Plakias Beach

Plakias Beach is the main beach of the resort village of Plakias, on the south coast of Crete roughly 36 km south of Rethymno. It is one of the longest beaches on the island, stretching about 1.3 km along a wide, crescent-shaped bay, and it forms the heart of a relaxed seaside town set against a backdrop of mountains and gorges. The beach is long, wide and sandy, shelving into clear blue-green water that stays refreshing even in the heat of August. Because the strand is so generous in size, it rarely feels crowded even in peak season, and there is plenty of room to find a quieter stretch. On the eastern side rises an impressive cliff known as Gonates, while the easternmost section of the bay, called Paligremnos, sits beneath tall vertical cliffs that draw rock climbers. Reaching Plakias is easy by Cretan south-coast standards. A good road connects it to Rethymno, winding down through the scenic Kourtaliotikos Gorge, and the drive takes well under an hour. As the beach fronts the town directly, you can walk straight onto the sand from the village, and there is parking available along the seafront. A flat road runs the length of the beach, popular for walking and cycling. As the town beach, Plakias has excellent facilities. You will find sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, showers, changing rooms and toilets, along with bars, snack bars, restaurants and hotels lining the shore. There are beach volleyball courts and water sports on offer, and natural tamarisk trees provide patches of welcome shade. The eastern Paligremnos section is also sandy and well organised, sitting beside hotels and restaurants. Plakias suits almost everyone, which is part of its appeal. Families like the easy access and amenities, active visitors have water sports, walking and climbing nearby, and those who simply want space to spread out can find it on the long sands. The village offers a good mix of tavernas, cafes and accommodation, making Plakias a practical base for exploring the wider south coast, including nearby Damnoni and Preveli.