PLAKIAS. Once just a small jetty, with a cluster of fisherman's houses, expansion since the 1970s has changed Plakias into a popular resort on Crete's southern coast. Situated in the nomos (province) of Rethymnon, it was, until recently, divided into two halves, administered by the villages of Myrthios and Sellia in the hills behind. Now it is the administrative centre of the dimos (municipality) of Finika.
To the north is the high limestone ridge, dominated at the western end by Mt Kryoneritis (1312m/4305ft), and at the eastern end by Mt Kouroupa (984m/3230ft) with its summit masts and white chapel. Behind Plakias is the Kotsifos Gorge and to the east are the Kourtaliotis and Fratiano Gorges. To the west of the bay is the dragon's-head profile of Akrotiri Stavros. Immediately south across the bay is the Kakomouri headland. In certain weather conditions, Europe's southernmost point, the island of Gavdos, can be seen 44km away across the Libyan Sea, plus (more rarely) its small companion Gavdopoula.
The Plakias walk book is now on sale at the Plakias shop of Alison and Dave in the street past the Ariadne taverna.
For air-conditioned, quality accommodation in Plakias, email Manolis Haniotakis or Olga Koumentaki at koumentaki[at]internet.gr, Tel/fax: (0030) 28320-31583 or 28320-31642.
Or for spacious, comfortable studio or apartment accommodation near Damnoni, on the road to Lefkoyia, try the Anna Angeliki. Email Stelios Yioukakis at yioukakis[at]otenet.gr. Tel/fax: (0030) 28320-31866 or 28320-31877, mobile (0030) 6936 657954.
