• Crete is ideal for longer trips, with more variety in nature, towns, and cultural activities.
• Santorini excels at dramatic views, romantic stays, and luxury in a compact setting. Perfect for short, high-impact visits.
• Chania and Rethymno are the top towns to stay in—walkable, charming, and well-connected.

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Crete is better suited for longer, more diverse stays.

While Santorini is famous for its views, Crete offers a broader experience: scenic drives, gorge hikes, coastal villages, and deep-rooted culture. It’s not a quick-stop destination; it rewards travelers who stay longer, move around, and explore. You’re not limited to cliffside photos; you can roam through historical towns, swim on empty beaches, or hike through dramatic landscapes like Samaria Gorge.

Chania and Rethymno are ideal home bases.

Travelers consistently recommend Chania for its picturesque harbor, preserved Venetian architecture, and vibrant local scene. Rethymno, while smaller, delivers similar charm with less foot traffic. Both towns are compact enough for car-free days, walkable, well-serviced, and full of cafes, local tours, and cultural events. Buses and day tours can fill in when you don’t want to drive.

Crete’s natural appeal goes beyond beaches.

Yes, the beaches are wider, cleaner, and more swimmable than Santorini’s volcanic shores, but Crete also delivers when it comes to hiking and nature. Explore inland plateaus, coastal trails, and national parks. However, biking isn’t ideal due to narrow, winding roads and fast-moving traffic, driving is the safer and more practical option for covering distance.

It’s less crowded, more affordable, and more authentic.

Crete still offers local life on a scale Santorini can’t. Restaurants cater to residents as much as tourists. You’ll find better value in food and accommodation, even in peak season. While June is busy, Crete’s size means it rarely feels overrun. That said, bookings should be made early, especially for cars, which are essential if you plan to go beyond the towns.

You can still glimpse Santorini with less hassle.

Not ready to skip Santorini entirely? Ferries connect the islands in just a few hours. Many travelers base themselves in Crete and take a day-trip to Santorini, skipping the crowds, inflated prices, and limited transport options of an overnight stay.

Plan smart, explore more, and rent a car with AUTOWAY to unlock the full potential of Crete.
With more than 3000 reviews, full insurance options, and trusted local service since 1986, AUTOWAY makes your Crete road trip easy from the start.