Plakias: Beach
Plakias is best known within Crete for its long beach on the Libyan Sea. The settlement occupies a broad bay on the island’s southern coast, where low-rise hotels, apartments and tavernas follow the shore beneath rugged hills. It grew from a small fishing community into one of southern Crete’s established seaside resorts, while retaining a compact scale compared with many northern coastal towns. The beach and waterfront remain central to local life, and a coastal road follows the curve of Plakias Bay. Inland terrain rises quickly from the settlement, giving this stretch of the Rethymno coast a distinctly enclosed character. Nearby Preveli Monastery is among southern Crete’s notable religious sites, while the area is also associated with the palm-lined beach at the mouth of the Megalopotamos River.
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Among the settlements of southern Crete, Plakias stands out for its broad bay and long beach on the Libyan Sea. The village lies where the Kotsifos River reaches the coast, below the steep passage of Kotsifou Gorge; the rugged hills behind it contrast sharply with the open water. Once a small fishing settlement, Plakias has developed as a relaxed coastal base, with tavernas and accommodation gathered along the shore rather than a dense urban centre. Inland, the historic Monastery of Preveli remains an important Orthodox landmark, while Preveli Beach and its palm-lined river mouth lie farther east on the same southern coast. Browse other webcams across southern Crete to place Plakias in a wider geographic context.
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Within Greece's regions, the Region of Crete is distinguished by being the country's largest island and by its Minoan heritage. The Cretan Sea borders its northern shore, while the Libyan Sea meets a markedly drier southern coast; between them rise the White Mountains and Mount Ida, also known as Psiloritis. Samaria Gorge cuts through the White Mountains towards the Libyan Sea. Near Heraklion, Knossos preserves the remains of a major Minoan palace complex. Olive groves, vineyards and coastal towns shape an island whose cooking is rooted in olive oil, herbs and local cheeses. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Crete.
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Greece occupies a mountainous peninsula and island-dotted coastline in southeastern Europe. The Aegean Sea shapes its eastern shore, while the Ionian Sea lies to the west; Crete is the country’s largest island. Athens is anchored by the Acropolis, where the Parthenon has stood since the fifth century BCE as a defining monument of classical antiquity. Beyond the capital, the Pindus Mountains run through the mainland, and Mount Olympus is associated in ancient Greek religion with the home of the gods. Greek food traditions centre on olive oil, seafood, cheeses and regional dishes, with long meals remaining an important part of social life. Continue through nearby webcams to explore the islands and mainland regions of Greece.
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