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🇬🇷Greece

Crete and Mainland Greece : Road Trip
12 day travel itinerary

TripMapper
by TripMapper

Discover ancient treasures, rural tavernas and turquoise waters

12 Days
Active
Architecture
Beach
Culture
Food
History
Nature
Outdoor
Relax
Road Trip
Wildlife
Image by Valdemaras D. on Unsplash
Image by TripMapper Ltd on Unsplash
Image by TripMapper Ltd on Unsplash
Image by TripMapper Ltd on Unsplash

Magnificent archaeological sites prove there is much to Greece beyond its gorgeous sun-drenched beaches.

Discover Crete, Meteora, Athens and all the dreamy villages in-between, on this magnificent road trip. This scenic drive offers a rich tapestry of olive farms, charming villages, delicious cuisine and ancient treasures. The open road beckons!

Use TripMapper to plan your trip and for staying in control of your travel budget. If you are in need of a little inspiration to get you started click 'Customise' to use our interactive Crete & Mainland Greece itinerary (below) for the best things to see and do in Crete & Mainland Greece - then customise to make your own!

By combining both a trip itinerary app and a travel budget app, TripMapper is the best all-in-one travel itinerary app to help you craft your perfect trip!

* Please check all relevant government guidance prior to, and during, your travels. Please also check any opening & closing times for all establishments contained within our itinerary. Find our Terms of Service here.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Visit magnificent Meteora! Six monasteries perch on huge sandstone pillars in a truly extraordinary landscape - a breathtaking sight!⁠
  • See the rock of the mighty Acropolis, crowned by the dramatic ruins of the Parthenon
  • See sweeping views of Athens from Lycabettus Hill
  • Learn the secrets of Greek olive oil production
  • Explore Crete's natural wonders and hike the Samariá Gorge
  • Swim in beautiful turquoise waters and wander dreamy coastal villages
  • Admire the archaeological site of Olympia, the birthplace of the most famous sporting event in the ancient world

Discover the Itinerary

Scroll right to view the days

Layout
  • Day 1

    • TRAVELFlight to CHQ Airport
      Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, Ethniki Odos Aerodromiou Soudas, Chania, Greece
    • Taxi to Thallos The Boutique Hotel
    • ACCOMMODATIONThallos The Boutique Hotel
      Thallos the Boutique Hotel, Καλλινίκου Σαρπάκη, Chania, Greece
    • ACTIVITYExplore the Splantzia Neighbourhood
      Splantzia, Chania, Greece
    • ACTIVITYWander the Old Venetian Port of Chania
      Old Venetian Port of Chania, Agiou Markou, Chania, Greece
    • ACTIVITYWalk to the Lighthouse of Chania (harbour views)
      Lighthouse of Chania, Chania, Greece
  • Day 2

    • ACCOMMODATIONThallos The Boutique Hotel
      Thallos the Boutique Hotel, Καλλινίκου Σαρπάκη, Chania, Greece
    • Taxi to CHQ Airport (pick up hire car)
    • OTHERCar hire
      Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, Ethniki Odos Aerodromiou Soudas, Chania, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Balos Beach (1.5 hours)
    • ACTIVITYViews of Balos Beach
      Balos Beach, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Monastery Estate Retreat (2 hours)
    • ACCOMMODATIONMonastery Estate Retreat
      Monastery Estate, Moni Sougia, Greece
    • ACTIVITYRelax at Monastery Estate Retreat
    • FOODAn to Petyxeis Taverna Kafe
      Αν το πετύχεις, Eparchiaki Odos Chanion - Sougias, Kandanos Selinos, Greece
  • Day 3

    • OTHERCar hire
      Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, Ethniki Odos Aerodromiou Soudas, Chania, Greece
    • ACCOMMODATIONMonastery Estate Retreat
      Monastery Estate, Moni Sougia, Greece
    • ACTIVITYHike Lissos Gorge
      Lissos gorge, Anatolikos Selinos, Greece
    • ACTIVITYRuins of ancient Lissos
    • ACTIVITYLissos Beach
      Lissos beach, Anatolikos Selinos, Greece
    • TRAVELBoat back to Sougia
  • Day 4

    • OTHERCar hire
      Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, Ethniki Odos Aerodromiou Soudas, Chania, Greece
    • ACCOMMODATIONMonastery Estate Retreat
      Monastery Estate, Moni Sougia, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Samaria Gorge Entrance (45 mins)
      Samaria Gorge Trailhead, Mousoures, Greece
    • ACTIVITYHike Samaria Gorge
      9:00 AM
      Samaria Gorge Trailhead, Mousoures, Greece
    • TRAVELFerry : Agia Roumeli to Hora Sfakion (see card notes)
    • TRAVELBus : Sfakia to Samaria Gorge Entrance (town of Omalos/Xyloskalo) (see card notes)
    • TRAVELDrive to Monastry Estate Retreat
  • Day 5

    • OTHERCar hire
      Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, Ethniki Odos Aerodromiou Soudas, Chania, Greece
    • ACCOMMODATIONMonastery Estate Retreat
      Monastery Estate, Moni Sougia, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Terra Creta (1 hour 15 mins)
      Terra Creta, Kamisiana, Greece
    • ACTIVITYOlive Oil Experience Tour
      Terra Creta, Kamisiana, Greece
    • ACTIVITYSee the Olive Tree of Vouves
      Ancient Olive Tree, Ano Vouves, Greece
    • FOODNtounias
      ΝΤΟΥΝΙΑΣ-ΠΑΡΑΔΟΣΙΑΚΟ ΓΑΣΤΡΟΝΟΜΙΚΟ ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΚΡΗΤΙΚΗΣ ΔΙΑΤΡΟΦΗΣ, Keramion, Nerokouros, Greece
    • TRAVELFlight CHQ Airport to ATH Airport
      Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, Ethniki Odos Aerodromiou Soudas, Chania, Greece
    • OTHERCar hire
    • ACCOMMODATIONVASI
      VASI, Vlachava, Athens, Greece
  • Day 6

    • OTHERCar hire
    • ACCOMMODATIONVASI
      VASI, Vlachava, Athens, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Meteora (4 hours)
      6:00 AM
    • ACTIVITYMeteora
      10:00 AM
      GREAT METEORON MONASTRY, Kalabaka, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Bold Type Hotel (3 hours 45 mins)
      2:00 PM
    • ACCOMMODATIONBold Type Hotel
      The Bold Type Hotel, Paleon Patron Germanou, Patras, Greece
  • Day 7

    • OTHERCar hire
    • ACCOMMODATIONBold Type Hotel
      The Bold Type Hotel, Paleon Patron Germanou, Patras, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Archaeological Site of Olympia (2 hours)
    • ACTIVITYArchaeological Site of Olympia
      Archaeological Site of Olympia, Archaia Olympia, Greece
    • ACTIVITYArchaeological Museum of Olympia
      Archaeological Museum of Olympia, Archaia Olympia, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Dexamenes Seaside Hotel (40 mins)
    • ACCOMMODATIONDexamenes Seaside Hotel
      Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Kourouta, Greece
  • Day 8

    • OTHERCar hire
    • ACCOMMODATIONDexamenes Seaside Hotel
      Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Kourouta, Greece
    • ACTIVITYBeach (Dexamenes Seaside Hotel)
      Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Kourouta, Greece
  • Day 9

    • OTHERCar hire
    • ACCOMMODATIONDexamenes Seaside Hotel
      Dexamenes Seaside Hotel, Kourouta, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Caves of Diros (3 hours 20 mins)
    • ACTIVITYThe Caves of Diros (Short Tour Lake Section & Land)
      Caves of Diros, Pyrgos Dirou, Greece
    • ACTIVITYLimeni village
      Limeni, Greece
    • FOODO Takis
      O Takis, Limeni, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to The Olive Yard (35 mins)
    • ACCOMMODATIONThe Olive Yard
      The Olive Yard, Pan. Iliadi, Selinitsa, Greece
  • Day 10

    • ACCOMMODATIONThe Olive Yard
      The Olive Yard, Pan. Iliadi, Selinitsa, Greece
    • ACTIVITYDimitrios shipwreck
      "Dimitrios" Shipwreck, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Mystras (50min)
    • ACTIVITYMystras
      Mystras, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to Ancient Corinth (1 hour 45 mins)
    • ACTIVITYAncient Corinth
      Ancient Corinth, Argous, Archaia Korinthos, Greece
    • ACTIVITYCorinth Canal Old Bridge
      Corinth Canal Old Bridge, Loutraki-Agioi Theodoroi Municipality, Greece
    • TRAVELDrive to ATH Airport to return hire car (1 hour)
      Athens International Airport (ATH), Attiki Odos, Spata-Artemida, Greece
    • OTHERCar hire
    • TRAVELMetro : ATH Airport to Monastiraki (40 mins)
      Monastiraki, Athens, Greece
    • ACCOMMODATIONVASI
      VASI, Vlachava, Athens, Greece
  • Day 11

    • ACCOMMODATIONVASI
      VASI, Vlachava, Athens, Greece
    • ACTIVITYAcropolis & Parthenon
      Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece
    • ACTIVITYAcropolis Museum
      Acropolis Museum, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athens, Greece
    • ACTIVITYPanathenaic Stadium
      Panathenaic Stadium, Leoforos Vasileos Konstantinou, Athens, Greece
    • ACTIVITYCentral Municipal Athens Market
      Central Municipal Athens Market, Athens, Greece
  • Day 12

    • ACCOMMODATIONVASI
      VASI, Vlachava, Athens, Greece
    • ACTIVITYExplore Kolonaki District
      Kolonaki, Athens, Greece
    • ACTIVITYViews from Lycabettus Hill
      Lycabettus Hill, Likavittou, Athens, Greece
    • TRAVELMetro : Monastiraki to ATH Airport (40 mins)
      Monastiraki Station, Athens, Greece
    • TRAVELFlight from ATH Airport
      Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), Attiki Odos, Spata-Artemida, Greece