Best Beaches Near Plakias You Can Reach Without a Rental Car

One of the most common questions we hear from tourists planning a Plakias holiday: "Do I need to rent a car?" The answer, for beach access at least, is no. Plakias sits at the centre of one of the most beautiful stretches of south Cretan coastline, and most of its best beaches are reachable by taxi, boat, or on foot.

Here's every beach worth visiting from Plakias and how to get there without a car.

Damnoni — 3 km East (Walk or Taxi)

Damnoni is the closest proper beach to Plakias village. A wide bay of golden sand backed by tamarisk trees, it's extremely popular with families. The water is calm and shallow at the eastern end, deeper and better for swimming toward the rocks.

Getting there: Walkable along the coastal path in about 45 minutes, or a 5-minute taxi ride (around €8–10). Most people walk one way and taxi back.

There are actually three small coves at Damnoni — the main beach and two smaller ones (Ammoudaki and Mikro Ammoudaki) that require a short scramble over the headland. Worth the effort for the seclusion.

Ammoudi — 7 km East (Taxi)

A beautiful sheltered bay with exceptionally clear water — one of the best snorkelling spots on the south coast. The taverna at the back of the beach is one of the best simple seafood spots in the area.

Getting there: Taxi from Plakias, about 10 minutes, around €12–15. Arrange a return pickup or ask the taverna to call one.

Korakas / Kalypso Beach — 4 km West (Taxi)

This is the "fjord beach" — a narrow bay enclosed by dramatic vertical cliffs that locals sometimes call the Cretan fjord. It's one of the most photographed spots on the south coast. The Kalypso Cretan Village hotel sits above it, but the beach itself is open to all.

Getting there: Taxi from Plakias, 5 minutes, around €8. The road down to the beach is steep and narrow — another reason taxis make sense here.

Preveli — 13 km East via the Gorge Road (Taxi)

The most famous beach accessible from Plakias. A river meets the sea through a palm forest, creating a lagoon unlike anything else in Europe. The approach from Plakias is from the south, a different road than the Rethymno approach — shorter and arguably more dramatic.

Getting there: Taxi, about 20 minutes, around €20 from Plakias. You can also reach the beach by hiking up the river gorge from the beach itself — a rewarding alternative for fit walkers.

Skinaria — 5 km West (Taxi)

Smaller and less visited than most on this list, Skinaria is the best diving and snorkelling beach in the Plakias area. The water is clear to a remarkable depth and the underwater life is rich. A small beach bar operates in peak season.

Getting there: Taxi from Plakias, about 8 minutes, around €10. No public transport.

Triopetra — 20 km West (Taxi)

Named for three large rocks that jut from the sea, Triopetra is one of the most striking beaches on the south coast. It's become more popular in recent years but remains significantly less crowded than Preveli or Elafonisi. The beach splits into two sections — a long sandy stretch to the east and a smaller, calmer bay to the west.

Getting there: Taxi from Plakias, about 25 minutes, around €25. Remote enough that there's no other practical option without a car.

Book return taxis in advance — especially for remote beaches like Triopetra and Rodakino where there are no taxis waiting
Start early — beaches like Preveli get very crowded by 11am in July and August
Bring cash — beach bars at smaller beaches are often cash only
Tell your driver when you want to be collected — they'll give you their number and return on time

Plakias without a rental car is entirely viable, and arguably more relaxing. You arrive at the beach directly, you leave when you want, and someone else deals with the narrow roads.