So: what are we eating tonight? Among the Cretan specialities to try right away, we put dakos - a kind of local bruschetta - and hortas - some wild herbs that grow in these parts, served with a drizzle of oil, a delicacy!

A person wearing a hat photographs the ancient stone ruins of a palace with red columns under a partly cloudy sky.

History, culture and... Bali?!

Our first day in Crete begins with a morning dedicated to a visit to the site of Knossos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe and the place where, according to legend, the labyrinth in which the Minotaur was imprisoned was located. We are walking right inside the books of literature, in the city of King Minos Ariadne, Daedalus and Icarus. After lunch the rest of the day is at our leisure: no set agenda, we follow the flow and get caught up in the old town of Heraklion with its squares, cafes and picturesque markets.

View from a cave of a busy beach with people swimming in turquoise water next to a hillside village.

Matala

Today we will have a free day exploring the town of Matala, a picturesque unspoiled village on Messara Bay that lies on the south coast in the province of Heraklion. It won't be difficult to be enchanted by the beautiful crystal-clear waters of the Libyan Sea and the cliff overlooking the beach with its prehistoric-era caves.

Aerial view of a historic fortified island with stone ruins, with several boats docked in the surrounding turquoise water.

Beaches, sun and fun

We continue our journey of discovery of the largest of the Greek islands and its heavenly beaches. Today we head to the eastern part of the island, specifically to Agios Nikolaos, a charming fishing village that has become famous thanks to its incredible beaches and its thousand-year history. Let's try to enjoy this place as much as possible and why not, let's also have a good glass of red wine.

Later we will move to Mirabella Bay, the largest gulf of the Greek islands and fifth largest in the Mediterranean. Here we will embark on a relaxing cruise on the waters of the Bay and let the waves wash over us as we enjoy the sun disappearing behind the horizon.

A tall stone lighthouse stands on a seawall in a harbor, with a city and mountains visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

From Heraklion to Rethymno

This morning we set out for the northern coast to move from Heraklion to Rethymnon, where we will reach the hotel that will host us for the next few days. There is no rush, we take our time to visit Rethymno and enjoy the sights we will encounter along the way.

Our day continues with another refreshing dip and a well-deserved lunch break on Bali Beach (no, we haven't ended up in Indonesia, we're still in Crete), with its striking emerald-green crystal-clear waters and stunning sandy coves.

Every opportunity, whether beaches or coves, will be an excellent excuse to stop and dive into the crystalline waters of this part of the island.

A small boat is anchored in clear turquoise water in a bay with a white-washed village at the base of a mountain.

A day in the water!

The alarm has already rung: it's time to head towards the east coast, to Kissamos , where yet another dip in the sea awaits us. The white sand, the turquoise water, the hidden coves and the shade of the juniper trees welcome us to this earthly paradise. We can dedicate ourselves to a morning of snorkeling to enjoy the sea life and explore the surrounding area: we dive and swim along the coast until we reach a natural rock pool. Or... we can relax on the beach! The choice is ours.

All this activity hasn't made you a little peckish? After swimming back to shore and drying off, it's time for a snack. In the afternoon we slow down a bit and take some free time to explore Chania , also known as the Venice of the East, and the second largest city on the island of Crete.

A shoreline with distinctive pink sand meets clear, shallow turquoise water, with dark rocks and distant hills under a solid blue sky.

The sand is... pink!

This morning we wake up early: we want to reach today's destination well in advance of everyone else, so we can enjoy it in all its splendour. We are talking about the pink beach of Elafonissi, which is not only a tongue of sand with a thousand shades of pink, but also a protected area - caretta-caretta turtles come here to lay their eggs, so there will be areas of the beach cordoned off to protect the hatchlings.

We enjoy the peace of the early morning hours (assuming we managed to get out of bed early!) and then find a little place to spread our towels - then, again, the sea beckons! Here, too, the water is an otherworldly colour, and it is impossible to resist it! On the way back we stop at Falassarna Beach, another of the most beautiful beaches on this wonderful island. For our last evening, we have two options: we can decide to stop here and enjoy dinner at sunset (did someone say pita gyros?) or return to Rethymno.

Check-out and goodbyes

Time to say goodbye! See you soon for another WeRoad adventure!

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Food and beverages unless specified

  • Gas/petrol, parking, toll fees 

  • All souvenirs and extras that you wish to buy and will be able to squeeze in your backpack  

  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Optional activities

Please note, some extra optional activities will be available for this trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group once the trip starts. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Traditional food tour - approx. USD55

  • Knossos palace archeological site – guided tour - approx. USD32

  • Balos beach boat trip approx. USD68

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accomodation

    Hotels or local apartments.

    Private Room Option is not available for this trip.

  • Transport

    Rental car or local buses

  • Staff

    Our trips are led by a Group Leader who has been specifically trained by us to lead group travels to ensure you have the best time. A WhatsApp group with all travel participants will be created two weeks prior to departure by your Group Leader.

  • Luggage

    Backpacks are mandatory to allow easy transfers - we recommend a 45L backpack for our trips.

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalHeraklion (HER)
ReturnHeraklion (HER)
Searching best flight prices
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Crete

From$ 1,100
-10%
$ 984
Book with $ 0
Free trip change
Interest-free installments