ISLANDS A-Z | CRETE | CYCLADES | DODECANESE | EASTERN AEGEAN |
IONIAN | SARONIC | SPORADES | MAINLAND | ABOUT US |
Plakias in southern Crete |
Plakias is set beautifully in an attractive bay surrounded by lush greenery and enchanting mountains. The beach runs along the entire bay and is almost 1 ½ kilometres long. The village itself is quite small and is concentrated to the western end of the beach.
Plakias seen from the nice village of Mirthios.
Tourism has developed slowly and it is only in recent years that it has really started. The low-key tourism is one of the reasons why Plakias has grown in popularity in recent years.
Plakias is located about 35 kilometres south of Rethymnon.
Another reason is the location, for example, it is only 35 kilometres
to the city of Rethymno, and in the vicinity there are many nice beaches
and villages to explore, and you have many hiking trails to choose from
if you like to hike. In short, Plakias is a very pleasant tourist resort
for those who want to be in one place and just take it easy, and for those
who want to explore things. Plakias is a perfect base and of course there
are every facility you are likely to need.
The part of the extremely long beach closest to Plakias itself.
As mentioned, the beach is extremely long and it is never crowded. The walkway along the beach is lined with shady tamarisks. Many come here to enjoy the sunset before they go out for dinner. The street that runs above the beach are lined with hotels, pensions, tavernas, cafes, bars, travel agencies, shops and supermarkets.
The beach in Plakias in the other direction. |
At the far end of the beach, before the marina, is the centre of Plakias. Here are tavernas, bars and cafes strategically situated along the seafront. If you like pastries, you'll find everything you could wish for at Cookies House in a junction near the seafront. On a side street lies the eco-shop Biofarma where you can buy organic products. Buy home their delicious olive oil and their excellent wine.
"The Square" in Plakias where many tavernas and supermarkets are located.
Center of Plakias.
Plakias offers everything from tourist traps to really good restaurants. Taverna Sifis is said to be the only restaurant in Plakias that is open all year round. It is located on the Square. Here we have eaten delicious food. Adjacent lies a gyro place that serves very good gyros.
A very good gyros place and one of many Supermarkets.
To the right of the Taverna Sifis lies the Taverna Kri Kri which also has very good food on the menu, among other things you can eat wood-fired oven pizza. However, we have eaten the best food at Taverna Medousa at the inland street, some distance from the seafront, close to the Alianthos Garden Hotel.
Taverna Kri Kri is one of many good restaurants in Plakias. |
The port is at the far end of Plakias.
As I wrote above, there is much to see and do around Plakias. If you can't, or don't want to, rent a car, you can go on organized excursions. The travel agencies in Plakias offers a plethora of options. The boat trips to the Palm beach of Preveli, Agios Pavlos and Triopetra are popular.
There are lots of fun excursions to do from Plakias.
Most of the excursions are long and go to other regional units,
including to Matala,
Phaestos,
Gortys
in Heraklion
regional unit, as well as to Chania,
Kournas
lake, Balos
and the Samaria
Gorge in Chania regional unit. You can also go to the fabulous
island of Santorini
two days a week.
The sunset in Plakias is very beautiful.
There is a lot to do for those who want, isn't it. In addition, it is close to many other nice beaches, including the beaches Shinaria, Amoudi, Amoudaki and Damnoni, as well as to our favourite beach Souda. And please do not miss the Kotsifou Gorge with the kissing cliffs.
Sometimes it's windy and there are high waves in Plakias and that's when the kite surfers wake up.
ACCOMMODATION IN PLAKIASPlakias offers a wide range of hotels and pensions. As Plakias grows in popularity, you should book your accommodation in advance. Our favourite is Hotel Livikon, located one minute from the beach, offering beautiful views in every direction. Below are suggestions for good hotels in Plakias.
Book Hotel Livikon here »Book Sofia Hotel here »Book Lamon Hotel here »Book Alianthos Beach Hotel here »Book other hotels in Plakias here » |
WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT PLAKIASDon't miss the kissing mountains, which you can read about here »READ MORE ABOUT CRETE HERE » |