For recreation in Crete, you can choose any resort where you can sunbathe, swim in the Aegean or Mediterranean Sea, visit local attractions. However, there are not many quiet places for family tourists and independent travelers on the island. One of them is Plakias, Crete, which until recently was a small fishing village.
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Description of infrastructure
This resort is located in the Rethymnon area, on the south coast of the island. It is considered the most peaceful place for a beach holiday in Greece. The distance from the village to the city is 25 km. There are several hotels located on the first line on the territory. In the 70s of the last century, a plan for the development of the resort was developed. Hotels, recreation and amusement parks, nightclubs, discos appeared here. However, the infrastructure is still under development. Therefore, you should not expect an active holiday in Plakias in Crete.
Resort infrastructure, general description:
- Accommodation. You can book a room in a local hotel or rent an apartment, a villa. Accommodation prices here are 5-7% lower than in other resorts of the island.
- Beaches. There are about 10 beaches here, three of them have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness and developed infrastructure. The coating is pebbly, but there are sandy beaches.
- Nutrition. Plakias resort has restaurants, cafes and bars. Here you can try Greek cuisine or order a traditional European menu. Hotel guests can book a room with breakfast or full board All Inclusive.
For independent travelers, you need to know the local infrastructure facilities. These are grocery stores, supermarkets, companies that provide rental cars, marine equipment. This is a convenient way to organize an independent vacation.
Key infrastructure facilities of the resort:
- Two pharmacies – Apotheke and Kartsonakis Math. Here you can buy medicines, tanning products, cosmetics.
- Car rental Manza Car Bike Rental. Here you can take a car or a motorcycle. For registration you need a passport, a driver’s license, a deposit.
- Taxi – Stathmos Taxi. The car can be ordered through a mobile application, by phone or taken at the parking lot.
- Diving School Diving Club. Diving services, equipment rental. According to tourists, good instructors work here.
- equestrian Club Horse Riding Center in Plakias. If you are bored with sea holidays, you can practice horseback riding.
Small shops and supermarkets are located throughout Plakias in Crete, prices are lower than in other resort areas of the island. The exception is shops located near the beach line. Therefore, it is recommended to buy snacks and drinks in the village center before going to the beach.
How to get there
The disadvantage of the village is the relatively long distance from Heraklion International Airport. It is 120 km, the travel time is 1.5-2 hours, depending on the chosen vehicle. You can get to Plakias in Crete by bus, taxi or by ordering a transfer. You should move south. For those who have bought a tour to Greece, the latter is usually included in the price of the tour. An exception is the order of an individual transfer.
How to get to Plakias on your own:
- Bus. From the central terminal of Heraklion International Airport, you need to get to the bus station of the capital. It is located opposite the seaport. The fare is 1 Euro. Then you need to buy a ticket for the bus route to Rethymnon. Price – 8.5 Euro. Travel time is 1.5 hours.
- Taxi. The fare for a taxi will be 120 Euros. This is a convenient option only for large groups of travelers. Before the trip, it is recommended to draw up a route on your own, it is possible to artificially increase the distance on the part of the taxi driver.
- Transfer. It is included in the cost of the tour, vacationers are transported to hotels by bus.
Another way to get to Plakias in Crete is to rent a car. This is what independent travelers usually do. So you can look at the sights of the island, stay at several resorts while traveling.
About the beaches of the resort
The coast of this part of the island is washed by the Libyan Sea. There are several convenient beaches here. Most of it is located in the suburban area, but there are secluded places for a beach holiday. You can get there by bus or taxi. Part is located nearby, you can walk in 15-20 minutes. But there will be no umbrellas, sun loungers, rescue and medical services. These Plakias beaches in Crete are classified as “wild”.
About the beaches of the resort:
- The total length of the beach line is 3 km.
- The coating is pebbly, but there are places for a beach holiday with sand. These are convenient places for families with children.
- The cost of renting sun loungers, deck chairs and umbrellas is 5 Euro per 1 set.
- A sandy beach is located in the east of the region. Its length is 1.2 km.
- There is a small sandy strip “Paligremnos”, located next to the village. There are umbrellas and sun loungers. Features – beautiful daffodils grow on the coast, there are small dunes.
- The entry into the sea is gentle almost everywhere, you can relax with children.
On the beaches of the resort of Plakias in Crete there is entertainment, mobile attractions. But there are few of them, basically you can count on a relaxing beach holiday. In summer, the air temperature rises to + 32 °, which greatly heats the sand. It is recommended to buy beach slippers.
Hotel rating
For accommodation, tourists and independent travelers can book a hotel room, rent an apartment or a villa. Homeowners offer accommodation with breakfast or full board. In the latter case, only hotels have the All Inclusive program. Therefore, hotels are often chosen to stay in Plakias on Crete. According to tourists, this is a convenient option for a family vacation.
Resort hotel rating:
- Horizon Beach 3*. The hotel is located in the city, 400 meters from the center of the village. There is a large sandy beach nearby, and the central city beach area is also nearby. This is a convenient place for a family holiday, the whole area is surrounded by vegetation. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, and parking space can be booked.
- Kalypso Cretan Village Resorts & Spa 4*. The hotel complex is located next to Karavos beach. In Plakias, Crete, this is a popular hotel for outdoor activities. Here you can get acquainted with water sports – diving, surfing, underwater fishing. There is a tour agency. You can book a room on the All Inclusive program.
- Alianthos Beach Hotel 3*. This is a small hotel complex located in the resort of Plakias in Crete. It consists of several two-story buildings, which housed rooms for living. there is a small swimming pool, there are areas for sunbathing. The beach is 15 meters away and guests are provided with free umbrellas, sunbeds and deck chairs.
When choosing a hotel, you need to study its infrastructure. On the territory there should be restaurants, bars, entertainment for children and adults. It is possible to rent a car, order excursions. The beaches are often equipped with rescue and medical services.
Attractions and excursions
During your vacation in the resort of Plakias, you do not need to count on visiting local attractions. The reason is that before the opening there was only a small fishing village. In addition to modern infrastructure, there are no memorable places, natural features. This is often noted in the reviews of tourists and independent travelers.
But you can book an excursion to other attractions of the island:
- Church of Ekklesia Panagia. This temple is located on a hill, the peculiarity is moderate architecture, pastel colors of the walls. A comfortable place to relax, next to a small garden with comfortable benches.
- Statue of Georgiou Kurmulis. A small architectural monument dedicated to the national hero. It may not be of interest to tourists, but it is conveniently located at the intersection of several hiking trails.
- Monastery of Preveli. This Crete landmark is 7 km away. Entrance to the monastery is free, but dress code must be observed. Here you can see architectural monuments, beautiful buildings.
The cost of the excursion from Plakias is from 20 Euro. Before ordering, you need to study the program – travel time, route, meals. It is recommended to take drinks and light snacks with you.