Pick up your car in Matala, Tymbaki or Heraklion, then see the caves, Red Beach, Phaistos Palace and Agiofarago gorge on your own timetable instead of the bus timetable. Local partners, clear pricing and payment you settle on arrival.
Pick up your car in Matala, Tymbaki or Heraklion, then see the caves, Red Beach, Phaistos Palace and Agiofarago gorge on your own timetable instead of the bus timetable. Local partners, clear pricing and payment you settle on arrival.
Local rates, no surprises
Prices come straight from our south Crete partners, with nothing extra added at the desk.
Flexible handover
We hand the car over at the airport, the port, in the village or at your hotel, so you can set off as soon as you arrive.
No credit card or deposit required
With Premium Insurance you pay on arrival by cash, debit or prepaid card, and you leave no deposit behind.
Insurance that fits the terrain
Cover that suits tight village lanes, beach parking and the gravel access down to the coves.
Fleet for coast & hills
Economy cars for short hops, SUVs for the gorge tracks, automatics if you would rather skip the hill starts.
The caves, Phaistos and the beaches, in whatever order suits your day.
Swim below the carved cliffs, then walk up into the caves.
A short hike from Matala. Go early for calmer water and a little shade.
A Minoan palace looking over the valley – worth pairing with lunch in one of the villages nearby.
A long sandy beach, and a quiet village with good tavernas just up the road.
Ruins in the morning, a quiet cove after lunch, mountain air on the way back.
40–55 min one way
A short walk down a narrow gorge to a sheltered bay. Bring water and proper shoes.
45–60 min one way
Roman ruins at Gortyna first, then cool off at the lake, where the tavernas do trout.
45–60 min one way
A pretty drive west to quieter beaches and cafés by the water.
60–70 min one way
Museums in town, then drive back at sunset through Phaistos or Agia Varvara.
Arrive early for parking
The car parks at Matala and Red Beach fill up. Come early and you get an easier spot and calmer water.
Cash for small tavernas
Plenty of places take cards, though some beach kiosks still prefer cash.
Watch for gravel
The access to Agiofarago and to some of the coves turns to gravel. Park where the asphalt ends and walk the last few minutes in — the car stays on the tarmac.
Take water in summer
Carry water on the walks to Red Beach and Agiofarago, especially in July–August.
No tolls
The south-coast roads are free but slower, so allow more time and pull over when the view is worth it.
Group the sights sensibly
Phaistos goes well with Matala and Kommos in one day. Save Agiofarago for an early start of its own.
Use the No Deposit filter on the search results page. It leaves only the cars covered by Premium Insurance, and those ask for no deposit and no credit card – you pay at pick-up with cash, a debit card or a prepaid card.
Yes. Matala is on Crete, so you can collect the car here and leave it almost anywhere else on the island – Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos and others. Just set the drop-off point when you book.
In Matala itself, at Heraklion airport (HER) or the port, at Phaistos or Tymbaki, or at your hotel or villa anywhere in south Crete. Choose the spot that suits you while you book.
There are paid and free car parks at the entrance to the village, a short walk from the beach and the caves. In summer they fill up from mid-morning, so try to arrive before 10:00.
Leave the car in Matala and walk the coastal path – about 10 to 15 minutes each way. Wear shoes with some grip, take water, and avoid the middle of the day in July and August.
An economy car is fine for the paved roads to Phaistos, Kommos and Agia Galini. Keep to asphalt — the car can go anywhere that is paved, and that covers every route here. The last stretch down to Agiofarago gorge and the smaller coves is gravel: park where the asphalt ends and walk in; the gorge is a walk anyway.
Phaistos Palace is 15 to 20 minutes away, and Kommos and Kamilari about 10 to 15. Agiofarago gorge takes 40 to 55 minutes, Agia Galini 45 to 60, Gortyna and Zaros Lake the same again, and Heraklion 60 to 70 minutes.
One full day covers Matala beach, the caves and Phaistos. With two you can add Red Beach, Kommos and Kamilari. Three days gets you Agiofarago, Agia Galini and the Gortyna to Zaros loop, and with four or more there is room for a day trip to Heraklion.
Book in a few minutes, pick the insurance you want, and collect the car where you land or where you are staying.
