Plakias beach
Plakias is a popular tourist resort, located 36km south of Rethymno city, at the exit of a fertile valley south of the range Kouroupa. Next to it empties the river Kotsifos. One of the major growth drivers of the region is the long beachfront, known as Gialia. The main beach starts near the town and extends to the east for 1.3km, up to Cape Mouri. It is a well-organized beach, with cool green waters. Along the beach, there is a road, ideal for walking or cycling. Along this road, there are several restaurants and hotels, while on the beach there are tamarisk trees, umbrellas, water sports, beach volley courts, snack bars, changing rooms, showers, etc.
The eastern part of the long beach is called Paligremnos. The beach is sandy and very well organized, next to hotels and restaurants. Characteristics of Paligremnos are nearby vertical cliffs that rise to a great height that attracts many climbers. This place is called Gonates (i.e. knees), because according to tradition, the epic hero Digenis kneeled there to drink water from a local spring. In Paligremnos a strange phenomenon takes place on every full moon, from September to January. The moonlight is reflected in the mirror-like towering cliffs. Thus, many big squids approach the beach and locals gather them with big sticks. Lastly, some meters to the south of Paligremnos there are some tunnels, carved for transferring coal to cargo ships in the past.
The main beach of Plakias is located between Paligremnos and Plakias village. It is very well-organized, just like Paligremnos. In its western part, near the village, the river Kotsifos empties. Therefore, the seawater temperature is lower.
West of the village, between the village and the harbor of Plakias, lies the second beach of Skinos. Skinos beach has many rocks and sand in places. Next to the village, the beach is slightly organized with umbrellas, while as you head to the west it gets rockier. West of Skinos, while heading to Souda beach, you'll meet the fishing shelter (port) of Plakias and a small sandy beach next to it. Skinos beach is ideal for fishing and snorkeling.
