About Plakias

In the centre of the area Gialia and near the ruins of the Minoan town of Lamon, a few fishermen built a small settlement called Plakias.

At the time, the rest of the local population of farmers and herdsmen had established their villages along the slopes of the mountains as security from pirate raids. However, the natural riches of the sea (fish, salt, etc.) attracted others to the coast and in time a thriving fishing community had developed.
For 320 days each year the sun warms the atmosphere and Mother Earth with her plentiful supplies of water makes for a rich and fruitful land. Here nothing is difficult! Thus, the people are courteous and serene and peacefully philosophise about life. Many visitors discover this different place and way of life and return many times with some even staying permanently. And so the fishing-village of today lives alongside a tourist resort which local artisans have fashioned in accordance with the character of the people and the climatic conditions of the area.
Plakias can therfore offer the visitors all the amenities of a modern holiday resort coupled with the traditions and friendliness of the local people; vestiges of another age.

LOCAL NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

In our area of Gialia there are certain places of special interest and beauty.
PREVELI GORGE, the lower part of the Kourtaliotis Gorge. Here the river Megapotamos flows between the high banks of the gorge and through the palm-forest to the beautiful Limni beach.

KOURTALIOTIS GORGE, take a stroll down the stairway to the church and cataract springs of St. Nicholas. These springs never fail to provide water all year round to the Megapotamos.

KOTSIFAS GORGE, wild and imposing and also the entrance to the area from ancient times.

MESA GORGE, unexplored and mystical it is surrounded with many old churches, monasteries and ruined villages.

PATSOS GORGE, impressive vegetation and caves mark out this particular ravine.

FIELD OF IOUS this plateau is dedicated to the nymph-goddess of the rising sun. Towards its eastern end, near the village of Gerakari, is a forest of cherry trees.

Nearby MOUNTAIN PEAKS such as Krioneritis (1312m), Kouroupa (984m), Timios Stavros (433m) and Xiro Oroi (904m), offer the more energetic traveller unrivalled views and a serene, almost sacred atmosphere.

The renowned BEACHES of the area, some deserted and others literally carpeted with bodies, lie like a string of gems set in the rocky embrace of the southern mountains. Agios Pavlos, Triopetra, Lingres, Agia Fotia, Keramiano Amoudi, Limni Preveli Beach, Skinaria, Amoudi, Damnoni, Plakias, Skinos, Souda, Koraka and Frangokastello.

The ISLANDS of Gavdos and Gavdopoula, together with the rocky islets of Paximadia and Prasonisi with their special nature break-up the continuity of the boundless blue sea.

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE

The area of Gialia has a particular dry, warm and temperate Mediterranean climate. In the winter the soft winds from Africa warm the atmosphere.

In summer the north winds from the mountains bring to the area an invigorating coolness. The clarity and brilliance of the atmosphere is so intense that it can even effect you emotionally.

The surrounding mountain peaks, during certain weather conditions and chiefly when strong winds bring the rainclouds from the north, act as battlements and seem to impale the clouds upon their summits. The accompanying rain driven by the wind sheets down the gorges, however the remaining sky stretches out to the horizon in a brilliant blue .

It is an amazing weather phenomenon with double and even triple rainbows not uncommon. It is conditions such as these, which even in winter help keep our sunshine quota at 92 %. The general area is a rare biosystem with abundant water and tropical vegetation.

Thousands of species of wild flowers, aromatic plants and herbs together with lots of endemic or migratory birds bring completion to this heavenly synthesis which man has left virtually untouched for almost 7000 years.

The crystal clear sea conceals natural riches and underwater features such as caves and gorges, reflect those of the land.

WALKS IN THE AREA

These walks have as their starting and finishing point the resort of Plakias.

1. Plakias, summit of the Kakamouri headland, return to Plakias. (Superb view, remains of ancient agriculture)
2. Plakias, Lefkogia, summit of Timios Stavros, Preveli monastery, village of Gianniou, return to Plakias via Lefkogia.
3. Plakias, Lefkogia, Lower Preveli monastery, Cataracts/springs in Kourtaliotis gorge, Frati village and gorge, Megapotamos bridge, return to Plakias via Lefkogia.
4. Plakias, Lefkogia, Megapotamos bridge, Lower Kourtaliotis gorge and the Limni/Preveli beach, return to Plakias by boat.
5. Plakias, Mixorouma, old Mixorouma, ruined church of Agios Giorgos (101 doors), Mesa gorge, Megapotamos, Limni/Preveli beach, return to Plakias by boat.
6. Plakias, Souda beach, Phoinikas ruined monastery and village, Sellia village, old watermill, Plakias.
7. Plakias, Myrthios, Kotsifos gorge, Kanevos, Krymiamou-Kouroupa saddle, return to Plakias via Myrthios.

HOW TO ENHANCE AND REMEMBER YOUR HOLIDAYS

1. In the tavernas of the seafront and the villages you will be offered a selection of Cretan specialities prepared according to century-old recipes.
2. Traditional natural products that you can enjoy here or take back home with you.
3. Get to know the herbs and aromatic plants of Crete.
4. Sit at any village cafenion, drink a raki or a Greek coffee and pass the time of day with the local philosophers.
5. The area is a rich paradise for birdwatchers and botanists alike.
6. The special quality of light and clarity in this area has attracted artists through the centuries and continues to do so today.
7. Expert sailors and windsurfers will particularly appreciate that gift of nature which is the Meltemi winds of high summer.
8. The clarity and cleanliness of the sea all year round allows the diver to enjoy the beauties of the deep.
9. Enhance your enjoyment of the wonders of our nature and the special atmosphere of the villages and ruins, by taking a motorcycle for the day. If you are fit and like a challenge then try a push-bike.