Crete is the largest island in Greece, and trying to see all of it in seven days would be impossible. So we decided to focus on the western part, alternating between beach days, Venetian towns, and a few spontaneous detours. And yes, we even relied on social media to help plan the whole thing.
Spoiler: the wind ended up changing quite a few of our plans. But looking back, that unpredictability was honestly one of the best parts of the trip.
If you’re planning a week-long itinerary in Crete, here’s what we followed.
Day 1: from Venice to Crete via Athens
Our adventure kicked off at Venice airport with a direct flight to Athens and a connecting flight to Crete.
We landed late in the evening and, instead of staying near the airport, we picked up our rental car right away and drove to Rethymno to spend our first night there so we wouldn’t be driving more than two hours after a full travel day.
What can I say about the roads in Crete — they feel like something out of a video game, arrows, lights, and turns everywhere. The second we arrived, we had exactly one goal: shower and bed.
Day 2: Rethymno and Chania
The next morning, after breakfast, we took our time exploring Rethymno.
Venetian and Ottoman influences blend together seamlessly, and you only need to wander a few steps away from the waterfront to find yourself in alleyways full of bougainvillea, tiny shops, and cafés where time seems to have stopped. It’s exactly how I always pictured a classic Greek town.
My advice: get lost without following a map. It’s often the side streets that give you the most beautiful views. After lunch, we headed to Chania, where we’d booked an Airbnb for the rest of the week which, I can confirm, was the best decision we made.
Quick grocery run for the days ahead, then straight to the beach ours was a five-minute walk away, and we made the most of it right away.
We spent the evening exploring Chania’s old town and having dinner by the Venetian harbor.
The Old Town is one of those places that manages to feel lively without ever tipping into chaos. Walking along the Venetian harbor at sunset, stopping for a drink, having dinner with the lighthouse in view it’s the kind of thing I could do every single night. And honestly… that’s basically what we ended up doing almost every night.
Day 3: Seitan Limania, the beach that looks like a natural pool
Seitan Limania was one of the beaches we ended up adding last minute. The moment we reached the viewpoint, I immediately understood why it’s become so famous.
The water is an almost unreal color, and the tiny bay tucked between the rock walls looks like a natural swimming pool. To get there, you have to drive a scenic road full of hairpin turns, then hike down for about ten minutes.
It’s not a long walk, but the trail is steep, uneven, and covered in loose rocks. My advice: leave the flip-flops in your bag and wear sneakers. General tip always leave them in the car, since directions to these spots often aren’t very precise, so it’s better to be prepared. We arrived early and there weren’t many people yet, but it filled up fast, especially since the bay itself is pretty tiny.
One more important thing: don’t expect many amenities. Bring plenty of water, some snacks, and everything else you’ll need for the day. After a few hours, we decided to move to a nearby beach, much quieter, where we relaxed until the afternoon.
That evening, we headed back to Chania once again. And somehow, every night felt different from the last. That night it was pita gyros. Absolutely delicious. Simple dinner, perfect ending to the day!
Day 4: Elafonissi, the beach that looks straight out of the Caribbean
The alarm went off painfully early that morning. When it comes to Elafonissi, there’s one piece of advice that matters more than any other: leave really early. It’s one of the most famous beaches on the entire island, and during summer it fills up fast.
We arrived in the early morning hours and found a completely different atmosphere than the one you’d see midday. The sea was almost perfectly still, the water crystal clear, and there was still barely anyone on the beach.
Elafonissi is especially known for its bright white sand, which in certain spots takes on a soft pink tint thanks to tiny fragments of shells. The water stays shallow for a very long stretch, so it’s also perfect if you just want to relax in the sea.
Bring an umbrella if you can, or rent one right there on the beach. During the hottest hours, the sun really makes itself felt.
After a full day at the beach, we headed back to Chania for yet another walk through the old town alleyways. By that point, we’d already started to feel almost at home there.
Day 5: Balos Lagoon, probably the most beautiful view on the island
Balos was the place I was most looking forward to seeing. And it still managed to surprise me. Hands down, my favorite spot of the whole trip.
Before you even reach the beach, there’s a viewpoint I’d recommend taking your time at. From up there, the lagoon looks like a painting. The water constantly shifts color, from turquoise to deep blue, and the contrast against the white sand is something you won’t forget easily.
To get there, you have to drive a long stretch of dirt road, then walk about twenty minutes. Driving carefully, it’s totally manageable, so there’s no need to rush.
The walk down to the beach isn’t particularly hard, but the heat can be intense during summer. Bring at least a liter and a half of water per person, a hat, and comfortable shoes. We left at dawn, and I’d make that same choice a hundred times over. When we arrived, the beach was still nearly empty. A few hours later, it looked like a completely different place.
A must-see? The little goats wandering the beach just watch your food, they tend to steal it.
Day 6: Falasarna and the day the wind made the decisions for us
That day, the plan was simple: Falasarna and relaxation.
Too bad the wind had something entirely different in mind. The beach was gorgeous, but the gusts were so strong that even standing still for a couple of photos was a challenge. We waited a bit, hoping it would calm down. It didn’t.
So we completely changed our plans and headed to Ammos & Ilios Beach Club instead. And it turned out to be one of the best surprises of the whole trip. Comfortable loungers, a relaxed vibe, good music, and finally some shelter from the wind. It was the perfect reminder that changing your plans doesn’t ruin a trip. Sometimes it actually makes it better.
That evening we grabbed takeout pita gyros and a beer and just hung out on the terrace. We had dinner watching the sun slowly go down. No restaurants. No plans.
Just one giant pita and that satisfying kind of tired that only comes after a full day at the beach. The original plan was to go out that night, but the wind had already rearranged our tour for the next day, so — early wake-up call again, no rest for the wicked.
Day 7: Preveli Beach and one last goodbye to Rethymno
On our last day, the wind was once again the main character. We went to Preveli Beach, one of the most unique beaches on the island, which was supposed to be a bit more sheltered than the others on the west coast.
Here, the sea meets a river surrounded by a large palm forest, creating a landscape totally different from anything else we’d seen that week. Getting there means a pretty steep walk down, which of course you’ll have to climb back up on the way out. Nothing too demanding though genuinely doable for everyone.
In the afternoon, heading back toward Chania, we decided to stop in Rethymno one more time to do a bit of shopping. It was the perfect way to bring things full circle. The same place that had welcomed us on day one was now sending us off before we headed home. Our last night in Chania passed slowly, with a drink and a night out.
Day 8: Heading home
Early wake-up. Last coffee. One last look at the sea over breakfast on the pier.
Returned the car, dropped off our bags at the airport, and flew home. Small footnote: NO, our suitcase did not make it home with us.
Every single time I get back from a trip, the same thing happens. For a few days, I keep looking for that exact shade of the sea everywhere I go. Then I’ll scroll past a photo, catch a whiff of the local food, or hear a song we played in the car during those days. And suddenly, I’m right back there.
Useful info for planning this itinerary
Do you really need to rent a car?
Yes, without a doubt. The best beaches along the west coast are pretty spread out from each other, and relying on public transport would mean losing a ton of time. We picked up our rental the moment we landed and kept it the whole trip you can find great deals if you book ahead of time.
What to pack in your daypack every day
You wouldn’t think it, but the Cretan sun is intense. Every morning, we always had with us:
- a water bottle, always topped off
- SPF 50 sunscreen
- a hat
- sneakers for the harder-to-reach beaches
- a spare swimsuit
- some snacks for the less-equipped beaches
Watch out for the wind
If there’s one thing we learned, it’s this: the wind in Crete can completely change your day, and we never even thought to check for it.
Before heading to any beach, always check the forecast and be ready to change your plans. A perfect itinerary isn’t always the one that goes exactly according to schedule. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves room for the unexpected.
