Posted by 🏝️ Travel Tips, Beaches & Surroundings (2026)
Plakias is one of the most beautiful and tranquil holiday destinations in Crete. Located on the island’s south coast, about 35 km south of Rethymno, it’s nestled between dramatic mountains and the deep blue Libyan Sea. Once a small fishing village, Plakias is now a popular resort – yet far removed from the mass tourism of the large beach resorts in the north.
Here you won’t find high-rise hotels or throngs of tourists, but rather small tavernas, relaxed beach promenades, crystal-clear water, and an environment steeped in nature and history. Whether sunbathing, hiking, water sports, or excursions to quaint mountain villages – Plakias is an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to experience the authentic Crete.
📍 Location & Getting There: How to get to Plakias
Plakias is located on the south coast of the Rethymno prefecture, in the southern part of the Kouroupa Mountains. The nearest larger town is Rethymno, about 35 kilometers away. From there, you can reach Plakias in approximately 45 minutes by car.
✈️ Arriving by plane: The nearest international airport is Heraklion (approx. 115 km, 2-hour drive). Alternatively, you can also fly via Chania (approx. 100 km, also around 2 hours). See: Flights to Crete and Ferries to Crete
🚗 Rental car: A rental car is highly recommended – especially if you want to explore the surrounding beaches and villages.
🚌 Bus: Buses (KTEL) run regularly between Rethymno and Plakias, several times a day during the season. Buses from Rethymno
💡 Tip: The drive from Rethymno to Plakias is spectacular – it leads through the narrow Kourtaliotiko Gorge with its impressive rock walls and panoramic views.
🏖️ Beaches Plakias
Plakias is a paradise for beach lovers. The bay is large, the sand is fine, and the water is crystal clear. There are also numerous smaller coves and natural beaches in the surrounding area, accessible on foot, by car, or by boat.
🌊 Plakias Main Beach
Right in town, a roughly 1.3 km long sandy beach stretches along the shore with gently sloping water – perfect for families with children. Tavernas, cafes, and small shops line the promenade. Sun loungers and parasols are available in the central areas, but there are also many free sections. See our articles about beaches in Crete and nudism in Crete.
🏄♂️ Water sports: Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, windsurfing equipment, and pedal boats are available for rent.
🌅 Sunset: Particularly beautiful at the western end of the bay.
🏝️ Damnoni Beach (3 km)
Just a few minutes west of Plakias lies the popular Damnoni Beach – a mix of fine sand and pebbles, surrounded by green hills. Here you’ll find tavernas, sun loungers, water sports, and boat trips.
🏖️ Ammoudaki & Klisidi (4 km)
These two small bays are located right next to Damnoni and are true hidden gems. Ammoudaki is popular with naturists and boasts turquoise waters, while Klisidi is a bit more secluded and quieter.
🏝️ Preveli Beach (12 km)
One of the most famous beaches in southern Crete is the palm-fringed Preveli Beach, about a 20-minute drive away. Here, a river flows into the sea through a spectacular gorge – a tropical paradise with a palm forest and freshwater lagoon. The path down is a bit steep, but absolutely worth it.
🏖️ Souda Beach (2 km)
A quieter beach east of Plakias with sand, pebbles, and shady tamarisk trees. Ideal for families or anyone who prefers a more relaxed atmosphere.
🏙️ Plakias – Small, Cozy, and Charming
Plakias isn’t your typical resort town with huge hotel complexes. The atmosphere is relaxed, authentic, and friendly. Life mainly revolves around the beach promenade, where tavernas, cafés, bars, and small shops line the promenade.
🍽️ Tavernas & Restaurants: Many serve fresh fish, meze, and traditional Cretan cuisine right by the sea. Gioma Taverna, Kri-Kri, and Sirocco are all highly recommended.
☕ Cafés & Bars: Especially in the evenings, the atmosphere here is relaxed – perfect for a sundowner with a sea view.
🛍️ Shopping: Plakias has about six supermarkets, bakeries, souvenir shops, and a few boutiques.
🚶♂️ Activities in and around Plakias
🥾 Hiking & Nature
The region around Plakias is a paradise for hikers. Numerous marked trails lead through wild gorges, olive groves, and mountain landscapes:
Kourtaliotiko Gorge: Spectacular hike through a deep gorge with waterfalls, chapels, and viewpoints.
Kotsifou Gorge: Shorter hike with impressive rock faces and a magnificent panorama.
Hike to Preveli: Approximately a 3–4 hour walk along the coast – perfect for active hikers.
🚤 Boat Trips
Excursion boats depart daily from Plakias along the south coast. Popular destinations include:
🏝️ Preveli Beach – a trip along the coast with a swimming stop
🌅 Lentas or Agia Galini – longer day trips. Not daily
🐠 Snorkeling tours and dolphin watching (occasionally offered)
🤿 Water sports
🌊 Snorkeling & diving: The underwater world is clear and teeming with life – especially around Ammoudaki and Souda.
🏄♂️ Windsurfing & SUP: The wind is often favorable in summer, especially on the main beach.
🚣♂️ Kayaking & boating: Kayaking tours along the south coast are a special experience.
All our information about buses to Plakias
🏡 Excursions & surroundings
Plakias is an excellent starting point for day trips – not only to beaches, but also inland and to cultural highlights.
🏞️ Mountain villages in the area
Spili: A charming mountain village with a beautiful platia (square), springs, and traditional tavernas (about 30 minutes away).
Mirthios: Located just 3 km above Plakias – ideal for dinner with panoramic views over the bay.
Sellia: A small village with narrow streets and typical stone houses, perfect for a stroll.
🏛️ Cultural Excursions
Frangokastello (50 minutes): A 14th-century Venetian fortress right on the beach.
Preveli Monastery: Above the famous Palm Beach lies this historic monastery with a small museum and beautiful views. 30 minutes; during peak season, there are also buses to the monastery and the famous Preveli Beach.
Rethymno: The old town with its Venetian streets, fortress, and harbor is a must-see for a day trip.
🍷 Food & Drink – Tips for Food Lovers
Cretan cuisine is considered one of the healthiest in the world – fresh, simple, and incredibly aromatic. In Plakias and the surrounding area, you’ll find many family-run tavernas that cook with fresh, local ingredients:
🐟 Fish & Seafood: Straight from the Libyan Sea to your plate – especially good at “Gioma” or “Alianthos.”
🧀 Meze & Appetizers: Try dakos, stuffed grape leaves, or baked Graviera cheese.
🍷 Wine & Raki: Many tavernas serve homemade wine and raki.
💡 Tip: Dinner in the mountain village of Mirthios is especially lovely – many tavernas there offer spectacular sea views at sunset. Several excellent tavernas are available.
🏨 Staying in Plakias – Tips for Choosing Accommodation
Plakias offers a good mix of small hotels, studios, apartments, and holiday homes. Large all-inclusive resorts are less common here – and that’s part of its charm. Most accommodations are located directly on the beach or within easy walking distance.
🏨 Hotels: 2–3 stars, often with a pool and sea view
🏡 Studios & Apartments: With a kitchen, ideal for self-catering and families
🏖️ Holiday Homes & Villas: Perfect for longer stays or groups
💡 Tip: Book early during peak season (July/August) – despite its tranquility, Plakias is very popular.
📅 Best Time to Visit Plakias
The season in Plakias runs from May to October.
🌸 May & June: Ideal for hiking, nature, and a relaxing beach holiday
☀️ July & August: High summer, perfect swimming weather, but also more tourists
🍂 September & October: Warm sea, quiet beaches, pleasant temperatures
💡 Tip: In October, you can often still swim in the sea at 24–26 °C – and have many beaches almost to yourself. Plakias in November is a hidden gem. See also our page about hidden gems in Plakias.
🏁 Conclusion: Plakias – Crete’s relaxed south
Plakias is the perfect place for anyone looking for nature, sea, sun, and authentic Greece. Here you won’t find large hotel chains or party strips, but rather peace, space, and genuine charm. The beaches are stunning, the surroundings spectacular, and the people welcoming.
Whether you want to hike, snorkel, soak up the sun, or simply relax by the sea – Plakias is a place you’ll want to return to again and again. And anyone who has been here quickly understands why many Greeks themselves vacation here.