Category Archives: Car Rental
Read important information and tips when you visit Crete Island and plan to hire a car for your fore-coming sunny vacation in Greece’s largest island.
September 22, 2026
Greece Public Holidays 2027: Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, Clean Monday, Ochi Day, Independence Day and more!
This guide covers every 2027 date, the Greek name and meaning, what closes, and the unique Crete-specific traditions you won't find anywhere else. Read article
September 22, 2026
Fascinating Facts about Crete: Basic, Historical and Cultural Information
Crete is not a country. It is the largest and most populous island in Greece, one of the country's 13 administrative regions, and it is governed by the Greek national government rather than as an independent state. Read article
September 18, 2026
Winter in Crete: What to Do, Weather, Getting Around Crete and Long Term Car Rentals!
A car matters more in winter, not less. Public buses connect the three main cities but run on reduced schedules to villages and beaches, and the organized bus tours common in summer do not run at all. From Heraklion Airport it is about [distance km="80"], roughly an hour by highway, to Rethymno, and about [distance km="145"], close to two hours, on to Chania; Chania Airport itself sits about [distance km="15"] from Chania's old town. A rental car closes those gaps on your own schedule and reaches the archaeological sites, mountain villages, and monasteries that buses do not serve off-season, though mountain roads toward the Lassithi Plateau, the Psiloritis range, and the Omalos plateau can carry snow and ice and are worth checking before driving up. Read article
September 14, 2026
What will happen if I damage a rental car in Greece?
You pay for the repair if you damage a rental car, because your rental agreement makes you contractually responsible for returning the vehicle in the condition it was rented in - unless a damage waiver or insurance policy covers that cost for you. The amount you actually pay out of your own pocket depends on one number in your rental agreement: the excess. This guide explains who pays, what the excess is, what to do in the minutes after an accident, and how to challenge a damage charge you disagree with. Read article
September 13, 2026
Insurance Options for Renting a Car in Greece and Crete
Greek law makes TPL mandatory on every rental; the rest vary by rental company. Rental Center Crete includes all seven, with zero excess, on every booking in Crete, so there is no counter upgrade to weigh and no deductible to negotiate at drop-off. Read article
September 12, 2026
Koules Fortress: History, Location, Purpose and How to Get There?
Travellers arriving from Santorini, Athens or other Greek islands typically book a ferry into Heraklion first, then continue to the fortress by rental car, bus or taxi. Read article
September 12, 2026
Paleochora, Crete: Beaches, History, Hiking, Ferries and Car Rental
After cycles of destruction and revival, Paleochora re-emerged in the 20th century as a fishing village before growing into a relaxed resort known for its beaches, laid-back atmosphere and old-town streets. The easiest way to explore its secluded coves is by car, and local agencies such as Rental Center Crete supply vehicles suited to the narrow roads, including the Fiat 500c Cabriolet for open-air driving along the coast. Read article
September 7, 2026
Sfakia Crete: A Local’s Guide to Chora Sfakion, Ferries, Beaches and Gorges
Getting to Sfakia takes some planning. The nearest airport is Chania (CHQ), [distance km="75.9"] away and 1.5 to 2 hours by road over winding mountain passes, and the only public transport is a single daily KTEL bus that leaves you without a car once you arrive. Renting a car is the practical way to reach Chora Sfakion and then explore inland Sfakia at your own pace, the Imbros Gorge, Frangokastello, and the mountain villages of the Lefka Ori, before the roadless coast takes over and boats do the rest. Read article
August 28, 2026
Mount IDA (Psiloritis) Crete: History, Hiking, Tour and Car Rental Guide
Mount Ida (Psiloritis) is the highest mountain in Crete at 2,456 meters (8,058 feet). It stands in the Rethymno region of central Crete, holds the highest topographic prominence of any mountain in Greece, and forms part of a UNESCO Global Geopark. In Greek mythology the mountain was sacred to the goddess Rhea, who hid the infant Zeus here from his father Cronus. Today Mount Ida is the most popular high-mountain hike on the island, and a rental car is the practical way to reach its trailheads and the myth-filled sites around it. Read article
August 27, 2026
Crete History: Origins, Minoans, Flag & Population
One of the most enduring emblems of that identity is the Crete flag, the historical flag of the autonomous Cretan State, whose colours and symbols are explained in full below. Its strategic geographical position, historical layers, and archaeological heritage continue to shape its cultural and economic significance. Read article
August 26, 2026
Lato Ancient City: History, Hiking, Tour and Car Rental Guide
The Dorians founded Lato in the 7th century BC, and the city reached its peak in the 3rd century BC. Lato was named after the goddess Leto, the mother of Apollo and Artemis, although Eileithyia was the main goddess worshipped there. The city sat in a highly defensible position, protected by a strong circuit wall, and its slopes were terraced to make room for houses, workshops and public buildings. A path leads from the site entrance to the main gate, and a stepped main street climbs to a flat area between the two peaks that held the Agora. Its most important monuments are the Fortified City, the Great Temple, the Agora and the Prytaneion. Read article
August 22, 2026
Gouverneto Monastery: History, Etiquette, Attractions and Car Rental
Gouverneto was founded in 1537 by Venetian Catholic monks, who built it in a defensible position within the gorge to withstand the pirate raids that plagued the region. The original building carried Gothic and Renaissance elements. The monastery grew wealthy and influential: a census in 1637, shortly before the Ottoman invasion, recorded 60 monks living there, making it one of the largest in Crete at the time. During World War II, German forces set up a guardhouse in the monastery to control the area. Since 2005, the resident monks have carried out ongoing restoration work to preserve the site. Read article
August 19, 2026
14 Best Mountain Villages of Crete
The 14 best mountain villages of Crete are Archanes, Zaros, Anogia, Zoniana, Krousonas, Kapetaniana, Asites, Milia, Therisso, Argyroupolis, Elos, Kritsa, Krasi and Males. Kapetaniana, in the Asterousia range at an altitude of 800 metres, is the highest-altitude village in this guide. Each village below carries its own altitude, distance from the nearest city and parent mountain range, so you can pick the right stop for a day trip or an overnight stay. Read article
August 14, 2026
Parking in Chania: Where to Park in Chania?
Chania sits on the northwest coast of Crete and is the island's second-largest city. Its Venetian harbour and pedestrian Old Town draw heavy summer traffic, which is why a little parking planning saves you time. Many visitors drive over from Heraklion to Chania and meet that traffic as they reach the harbour. This guide covers the parking rules, the free and paid spots, what parking costs, and how to pay. Read article
August 14, 2026
Parking in Heraklion: Where to Park in Heraklion?
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and sits on the island's north coast. The city draws visitors for its history, archaeological sites and culture, so parking in Heraklion is in high demand for both residents and tourists. You can reach the city through Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis", which serves domestic and international flights, and through ferry links from other Greek islands and mainland ports. Read article
August 14, 2026
The Oldest and Sacred Olive Trees of Crete
These trees stand scattered across the island, from Chania in the west to Lassithi in the east, and each one carries verifiable facts rather than vague legend: ages ranging from roughly 1,600 to 3,250 years, trunk perimeters of up to more than 22 meters, and protected natural monument status granted by ACOM. Their sacrality is the result of millennia of yearning for the divine, justice, liberty, and forgiveness. Read article
August 14, 2026
Olive Harvest in Crete, Greece: When It Happens, How It Works, and How to Join
Olives in Crete are harvested between late October and January, with November and December marking the busiest weeks across the island's 30 million olive trees. This guide covers when the harvest happens by region, how the olives are picked and pressed into Crete's celebrated extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and how visitors can join a harvest experience.
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August 9, 2026
How to Get from Heraklion to Chania: Car Rental, Bus, Taxi, Flight
Chania is about [distance km="140"] from Heraklion by road along the northern coast, which is roughly [distance km="102"] in a straight line. The drive takes 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic, and travellers can expect light traffic for most of the year. Both cities have affordable restaurants and hotels, so food and accommodation are easy to arrange at either end. Travel between Heraklion and Chania is safe, and the coastal scenery along the way makes the trip worthwhile. Read article
August 8, 2026
Wineries in Crete: Best Estates, Wine Regions & Tasting Guide
Crete is home to 80+ wineries producing some of Greece's most distinctive wines from indigenous varieties like Vidiano, Liatiko, and Kotsifali. The best estates to visit span four PDO appellations - Archanes, Peza, Dafnes, and Sitia - most concentrated around Heraklion in the Peza-Archanes-Dafnes cluster, 15–30 minutes by car. Below you will find the top wineries, the grape varieties they champion, the wine routes that connect them, and practical tips for planning your tasting day. Read article
August 6, 2026
Car Rental Insurance Coverage in Crete: Things You Should Know Before You Get There
Coverage specifics and restrictions differ between rental companies, because every rental company writes its own policy and every insurance policy sets its own limits. Read the terms and conditions of each available option in detail, so you choose the right degree of protection and understand your financial duties after an incident. Insurance pricing varies by provider and by coverage level, and the full cost breakdown appears further down this guide. Read article
