8 days in Crete Itinerary

A quiet port town situated on Crete's western tip, Kissamos attracts mostly domestic tourists and possesses more of the quintessential Greek feel than livelier resorts strung along the island's coastline.

Bring the kids along to Elafonissi Beach and Kedrodasos Beach. Explore Kissamos' surroundings by going to Church of the Ascension (in Kandanos), Kastro Gramvoussas (in Gramvousa) and Elafonisi Viewpoint (in Elafonissi). And it doesn't end there: enjoy the sand and surf at Balos Lagoon, stroll through Agia Marina Beach, stroll the grounds of German Military Cemetery, and stop by To Kaniski.

To see reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Kissamos online trip itinerary builder.

London, UK to Kissamos is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train, bus, and ferry; or do a combination of train and bus. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 2 hours traveling from London to Kissamos. Prepare for a bit warmer weather when traveling from London in September: high temperatures in Kissamos hover around 34°C and lows are around 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Sun) so you can drive to Rethymnon.

Rethymnon combines the old-fashioned charm of a small town with proximity to long sandy beaches with all the modern conveniences usually found in big tourist resorts.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Mon): steep yourself in history at The Venetian Fortezza, take an in-depth tour of Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno, then wander the streets of Rethymnon Old Town, then take in the exciting artwork at Melitakas Handmade Greek Art, and finally see Off-Road Tours. On the next day, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Kournas, then look for all kinds of wild species at Reptisland, and then make a trip to Monastery of Arkadi.

To see photos, more things to do, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Rethymnon travel route builder site.

You can drive from Kissamos to Rethymnon in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. In September, daily temperatures in Rethymnon can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Hersonissos.

Wholeheartedly dedicated to tourism, Hersonissos remains best known for its vibrant nightlife, its bars and clubs attracting partygoers from around the world.

Family-friendly places like The Palace of Knossos and Aegeo Spas will thrill your kids. Explore Hersonissos' surroundings by going to Spinalonga (in Plaka), Elounda (Spinalonga Beach & Spinalonga (Kalydon)) and Lake Voulismeni (in Agios Nikolaos). There's still lots to do: admire nature's wide array of creatures at CRETAquarium, get engrossed in the history at Heraklion Archaeological Museum, look for gifts at DA pottery workshop, and examine the collection at Lychnostatis Open Air Museum.

To see photos, ratings, traveler tips, and more tourist information, use the Hersonissos trip planner.

Drive from Rethymnon to Hersonissos in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a shuttle; or take a bus. In September, plan for daily highs up to 32°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 8th (Fri) early enough to catch the flight back home.