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Plakiàs

is a well known and appreciated seaside resort

on the south coast of Crete, in the prefecture of Rethymno,

overlooking the Libyan Sea

and surrounded by mountainous buttresses that lead

to the northeast toward the island's highest peak,

the Psilorìtis (2456 mt. ).

The unique access roads to the area of Plakiàs from the north run through two deep gorges (Kotsìfos and Kourtaliòtiko) and from the west on a mountain road along the coast, very beautiful and scenic but also very winding, in direction Frangokàstelo and Hòra Sfakìon.

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This natural isolation has meant that until 1961 (time when there were no paved roads as today) were registered as residents in Plakiàs only 6 fishermen (source Wikipedia).

The area is also one of the windiest of Crete (the Meltemi in summer here is really something!), but perhaps because of the beauty of spots and landscapes (unforgettable the colors of its sunsets on the sea!) or perhaps as a result of the variety of sandy beaches available in the bay (from the one of about a mile

by the town, to the small Skinos, to the secluded beaches of Agios Antonios, Aspros Vòlakas and Fotinari, to the one of Souda and to the ones protected and sheltered from the winds of Damnòni and Amoùdi) or perhaps because of the cleanliness and

transparency of its waters, it has attracted a considerable tourist development in the last 50 years that has resulted Plakiàs to be regarded as one of the most interesting and

well-equipped tourist resorts of the south coast of Crete.

There are many activities, not just in summer, practicable in the area,

ranging from snorkeling to diving, from windsurfing to kite surfing, from climbing (more or less free) to trekking, not to forget the hire of horses, hiking in cave and in canyons and daily trips by boat

to the beach of Prèveli, to Hòra Sfakìon, Loutrò and the output of the famous gorge of Samariàs in Agia Roumèli (leaving every morning from the marina of Plakiàs, sea conditions permitting).

In Plakiàs you will find on the promenade and in the alleys, not only many taverns for all tastes (with menus ranging from fresh fish to traditional Cretan or international cuisine) and small shops of souvenir and handicrafts but also several pubs, some internet

center (with broadband connection) and two clubs, to animate a lively night life for a vacation, not just relaxing, quiet and devoted entirely to the sea, to the beach (with its own deck chairs and umbrellas) and to the natural beauty of the place or the nature (and here it is worth mentioning that the area east of the main beach is virtually restricted to the nudist tourism) but also capable of satisfying different needs and tastes.

In Plakias there are also a pharmacy, a medical emergency, a bank with ATM,

 a gas station with tire repair service, a supermarket and several shops.

To reach Plakias, coming from Rethymno (35 km far), it takes about 40 minutes along the highway 97 towards Armèni - Spìli, and before this last one, turning on the right, to drive through the villages of Koxarè, Asòmatos and Lefkògia.

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