Plakias is a good starting point for many excursions. A hike on foot to the surrounding area or a tour by rental car or bus. On the spot you can also book organized tours, for example a hike through the Samaria gorge or even to the sensational lagoon of Balos.
Organised tours and excursions
Destinations and stopovers are among others: Mili gorge, Imbros gorge, Aradena gorge, Samaria gorge, Kourtaliotis gorge, fortress in Frangokastello, weekly market in Rethymno, Crete Botanical Garden, Arkadi monastery, Preveli monastery, the cities of Chania, Argyroupoli, Agia Galini, Spili and Matala, excavations in Festos and Gortis, plateau of Kallikratis, Gramvousa and Balos, Preveli palm beach, Paximadia islands.
Important:
Depending on season and demand, some tours are not always offered. Hikes through gorges in particular are only possible during a certain period of the year due to the weather.
The agencies Anso Travel and Elena Tours offer tours with departure and arrival in Plakias.
Boat trips to the beaches of Agios Pavlos, Triopetra & Preveli are possible with Plakias Boat Tours.
Excursions on your own
Do you feel uncomfortable in an excursion group? Would you like to remain flexible in terms of time and place? – No problem! Spontaneously discovering the close and perhaps wider surroundings of Plakias is very easy with a rental car or bus.
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Rethymno
By public bus or rental car
For me the most beautiful city on Crete – or is that Chania? Of course I like to visit both cities very much. The historic old town with its shops, taverns and cafés is colourful and lively
, but without the hustle and bustle. Larger travel groups sometimes cause a bit of a crowd. But you can easily avoid this if you stay a little off the beaten track.
Strolling through the streets, discovering small alleys, shopping for souvenirs and relaxing at a café frappé in the shade enjoying the moment – Rethymno is perfect for a day trip.
The public bus from Plakias takes about one hour. Bus timetable
With the rental car you only need about 45 minutes.
Read on: More information about Rethymno
Chania
By public bus or rental car
Chania, the beautiful port city like Rethymno, is located in the western part of the Greek island of Crete. After Heraklion it is the second largest city on the island. The city is historically important: from 1841 to 1971 Chania was the capital of Crete. Especially the old Venetian port with its numerous cafes and taverns is a magnet for many tourists
.
The public bus from Plakias takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to travel, including changing trains in Rethymno. Bus timetable
With the rental car you need about 1 hour 30 min.
Read on: More information about Chania
Spili
By rental car
In travel guides, the medium-sized mountain village of Spili is mentioned mainly because of the Lion Head fountain. In recent years, this “tourist attraction” has unfortunately been modernised with a little too much effort and adapted to the supposed demands of the visitors. Don’t let this irritate you! Spili is nevertheless worth a visit, especially the "Maravel" soap and herb shop is worth the detour
into the mountains.
With the rental car you need about 30 minutes.
Read on: More information about Spili
Monastery Preveli and palm beach of Preveli
By public bus or rental car
The monastery Preveli is worth a visit on its own, but also in combination with bathing at the palm beach. The monastery has a small museum and a small but magnificent church and enclosure with peacocks and other animals. The monastery played an important role in the Second World War. The courageous monks hid resistance fighters from the German attack and helped them to escape.
The palm tree beach of Preveli near Plakias is a very nice destination.
The river coming from the mountains flows through a gorge to the sea, on its banks up to the sandy beach the palm trees form a dense roof, which in summer is crossed by blooming oleander. On the narrow shore paths you can walk a short distance in the cool shade, perhaps watch a small turtle and the beach invites you to swim and sunbathe. A small cantina offers refreshments and snacks.
The public bus from Plakias takes about 20 minutes. Important: This trip is only offered during the season. Bus timetable
With the rental car you need about 15 minutes.
Read on: More information about the monastery and palm beach of Preveli
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Mirthios
On foot, by rental car or taxi
The more or less originally preserved mountain village above Plakias, especially appreciated for its excellent taverns. In addition to good and above all local cuisine, there are two small shops offering jewellery and handicrafts.
By taxi or rental car you have arrived in the village in a few minutes and can enjoy the unique view over the bay of Plakias. It is also possible to walk, perhaps not in the midday heat. The partly steep but well paved path starts in front of the Youth Hostel.
But why the hurry, the ascent always offers beautiful views over Plakias and the olive groves to the right and left of the path. The way back to Plakias is especially at night under a clear starry sky a special experience because there is no (disturbing) lighting.
By rental car or taxi you need about 6 minutes.
Depending on the time of day and individual speed, you will need about 15 – 20 minutes on foot to get there.
Matala
By rental car
Matala is a small but very popular excursion place with about 100 inhabitants on the south coast of Crete. Matala was discovered in the 60’s by hippies who settled in caves. These caves directly at the northern part of the beach are still the attraction of Matala and destination of countless tourists and excursionists.
The picture of Matala is otherwise characterized by many souvenir shops, bars, cafés and restaurants. When the crowds of tourists leave the town in the early evening, you can enjoy the sunset with a cool drink overlooking the beach and the caves.
By rental car the drive takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Read on: More information about Matala
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