Tour Description

Independent Self Drive Holiday
8 Days ex Chania

Departs: Daily

Chania (2) | Matala (1) | Ierapetra (1) | Aghios Nikolaos (2) | Heraklion (1)

With hotels, rental car, and daily breakfasts all arranged, this suggested itinerary gives you many points of interest during your discovery of Crete. The largest of the Mediterranean islands, Crete is full of history, dramatic landscapes, and delicious local foods and wine. This eight-day itinerary is the perfect way to discover all of these secrets and more in your own time and pace.

Highlights:

24/7 local operator support in Greece
Discover the ancient and enigmatic sites of the Minoan civilisation – the oldest in Europe and one whom many claim is the ancient Atlantis.
Explore the myriad of local restaurants and cafes serving delectable local foods and wines.
Soak in the tranquil charm of traditional Greek fishing villages.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Car rental costs included in the prices above are for a Category B Car for 7 days hire. Car category upgrades, one way hire, or drop off after 10am on Day 8 will incur additional costs.
The itinerary below is a suggestion only and you may want to visit different sites along the way. We recommend you buy a comprehensive map and guidebook of Crete to plan your self-drive according to your specific points of interests and make the most of your holiday.
The accommodation in regional Crete (Ierapetra, Matala…) is of a lower standard than in the main cities

Itinerary
Accommodation

Day 1: Chania

Welcome to Greece. On your arrival at Heraklion Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel where accommodation is reserved for one night. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 2: Chania (B)

This morning your car will be delivered to your hotel for the start of your self-drive journey of Crete.

Spend the day discovering Chania’s Old Centre, strolling through its historic streets and along the picturesque Venetian harbour. In the afternoon, you can explore some of Crete’s renowned beaches, such as Elafonissi or Falasarna, or take a trip to the iconic Samaria Gorge or Souda Bay WWII War Cemetery.

Day 3: Chania – Matala (B)

Depart from Chania and travel east toward the historic city of Rethymnon. Pass through picturesque villages, each offering a glimpse into traditional Cretan life, before reaching the dramatic Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Pass through this narrow canyon, where the constant blowing wind creates eerie melodies. Ascend to the historic Preveli Monastery, perched on a high rocky plateau with stunning views of the surrounding area. Continue south, taking in the diverse terrain until you arrive in Matala, a charming seaside village renowned for its ancient caves and its bohemian charm from the 1970’s hippie era.

Day 4: Matala – Ierapetra (B)

Leave Matala this morning and travel east along Crete’s scenic south coast with views of the Mediterranean. Stop at the tranquil fishing village of Myrtos, a quaint harbour town that has preserved its authentic Greek character. Continue your drive eastward until you reach the lively town of Ierapetra, celebrated for its vibrant seaside atmosphere.

Day 5: Ierapetra – Aghios Nikolaos (B)

Leaving Ierapetra this morning, head off along the stunning eastern coastline. Consider stopping at the Minoan Palace of Zakros, an archaeological site that showcases the grandeur of Minoan civilisation. Continue your drive to the East Coast, where you can visit the Monastery of Toplou, steeped in history with ancient inscriptions and the exquisite 18th century icon by Ioannis Kornaros. Time permitting, you might like to relax on the iconic Palm Beach of Vai, the first place in Europe to watch the sun rise every morning. Drive on to Sitia, birthplace of the 17th century poet Vincenzos Cornaros, and discover the picturesque harbour and the historic Kazarmas fortress. Continue to the vibrant town of Aghios Nikolaos.

Day 6: Aghios Nikolaos (B)

A day at leisure to explore Aghios Nikolaos and the surrounding area. Explore the Archaeological Museum, shop at local markets, discover serene beaches like Kitroplatia, the iconic Lake Voulismeni or maybe take a boat trip to historic Spinalonga Island.

Day 7: Aghios Nikolaos – Heraklion (B)

Today you will make your way to Heraklion. Travel along Crete’s stunning northern coastline, passing charming villages and olive groves. Along the way, you can visit the ancient ruins of Knossos or stop at picturesque seaside towns before arriving in Heraklion, the vibrant capital of Crete.

Day 8: Heraklion (B)

This morning return your rental car at Heraklion Airport (or Port) and commence your own arrangements.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

24/7 local operator support in Greece
7 nights hotel accommodation
Breakfast Daily
Arrival transfer from Chania Airport to your hotel
7 Days Car Hire on Crete (Chania to Heraklion) – Cat B Car
Greece Travel Notes – Issued by Innovative Travel

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

International airfares
Government Climate Crisis Resilience Tax – to be paid directly to the hotel on check-out (ranges from EUR3-EUR15 – rates subject to change without notice)
Optional tours and excursions
Porterage
Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
Personal Expenses
Departure taxes
Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
Visas (unless specified)
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above

Accommodation based on the below (or similar):

Hotels are indicative and subject to availability at the time of booking. If hotels indicated are not available at the time of request, alternatives will be offered and supplements may apply.

The accommodation in regional Crete (Ierapetra, Matala…) is of a lower standard than in the main cities.

Chania

First Class: Civitel Akali

Matala

First Class: Matala Bay Hotel

Ierapetra

First Class: El Greco Hotel

Aghios Nikolaos

First Class: Santa Marinia Unique Hotel

Heraklion

First Class: Astoria Capsis Hotel

View Important Information

Enquire About This Itinerary

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Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. All featured tour itineraries and offers may be subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller. Special VIP meet and assist offers are available in some destinations for New Zealand passport holders, for other nationalities please check at the time of booking. For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Conditions page.

Priced From:

$ 2435pp ^*

Tour Advisors

Beccy Hayes

Travel Specialist

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Variants

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2435

First Class
01 - 31 May 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4585

First Class
01 - 31 May 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$5727

First Class
01 - 31 May 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 Jun 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2695

First Class
01 - 30 Jun 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 30 Jun 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5069

First Class
01 - 30 Jun 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 30 Jun 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$6375

First Class
01 - 30 Jun 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$3019

First Class
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5745

First Class
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$7107

First Class
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 Sep 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2695

First Class
01 - 30 Sep 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 30 Sep 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5069

First Class
01 - 30 Sep 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 30 Sep 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$6375

First Class
01 - 30 Sep 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 31 Oct 2026 / Per Person Twin Share

$2435

First Class
01 - 31 Oct 2026
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 31 Oct 2026 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$4585

First Class
01 - 31 Oct 2026
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 31 Oct 2026 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$5727

First Class
01 - 31 Oct 2026
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$2705

First Class
01 - 31 May 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5095

First Class
01 - 31 May 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 31 May 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$6375

First Class
01 - 31 May 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 Jun 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$2995

First Class
01 - 30 Jun 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 30 Jun 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5625

First Class
01 - 30 Jun 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 30 Jun 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$7095

First Class
01 - 30 Jun 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$3355

First Class
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$6375

First Class
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$7905

First Class
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 30 Sep 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$2995

First Class
01 - 30 Sep 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 30 Sep 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5625

First Class
01 - 30 Sep 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 30 Sep 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$7095

First Class
01 - 30 Sep 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

First Class / 01 - 31 Oct 2027 / Per Person Twin Share

$2705

First Class
01 - 31 Oct 2027
Per Person Twin Share

First Class / 01 - 31 Oct 2027 / Solo Traveller - Single Room

$5095

First Class
01 - 31 Oct 2027
Solo Traveller - Single Room

First Class / 01 - 31 Oct 2027 / Triple Room (price for 3 people)

$6375

First Class
01 - 31 Oct 2027
Triple Room (price for 3 people)

Complete Crete Self-Drive

Day 1: Chania

Day 2: Chania (B)

Day 3: Chania – Matala (B)

Day 4: Matala – Ierapetra (B)

Day 5: Ierapetra – Aghios Nikolaos (B)

Day 6: Aghios Nikolaos (B)

Day 7: Aghios Nikolaos – Heraklion (B)

Day 8: Heraklion (B)

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

TOUR EXCLUSIONS:

Chania

Matala

Ierapetra

Aghios Nikolaos

Heraklion

Tour Advisors

Variants