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Plakias Village

Stone Age intriguing findings around the village of Plakias rewrite the history of the conquests of the Seas. Discoveries substantiate sea voyages in Mediterranean tens of thousands of years earlier than anyone had ever suspected!

Built near the ruins of Lamon Minoan town, Plakias village was doubtless geographically suitable for a settled community.

8 kilometers to the east is the historic monastery of Preveli, founded at the same period. Due to its isolated position, it has played an important role in Cretan revolts against occupying forces such as the Nazis in World War II.

In its recent history, Plakias wasn’t but an endless pebble sandy beach with a picturesque small harbor, where a few fishermen of the near mountainside villages were relishing its crystal clear sea natural riches.

Nowadays, the formerly fishing-village can meet the high demands of summer visitors combining the tradition, warm hospitality and serenity that everyone can amply savor with all the modern facilities a tourist resort can provide.

Location

Just 2 minutes walking distance from the center and the beautiful beach of Plakias, Castello Apartments, often referred to as “a hidden gem” is the perfect destination for leisure and exploration.

The nearest major cities are Rethymnon (35 kms), Chania (90 kms) and Heraklion (110 kms).

Getting Here

There are two main roads of special interest to reach Castello Apartments by land: choosing to cross the wild Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where you can take a stroll down to the beautiful waterfalls and hear the wind funneled through the caves or choosing to visit traditional villages and authentic surroundings while driving along the imposing Kotsifos Gorge.

The Beaches

Around Plakias there are beautiful, desert or more popular beaches of unspoilt natural beauty to be explored: from the east to the west side you can visit Agios Pavlos, Triopetra, Ligkres, the famous Palm Beach of Preveli reached also by boat from Plakias, Skhinaria, Ammoudi, Damnoni, and Souda beach. A good coastal motor track runs west beyond Souda to Rodakino beach, Frangokastello and Sfakiá.

The Islands

When approaching the village of Plakias, we see the islets of Paximadia, two small uninhabited islands, hosting magnificent tiny beaches that can be accessed by boats running from Kokkinos Pirgos and Agia Galini.
From Plakias main beach you can see and visit the island of Gavdos, the southernmost point of Europe with a marvelous pristine natural beauty, and the islet of Gavdopoula, a protected nature reserve, sprinkled in the deep blue of the Libyan Sea.

What to Do

There is so much to do while vacationing in Plakias

Tip: whether indulging in adventurous sports or leisure activities, you can always sit back on a bench and admire the amazing changing tones of the magnificent setting sun behind the unique mountains of Plakias.

Events

You are always welcome to experience the traditions of our island and participate in all our theatrical, music and dance performances, art exhibitions and traditional festivals organized throughout the season:

As the "World International Tourism Day", celebrated each September in the main square of Plakias village, with a big evening festival under the starry sky, a free buffet meal and live traditional music.
Or The Cretan Diet & Wine festival, organized in Rethymnon town.

During the 10th century, the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros Phokas II built roads and bridges in order to link Plakias surrounding villages. Wall fragments from a fortified area remain on a hilltop just northeast of the present main town.
8 kilometers to the east is the historic monastery of Preveli, founded at the same period. Due to its isolated position, it has played an important role in Cretan revolts against occupying forces such as the Nazis in World War II.