The Fishing Village of Plakias

Stranden van Plakias area

The old Cretan fishing village of Plakias with its little harbour, lies in a particularly beautiful landscape between the blue Libyan Sea and vast majestic mountains that edge down to one of the loveliest bays on the south coast. It is about one and a half hour’s drive from Chania or Heraklion. 

Many years ago, there were only a few houses, but today, because of its delightful setting, the village has spread to cater for the growing numbers of tourists, who have told each other of this special place that they have found. However, it still retains its particular Cretan character and has kept its laid back charm. 

The bay has a long sand and shingle beach between headlands, that gets sandier the farther you go from the village. Not far from the old harbour are tiny bays and small coves where you can find quiet spots to sun bathe and swim.

Sports
Boats sail daily to a variety of beaches, some of which have a good selection of water sports and the whole area is ideal for swimming, and sun bathing in an blissfully not crowded setting. The area is excellent for scuba-diving and snorkling in there is a diving club and school at Kalypso Cretan village about 3 km from Plakias

Sites
There is a variety of amenities for visitors and surrounding mountainous countryside. For short trips with minimum effort there is Preveli, the Venetian fortress at Frangokástello and the Minoan site at Phaistos are all well worth a visit. Further afield to the east you may like to visit the cliff caves of Matala and the ancient Roman capital of Gortys, or to the west the picturesque old town of Rethymno and the atmospheric old Monastery of Arkadi. 

Accommodatie in Plakias