Cities and Towns in Crete
easyCar has car rental facilities in many cities and towns in Crete, including Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Ierapetra and Agios Nikolaos.
Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is situated in the north. Although Heraklion is more industrial than other cities on the island, it has plenty of tourist attractions. There are a number of museums in the city, including the Archaeological Museum, the Historical Museum and the El Greco Museum, and other attractions include Koules, a Venetian sea fortress. There are also bars, clubs, restaurants and shops in the city. If you hire a car in Herkalion, however, you can visit some of the attractions that lie outside of the city, such as the ruined Knossos Palace and the Aquaworld aquarium in Hersonissos.
The picturesque city of Chania is also a great place to use as a base for a car hire holiday. Take a stroll through the Old Town to admire the beautiful architecture, stop off at one of the cafes that line the Venetian Harbour, visit the Chania Archaeological Museum, shop in the Chania Municipal Market and explore the Firkas Fortress, which is home to the Maritime Museum of Crete. You can use a rental car to get to other attractions in the area, such as the Monastery of Agia Triada Tsagarolon.
Coast, Caves and Gorges
Crete’s coastline is stunning, so it’s worth taking a driving tour of island in a rental car. There are some great beaches, such as Makrigialos Beach, which lies about 23km to the east of Ierapetra, and Agia Pelagia Beach, which lies about 17km away from Herkalion. You can also explore caves, such as the Cave of Agia Sofia in the prefecture of Chania and the Milatos Cave, which is about 30km to the west of Agios Nikolaos.
Crete is also known for its gorges. The most famous of these is Samaria Gorge, in the Samaria National Park in the west of the island. Hikers can park their rental cars and follow the Samaria footpath through the gorge to see some of Crete’s flora and fauna, including the island’s famous wild goats.
Crete Driving Tips
There are a few things to bear in mind when on a car hire holiday in Crete. You must drive on the right-hand side of the road and seatbelts must be worn whilst travelling (both in the front and the back seats). Children aged under 10 must sit in the back seat of the rental car.
The speed limits in Crete are 50kmph (30mph) in built-up areas and 90kmph (56mph) on highways. However, many roads have specific speed limits, so watch out for the signs. It’s important to pay close attention when driving your hire car – look out for people and animals on the road and be aware that there are occasionally rock falls in mountainous areas.
If you are planning a Crete car hire holiday, you can book a rental car online with easyCar now.