Self Drive Tour Winter CHARMING CRETE
Information
check-in / check-out: Self Drive Tour Winter CHARMING CRETE
1. Western Crete – Chania: The Boutique Hotel Zampeliou
Directly at the historic harbor of Chania’s old town in western Crete. Here you also have the opportunity to enjoy 2 private day tours with our Private Local Guide from Kreta.com to experience Crete in a truly personal way. It’s worth exploring with a local – they will show you their homeland from its most beautiful side.
2. Southern Crete – Beach Hotel Alianthos
The small, family-run Alianthos Beach Hotel with 50 rooms is located directly in the southern coastal town of Plakias, just 10 meters from the sandy beach, separated only by a small coastal road. Air-conditioned rooms with large balconies, each equipped with Wi-Fi, a flat-screen satellite TV, shower, and hairdryer.
Sun lovers, take note! The hotel’s direct and central location on a beautiful beach with crystal-clear waters makes Alianthos a true dream setting and ensures an unforgettable vacation. Nearby beaches such as Amoudi, Souda, Skinaria, and the famous palm beach of Preveli can be reached within a 5-minute drive. The picturesque coastal town of Rethymnon is 30 km away.
3. Countryside Hotel Inotropes in the Wine Village of Archanes
Located inland near the capital Heraklion, Archanes is not only the oldest mountain village in Crete but also the island’s largest wine-growing region. Many city dwellers from Heraklion visit this charming wine village for a day trip to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Directly at the historic harbor of Chania’s old town in western Crete. Here you also have the opportunity to enjoy 2 private day tours with our Private Local Guide from Kreta.com to experience Crete in a truly personal way. It’s worth exploring with a local – they will show you their homeland from its most beautiful side.
2. Southern Crete – Beach Hotel Alianthos
The small, family-run Alianthos Beach Hotel with 50 rooms is located directly in the southern coastal town of Plakias, just 10 meters from the sandy beach, separated only by a small coastal road. Air-conditioned rooms with large balconies, each equipped with Wi-Fi, a flat-screen satellite TV, shower, and hairdryer.
Sun lovers, take note! The hotel’s direct and central location on a beautiful beach with crystal-clear waters makes Alianthos a true dream setting and ensures an unforgettable vacation. Nearby beaches such as Amoudi, Souda, Skinaria, and the famous palm beach of Preveli can be reached within a 5-minute drive. The picturesque coastal town of Rethymnon is 30 km away.
3. Countryside Hotel Inotropes in the Wine Village of Archanes
Located inland near the capital Heraklion, Archanes is not only the oldest mountain village in Crete but also the island’s largest wine-growing region. Many city dwellers from Heraklion visit this charming wine village for a day trip to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
1. Hotel Zampeliou – Chania
24-hour reception, laundry service (for a fee), iron/ironing board (on request). Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TV, safe, refrigerator, coffee machine with capsules, and tea upon arrival. Cleaning and towel change (on request). Bathroom with shower, toiletries, and sanitary items. Complimentary toiletries. Towels, bathrobes, and slippers.
2. Hotel Alianthos – Plakias
The small beach hotel Alianthos Garden features a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine open all day, a pool bar, and a swimming pool. 50 rooms.
3. The Boutique Hotel Inotropes
24-hour reception, laundry service (for a fee), iron/ironing board (on request). Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TV, safe, refrigerator, coffee machine with capsules, and tea upon arrival. Cleaning and towel change (on request). Bathroom with shower, toiletries, and sanitary items. Complimentary toiletries. Towels, bathrobes, and slippers.
2. Hotel Alianthos – Plakias
The small beach hotel Alianthos Garden features a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine open all day, a pool bar, and a swimming pool. 50 rooms.
3. The Boutique Hotel Inotropes
1. At Hotel Zampeliou
Stay in a Deluxe Room with sea view and a furnished balcony, also offering a unique view of Chania’s Venetian harbor. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TV, safe, refrigerator, coffee machine with capsules, and tea upon arrival. Cleaning and towel change are available on request. Bathroom with shower, toiletries, and sanitary items. Complimentary toiletries. Towels, bathrobes, and slippers.
Southern Coast – Hotel Alianthos in a Double Room with Sea View
Double Room, 18 sqm, with 1 double bed or 2 single beds for 1–2 persons. These double rooms are suitable for 2 guests and feature a private furnished balcony with views of the sea and surrounding mountains of Plakias. They come with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, and satellite TV.
Stay in a Deluxe Room with sea view and a furnished balcony, also offering a unique view of Chania’s Venetian harbor. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, satellite TV, safe, refrigerator, coffee machine with capsules, and tea upon arrival. Cleaning and towel change are available on request. Bathroom with shower, toiletries, and sanitary items. Complimentary toiletries. Towels, bathrobes, and slippers.
Southern Coast – Hotel Alianthos in a Double Room with Sea View
Double Room, 18 sqm, with 1 double bed or 2 single beds for 1–2 persons. These double rooms are suitable for 2 guests and feature a private furnished balcony with views of the sea and surrounding mountains of Plakias. They come with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, and satellite TV.
In all three hotels, breakfast is included. A Greek breakfast with high-quality local products: yogurt with honey, muesli, fruit, local cold cuts, feta cheese, and egg dishes.
Western Crete
Visit the Agia Triada Monastery, the largest active monastery in Crete. The monastery’s olive oil is award-winning, and the organic olive oil is especially recommended.
Visit the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
The Omalos Plateau is particularly beautiful in its winter attire.
The 2 private day tours with Jacovos will give this vacation a truly special touch.
Southern Coast – Plakias
We recommend:
The “Mammoth” Tour: For this tour, you need to start very early if you want to see everything. From Plakias, drive southeast towards Agia Galini, then visit the archaeological site of Gortys, home to Europe’s oldest law code – a truly impressive experience. Next, continue south to the excavations of Phaistos and then to the southern coast at Matala. In the small coastal town of Matala, you will discover the famous hippie caves and more. Let yourself be inspired by this small hippie village and its history, and swim in its beautiful bays.
Plakias is known for its small, hidden beaches, popular with peace-seekers and nature lovers. Due to their seclusion, some of these beaches also attract naturists.
Beach highlights around Plakias:
Souda Bay – sandy beach with impressive mountain views
Damnoni Bay – lined with shady tamarisks
Triopetra – fine pebble beach with unique rock formations
Preveli Beach – one of Crete’s most famous beaches with a boat connection from Plakias
Boat tour to the Palm Beach of Preveli
The Preveli Monastery is also worth a visit
Your Stay in the Mountain Village of Archanes
About 20 minutes by car south of Heraklion lies the colorful mountain village of Archanes. For relaxing in a pleasant and authentic environment, the small boutique hotel is ideally located to explore the oldest mountain village of Crete and the surrounding region, Crete’s largest wine-growing area. The boutique hotel offers a good breakfast. Visit the oldest wine press in the world, enjoy the view of the impressive Mount Juktas (Mount Zeus), and discover the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Cultural highlights:
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of Europe’s most important museums, housing the most significant finds of Minoan culture. A visit is a “must” for culture-interested visitors.
The Historical Museum of Heraklion presents artifacts and images of Cretan folk art from all eras (including works by El Greco).
The Museum of Church Art, located in St. Catherine’s Church in Heraklion, displays unique icons of Cretan painting.
The Morosini Fountain in Platia Venizelou, near the market square, is also worth seeing.
The 16th-century Koules fortress and the 5.5 km long, well-preserved city walls. Our city hotel, Hotel Lato, is located above these sites. The museums are also located above the harbor fortress.
Important historical figures from Heraklion:
Domenikos Theotokopoulos, known as “El Greco” (1514–1614), a globally recognized painter influenced by Byzantine art, who brought Cretan iconography to Southern Europe.
Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957), world traveler and literary heir of Crete. Born in Heraklion, he became famous for his novel “Zorba the Greek,” later adapted into a film. Kazantzakis traveled extensively, wrote travel reports, engaged in politics, worked one year for UNESCO, and in 1955 received the International Peace Prize from the World Peace Council in Vienna. He lived in Berlin from 1920–1923. His tomb is located at the southern bastion of Heraklion’s Venetian city wall, and Heraklion airport is named after him. The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is located in Myrtia, the birthplace of his father.
From Archanes, it is only a half-hour drive back to Heraklion Airport.
Visit the Agia Triada Monastery, the largest active monastery in Crete. The monastery’s olive oil is award-winning, and the organic olive oil is especially recommended.
Visit the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
The Omalos Plateau is particularly beautiful in its winter attire.
The 2 private day tours with Jacovos will give this vacation a truly special touch.
Southern Coast – Plakias
We recommend:
The “Mammoth” Tour: For this tour, you need to start very early if you want to see everything. From Plakias, drive southeast towards Agia Galini, then visit the archaeological site of Gortys, home to Europe’s oldest law code – a truly impressive experience. Next, continue south to the excavations of Phaistos and then to the southern coast at Matala. In the small coastal town of Matala, you will discover the famous hippie caves and more. Let yourself be inspired by this small hippie village and its history, and swim in its beautiful bays.
Plakias is known for its small, hidden beaches, popular with peace-seekers and nature lovers. Due to their seclusion, some of these beaches also attract naturists.
Beach highlights around Plakias:
Souda Bay – sandy beach with impressive mountain views
Damnoni Bay – lined with shady tamarisks
Triopetra – fine pebble beach with unique rock formations
Preveli Beach – one of Crete’s most famous beaches with a boat connection from Plakias
Boat tour to the Palm Beach of Preveli
The Preveli Monastery is also worth a visit
Your Stay in the Mountain Village of Archanes
About 20 minutes by car south of Heraklion lies the colorful mountain village of Archanes. For relaxing in a pleasant and authentic environment, the small boutique hotel is ideally located to explore the oldest mountain village of Crete and the surrounding region, Crete’s largest wine-growing area. The boutique hotel offers a good breakfast. Visit the oldest wine press in the world, enjoy the view of the impressive Mount Juktas (Mount Zeus), and discover the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Cultural highlights:
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of Europe’s most important museums, housing the most significant finds of Minoan culture. A visit is a “must” for culture-interested visitors.
The Historical Museum of Heraklion presents artifacts and images of Cretan folk art from all eras (including works by El Greco).
The Museum of Church Art, located in St. Catherine’s Church in Heraklion, displays unique icons of Cretan painting.
The Morosini Fountain in Platia Venizelou, near the market square, is also worth seeing.
The 16th-century Koules fortress and the 5.5 km long, well-preserved city walls. Our city hotel, Hotel Lato, is located above these sites. The museums are also located above the harbor fortress.
Important historical figures from Heraklion:
Domenikos Theotokopoulos, known as “El Greco” (1514–1614), a globally recognized painter influenced by Byzantine art, who brought Cretan iconography to Southern Europe.
Nikos Kazantzakis (1883–1957), world traveler and literary heir of Crete. Born in Heraklion, he became famous for his novel “Zorba the Greek,” later adapted into a film. Kazantzakis traveled extensively, wrote travel reports, engaged in politics, worked one year for UNESCO, and in 1955 received the International Peace Prize from the World Peace Council in Vienna. He lived in Berlin from 1920–1923. His tomb is located at the southern bastion of Heraklion’s Venetian city wall, and Heraklion airport is named after him. The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is located in Myrtia, the birthplace of his father.
From Archanes, it is only a half-hour drive back to Heraklion Airport.
Ideas & inspiration for your vacation by kreta.com:
Experience a 14-day self-drive tour of Crete, with overnight stays in three enchanting boutique hotels: a stylish retreat in the heart of Chania’s historic old town, a peaceful beachfront hotel on the southern coast, and a charming countryside hotel in Crete’s oldest mountain village, Archanes, near Heraklion.
Discover authentic Crete, its rich traditions, and the island’s colorful winter landscapes, where culture and nature come alive. This charming winter getaway combines comfort, authenticity, and the freedom to explore Crete entirely at your own pace.
Price per person from € 997, incl. rental car (category B, Polo-size), breakfast, and two private day tours with a local guide. Flights are not included