"Do I need a rental car for Plakias?" is one of the most common questions we hear from tourists planning a south Crete holiday. The honest answer: no, and in some ways you're better off without one.
Here's a complete guide to everywhere you can reach from Plakias — on foot, by taxi, by boat, or by bus.
On Foot from Plakias
The village itself is walkable. The seafront promenade, the tavernas, the small supermarkets — all within easy reach of any accommodation in the village centre.
Damnoni Beach (3 km east): The coastal path from Plakias to Damnoni is one of the nicest short walks in the area — 45 minutes along a path that runs above the sea, with views of the bay below. Most people walk one way and taxi back.
Myrthios Village (3 km uphill): The hilltop village above Plakias rewards the 45-minute climb with panoramic views over the bay and along the south coast. Several good tavernas at the top. The descent takes 30 minutes.
Plakias town beach: The long sandy beach fronting the village is a 2-minute walk from most accommodation.
Nearby Beaches by Taxi (Under 30 Minutes)
All of these are reachable in a single taxi ride from Plakias village:
| Beach | Distance | Approx. Taxi Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damnoni | 3 km | €8 | Walk or taxi; excellent family beach |
| Ammoudi | 7 km | €12 | Great snorkelling, good taverna |
| Korakas / Kalypso | 4 km | €8 | The "fjord beach"; dramatic cliffs |
| Skinaria | 5 km | €10 | Best diving/snorkelling in the area |
| Preveli Beach | 13 km | €20 | The iconic palm lagoon |
| Rodakino | 14 km | €18 | Quiet beach, charming village above |
| Triopetra | 20 km | €25 | Three-rock beach, good lunch taverna |
Always arrange a return time with your driver when heading to remote beaches — there are no passing taxis at Preveli, Triopetra, or Skinaria.
Cultural & Sightseeing Destinations by Taxi
Arkadi Monastery — 45 minutes northeast via Rethymno, about €55 from Plakias. One of Greece's most historically significant sites.
Kourtaliotis Gorge — passed through on the road from Plakias to Rethymno. The most dramatic section is between Asomatos and the coast. Your driver can stop at the gorge viewpoint for photos.
Spili Village — on the road north to Rethymno, 25 minutes from Plakias. Famous Venetian lion-head fountain, good lunch, charming mountain streets.
Preveli Monastery — 20 minutes from Plakias, just above Preveli Beach. A working monastery with significant WWII history. Open mornings, small admission fee.
Day Trips to Major Destinations
These are longer transfers, but fully viable as day trips from Plakias:
Rethymno Old Town — 40 minutes, €40 one way. The beautiful Venetian-Ottoman old town, lighthouse, Fortezza fortress, and excellent restaurant scene. Easy half-day or full-day trip.
Heraklion + Knossos — 80 minutes from Plakias, €100–110. Combine Knossos Palace (9am–12pm) with the Archaeological Museum and lunch in Heraklion. Return by early evening.
Chania Old Town — 70 minutes from Plakias, €90. The Venetian harbour, old town backstreets, Municipal Market, and some of the best restaurants in Crete.
Elafonisi Beach — 90 minutes from Plakias, €110 one way. The famous pink lagoon in the southwest. Full day trip — early departure recommended.
Matala — 55 minutes east, €55. The famous cave-riddled beach and hippie heritage. South coast road with Libyan Sea views the whole way.
Samaria Gorge — 80 minutes to Xyloskalo (the gorge entrance), €95. Pre-arrange pickup from Chora Sfakion after the ferry, or from a taxi that meets you there.
By Boat from Plakias
In summer, small excursion boats run from Plakias harbour to:
- Preveli Beach (the sea approach to the gorge mouth is spectacular)
- Ammoudi and surrounding coves
- Occasional trips to Loutro and Chora Sfakion (the isolated south-coast villages)
Check at the harbour for current schedules — they're informal and vary by season.
The Only Things You Actually Can't Do Without a Car
Being honest: there are a handful of places that are genuinely difficult from Plakias without a car:
- Balos Lagoon (northwest Crete, 130 km) — possible by taxi but very expensive. Better by organised tour or from Kissamos.
- Agios Nikolaos / Elounda / Spinalonga (eastern Crete, 170 km) — a very long day from Plakias. Worth considering if you're in Rethymno instead.
- Spontaneous exploring — if you want to stop randomly in tiny villages and double back, a car gives you freedom a taxi doesn't.
The Financial Reality
Renting a car in Crete in peak summer costs €40–70 per day including basic insurance, plus fuel. A week of rental is €280–490.
For a week in Plakias using taxis for specific trips, you might spend:
- 2–3 beach trips: €60–70
- 1 long day trip (Knossos or Chania): €200–220 return
- Airport transfer: €95 each way
- Miscellaneous: €50–80
Total: €500–570
Comparable cost — but without the stress of driving unfamiliar roads, navigating mountain passes, finding parking, and worrying about insurance excess.
The case for going car-free in Plakias isn't primarily financial. It's that Plakias is a relaxing village, the beaches are close, the pace is slow, and the people who enjoy it most are usually those who surrendered to that pace rather than using it as a base for frantic exploration.
You can see a great deal of Crete from Plakias without a rental car. You might see the best of it.