ABOUT PLAKIAS, CRETE
Alianthos Beach Hotel is located in Plakias, a lovely village in the south coast of Crete, famous for its beautiful beaches and the amazing countyside area.
Initially a fishing jetty and a few houses, Plakias developed in the last few decades into a tourist resort. The first official notice of Plakias was in 1961, when it was mentioned in a census as the permanent home of six fishermen.
The history of surrounding mountain villages like Myrthios and Sellia goes back into the 10th century, when the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas (961 AD) built roads and bridges in order to link those villages.
Plakias has a 1300 metre long sandy beach and several other beaches within walking distance (Souda, Damnoni, Ammoudi and Skhinaria). To the east exists the famous Monastery of Preveli, and the amazing Preveli Palm beach.
There are two roads into Plakias through the mountain range which lies to its north, both of which run through gorges - to the north of Plakias, the Kotsifos Gorge, and to the northeast, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
The area is quite developed and provides many facilities to the visitors such as organized beaches, super markets, all kind of shops, pharmacies, medical centre, lovely taverns and restaurants and of course an interesting nightlife.
Where to swim
Just 10 meters from the Alianthos Beach Hotel, you can enjoy the clear waters of the amazing long sandy beach of Plakias. This beach exudes a relaxed atmosphere, and is large enough to easily find a secluded spot. About 5 Km distance (5 min driving time) from the hotel, there are many other beautiful unspoilt beaches: Amoudi, Amoudaki, Souda, Damnoni and Skinaria and in 7 Km distance the famous Preveli PALM beach.
Local attractions and sightseeing
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Sports and Activities
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Photo Gallery with sights and beaches in Plakias
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Distances from Alianthos Beach Hotel
| Distance to | Name | Km or meters |
| Capital City | Rethymnon | 30 Km |
| Airports |
Chania International Airport Heraklion International Airport |
90 Km 110 Km |
| Ports | Rethymnon Port Chania port (Souda) |
30 Km 85 Km |
| Hospital ans Health Services | General Hospital in Rethimnon Doctor's office in Plakias Pharmacy in Plakias |
30 Km 200m 100m |
| Transportation | Bus Stop/Station | 100 m |
| Sandy Beaches |
Central beach of Plakias Beach of Souda Beach of Damnoni Beach of Amoudi Beach of Ammoudaki Beach of Skinaria PALM Beach of Preveli |
10 m 1,5 Km 2 Km 2,5 Km 2,5 Km 2,5 Km 7 Km |
| Activities - Recreation | Sea sports in Plakias Horseback Riding in Damnoni Trekking in Kourtaliotis Gorge Trekking in Kotsifos Gorge Mountain Biking inside the olive grooves of Plakias area |
100 m 1,5 Km 6 Km 6 Km 2 Km |
| Sites of Interest | The old mill in Plakias The traditional villages in the area (Myrthios, Sellia etc.) The famous monastery of Preveli |
1,5 Km 3 Km 7 Km |
Driving instructions to Alianthos Beach Hotel
Coming from Chania airport/port you will take the national road with direction to Rethimnon for about 65 kilometers.
If you are coming from Heraklion airport/port you will take the national road with direction to Rethimnon for about 80 kilometers.
When you are close to Rethimnon you will exit the national road following a large green sign indicating "SPILI".
You will continue with direction uphill (south) to Spili for about 17 kilometers until you find a right junction with a sign to "PLAKIAS" and "PREVELI".
You will follow this road to the right and after about 500 meters you will pass through the village of "Koxare", and 4 km after you will enter the "Kourtaliotis" gorge.
The next village, just 500 meters, after the exit of the gorge is "Asomatos".
Exiting village "Asomatos" you will find a junction where you will turn left (follow the sign to "PLAKIAS"). After 2 kilometers you will find the village of "Lefkogia".
You will continue for 2,5 more kilometers and you will find a junction to Plakias where you will turn left (there is sign to "PLAKIAS").
After 700 meters you will reach the center of Plakias where you will find the Alianthos Beach Hotel, where we will be waiting to welcome you.