Crete, Greece’s largest island, is where Minoan legends meet Venetian harbors and mountain villages. From the Bronze Age Palace of Knossos to storied monasteries and Ottoman mansions, the island’s history is layered and vivid. Its coastline runs from wild lagoons to tranquil coves, and inland plateaus brim with olive groves and windmills.

Food here is a way of life: crisp dakos, slow-cooked goat, snails sautéed in rosemary, and honeyed sfakianes pites. Local wines from Vidiano and Liatiko grapes pair beautifully, while raki (tsikoudia) arrives at the end of most meals—along with a friendly “yamas.” Beaches like Balos and Elafonissi are headliners, but so are gorge hikes and boat days to small islands.

Practical notes: summer is hot and busy—book ferries, rental cars, and top restaurants early. Driving is on the right; roads are scenic but winding. For flights to or within Europe, compare fares on Omio. For long-haul or non‑Europe flights, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Intercity buses are frequent and reliable; browse schedules via Omio.

Chania

Chania’s Old Venetian Harbor glows at sunset, its lighthouse and arsenals recalling centuries of maritime power. Get lost in lanes draped in bougainvillea, stumble into artisan leather shops, and sip coffee beneath Ottoman-era balconies. Food is superb and varied, from old-school tavernas to inventive seafood kitchens.

• Top sights: Venetian Harbor and Lighthouse, Maritime Museum, Splantzia Square, Municipal Market (temporarily relocated during restoration), and nearby beaches like Nea Chora and Agii Apostoli.
• Eat & drink: bougatsa at Bougatsa Iordanis (mizithra-filled), meze at Glossitses by the harbor, slow-cooked Cretan classics at To Stachi, seafood with a modern twist at Salis.
• Stay: Browse apartments and villas near the harbor on VRBO or hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting there: Fly into Chania (CHQ) via Omio if coming from Europe, or compare long-haul options on Trip.com. Ferries from Piraeus arrive at Souda Bay; buses to town take ~20–25 minutes—see Omio for buses.

Day 1: Arrive in Chania

Afternoon: Check in near the Old Harbor. For a scenic base, look east toward Koum Kapi’s seafront or around Splantzia’s quiet alleys. If you want space for a group, filter harborside flats on VRBO.

Evening: Orientation stroll along the Venetian Harbor to the lighthouse. Dinner at Glossitses for meze (grilled octopus, Cretan sausage, ntakos) or Tamam in a former Turkish hammam for Anatolian-leaning plates. Dessert at Koukouvaya above town for the famous chocolate “zoumero” cake with sunset views.

Day 2: Old Town, Markets, and a Food Tour

Morning: Coffee at Monogram (third-wave espresso) and bougatsa at Bougatsa Iordanis. Visit the Maritime Museum, then wander Splantzia Square—look for the plane tree and the church-with-minaret history mashup.

Afternoon: Join a local-led tasting walk to learn why Cretan cuisine tops Greek polls.

Book: Walking “Food tasting tour” in the town of Chania — taste cheeses, olives, pies, and raki while threading through backstreets.

Evening: Dinner at To Stachi (homey vegetarian-forward Cretan cooking; try stuffed zucchini flowers) or Salis for seafood with Cretan terroir wines. Nightcap at Sinagogi in the evocative open-air bar set within the old Jewish quarter walls.

Day 3: Balos & Gramvousa by Catamaran (Full Day)

Today is a postcard come to life: powdery white sand, neon-turquoise shallows, and a Venetian fortress on a rocky islet. The cruise leaves from Kissamos (45–60 minutes from Chania by car or bus; check Omio for bus options).

Book: All-inclusive Catamaran Cruise to Balos & Gramvousa. Small-group, cushy deck space, and swimming stops in aquamarine coves.

Tip: Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes for rocky patches.

Day 4: Elafonissi & Mountain Villages (Full Day)

Pink-tinted sands, glass-clear lagoons, and cedar dunes make Elafonissi one of Europe’s most striking beaches. A guided 4WD route adds scenic mountain roads and a local lunch to the mix.

Book: Elafonisi & Milia Mountain – Semi-Private Jeep Tour. Loungers included, plus a stop at Milia’s stone hamlet for a rustic, farm-sourced meal.

Evening return: Light dinner back in Chania—try Oinopoieio for Cretan wines by the glass with meze.

Day 5: Chania → Rethymno (1h15–1h30)

Morning: Travel east to Rethymno. KTEL buses run ~hourly; expect €7–10 and 75–90 minutes. Check timetables and book via Omio. A car ride on the National Road takes about 70–80 minutes.

Afternoon: Check in near the old town or Fortezza. Browse stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Lunch at Raki Ba Raki for meze—fried snails, smoked apaki, and local cheeses.

Evening: Sunset atop the Fortezza walls, then dinner in the romantic courtyard at To Pigadi (try rabbit stifado) or Avli for creative takes with Cretan herbs and olive oil pairings.

Rethymno

Rethymno blends Renaissance architecture with a carefree student energy. The Venetian-era Fortezza crowns the headland, while lanes spill with workshops, cafes, and hidden fountains. The long sandy beach east of town is ideal for morning swims.

• Top sights: Fortezza, Rimondi Fountain, Venetian Loggia, Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, Arkadi Monastery (short drive inland).
• Food highlights: bougatsa at Bougatsa Stavros, seafood at Prima Plora by the rocks, and raki-and-meze alleys off the Rimondi Fountain.
• Stay: Historic townhouses and beach hotels are easy to compare on Hotels.com and VRBO.

Day 6: Rethymno Old Town & Sea Day

Morning: Coffee and bougatsa at Bougatsa Stavros near the center. Walk to the Rimondi Fountain, then the Venetian Loggia. Beach time on Rethymno’s sandy stretch—rent a lounger for a couple of hours.

Afternoon: Climb the Fortezza (take water; it’s sunny). For lunch, Prima Plora serves superb fish carpaccio, sea urchin when in season, and baked grouper by the surf.

Evening: Meander artisan lanes around Vernardou Street. Dinner at Avli or down-to-earth Hasika for Cretan soul food. Nightcap at Living Room for cocktails.

Day 7: Rethymno → Heraklion (1h20–1h40)

Morning: Bus to Heraklion (€8–11; ~80–100 minutes) via Omio, or drive the scenic coast road. Check in near Lion Square or the old harbor. Browse options on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Afternoon: Visit Koules Fortress and stroll the Venetian harbor walls. Coffee at CROP Roastery, then the Heraklion Archaeological Museum—home to Minoan masterpieces including the Phaistos Disk and vivid frescoes.

Evening: Join a tasty orientation through the city’s backstreets.

Optional: Heraklion – Walking city tour with food tasting to sample pies, cheeses, sweets, and local wines.

Dinner: Peskesi (reserve; farm-to-table Cretan recipes), or Erganos for classic meze and grills. For seaside fish, try Ippokambos or Ligo Krasi Ligo Thalassa.

Heraklion

Heraklion hums with markets, cafes, and a seafront crowned by a Venetian fortress. Beyond the city, vineyards and olive mills spread toward the Lasithi Plateau, where myths of Zeus share the stage with windmills and cave chapels.

• Top sights: Knossos Palace, Archaeological Museum, Koules Fortress, Lion Square and Morosini Fountain, Archanes wine country, Lasithi Plateau.
• Stay: For value and location, consider Kastro Hotel. Families who want pools and a beach complex can book Creta Maris Beach Resort in nearby Hersonissos. If you fancy a luxury detour in Elounda, see Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa.
• Transport: Flights from many European cities via Omio; long-haul compare on Trip.com. Buses and ferries across Greece via Omio and Omio Ferries.

Day 8: Knossos & Lasithi Plateau (Full Day)

Trace the myth of the Minotaur at Knossos, then head inland to white-sailed windmills, cave sanctuaries, and mountain villages where raki flows and recipes are grandmother-taught.

Book: Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Land of Zeus, Villages, Olive Oil Tour. Expect tastings of olive oil, honey, and raki, scenic stops, and cultural stories along the way.

Return to town for a late dinner—order pork with wild greens at Erganos or “antikristo” lamb if available.

Day 9: Beach, Boats, or Wineries

Morning: Slow start with bougatsa at Kirkor near Lion Square and a stroll along the seafront ramparts.

Afternoon: Choose your vibe: a relaxed beach day in Ammoudara; a DIY winery hop in Archanes (Vidiano whites are rising stars); or a mellow coastal walk to the Pancretan Stadium lookout.

Evening: Seafood dinner at Paralia (grilled bream, cuttlefish risotto) or a final meze feast at Peskesi. Toast with a local Liatiko red or a glass of tsikoudia.

Optional swap-in idea if you want another boat day: a sailing cruise to Dia Island for swimming and a light meal; or a long day-trip to Santorini for caldera views (fast ferries typically run May–Oct). Check ferries and buses on Omio Ferries and Omio.

Day 10: Heraklion Farewell

Morning: Last-minute shopping around 1866 Street for spices, herbs, and olive-wood utensils. Espresso at Opus and a museum stop if missed earlier.

Afternoon: Depart from Heraklion Airport (HER). For flights within Europe compare on Omio; for long-haul routes, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re bussing onward in Greece, browse Omio.

Practical Transport Notes

• City hops: Chania → Rethymno ~1h15, €7–10; Rethymno → Heraklion ~1h30, €8–11 by KTEL buses. Browse and book via Omio.
• Driving: Roads are well-signed; allow extra time in summer. Parking in old towns is limited—use public lots just outside centers.
• Ferries: Seasonal frequency increases May–October. Check options on Omio Ferries.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Chania Old Town stays: compare on Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Rethymno townhouses & beach hotels: check Hotels.com and VRBO.
• Heraklion city base: Kastro Hotel (excellent value and location). Family resort: Creta Maris Beach Resort (pools, beach, waterpark). Luxury detour: Blue Palace in Elounda.

Included Viator experiences in this itinerary (4):

• Chania Walking Food Tasting Tour — Day 2
• All-Inclusive Catamaran to Balos & Gramvousa — Day 3
• Elafonissi & Milia Mountain Semi-Private Jeep Tour — Day 4
• Knossos & Lasithi Plateau Tour — Day 8

Ten days on Crete delivers an arc from Venetian harbors to mountain plateaus and Minoan frescoes, threaded with swims in impossibly blue water. With smart bases in Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion—and a balance of guided tours and free time—you’ll taste, trek, and time-travel across Greece’s most storied island.