Plakias Beach
Best for. Families and first time visitors who want a long sandy beach with sunbeds, tavernas and an easy base for the south coast.
Best spot. The central stretch in front of the village for sunbeds and quick access to food and shops.
Know this. Plakias sits in a wide bay between mountains, so a funnelled afternoon breeze and chop are common here.
Plakias is the friendly all rounder of the south coast. A long sweep of pale sand runs the full length of a wide bay, with a low key resort village strung behind it, so you get the rare combination down here of a genuinely big beach and somewhere to stay, eat and shop within a few steps. It grew up as a backpacker and walker base and still keeps that easy, slightly bohemian feel rather than the polish of the north coast resorts.
The beach itself gives you room. The organised central stretch has sunbeds and umbrellas with tavernas and bars just behind, while the ends are quieter and more open if you want to spread out. Behind the village the mountains rise steeply, and a string of smaller coves sits within easy reach to either side, so Plakias works well as a base for several days of beach hopping rather than a single visit. Families like it because everything is close and the sand is generous.
The honest note is the wind. The same wide bay and mountain backdrop that make Plakias handsome also funnel an afternoon breeze that can turn the water choppy and send sand drifting along the front. Mornings are usually calmer and better for swimming, and the breeze keeps the heat bearable in midsummer, so it is a fair trade rather than a flaw. If you want a long, sandy, well served beach with the deep south on your doorstep, Plakias is one of the easiest choices on this coast.
Clubs on this beach
Plakias is a resort beach lined with tavernas and bars rather than a single named beach club. Seasonal sunbeds and umbrellas run the central sections, and the bars behind them are the nearest thing to a club here. Names and hours change year to year, so confirm before you travel, and use the Crete beach clubs guide for the wider island.
Seasonal beach bar and sunbeds
Sunbeds, umbrellas and bars along the village front. Operator names and prices to be confirmed.
South coast, Crete
Plakias sits on the south coast of the Rethymno region, reached by the scenic road down through the Kotsifou gorge from the main north coast highway. From Rethymno town the drive is around forty five minutes, dropping out of the mountains into the wide bay, with parking along the front of the village.
Seasonal buses connect Plakias with Rethymno in summer, which makes it one of the more reachable south coast beaches without a car. Once you are in the village everything sits along the front, so the beach, the tavernas and the shops are all within an easy walk.
Photo: Virginia Hincu via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a club near Plakias. We reply by email.
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Common questions about Plakias
Is Plakias beach windy?
It often is in the afternoon. Plakias sits in a wide bay framed by mountains that funnel a breeze, so the calm morning water can turn choppy later in the day and sand can drift along the front. The breeze does keep the summer heat comfortable, and mornings are usually the best time for a calm swim.
Is Plakias good for families?
Yes. The beach is long and sandy, the central section has sunbeds and shade, and tavernas, shops and rooms are all within a short walk, which makes days easy with children. The afternoon breeze can raise small waves, so many families swim in the calmer mornings.
Are there sunbeds and tavernas at Plakias?
Yes. The organised central sections have seasonal sunbeds and umbrellas, and a line of tavernas, bars and shops runs along the village front. It is one of the better served beaches on the south coast, though operator names and prices change from year to year and are best confirmed locally.
What beaches are near Plakias?
Several smaller coves sit within easy reach, including Damnoni just to the east, along with quieter spots tucked along the coast. Plakias makes a good base for beach hopping, and the famous palm beach of Preveli is a short drive and a walk away to the southeast.
When is the best time to visit Plakias?
Late May, June or September for warm water, long evenings and a gentler pace than the peak weeks. Whatever the month, aim to swim in the calmer mornings and use the breezier afternoons for lunch, a walk or exploring the nearby coves.
