Day Trips From Heraklion by Car and Bus
Heraklion sits roughly in the middle of Crete’s north coast, so good day trips fan out in three directions: south to the Messara Plain, east along the coast, and west to Rethymno. Distances below are approximate road figures. Buses leave from two stations. KTEL Station A, near the old port on Ikarou Avenue, serves the north coast, the east and the west. Station B at Chanioporta serves the south, including Phaistos, Gortyn, Matala and Agia Galini. Timetables are on the KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi site .
South: Phaistos, Gortyn and Matala
The Messara Plain is about 60 to 75 km from the city, or 1.25 to 1.5 hours by car. Phaistos is the main stop and costs EUR 15, or EUR 8 reduced. Summer hours are 08:00 to 20:00, and winter hours are 08:30 to 15:30. Gortyn is close by, and winter hours there are also 08:30 to 15:30. Matala on the south coast has caves cut into the cliff, with entry of about EUR 5 in cash. A full loop of all three makes a long day, so choose two.
East: Cretaquarium
Cretaquarium is at Gournes, about 15 km east of Heraklion. It is open every day of the year, 09:30 to 19:00 from 1 April to 31 October and 09:30 to 16:00 from 1 November to 31 March. Adults pay EUR 15, and children aged 5 to 17, seniors and students pay EUR 8. Children under 5 are free. See the opening hours page for current rates.
East: Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Spinalonga
Agios Nikolaos is 65 to 75 km from Heraklion, around 55 minutes by car to the town itself, with Elounda and Plaka a little further. Spinalonga boats leave from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. They do not leave from Heraklion. Island entry is EUR 20, or EUR 10 reduced, and the boat is a separate fare. Boats run mainly from April to October, and the island is closed on Tuesdays in winter. Leave early, because it is a long day.
Inland: Lasithi Plateau and Dikteon Cave
The Lasithi Plateau and the Dikteon Cave are about 60 km from the city, roughly 1.25 hours by road. The road climbs into the mountains and needs care, so allow extra time.
West: Rethymno
Rethymno is about 80 km west, roughly 1 to 1.25 hours by KTEL bus or car. Buses from Station A make this the simplest trip to do without a car.
Trips that are too far
Samaria Gorge is in the White Mountains behind Chania, roughly 175 km and about 3 hours each way by coach. Organised tours last 12 to 17 hours, and the gorge is closed from 1 November. Elafonisi lies at least 200 km away, about 4 hours by road, and there are no boat trips to it from Heraklion. Neither works as a casual day out.
Wildfire risk is high from April to October. Check local fire alerts in summer and obey any closures on the road.
Read more: Multi-day trips from Heraklion covers the far west and east of the island.
Booking a tour
Coach and minibus day trips can be compared on Viator .