# Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno

> 4-day road trip of about 137 km (85 mi) with 6 stops, from Heraklion to Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza. About 1 h 53 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/gr-crete-south-centre/

**At a glance:** 4-day road trip of about 137 km (85 mi) with 6 stops, from Heraklion to Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza. About 1 h 53 min of driving in total. From Heraklion across the Messara plain to Roman Gortyn, Minoan Phaistos and the Matala caves, then over the hills to Preveli and the Venetian old town of Rethymno.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 137 km (85 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 53 min |
| Suggested days | 4 |
| Stops | 6 |
| Route | Heraklion → Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza |
| Countries | Greece |
| Updated | May 12, 2026 |

## Route description

Crete is an island, so arrive by ferry or flight and check the current timetable, as services are thinner outside summer; if you bring a campervan, book the vehicle crossing. Start in Heraklion, the island’s main city, with its Venetian harbour fortress and the archaeological museum, before turning south into the Messara plain.

Gortyn, near Agioi Deka, is a large archaeological site that was the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica. It has the 6th-century basilica of Agios Titos, the Praetorium and the Odeon, and the Gortyn Code, called the oldest and most complete known ancient Greek law code, is partly housed on site. Heraklion is roughly 45 km away.

Phaistos is a short drive west, a Minoan palace on a ridge above the Messara plain, built from about 2000 BC and destroyed around 1400 BC; the Phaistos Disc was found here in 1908. Paths are tamped earth and stone with handrails, and the royal rooms look towards Mount Ida. Bring water and a hat in summer.

Matala lies on the coast not far beyond Phaistos, with caves carved into the cliff beside the bay. Of uncertain date, they are thought to have been Roman or Early Christian tombs and dwellings, and were later home to 1960s hippies; Joni Mitchell stayed in 1970. The caves are fenced off and protected, and nobody may stay overnight, so check local rules before camping nearby.

Continue west to Preveli, where a palm-fringed beach lies at the end of a descent from the car park; take water and sturdy shoes. Then cross the island towards the north coast to Rethymno, with 16th-century Venetian buildings, a small harbour, the Rimondi Fountain and an Ottoman mosque beneath the Fortezza of 1573 to 1580. The fortress walls run for 1,307 m, and the Guora Gate was the old entrance; the old town lanes are narrow, so park outside.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Heraklion** (Greece)
2. **Gortyn** (Agioi Deka, Greece): A large archaeological site that was the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica, with the 6th-century basilica of Agios Titos, the Praetorium and the Odeon. The Gortyn Code, called the oldest and most complete known ancient Greek law code, is partly housed on site.
3. **Phaistos** (Agios Ioannis, Greece): A Minoan palace on a ridge above the Messara plain, built from about 2000 BC and destroyed around 1400 BC; the Phaistos Disc was found here in 1908. Paths are tamped earth and stone with handrails, and the royal rooms look towards Mount Ida.
4. **Matala Caves** (Matala, Greece): Caves carved into the cliff beside Matala bay, of uncertain date and thought to have been Roman or Early Christian tombs and dwellings, later home to 1960s hippies; Joni Mitchell stayed in 1970. They are fenced off and protected, and nobody may stay overnight.
5. **Preveli Beach** (Plakias, Greece): A palm-fringed beach at the mouth of a freshwater river on Crete's south coast, reached by a steep path down from the car park. Bring water and shoes with grip, and go early to find shade and space.
6. **Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza** (Rethymno, Greece): An old town of 16th-century Venetian buildings, a small Venetian harbour, the Rimondi Fountain and an Ottoman mosque, below the Venetian Fortezza built in 1573 to 1580. The fortress walls run for 1,307 m; the Guora Gate was the old city's entrance.

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Heraklion → Gortyn** (44 km, 0 h 36 min) Overnight nearby, for example: Flat, gravel (13 km); Place for tents (13 km).
2. **Day 2: Gortyn → Matala Caves** (24 km, 0 h 20 min) On the way: Phaistos. Overnight nearby, for example: Camping No Problem (11 km); Matala Camping (2 km).
3. **Day 3: Matala Caves → Preveli Beach** (38 km, 0 h 31 min) Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Apollonia (7 km); Near stream (8 km).
4. **Day 4: Preveli Beach → Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza** (31 km, 0 h 25 min) Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Elizabeth (4 km); Spot for several tents (15 km).

## Best time to go

The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Practical notes for the road

- **Greece: Motorway tolls.** Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## FAQs

**How long is Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno?**
4-day road trip of about 137 km (85 mi) with 6 stops, from Heraklion to Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza. About 1 h 53 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno?**
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 53 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno start and end?**
It starts in Heraklion and ends in Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza.

**Which countries does Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno pass through?**
Greece.

**Where can you camp along Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno?**
OpenStreetMap lists 20 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping No Problem, Creta Camping and Camping Elizabeth.

**When is the best time for Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno?**
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)