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Arrival and settling in
Deliberately keep the first day relaxed: arrive, pick up the hire car, check into the hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner by the harbour in the evening.
A long stage - plan in some breaks.
This is where your trip begins. Since Crete can only be reached by a very lengthy combination of train and ferry, and you'll be using a hire car on the island, the actual road trip begins after you land in Heraklion. From Düsseldorf you head to the starting point of the Crete round trip.
A centrally located hotel above the Venetian harbour, ideal for the first night after arrival. From here you can easily reach the Archaeological Museum and the old town on foot. There's a roof terrace with views over the city and the sea.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
History and a stroll through town
No driving today: everything is within walking distance. The afternoon is free for the pool or a visit to nearby Ammoudara Beach.
One of the most important museums in Greece, home to the original finds from Knossos, including the vividly coloured Minoan frescoes and the famous bull-leaper. Children will find the jewellery, clay figures and small models fascinating. A great first impression of the Minoan world before you see the palace itself tomorrow.
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
A stroll through the pedestrian zone around the Lions Fountain and the market halls, plus the Venetian fortress of Koules at the harbour. You can walk along the fortress walls and look out to sea, which children enjoy. For lunch, try Bougatsa or Souvlaki at one of the squares.
Minoan culture and a change of base
After arriving in Rethymno in the afternoon, all that's left to do is settle in and swim at Rethymno's long sandy beach, which shelves gently and is ideal for children.
The largest Minoan palace on Crete and the setting for the legend of the Minotaur in the labyrinth. The partly reconstructed columns, throne rooms and wall paintings bring this 4,000-year-old culture to life for children. It's worth arriving early, as it gets hot and crowded later on.
See tickets on Tiqets(affiliate link)
A charming house in a restored Venetian building right in the old town of Rethymno. You'll be staying among the historic lanes, just minutes from the beach and harbour. A good base for the coming nights in the west of the island.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Venetian old town and beach
No car needed at all: the fortress and old town sit side by side. Sightseeing in the morning, beach and siesta in the afternoon.
A large Venetian fortress on a hill above the town, with sweeping views over the sea and old town. Children can run around the spacious grounds and explore the old walls. A short, family-friendly climb rewarded with a wonderful panorama.
A labyrinth of narrow lanes with Venetian and Ottoman houses, the Rimondi Fountain and the picturesque old harbour. Small shops, ice cream parlours and tavernas invite you to wander at leisure. Colourful boats moored at the harbour are a hit with children.
Cool springs amid greenery
Short drives, plenty of time in the shade of the springs, and a quiet beach afternoon afterwards. In total, under two hours behind the wheel.
A green, shady mountain village where numerous springs bubble up from the rock, forming small waterfalls. It's pleasantly cool, children can play in the streams, and the tavernas serve fresh trout right by the water. Up in the village there are ancient remains and a pretty old church to discover.
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A long, gently shelving sandy beach west of Rethymno, quieter than the town beach and great for swimming with young children. The water stays knee-deep for a long way out, perfect for splashing about. A few tavernas provide lunch and shade.
Palm beach and a change of base
Spend the morning swimming at Preveli, then take your time driving to Chania. It's the longest stage of the trip, but under two hours and easily managed with a break.
A famous palm-fringed beach on the south coast, where a river flows through a palm gorge into the sea. You can swim in the sea and paddle in the cool fresh water of the river, or take a small pedal boat out. The walk down from the car park involves steps and is manageable with children, though a bit tiring on the way back up.
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An elegant house in a Venetian palazzo in the historic Topanas district, just a few steps from the old harbour. The location in the car-free old town does mean a bit of carrying luggage from the car park, but in return you'll be staying right in the heart of the most beautiful part of Chania. A great base for excursions to the west of the island.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Venetian harbour and lanes
A car-free day: everything is within walking distance. Afternoon at the beach or a siesta in the cool house.
One of the most beautiful old towns in Greece, with narrow lanes, the Venetian harbour and the old lighthouse. You can stroll along the water at the harbour, admire the carriages and boats, and eat in one of the many tavernas. For children, the Maritime Museum at the harbour is a nice stop with ship models.
A sandy beach close to town, west of the old town, gently shelving and ideal for a relaxed afternoon with children. Fish tavernas lie just behind it for a late lunch. It's about a twenty-minute walk from the old town.
A dream beach in the southwest
The drive is a little longer, at just under an hour and a half, but this dream beach is well worth the effort. Set off early so it's not too hot or crowded later, and enjoy a long swim.
A long stage - plan in some breaks.
One of the most famous lagoons on Crete, with shimmering pink sand and shallow, turquoise water that you can wade across at one shallow point. The long, shallow water is perfect for children, who can splash about safely here. The beach is popular, so it's worth arriving early to get a good spot.
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A wild lagoon on the cape
Driving time to Kissamos is under two hours. If you'd rather skip the dirt track, take the boat instead and spare yourselves the bumpy ride. Allow the whole day for the lagoon.
A spectacular lagoon at the northwestern tip of Crete, with white sand and shallow, pale blue water between two headlands. The shallow basin is ideal for swimming with children. You can either drive the winding track to the car park and walk the rest of the way, or take the more comfortable excursion boat from Kissamos.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
An easy gorge walk
The walk itself is relaxed and mostly downhill. The drive back to Chania is at the upper end of two hours, so don't set off too late after the castle.
An organisational tip: leave a car at the entrance and take a bus or taxi back from the exit, or shorten the walk by turning back halfway.
A family-friendly gorge, considerably shorter and easier than the Samaria Gorge, at around eight kilometres, mostly downhill. The wide path leads through narrow rocky passages and old holm oaks, with no technical sections. The walk takes three to four hours depending on pace, and is manageable with children of school age and older.
After the walk, the flat sandy beach below the Venetian castle of Frangokastello invites you to cool off. The water is shallow and warm, perfect for tired little feet. You can explore the castle ruins right on the beach with a short walk around.
Relaxation and swimming
A pure rest day with minimal driving time. If you like, simply stay in Chania and go swimming at the town beach.
A long, gently shelving sandy beach west of Chania with plenty of tavernas and calm water. The beach is excellent for relaxed swimming with children and offers sunbeds and shade. A deliberately quiet day to unwind after the gorge walk.
The return route with beaches
Short stages with a relaxed swimming stop along the way. Afternoon at the beach resort and pool.
A small town at a river mouth with a very long, flat sandy beach, ideal for families. In the centre stands the tiny chapel of Agios Nikolaos, reached via a narrow stone path out into the sea, which children find exciting. A good stopping point on the way east.
A large beach resort east of Rethymno, right on the flat sandy beach, with pools and facilities for children. After the culture-packed days, a comfortable place to relax and swim. Conveniently located for the final stage back to Heraklion.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
A gentle finale before departure
Morning at the beach, midday move to Heraklion, afternoon free. Refuel the hire car and get it ready for return.
One last long morning on the flat beach in front of the resort, so the children can have a proper splash about one more time. After that, it's a relaxed drive on towards Heraklion.
A final night back in Heraklion, close to the airport for the journey home the next day. In the evening you can enjoy one last meal in the old town and round off the holiday.
Booking ahead is often cheaper here
Journey home
Set off for the airport in good time, allowing a buffer for returning the hire car and for the children.
A long stage - plan in some breaks.
Return the hire car at Heraklion Airport. From here you begin your journey home to Düsseldorf. Check the fuel level and condition of the car beforehand.
Arrival back in Düsseldorf. This is where your Crete round trip ends. You'll return home with plenty of memories of beaches, ancient palaces and the gorge.
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