Car trips in Rethymno

From Rethymno, you drive south and into the landscape where the route gradually moves away from the coast. The road is easy to follow and the pace is calm. Along the way, the surroundings change from coast and built-up areas to a more open landscape with farmland and low hills, before you later arrive at the south coast.

This is a calm day trip that works well with several stops along the way.

Maravel Garden is a botanical garden with herbs, trees and plants from Crete and other parts of the world. The garden is divided into different areas with paths that make it easy to walk around at your own pace.

Here you can walk among the plants, see how they are used and notice the scents and details along the way. Several of the plants are marked, and the place gives a good overview of herbs used both in food and in traditional products on the island.

There is also a shop with herbs, oils and local products, as well as a café where many visitors sit down after their visit. For many, this becomes a calm stop before the trip continues up towards Spili.

Spili is known for its square with lion heads where cold spring water flows continuously. Many stop here to take a break in the shade of the trees and cool down before continuing their journey.

The sound of the water and the calm pace give the place its own atmosphere. Around the square there are small shops and places to eat, and it is easy to continue into the narrow streets and see more of the village.

For many, this becomes a stop that lasts a little longer than planned. Spili works well as a midday break, where you can sit down, slow the pace and gather some energy before the route continues towards the south coast.

Spili Monastery is located just outside the village and gives a different experience from the square in Spili. It is quieter and more open here, with views of the surrounding area and several places where you can sit for a while.

Many add a short visit here to walk around a little and take a break in quieter surroundings. The buildings and courtyard are well maintained, and the whole place has a tidy and calm setting that feels different from the life down in the village.

Agia Galini is a place where many people stay for a while once they have reached the south coast. The village lies along the hillside down towards the harbour, and it is easy to walk down towards the water and continue through the small streets and harbour area.

Here, the main point is to take a break by the sea. Many sit down by the harbour for something to eat or drink, while others continue to the beach for a swim. The boats in the bay and the houses rising from the water give the place a calm setting that feels different from the north coast.

This is a good choice if you want to end the trip here. You get both a beach and a small centre in one place, and it is easy to stay for a while before driving back.

Matala is one of the places many people have heard of before they arrive. The beach lies in an open bay, framed by pale hillsides that give the area a clear character.

What sets Matala apart from other places is the caves in the cliff behind the beach. Many walk over to see them up close, and they are easy to reach from the beach.

In the 1960s, hippies lived in the caves, and this still shapes the place today. You can see it in the colours, wall paintings and small details in the streets, which give Matala a slightly different atmosphere from many other places in Crete.

Here you can swim, walk along the beach or sit down in the centre and stay for a while. Many also choose to stay until the evening, when the light changes and the pace slows before the return journey.

Petrokefali is an alternative to Matala and gives a different experience from the places along the coast. Here you enter an open landscape with farmland and low hills, where everyday life shapes the area.

This is a village with a calm pace. You notice it in the streets, in the small squares and around the meeting places in the village. People sit outside, talk and follow what is happening around them. It is not made for tourists, and that is exactly what makes it interesting to stop here.

If you take a little time here, you can walk through the streets and see how the village is connected to the farmland around it. This is a good stop for experiencing another side of Crete before you continue or drive back towards the north coast.

This route takes you from the coast at Rethymno into an area where the landscape changes several times along the way. You start along a calm coastal stretch before gradually driving up into the terrain towards Arkadi and further into the villages behind the coast.

Along the way, the route shifts between open farmland, historic places and smaller villages before you approach the sea again at Bali. Here the trip ends with short distances between bays and beaches where it is easy to stop.

This is a route with several different stops, where you can choose to spend some time at each place or pick out what suits you best. The trip works well as a calm day trip from Rethymno, with inland areas, history and coast gathered into one round before you return the same way.

Adele is located just east of Rethymno and gives you a first meeting with the more rural side of Crete. The village is surrounded by olive groves and farmland that shape the whole area.

The pace is calmer here than in town. You can make a short stop, walk a little around the area or sit down with a coffee before the trip continues.

Arkadi Monastery is one of the best-known places in Crete and one of the stops many people remember most clearly from the Rethymno area. It stands openly on a plateau, with views over the surrounding landscape.

What makes the visit special is the combination of history, buildings and calm surroundings. The courtyard, stone walls and open setting give the place a clear weight, and many visitors stay longer than planned.

The site is closely linked to the events of 1866 during the revolt against Ottoman rule, something that still shapes how Arkadi is described today and gives the visit an extra dimension.

Many also choose to take a break after walking around. There is a café in the area with shade and views, which makes Arkadi a good stop before the route continues.

Margarites is a place where many people stay longer than planned. The village is known as one of the most important areas for pottery in western Crete, and this shapes the whole place as you walk through the streets between workshops and small shops.

Several of the workshops are open, and you can see the work up close. This gives a living impression of the craft that is still part of everyday life here.

At the same time, the experience is just as much about the village itself. The streets are narrow and turn between the houses, with small squares and quiet corners along the way. It is easy to keep walking a little further instead of turning back right away.

Margarites is also a good place for a break. Many sit down for something to eat or drink, and in that way experience the pace of a smaller Greek village before the route continues.

Melidoni Cave is a stop that clearly stands apart from the rest of the trip. Here you move from open landscapes and village life into a large mountain chamber with a high ceiling, stalactites and formations that make an impression as you enter.

Many describe it more as a large cave than a long cave system. This makes the visit easy to include, without needing much time to get the experience.

What gives the place an extra dimension is its history. The cave has been known since ancient times and is also linked to the event in 1824 when many local people lost their lives here. You can feel this in the atmosphere as you move around the large chamber.

For many, this works well as a short stop. The area is arranged with steps and lighting, and it is easy to combine the visit with the other stops on the route.

Reptisland is a small stop that surprises many visitors. This is not a large park, but a personal and calm place where you get close to the animals.

For many, it is exactly this closeness that makes the visit special. You do not just look at the reptiles, but also get the chance to hold them. For many, it starts with a small snake or a lizard, before they perhaps try something larger. Even those who feel a little unsure beforehand often relax more as the visit goes on.

What sets the place apart from many others is the way it is done. The owner takes time to explain each animal and lets you get to know them at a calm pace.

This works well as a short stop after Melidoni Cave. You do not need much time here, but it gives a very different kind of experience from the rest of the route. For families with children, this is often a highlight, but adults also get a lot out of the visit.

As you approach the coast again, the landscape opens up and the road leads you down towards Bali. Here the settlement is gathered around several small bays that lie close together along the sea.

This division into separate bays is what makes Bali easy to use on a trip. You can stop at one bay, or drive a little further and find another with a different calm and rhythm. The distances are short, and you quickly reach the water from the road.

Many choose to add a stop here because the conditions are often calmer than on more open beaches. The bays are protected, and you notice this clearly when it is windy elsewhere along the coast.

Bali therefore works well as a natural swimming stop on this part of the route. You do not need to plan much. Drive down, find a bay that suits you and take a break before continuing.

Karavostasi Beach lies at the far end of Bali and feels more gathered than the other bays in the area. There is only a short distance from parking to the water, and everything is contained within one small cove.

The beach is not large, but the water is clear and the bay is well sheltered. This is especially noticeable when it is windy along the coast, as the sea here often remains calmer than in other places nearby.

The seabed consists of pebbles and rock, which makes the area well suited for snorkelling. Along the edges of the bay, you find rocky sections and small openings in the cliffs, giving you the chance to move a little away from the beach itself.

At the same time, this is a place many visitors have discovered. Space is limited, and it fills up quickly in high season. If you arrive early, you get more room and a calmer start to your visit.

This is a fine place to end the route along the coast. Here you can take one last stop by the water before heading back towards Rethymno.

Argyroupoli Waterfalls is a green area where water runs through the whole landscape. Small streams, springs and short waterfalls flow between trees and stone, giving a steady sound of running water as you move around.

This is not one large waterfall, but many small watercourses built into the area between paths and tavernas. In several places, the water runs right past the tables, giving a cooler and calmer experience than along the coast.

Trout and sturgeon swim in the pools, and many notice the fish before sitting down. Several of the places use the fish as part of the menu, and fresh trout is a common choice.

Several tavernas are gathered closely together in the area, built into the terrain with water channels and shade from the trees. Here you sit close to the water as it runs past.

This is a place where many people spend a little time. Not only to see the area, but to sit down and take a break. The combination of water, shade and food often makes the stop last longer than planned.

Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater lake in Crete and stands out clearly from the surrounding landscape. The lake lies like a bowl between the mountains and gives a calm contrast to the drier terrain elsewhere on the island.

The water is clear and shallow along the edges, and many walk straight in from the shore. Further out it becomes deeper, and it is common to see both fish and turtles, especially near the reeds and vegetation. For many, watching the turtles appear at the surface becomes an experience in itself.

It is also common to rent a pedal boat and head out onto the lake. This gives you a better view of the area and brings you closer to the wildlife. Many also choose to swim from the boat on warm days.

Along the shore, there are several places where you can sit down. Here you can take a break with views over the water or find shade before continuing. The area is arranged for visitors, but it is large enough that you can find quieter sections if you move a little away from the main area.

Lake Kournas is a place where many people stay for a while. It is easy to reach, but the experience often makes the stop last longer than planned.

Georgioupoli lies where the river meets the sea, and you notice this as you come down towards the centre. On one side, the river flows calmly towards the sea, surrounded by trees and green areas. On the other side, the beach opens up with sand and waves from the coast.

Along the river, there are small jetties, trees that give shade and places where people stop for a while. Some sit down by the water, while others follow the path along the river before continuing towards the beach. The meeting between freshwater and saltwater gives the area a different character from many of the beach places along the coast.

Out in the sea lies the small white church that many people notice. A narrow causeway leads out to it, and it is common to walk all the way out, especially when the weather is calm. From here, you get open sea on both sides and views back towards land.

Georgioupoli is a place where several things meet in one area. River, beach and village flow into each other, and this often makes people stay a little longer than planned.

Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater lake in Crete and stands out clearly from the surrounding landscape. The lake lies like a bowl between the mountains and gives a calm contrast to the drier terrain elsewhere on the island.

The water is clear and shallow along the edges, and many walk straight in from the shore. Further out it becomes deeper, and it is common to see both fish and turtles, especially near the reeds and vegetation. For many, watching the turtles appear at the surface becomes an experience in itself.

It is also common to rent a pedal boat and head out onto the lake. This gives you a better view of the area and brings you closer to the wildlife. Many also choose to swim from the boat on warm days.

Along the shore, there are several places where you can sit down. Here you can take a break with views over the water or find shade before continuing. The area is arranged for visitors, but it is large enough that you can find quieter sections if you move a little away from the main area.

Lake Kournas is a place where many people stay for a while. It is easy to reach, but the experience often makes the stop last longer than planned.

Gavalohori is a small village where everyday life still shapes the place. This is not a tourist area in the same way as the coast, but a place where people live and work all year round.

The village has roots in farming and olive growing, and you can see this in the surrounding area. At the same time, you find traces of older crafts and local history, including small exhibitions and preserved buildings.

As you walk through the streets, the pace is calm and the distances are short. The houses stand close together, and many have details in stone and wood that show how the village has developed over time.

This stop gives you an impression of everyday life in the area before the route continues towards Chania.

Chania is the main goal of the trip and the place where many people stay the longest. As you approach the old town, you quickly notice that this is different from the smaller stops along the way.

The Old Venetian Port forms a natural centre. From here, you walk straight into the old town with narrow streets, shops and small squares that open between the buildings. The distances are short, and it is easy to move between the harbour and the streets behind it.

Along the harbour, the area is open and easy to understand. You can follow the promenade, stop along the way or walk all the way out towards the lighthouse. Inside the old town, the streets become narrower, and this is where many spend time walking without a fixed plan.

This is a place where it is easy to stay a little longer than planned. Take time to walk around, find somewhere to sit down and let the town settle before you continue.
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Venizelos Graves is located on the heights above Chania and is a natural stop on the way out of town. After time in the old town, this gives you a calmer point with a good overview of the area.

From here, you can see across Chania, the harbour and the coastline along the north coast. The contrast to the narrow streets down in town is clear when you come up here.

The area is open and easy to walk around, with trees and paths around the viewpoint. Many stop here for a while before continuing.

If you come later in the day, the light changes the experience and gives both the town and the sea a calmer feel.

This round trip from Rethymno is a full-day route with a lot of driving. You should expect at least 3–4 hours behind the wheel, and around 5–7 hours in total with short stops along the way.

The route takes you from the north coast, through the mountains and down to the south coast before you return via Kallikratis.

The first part of the trip goes south through Kotsifou Gorge to Plakias, where the landscape opens towards the Libyan Sea. From there, you follow the coast further east to Frangokastello.

The return goes up from the coast via Kapsodasos and then along the Kallikratis road. Here you meet one of the most demanding stretches of the route, with many bends and views down towards the south coast.

This is a varied trip with both coast and mountains, but it requires some planning. You will not have time for everything at a relaxed pace, so it is wise to choose which stops you want to prioritise.

Kotsifou Gorge gives the trip a clear start and sets the tone for the rest of the route. The road narrows, and you drive between high rock walls that rise close around you. The landscape feels enclosed and concentrated, with little to interrupt the experience as you follow the road south.

This is not a place with many stops. The experience is in the drive itself. Each bend gives new angles on the mountains, and only towards the end does the landscape open up and the sea may appear in the distance.

In the middle of the gorge lies Saint Nicholas Church, built partly into the rock right beside the road. It is a small stop that many notice, both because of its location and because it breaks up the otherwise bare landscape. You can stop briefly here if there is space to park.

Kotsifou is a short stretch, but it gives a clear feeling of the transition from north to south. When you come out on the other side, the landscape is more open, and you notice that you have reached a different part of the island.

Plakias er første møte med Libyahavet, og overgangen merkes med én gang. Landskapet åpner seg, vinden endrer seg, og havet ligger rett ut foran deg med en lang og bred strand.

Dette er et sted mange legger inn som hovedstopp på turen. Når det er rødt flagg og urolig sjø på nordkysten, er forholdene her ofte roligere. Det gjør Plakias til et godt valg for bading når været skifter.

Stranden strekker seg langs hele bukten, og det er god plass til å finne et område som passer. Bak stranden ligger små hoteller og en rolig strandgate med enkle steder å sette seg ned. Tempoet er lavere enn på mange steder på nordkysten.

Plakias fungerer også som et naturlig vendepunkt. Ønsker du en roligere dag, kan du stoppe her og kjøre samme vei tilbake. Vil du videre, fortsetter du østover langs sørkysten mot Frangokastello.

Frangokastello lies further east along the south coast and gives a calmer and more open experience than many places on the north coast. Here you meet the Libyan Sea with a long, shallow beach and plenty of space around you.

When the north coast has red flags and waves, this is an area many choose as an alternative. The bay is more open towards the south, and the sea conditions are often calmer. This makes it well suited for swimming when the north coast is less inviting.

The Venetian fortress stands right beside the beach and gives the area a clear character. The landscape around it is flat and simple, and the contrast to the mountains you have just driven through is easy to notice.

This is a natural place to stop before the return. You can take a break by the beach, walk around the area and gather some energy before driving back into the mountains.

Kapsodasos marks the transition from the south coast up towards the mountains. Here the climb really begins, and the landscape opens behind you with views towards the Libyan Sea and the areas you have just driven through.

The place itself is small and quiet, but there is a taverna here that many visitors notice. It lies right by the start of the road up towards Kallikratis and works as a natural stop before the sharp bends further up.

Here you can take a break, get something to drink and settle down for a moment before the most demanding part of the route. The terrace gives views over the valley and the coast, and many stay a little longer than planned.

The place is simple and family-run, with food based on local ingredients and a calm atmosphere. This is not a stop you necessarily plan in advance, but a place you stop because it fits the moment.

A short break here often makes the rest of the trip better. The road further up towards Kallikratis requires calm and focus, and this is a good place to pause before continuing.

The Kallikratis road is one of the most demanding driving stretches on this route. The bends come close together, and the road winds uphill in short sections with a steady climb.

Several of the bends are sharp, and it is normal to keep a low speed for much of the road. Visibility varies, and you often meet oncoming traffic in the bends. This means you need to be ready to slow down and use the space available.

The road is paved, but narrow and without guardrails in some places. There are a few passing places along the way, but not many.

As you climb, the landscape opens behind you. You see down towards the south coast and the areas you have just driven through, giving a clear feeling of height and distance.

This is a stretch where you let the road decide the pace. Drive calmly and take breaks where there is room.

On the way back towards the north coast, you notice the landscape changing again. After the bends and height around Kallikratis, the road becomes calmer, and the terrain gradually opens up.

Episkopi marks the transition from mountains to a more open area with farmland, olive groves and longer views towards the coast. The roads become wider, and the pace naturally picks up.

This is not a stop you need to plan, but a place you pass on the way back. For many, it works as a natural transition from demanding driving to a calmer end to the trip.

If you need a break after the mountain road, you can make a short stop here before the final stretch back towards the coast. Otherwise, continue straight through and follow the road north.

Georgioupoli can be added as a final stop before you end the trip back towards Rethymno. Here the river meets the sea, and the area opens up with beach, trees and small streets near the centre.

Along the river, you find shade and calmer areas, while the beach lies open towards the sea. The long causeway out to the church in the water is a fixed point that many walk out to. From here, you get views back towards land and along the coast.

This is a place where you can end the day at a calmer pace. Either with a short break by the water or a small walk through the streets before continuing. It is an easy stop that works well after a long day.