Best Road Trips from Platanias Quick Reference Table Trip 1 — Chania Old Town (12 km, 20 min) Trip 2 — Botanical Park of Crete (~18–32 km, 30–40 min) Trip 3 — Therisso Gorge (22 km, 21 min) Trip 4 — Seitan Limania (31 km, 37 min) Trip 5 — Samaria Gorge (40 km, 41 min) Trip 6 — Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa (40 km to Kissamos, 35 min) Trip 7 — Falasarna Beach (46 km, 45 min) Trip 8 — Lake Kournas (50 km, 45 min) Trip 9 — Elafonisi Beach (60 km, 1h–1h15) Trip 10 — Imbros Gorge (62 km, 1h) Trip 11 — Rethymno (68 km, 1h) Trip 12 — Heraklion & Knossos (148 km, 2h10) Suggested Multi-Day Itineraries 2-Day Western Beaches 3-Day Full West Crete 1-Day Culture Trip Vehicle Recommendations Best Road Trips from Platanias 12 unmissable day trips from Platanias — Elafonisi, Balos, Samaria Gorge, and more, with distances, times, and insider tips. Platanias is one of the best bases in western Crete for day trips by car. From here, you can reach Chania Old Town, Elafonisi Beach, Balos Lagoon, Falasarna Beach, Lake Kournas, Therisso Gorge, Imbros Gorge, Samaria Gorge, Rethymno, and even Heraklion and Knossos without changing hotels. Most of the best road trips from Platanias take 20 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, with Heraklion the main long-drive exception. Many visitors arrange car rental Platanias or car rental Chania Airport before landing at Chania Airport (CHQ), which sits about 25–30 km east of Platanias, or roughly a 30-minute drive via the E75/BOAK. A taxi from CHQ to Platanias usually costs €45–50 one way, so even a short rental can make sense if you are planning several day trips from Platanias or staying between Platanias and Agia Marina. This guide covers the 12 best road trips with the distances, drive times, entry fees, parking notes, and fuel warnings that matter on the ground. Quick Reference Table Drive Time Entry Fee Trip 1 — Chania Old Town (12 km, 20 min) Making the short trip from Platanias to Chania Old Town is almost mandatory. The draw is the Venetian harbour, the Egyptian lighthouse, Leather Lane (Odos Skridlof), and the Maritime Museum at the harbour's edge. Museum entry is about €4 for adults and €3 for children. Chania uses a controlled parking system. Expect to pay between €0.20 and €4.80 depending on the zone and how long you stay. Parking is usually free on Sundays. Park outside the pedestrian core, or you can end up stuck in very narrow lanes. This is the easiest half-day drive on the list. Pair it with the Botanical Park of Crete if you want a full day without much time behind the wheel. Trip 2 — Botanical Park of Crete (~18–32 km, 30–40 min) The Botanical Park of Crete sits inland in the foothills south of Chania. It is known for a 2.5 km walking trail through fruit trees, herbs, flowers, and shaded sections that work well even on hot days. The site grew out of recovery after the 2003 wildfire that destroyed a large number of old olive trees in the area. €8 for adults, €4 for children aged 6–12, and free for children under 6. The park typically operates from March to November. The on-site restaurant is one of the better lunch stops on this side of the island. Walk the trail in the morning, then drive back down to Chania for the harbour later in the day. Trip 3 — Therisso Gorge (22 km, 21 min) Therisso Gorge is the easy scenic drive on this list. You do not come here for a hike. You come for the fully paved road, the high rock walls, and the quick transition from coast to mountain scenery. The road ends in Therisso village, which is well known for antikristo lamb cooked over open wood embers. That makes this one of the strongest food-focused road trips from Platanias. Free in the village. Trip 4 — Seitan Limania (31 km, 37 min) Seitan Limania is one of the most photographed coves in Crete. The water is vivid blue, the inlet is narrow and dramatic, and the final view is better than the road in. Access requires a rocky 15-minute scramble from the car park. Wear proper shoes. This is not a sandals route. There are no facilities on the beach — bring water, snacks, and shade. Free, but space is limited. In July and August, arrive before 9:00 am. After that, both the parking area and the small beach fill fast. Trip 5 — Samaria Gorge (40 km, 41 min) The classic hiking day trip. The hike is 16 km one way and usually takes 5 to 7 hours. The best-known point is the Iron Gates, where the gorge narrows to about 3 metres while the cliffs rise roughly 500 metres above you. €10.