Are you looking for a trip that combines idleness on sandy beaches with the discovery of an abundant hinterland? Don’t hesitate: opt for this one-week holiday in Crete! Relax with your feet in the water on the beaches of northern Crete, between Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Follow the island’s hiking trails through gorges and waterfalls. Visit mythical archaeological sites! And finally, find peace and serenity on the island’s southern beaches. From north to south, from beaches to mountains, from towns to villages, discover all the facets of Crete, an island of contrasts and myths.
Region visited during this trip: Chania & Crete
N.B.: This trip to Greece is an individual tailor-made tour, to be personalized with our expert advisors.
Étapes 1 & 4
Crete's capital hides magnificent beaches, stretches of olive groves, the palace of Knossos, an archaeological site dating back thousands of years, a hinterland dotted with small villages and monasteries, not forgetting the famous whitewashed houses.
Step 2
Agios Nikolaos is a small town set in a bay on the island's north coast. The town's best-known landmark is Lake Voulismeni, a former enclosed lake that is now open to the sea. Here you'll find a small port where the town's fishermen moor their boats.
Step 3
Bordered by endless beaches, Ierapetra offers visitors a time of relaxation. For culture, head for the famous Kale fortress.
Étapes 1 & 4
Crete's capital hides magnificent beaches, stretches of olive groves, the palace of Knossos, an archaeological site dating back thousands of years, a hinterland dotted with small villages and monasteries, not forgetting the famous whitewashed houses.
At Heraklion airport, where your plane lands, collect your rental car from our partner and set off in the direction of Elounda. You’ll cover the 70 km to Elounda in just over 1 hour. Once you’ve arrived, settle into your hotel room.
Elounda is a veritable microcosm of luxury. Exceptionally beautiful, it is the destination of choice for billionaires and world leaders. You might even be lucky enough to bump into a few celebrities! Finally, enjoy one of the magnificent beaches of the Gulf of Elounda.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Night in Elounda.
Overlooking the Gulf of Elounda, the fortress of Spinalonga protects the ancient port of Olous. One of the most formidable fortresses in the Aegean, this majestic citadel has withstood the assaults of pirates, Venetians, Ottomans and other invaders. Spinalonga ended its career as a… leper colony. It was here, in fact, that the Greek government decided to send its lepers, from 1905 to 1957.
Victoria Hislop’s bestseller, The Island of the Forgotten, was inspired by this story. The TV series based on it is one of Greece’s biggest ratings successes.
Spinalonga can only be reached via the small port of Plaka. To reach it, you can either take a boat or rely on your swimming skills. Let yourself be immersed in the historic aura of the site.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Night in Elounda.
A mountainous day ahead! This excursion takes you to the Lassithi Plateau, between typical villages, enchanting caves and calm, serene nature amidst windmills.
First visit the small farming village of Tzermiado, with its orchards and local craft stores. Then explore the Grotto of Psychro (also known as the Grotto of Zeus, Dikteon or Dikté). This cave is situated at an altitude of 1,025 metres and stretches for over 2,200 metres. Take a little care on the way down: access to the cave can be tricky, and good footwear is recommended. Once you’ve reached the entrance, exploring the interior of the cave is much simpler. According to myth, it was here that Zeus was born, which is a clue to the splendor and mystery that inhabit the Grotto of Psychro.
Finally, visit the village of Kritza, whose weavers will be delighted to show you their skills. You can also visit the magnificent church of Panagia Kera, with its perfectly preserved 14th-century frescoes.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Night in Elounda.
Agios Nikolaos is a superb town, built around a natural lake. Its neoclassical houses, boutiques, bars and restaurants go hand in hand with its picturesque harbor overlooking the Aegean Sea. A second, Blue Flag marina sits on the inner lake. Stroll through the typical Greek island streets and stop for a drink.
Ask the town’s elders. They’ll tell you how they saw German soldiers throwing their weapons into Lake Vouliagmenni in Agios Nikolaos before leaving Crete in 1945. There’s something divine about this lake: Athena and Artemis bathe in its clear, mystical waters. Join them – there’s bound to be something of their divine essence left. And don’t forget that some legends say the lake is bottomless…
Now head for the sunken city of Olous, just 10 km from Agios Nikolaos. This ancient Minoan city reached its apogee after the Dorian invasion. At the time, it had a population of 30,000. The city was completely submerged in the 8th century AD. The archaeological site is one of the most important in the Aegean.
Finally, take a rest on the beautiful beaches of Agios Nikolaos Bay, before strolling around the lake for the sunset.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Night in Elounda.
While the north of Crete is chic and posh, the south is wilder and more authentic. A completely different Crete is revealed to you!
The town of Ierapetra offers the perfect combination of heritage and beaches. The beaches are set in exotic surroundings, with azure waters of exceptional quality. All the beaches around the south of the island have been awarded the Blue Flag. Among them, Makris Yialos, on the south-east coast 30 km from Ierapetra, is a beautiful fine-sand beach, very well organized and with superb surroundings. Here you can alternate between lazing on the beach, strolling through the village, visiting the small stores, water sports and sampling the tastes of the tavernas and restaurants.
Then head for Kales Castle. At the very tip of Ierapetra, Kales seems almost to rest on the water. A Venetian fortress dating from the 13th century, it was conquered by the Ottomans 400 years later. It is the symbol of Ierapetra and its most impressive architectural heritage.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Night in Ierapetra.
A veritable terrestrial paradise some 15 km from Ierapetra, the island of Chrissi (Golden Island) is covered for the most part by a forest of cedars several hundred years old. Its beaches, with their shimmering pink sand, are magnificent.
Today, the island is a Natura 2000 nature reserve, and is off-limits to visitors. On this relaxing cruise, you can observe thousands of birds, Caouanne sea turtles and Mediterranean monk seals. If you’re a good swimmer, don’t hesitate to head for the beach. The interior also boasts a rich fauna of snakes, lizards, rabbits and more.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Night in Ierapetra.
The small town of Sitia, on the east coast, is one of Crete’s best preserved sites. You’ll set off early this morning to reach it. Start with a stroll around the town, along its famous esplanade, through its picturesque lanes and along the harbour. Don’t hesitate to dine on fresh fish in one of the many taverns. Linger at the town’s Archaeological Museum and Folklore Museum, and don’t miss Kazarma Castle. Finally, the sandy beach of Sitia is just a few minutes from the town center.
The monastery of Toplou stands majestically not far from Sitia. It is one of the most imposing monasteries in Crete. Built in the 15th century, it was conceived as a fortress to protect holy objects from pirates and Ottomans. The monastery preserves and exhibits icons, some of which date back to the 15th century and are veritable heritage treasures.
The Vaï palm grove: exotic Crete
The gigantic Vaï palm grove extends over some 200 hectares, 20 km from Sitia. It comprises over 5,000 trees, some of which are over 2,000 years old. Legend has it that the palm grove originated from date pits thrown here by soldiers of various armies, first Egyptian, then Phoenician, Pontic and others.
The palm grove gives the adjoining beach (awarded the Blue Flag) an exotic, exotic look. Its Theophrastus palms come from a very rare species. Stretch out on the golden sands for a well-deserved rest!
The inhabitants of ancient Itanos, 10 km from Toplou and Vaï, knew the palm grove probably exactly as you see it. Today, Itanos is an archaeological site. Originally a Phoenician colony involved in the purple trade, the city was later occupied by the Greeks. Dwellings, acropolis, necropolis, early Christian basilica: the archaeological site of Itanos offers 10 centuries of ancient Cretan history.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
Night in Elounda.
You can’t stay in Crete without visiting Knossos! The capital of Minoan civilization, just 5 km from present-day Heraklion, was largely reconstructed in the early 20th century. This renovation, although controversial, offers a real immersion in the ancient era of history and mythology.
Knossos, the administrative and religious center of King Minos’ domain, is also the place where Daedalus built his famous labyrinth. The labyrinth served as a prison for the Minotaur. This monster, half-man half-bull, devoured dozens of Athenians every year.
Before returning your rental car to Heraklion airport, don’t forget to pay homage to Theseus who, thanks to Ariadne’s thread, defeated the Minotaur, symbolizing the end of Minoan domination of the Greek world.
Breakfast not included – Lunch and dinner on your own.
