The south coastline
The south coastline
Plakias Bay
Initially just a fishing jetty and a few houses, Plakias developed during the last few decades into a unique destination. The first official mention of Plakias was in 1961, when it was recorded in a census as the permanent home of six fishermen. The southern beaches of the district are called ‘‘Gialia’’. Enjoy the sunset views overlooking the bay!
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The town
The town
Plakias Town
The lovely little town of Plakias is built alongside a single street. With the sea on one side, and houses on the other, you never feel far from the beach. Small roads lead off the main street, with coffee shops and tavernas to catch your attention. Follow one of these small streets as far as you can, and you'll probably end up in an olive grove, leading up to the hills. During the night, explore the bars downtown for a cocktail or two…
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The natural heritage
The natural heritage
Preveli Beach & Palmgrove
Preveli with its riverside palm-groves is one of the most famous and beloved beaches in Crete. Its name – and that of the broader region – is taken from the historical monastery nearby, dedicated to St. John the Theologian.A walk on the bank or a pedalo up the river itself through the palms and oleanders and into the gorge is a quite unforgettable experience. At the mouth of the gorge, where the river Kourtaliotis ends in a delta, is the exquisite beach of Preveli. It has pale sands and a stony bottom to the crystalline water.
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The magnificent landscape
The landscape
Kourtaliotiko Gorge
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is one of the most beautiful gorges of Crete. Magnificent vertical cliffs can be seen on both its sides, reaching as high as 300 metres at several places. It is 2,5 kilometres long and the elevation difference between the entrance point and the outlet is 150 metres. It is a nesting and foraging area for many rare bird species, mostly raptors, a fact that justifies its international importance as a bird habitat. A little picturesque chapel can be seen approximately in the middle of the route, on the western side of the gorge, inside a cave. The gorge is excellent choice for hiking.
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The traditional villages
The villages
Mirthios Village
Mirthios is a small village with a panoramic view over Plakias bay. The beautiful landscape and the atmosphere of the village is ideal for relaxing and enjoying yourself during your vacation. In the village of Mirthios you can find traditional tavernas with beautiful panoramic views, two cafeneios (traditional coffee places) with mini markets and shops selling souvenirs and jewellery as well as the old village houses.
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