Plakias

Plakias is located at almost an equal distance from two international airports in Crete. Chania Airport is situated 97 km away from the resort, while Heraklion Airport is 114 km away. The drive by car will take just under 2 hours without considering transfers and stops.

It is only possible to reach Plakias by public transport with transfers. Upon exiting Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, you need to take a bus to Heraklion. In the capital of Crete, you will transfer to a bus heading to Rethymno, and from the Rethymno bus station, there are buses to Plakias. If you arrive at Chania Airport, the route will be as follows: Chania city – Rethymno – Plakias. There are 5 buses daily on the Rethymno – Plakias route, and the journey takes 50 minutes.

You can rent a car for a trip to Plakias. But keep in mind that the route will be along winding mountain roads. Another option is to book a transfer. A trip from Chania and Heraklion will cost around 100 euros, from Rethymno - 50 euros.

Plakias is not among the large cities. You can move around on foot or by renting a bicycle. It's easy to navigate in the village: all the streets of Plakias converge at the town's waterfront, next to the central beach. Here you can find cafes, taverns, and shops.

For getting around the city and its surroundings, you can rent a car. But there is an important point: during the high season, they are quickly taken.

In Plakias itself, there are no significant attractions, only fragments of the fortified wall of the ancient Minoan settlement to the northeast of the city and the Panagia church with a red dome, which can be seen from afar. But some of the most interesting places in Crete are located nearby:

• Preveli Monastery (9 km) - one of the most famous monasteries in Crete. The monastery consists of a lower and upper complex. The lower one was built several centuries earlier. Preveli played an important role in the historical events of Crete;
• Frangokastello Castle (27 km) - a rectangular fortress with towers, built by the Venetians in the 14th century. The castle is interesting not only for its architecture but also for the beautiful Frangokastello beach;
• Kourtaliotiko Gorge (10 km) - or the "Gorge of Clangs," named after an interesting phenomenon where the wind creates sharp sounds. You can see the gorge from the road on the way to Plakias. But keep in mind that the wind here is very strong and can literally knock you off your feet;
• Spili Village (21 km) - a traditional mountain settlement that has become a popular excursion destination. Spili is known for its picturesque alleys and a Venetian fountain adorned with lion heads;
• Mirthios Village (2 km) - a mountain village worth visiting for panoramic views of Plakias.

Getting to Plakias is not easy. But the efforts will be compensated by the bright impressions that a vacation in this resort town brings.

Active recreation

Plakias Beach stretches for 1300 meters. Here you can enjoy various activities such as water skiing, diving, kayaking, and renting catamarans. Local dive clubs organize dives near caves, bays, and canyons. Snorkeling is also available in nearby bays.

Enthusiasts of hiking will appreciate the wide network of trails of varying difficulty levels that are laid out across the hills, surroundings, and gorges around Plakias. Some trails lead to picturesque mountain villages, and there are even ecotrails for birdwatching - rare species of falcons and eagles inhabit Plakias. Resort guests are offered mountain biking tours.

Shopping

In Plakias, there are both small souvenir shops and large supermarkets. As a holiday gift, you can take home pottery made of olive wood, leather goods, textiles, and ceramics. By the way, Plakias olive oil is considered one of the highest quality oils in Crete and would make an excellent gift.

For children

Next to Plakias, there is a horse farm that offers horseback riding for the whole family. Children will enjoy sea excursions from the port of Plakias. The resort's beach is perfect for relaxing with a child: there are no strong waves here, the sea is clear, and the bottom is sandy, without large rocks.

Nightlife

There is no active nightlife in Plakias, except for a few bars serving strong drinks, run by Germans and English who have long favored the village and bought apartments here. But that doesn't mean there's nothing to do after sunset. Visitors enjoy spending the evening on the promenade of Plakias. After a walk, you can head to one of the coastal restaurants to enjoy dinner and listen to live Cretan music.

Excursions

Several times a week, boats depart from Plakias to the Preveli Beach. Another option for a day trip is to the Marmara Beach, known for its colorful cliffs. This secluded bay is located near the entrance to the Aradena Gorge. The only way to reach Marmara is by boat. Boats also depart from the Plakias pier to the picturesque coastal village of Loutro with its whitewashed houses.

Other popular routes from Plakias include a sightseeing tour of Eastern Crete and the Southern coast, a trip to the Preveli Monastery and the Imbros Gorge.

In Plakias, there are hotels of different levels: in total - about 100 accommodation options. There are 4-star hotels and apartments with panoramic sea views. For large families and groups, it makes sense to consider comfortable villas. If desired, you can stay not only in Plakias itself, but also in the surrounding areas.

The cuisine is a strong point of Plakias. Local taverns offer a wide selection of fish mezes, including the signature dish: mussels in white wine. The meat dishes here are also excellent: the meat is cooked over fire using old recipes of this region. In general, the cuisine of Plakias is similar to the cuisine of all of Greece: horiatiki salad, moussaka, keftedes - the menu includes all the best that Greek gastronomy has to offer.

By the way, food prices in Plakias are just as affordable as accommodation. Having dinner for two with drinks and several dishes can cost 35 euros, and you might even get a complimentary bottle of raki, dessert, or fruits.

• Although Plakias is located away from the more popular resorts of Crete, there is no need to worry about civilization. The town has ATMs, pharmacies, and parking lots;
• In Plakias, there is not just one, but several beaches. Some are more developed, others are less so. But in general, you can find sun loungers, changing cabins, showers, and beach bars everywhere.