Plakias (Greek: Πλακιάς) is a village on the south coast of the Greek island of Crete, in the Rethymno Prefecture, about 30 kilometres south of the city of Rethymno. It is part of the municipality Foinikas. It is surrounded by mountains to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south. The name in Greek means "Flat" , because the town stands on an Alluvial fan of material that has come down the Kotsifou gorge directly to the north . This material has been formed along the sea's edge into a long fine gold sand beach , which shelves very gradually out into the bay , making it good and as safe as can be for swimming , so very suitable for family holidays .
Initially a fishing jetty and a few houses, Plakias developed in the last few decades into a tourist resort. The first official notice of Plakias was in 1961, when it was mentioned in a census as the permanent home of six fishermen. The recorded history of surrounding mountain villages like Myrthios and Sellia goes back into the 10th century, when the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas (961 AD) built roads and bridges in order to link those villages , and there are some fragments of wall remaining from a fortified area on a hill top just northeast of the present main town . In fact , the whole local area is immediately obvious as geographically suitable for a settlement , having plenty of agricultural space , and there has doubtless has been a settled community there more or less contiously since Minoan times .
Plakias has a 1300 metre long sandy beach and there are several other beaches within walking distance (Souda, Damnoni, Ammoudi and Skhinaria). The south-eastern end of the beach, near the Kakomouri headland, is used by nudists. As the town is effectively not on the way to anywhere else , there is next to no through traffic , keeping the resort a little quieter and less dusty than usual sometimes in Greece ! Parking along the main town road is difficult in high season , but there is a big free parking area just east of the main town . There are plenty of places to eat along the sea front , the biggest cluster of tavernas is at the west end . To the east (8Km)is the historic Monastery of Preveli, which, due to its isolated position, played an important role in Cretan revolts against occupying forces such as against the Nazis in World War II. Plakias is home to the Youth Hostel Plakias, famous among international backpackers as the 'most southerly hostel' in Europe , set in a garden in Olive groves behind the town . Also World famous are the cafe "Nufaro", (known universally as "Joe's bar") , and the very traditional taverna "Niko's Souvlaki" , which is hidden up a side street - you have to visit both to see why ! "World International Tourism Day" each September is celebrated with a big evening festival , with a free buffet meal and free traditional music+songs+dancing shows in the main "square" .
There are two roads down into Plakias through the mountain range which lies to the north, both of which run through spectacular gorges - to the north of Plakias, the Kotsifos Gorge, and to the northeast, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. A good coastal motor track runs west beyond Souda to Rodakino beach , Frango-kastello and Sfakia . There are plenty of walks locally , and bolder walkers will enjoy the high green country beyond the coastal mountain range north of town . Plenty here for the mountain biker or cycle tourer too .
Six or so buses a day to/from Rethymnon bus stn , some of these go via Preveli monastery .Plakias bus stop is on the seafront taxi rank .