Car & Van Hire - Sisi

Sisi is an ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all. You can expect majestic Mediterranean landscapes here. Pure blue seas and mountainous surroundings serve as an inspiring backdrop for the bustling local harbour. Although Sisi has embraced tourism in recent years, it's still true to its roots as a fishing village. As such, it offers a quieter change of pace from nearby hotspots like Malia.

Sisi's enchanting harbour is the perfect spot for enjoying a late brunch or indulgent dinner. Savour seafood dishes with ingredients caught fresh that day. There's a good selection of tavernas here, with islanders flocking from all over Crete to enjoy what's on offer. Need to work up an appetite before eating? Just a stone's throw from the harbour is a small sandy beach that's open to swimmers throughout the year.

The village of Sisi itself is also worth exploring. Despite opening its doors to international visitors in recent years, it still maintains its unique character. With its meandering streets and colourful facades, you won't care if you get lost navigating Sisi's streets.

Looking to escape to nature? Sisi is set apart from the more urbanised corners of Crete. There are several scenic hiking trails in the region. If you're looking to cover more ground, think about hiring a bicycle and taking one of the many biking routes around Sisi. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, think about taking the Vrahassotis route. Spanning more than 22 kilometres, this challenging trail will take you past olive groves, mountain foothills and the ancient ruins of the Agios Georgios Vrahassotis monastery.

There's plenty of history to unearth in Crete. With car hire in Sisi, you can fit plenty into your schedule. Just a short drive from Sisi is the Malia Palace Archaeological site. This is one of the largest Minoan palaces ever found, with signs of occupation dating back as early as 6000 BC.

You can also venture further afield for day trips to neighbouring towns and villages. Milatos is one of the nearest. Like Sisi, this small coastal settlement has its own scenic harbour, with a great selection of cafes and tavernas. When you're done dining, get in your car and head to Milatos Caves. This natural formation is nestled in the foothills overlooking Milatos. These caves have been used by locals for thousands of years. In more recent centuries, they were used by Cretans to hide out from invaders during the Greek War of Independence.

Although Crete doesn't have an extensive highway system, the island is connected to European route E75. In fact, Crete is both the terminus and the most southerly point of this road network.

Compared to mainland Greece, Crete has a fairly basic highway system, though it is connected to European route E75. In fact, Crete is both the terminus of and the most southerly point of this extensive road network. The E75 and national roads like the 90 and 97 offer hassle-free routes across the island, connecting Sisi with important locations like Heraklion Airport and major towns like Rethymnon, Chania and Heraklion.

Driving in Crete is a rewarding experience, with a diverse landscape and coastal surroundings offering some truly inspiring scenery. However, you'll need to familiarise yourself with local driving laws to ensure a safe trip. In Crete, motorists drive on the right, with vehicles approaching from the right having the right of way. Slower drivers are also expected to give way to faster vehicles. Thankfully, all major roads have a hard shoulder for this purpose. However, the hard shoulder might be narrower than what you're used to.

You don't need to be fluent in Greek to navigate Crete. Most major traffic signs are displayed in English and Greek. Furthermore, Crete uses international traffic control systems that should be familiar to drivers from further afield.

Speed limits are typical of wider Greece. In towns and villages, you'll need to keep your speed below 50 km/h. On highways and rural roads, speed limits are capped at 90 km/h. However, buffers between speed limit zones can surprise some motorists. Keep an eye on road signs to see when you need to think about easing your driving speed.

Parking is readily available throughout Crete, although you'll struggle for free spots at busier destinations like Heraklion. In Sisi, parking charges are rarely enforced. Elsewhere on the island, you may need to pay for parking. Although you won't find any ticketing machines here, you can pay for your parking at any nearby kiosk.

One thing to bear in mind is that fuel stations close early in Crete. Most close by 19:00 every evening, but you will find 24/7 operators if you're prepared to travel further afield.