Crete is part of Greece and is the largest island in this country. Located at the junction of three parts of the world and washed by four warm seas, Crete has a fertile climate, for which tourists come from all over the world. There are three airports in Crete, and in the season they receive up to two million tourists.
The ancient island has attracted people since the beginning of time, the oldest trace of human activity on the land of Crete is about 6 million years old. The history of Crete was full of upheavals and wars, experienced powerful volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. During the reign of the Roman Empire, the island flourished: the Romans did not touch the spheres of ordinary life of the population, but left behind a wonderful architectural heritage, some of which has survived to this day and is available for visiting. The rich and strategically valuable territory changed hands many times during the wars of conquest of the early and middle ages, until it became part of Greece at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Today, Crete is the most famous prosperous resort, where there is everything that tourists need: warm gentle seas, mild climate, monuments and artifacts of ancient cultures and excellent modern infrastructure.
Relatively narrow and long, the island is mountainous, its highlands interspersed with fertile valleys that grow grapes, olive and citrus trees.
The temperate subtropical climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters means a long tourist season that lasts from April to October. Rains are rare guests of the island, there are about 300 sunny days a year. Official website of the island crete.gov.gr
What to see in Crete.
A rare tourist destination can boast such a combination of luxurious beaches and attractions. The ancient history of the island has made it a huge open-air museum, and the incredibly beautiful beaches are an illustration of the words "perfect vacation".
Best beach in Crete with fabulous sea and mountain views. The incredible color of the water and light sand create a vivid picture of the ideal beach of a warm country.
Pink shell rock adds color to the white sands. During some periods the visit is closed as sea turtles lay their eggs in the lagoon. This process is the best demonstration of the purity of the water on this coast.
You can get to the beach either by car rented through Bookingautos or by sightseeing boat.
Old Venetian Harbor. The tourist center of Chania is famous for its Venetian architecture and ancient lighthouse.
A well-maintained promenade with beautiful views is perfect for a romantic walk. Many cafes and restaurants invite you to enjoy delicious dishes and wonderful local wines against the backdrop of a stunning sea sunset.
Roman Archaeological Remains. The ruins of a Roman period settlement are located in the center of the modern city of Hersonissos. It is worth visiting them with a guided tour, where an experienced guide will tell you about the history of the place and its legends, show what is hiding from the eye of a passing tourist and will not attract attention. It makes no sense to inspect the Minoan palace on your own, this ancient artifact of a bygone era is valuable only for its age and history.
Knossos Archaeological Site. The Palace of Knossos is a prototype of the labyrinth from the famous myth of Ancient Greece about the exploits of Hercules. The palace was so large and had such a complex system of corridors that it was really easy to get lost in it. At the moment, the palace has been restored in the style corresponding to the era and has explanatory information plates. However, it is better to visit it with a guide who can tell you interestingly about the purpose of each room, show the places mentioned in famous myths and lead you through the legendary Labyrinth.
Where to go near Crete.
Crete is big enough to comfortably travel from city to city in a rented car. The beautiful beach of Elafonisi is located in the southwestern part of Chania. The place is so unique that any construction is prohibited within the boundaries of the beach. The coastline of the beach consists of pink-colored sand, which was formed from shells and shell rock, ground by waves to the smallest state. The sea in Elafonisi is shallow and of an amazing aquamarine color, which, in contrast to the pinkish sand, creates a stunningly beautiful landscape.
Vai is a palm beach. It was in his landscapes that the famous advertisement for Bounty chocolate bars was filmed. The beach has a well-developed infrastructure, you can rent sun loungers and parasols, eat delicious food in numerous seaside restaurants, and use the parking lot. Date palms, which are densely overgrown with the coastline, provide shade for vacationers and saturate the air with useful phytoncides.
Agios Nikolaus is a paradise of Crete, a place for romantics, young people and party lovers. Respectable daytime beaches turn into disco clubs at night, the city is replete with good restaurants, cafes and bars. The city is protected from the winds by mountains, which creates a unique microclimate on this stretch of coast, in which a huge number of plants grow, bloom and bear fruit. Plane trees and cypresses, typical for the subtropical climate, coexist with pines and chestnuts.
A riot of flowers floods the city streets all season long, making Agios Nikolaus look like a park or a botanical garden. The freshwater lake Voulismeni is located almost in the center of the city and attracts tourists with legends about its bottomlessness. Of course, the lake has a bottom, but it is really very deep for a reservoir of this type - more than 65 meters.
Archaeological Museum of the city tells about the era of the Minoan civilization. Another iconic place in the city is the Church of St. Nicholas, built in the ninth century and belonging to the Byzantine era. The temple is active and visited, in winter, when Greece honors St. Nicholas in December, special services are held in it.
The best restaurants in Crete.
Cuisine in Crete is Greek, simple, but at the same time tasty and satisfying. Greeks love and know how to cook meat and vegetables perfectly, local dishes are quite versatile and any tourist will like it.
Papanikolakis phone +30 2821 090442
doors for guests as early as 6 am. A huge selection of the freshest pastries, sandwiches, croissants with a variety of toppings and friendly staff make the cafe a favorite among most travelers. You can assemble a sandwich from different ingredients to your taste and enjoy it while looking at the beautiful landscape outside the windows.
Serves its guests classic Mediterranean and Greek cuisine. Fish and seafood of excellent quality, most of them can be grilled; real pasta of several kinds, pizza from a wood-fired oven with delicious dough and lots of toppings, fresh tasty vegetables and well-cooked meat. Gyros - the visiting card of fast Greek food is also present in the restaurant's menu.
Back to news parking is available in the port area, near large supermarkets and near the main attractions of the island's cities. You can also leave the car on the road in places where there are no prohibition signs. The cost is different, as well as the system of its collection: there is a price per hour, a fixed price and payment for the time used. In the latter option, payment is made according to the time marked by the barrier at the entrance and exit from the parking lot.
The cost also depends on the zone: in the first zone it starts from 3.5 euros for a period of no more than three hours, in the second - from 1.5 euros. At night, many paid parking lots can be used free of charge, the presence of this option and "happy hours" are always indicated under the sign.
Parking in unauthorized places is dangerous: fines for this in Greece are severe, you can get a receipt of 80 euros, or even find your car with the police numbers removed. The service is paid for with a special card, which can be purchased everywhere: in bars, shops, newspaper and souvenir kiosks.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Avis
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
28 € / Day
Best price
20 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€199
February
€127
March
€128
April
€151
May
€172
June
€225
July
€243
August
€254
September
€154
October
€127
November
€117
December
€152
* The average cost of renting a car in Crete for seven days. The data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
The best month to rent a car in Crete is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €18. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Crete is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €18 for a Compact car.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting Audi A3 Convertible during Summer period can costs €134 per day.
Our fleet has cars of all price categories, from budget to premium: sedans, convertibles, SUVs, minivans, business class cars. You can choose a rental car based on your preferences and budget.
When calculating the rental price for a car in Crete, seasonal demand, the class of the car itself and the duration of the rental are taken into account. In winter, renting a car is the cheapest. In the summer, rent will cost more expensive. An additional discount for long-term rentals is provided by many car rental companies, which makes your trip even more profitable for the budget. For example, in the spring months, the compact Opel Corsamodel can be rented for just €18 per day. Renting the same car for a week will cost less and will be only €14. The situation is similar with other models of the budget segment. Among them are Mercedes C Class, VW Passat Estate, Toyota Rav-4, which can be rented for as little as €40-€53 per day. Approximately for €39in Crete you can rent a convertible car. Premium segment models are more expensive, the rental will cost from €134 per day. If we talk about exclusive models, then when ordering them, you should be prepared for an amount of 450€ or more for daily use.
In recent years in Crete the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Mercedes EQC in Crete by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
Download Google maps offline
All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.
Book a car in advance
Crete is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Renault Twingo or Opel Corsa. These models are the most popular with our customers in Crete.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. VW Passat Estate will cost €33 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Check out the fuel policy
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Crete, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Crete, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Crete, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
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Car rental reviews: Crete
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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