Plakias is a village in Rethymno region of Crete. Plakias has grown from a fishing jetty and a few houses in the 1960s to a tourist resort today. Plakias has a 1300-metre-long sandy beach and there are several other beaches within walking distance.
The first official mention of Plakias was in 1961, when it was recorded in a census as the permanent home of six fishermen. The recorded history of surrounding mountain villages like Myrthios and Sellia goes back to the 10th century, when the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas (961 AD) built roads and bridges in order to link those villages, and there are some fragments of wall remaining from a fortified area on a hill top just northeast of the present main town. The local area is geographically suitable for a settlement, having plenty of agricultural space, and there may well have been a settlement there since Minoan times.
By road, several buses daily from Rethimno and Ayia Galini, one in high season from Sfakia.
Walk; bicycles, cars & scooters for hire; taxis available; local bus service.
Plakias has a stunning, long, gently shelving largely sandy beach. The eastern end is backed by dunes and is largely naturist. A number of other beaches, including the nearby coves at Mikro Amoudi (or Amoudaki), are easily reached. Strong swimmers can pass between the two coves by swimming through the underwater arch, or round the pinnacle that divides them.
Preveli beach, 35.1523°, 24.4729°. Surrounded by one of the few natural palm tree groves in Greece.
Karavos beach, 35.172151°, 24.401341°. Also known as the “Pirates' fjord”, a small cove surrounded by breathtaking 200-m-high rocks. It is a good option when there are strong winds in the area, since it is protected from the north side.
Damnoni Beach, 35.17433°, 24.41393°. Beautiful clean and quiet beach. 2020-09-17
Walk in the surrounding countryside. Local bookshops have walking guides. One of the best is the series from Marengo Publications (dead link: August 2018)
Swim, snorkel & sunbathe, getting an all over tan if you wish. Plakias has one of the best nudist beaches in the world, with an easy-going atmosphere, loungers, umbrellas, and a doughnut seller who wanders up and down the beach.
Scuba Dive.
Visit the southern-most lending library in Europe which is behind the village towards the Youth Hostel.
Kalypso Rock's Palace dive centre, Karavos beach (in the premises of Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa hotel), +30 6940517120, info@kalypsodivecenter.com. Su-F 09:00-17:00. Offers guided scuba dives for certified and non-certified divers, night dives, guided snorkeling and PADI certified courses. Children older than 8 years old are allowed to dive. You can rent the equipment. Free pickup and transport service from all tourist areas of Rethymno prefecture, night dives on demand. Single dive: €30 2020-09-18
Plakias has no shortage of rooms and hotels. It is featured in a number of package holiday brochures. If you want to avoid crowds, just five minutes away by car in the town of Myrthios on the hillside, you will find some family-run apartments and tavernas.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division