East Crete does not get the attention it deserves. Most tourists cluster around Heraklion or Chania, scroll through the same beach photos, and never venture further east. That is honestly their loss. The eastern edge of this island is quieter, wilder, and surprisingly rewarding, especially when you have a reliable rental car in Crete and no fixed schedule pulling you back.
This 5-day route covers Sitia, Vai Beach, and Zakros, three places that together tell a very different story about Crete. Pack light, charge your phone, and go.
Day 1: Pick Up Your Car and Head East
Start your trip by collecting your vehicle through MYTHOS Car Rentals, which offers straightforward car hire in Crete with no deposit, no excess, and full insurance included. Pickup is available directly at Heraklion Airport, so there is no waiting around or unnecessary detours.
From Heraklion, the drive east toward Sitia takes roughly two hours along the coastal road. Stop wherever catches your eye; there are small fishing villages, cliff-edge viewpoints, and roadside tavernas that do not appear on any travel app.
Quick tips for Day 1:
• Fill the tank before leaving the city
• Download offline maps, as mobile signal drops in some eastern areas
• Drive at a relaxed pace; the scenery earns it
Day 2: Explore Sitia, The Quiet Capital of the East
Sitia is a genuine Cretan town. No overpriced cocktail bars, no queue for a sunset photo. Just a working harbour, excellent local wine, and people going about real life.
Spend the morning at the Sitia Archaeological Museum, which holds artefacts from the Minoan period that most visitors never see. Walk the waterfront in the afternoon. Eat grilled octopus somewhere by the water. This is exactly the kind of day that resets your pace.
What to do in Sitia:
• Visit the Kazarma Fortress for sweeping views of the bay
• Browse the local market near the port
• Try Sitia PDO raisins, a regional product with genuine character
Day 3: Vai Beach and the Famous Palm Forest
Vai Beach is one of those places that sounds like a postcard cliché until you actually stand in it. The only natural palm forest in Europe grows right behind the shoreline, and the contrast against the blue Cretan Sea is genuinely striking.
Arrive before 10 am. The beach fills up quickly in summer, and the early light through the palms is worth the early start. Swim, rest, and take the short walking trail through the grove. There is a small café on site, though bringing your own snacks is a smarter call.
Day 4: The Ancient Wonder of Kato Zakros
Kato Zakros sits at the very tip of eastern Crete. Getting there requires driving through the Gorge of the Dead, a dramatic limestone ravine that served as a Minoan burial site. The drive alone justifies having your own car.
At the bottom, the Minoan Palace of Zakros waits beside a small pebbly beach. It is one of only four major Minoan palaces on the island and arguably the most atmospheric. The site sits right next to the sea, which is unusual and oddly moving.
Day 4 essentials:
• Wear proper shoes for the Gorge Trail if you plan to walk it
• Bring water shade is limited
• The tavernas at Kato Zakros beach are simple and very good
Day 5: Slow Return with a Stop at Ierapetra
Head back west at your own pace. Ierapetra makes a natural stopping point; it is the southernmost town in Europe and sits on a stretch of coastline that stays warm well into October.
Walk the old Venetian quarter, visit the small Ierapetra Archaeological Museum, and have a proper lunch before the final drive back to Heraklion.
Why a Rental Car Makes This Route Work
East Crete has limited public transport. Buses run infrequently, taxis are expensive over these distances, and the most rewarding spots are off the main roads entirely.
MYTHOS Car Rentals handles airport pickup and drop-off at both Heraklion and Chania, includes complete insurance in every booking, and requires no credit card. For a road trip like this, that level of simplicity matters.
Book your car rental in Crete before your trip. East Crete moves on its own terms, and having your own wheels is the only way to keep up.