Day Trips Knossos at 30 km, Lasithi Plateau at 50, Spinalonga via Plaka shortcut at 44 — what each one actually demands of your rental. The legendary Minoan palace is an absolute must-see, and thankfully, it’s an easy first trip. The 30 km drive from Hersonissos takes about 30 minutes on the main E75 highway before turning off onto the well-signed Knossos road. The palace itself is sprawling, a labyrinth of restored frescoes and ancient royal quarters. Plan on a minimum of two hours to walk the grounds, but three is better if you hire one of the excellent guides at the entrance. The key is timing: arrive for the 08:30 opening to explore in the cool morning air. By the time you leave around 11:30, the tour buses are arriving in force, and the Cretan sun is getting serious. The 2026 entry fee is €15 for adults (April–October), a small price for a walk through 4,000 years of history. 💡 Parking Pro-Tip: Ignore the touts waving you into paid lots on the approach. The official primary car park is free and just 200 metres from the entrance. It reliably has spaces until around 10:00 am. If you arrive later, you may need to use a paid overflow lot, but don’t get scammed on the way in. For a full breakdown, see our Knossos parking specifics. This is the drive that makes your rental car worth every cent. Escape the coastal heat with a 50 km (1-hour) climb up to the Lasithi Plateau, a vast, fertile plain ringed by the Dikti Mountains. The air here is 8–10°C cooler than in Hersonissos, so pack a light jacket, even in August. The best route is via the village of Krasi, your first stop to see its ancient plane tree and Venetian water fountains. From there, the road snakes up the Ambelos Pass to an altitude of 900 metres, revealing breathtaking views. Aim for lunch in the main village of Tzermiado around 12:30. The highlight is the Psychro Cave (Dictaean Antron), the mythological birthplace of Zeus. It’s a steep but rewarding walk down into the cavern (€8 entry, €2 parking). The entire loop around the plateau, with its iconic white-sailed windmills, is a photographer’s dream. ⚠️ Manual Car Warning: The descent from Lasithi has several kilometres of steep, winding switchbacks. If you have a manual rental and are not experienced with mountain driving, you risk overheating the clutch by riding it instead of using 2nd or 3rd gear to engine-brake. Check out the best rental cars for this mountain route if you’re unsure. The stunning Mirabello Gulf, the luxury resort of Elounda, and the haunting fortress of Spinalonga make for an unforgettable day trip. The drive is a pleasant 44 km (about 46 minutes) along the E75 and a scenic coastal road. But here’s the local secret: don’t park in busy Elounda to catch the ferry. Instead, drive 7 km further to the tiny, charming fishing village of Plaka. Here you’ll find ample free parking in dirt lots right by the shore. The ferry from Plaka to Spinalonga is shorter, cheaper, and runs every 20–30 minutes. You’ll need about 90 minutes to explore the former leper colony’s Venetian fortifications and abandoned streets. After the ferry returns you to Plaka, drive back to Elounda for a late lunch or early dinner by the water. Just 37 km and a 35-minute cruise down the E75, Agios Nikolaos is the perfect destination for a more relaxed day. The town is built around the picturesque Lake Voulismeni, a deep body of water connected to the sea. The entire centre is walkable, making it ideal for families with toddlers or when you just don’t feel like a big hike. You can usually find free street parking on the outer ring roads around the lake. If not, the central paid lots are a reasonable €1.50 per hour. Spend 4–6 hours here wandering the shops, sipping coffee at a harbour-side café, and taking a dip at Kitroplatia, a clean, pebbly beach right in town. It’s an easy, low-stress day out. Ready for a proper road trip? Head south to Matala. This is the longest drive on our list at 78 km (about 1 hour 30 minutes), but the destination is worth it. You’ll cross the island’s agricultural heartland via Mires and Tympaki on mostly flat, easy-to-drive valley roads. Matala became famous in the 1960s when hippies from across the globe took up residence in the Neolithic caves carved into the bay’s cliffs. Today, it’s a laid-back beach town with a unique vibe. The beach itself is gorgeous, with soft sand and dramatic scenery. Plan to spend the day swimming, exploring the caves, and soaking up the atmosphere. Pack your swimming kit, at least two litres of water, and snacks, as amenities are simpler than on the north coast. Make sure you have enough fuel before setting off. Having a car in Hersonissos makes at least three of these day trips comfortably fit into a one-week holiday. Trying to do more than four means you’ll spend more time driving than enjoying the destinations. To help you plan, here’s a quick-glance summary of the drives, including a couple of longer-haul options for the ambitious. The times are for one-way travel without stops, and parking costs are based on the 2026 high season. Destination Distance Drive Time Parking Details Knossos Palace 30 km 30 min Free official lot before 10 am Heraklion City 26 km 30 min Port pay-and-display lots €5–8/day Agios Nikolaos 37 km 35 min Free street parking + €1.50/hr central Elounda / Spinalonga 44 km 46 min Free at Plaka village; ferry from €12 Lasithi Plateau 50 km 60 min €2 parking at Psychro Cave Matala (South Coast) 78 km 90 min Free in village lots Rethymno Old Town 110 km 1h 30 min €2–3/hr in municipal blue-zone spots Compare Car Rental Deals