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Captain’s rating: 97%
Link to archived comments (2001 – 2019):
Plakias has a very friendly community, and repeated visits have led the Captain to develop a real affection for the place and its people. And it is surrounded by wonderful scenery and some of the best beaches the Captain has had the pleasure to visit are in the vicinity. It’s well signposted and has good access roads.
The Plakias Bay beach (GPS N35 10.877 E24 24.064) is a huge stretch of golden sand. The south east end is fine sand, with umbrellas and sunbeds, and primarily nude for the last section (three or four hundred metres) which is largely screened from the road by dunes. The entry to the sea is shallow for some way out, which may make it more suitable for children than some of the other naturist beaches in the area. In some places at the water’s edge there is flat rock where you might expect sand; it is easy enough to walk on, but mind you don’t stub your toes.
There are showers on the beach, although sometimes reduced to a trickle. It is also quite busy. Very pleasant and well recommended. This is one of my favourite nudist beaches in the whole of Greece (rating 97%).
The naturist section is often by far the most crowded part of the beach, with very few dissenters among the naked ones. It is one of the best beaches in terms of feeling comfortable with fellow sunbathers whilst being so close to the town and road.
The setting is perfect. Mountains on three sides, a small fertile valley, and a beach about two miles long. The headland to the west is shaped like the head of a sleeping dragon (watch him breathe fire at sunset).
The east end of the beach (hidden from the road by a few dunes) is mostly nude, with a simple and friendly atmosphere. From a hotel in Plakias village it takes 15—20 minutes to walk to this end.
Plakias beach is a bit of a magnet for the Captain, I’m afraid; I keep coming back, most recently in September 2006 when it was just as perfect as ever. The doughnut man calls every day, yum, yum! He calls: “Extra vitamina! Extra! A doughnut a day keeps the doctor away …”. He wasn’t spotted during a 2-week visit May 2010, but a different gent selling fruit salads was… sign of the health-conscious times?
Beach umbrellas extend into the nudist area and are used by nudists. Enough room in front and beyond them for those not wanting one. 90% nudist in this area. A beautiful beach in a beautiful bay.
Cleanliness has been an issue in the past, but the guy running the sun umbrellas is obsessive about picking up litter and the beach is now beautifully clean. Regulars do their bit to help keep it that way.
The sunbeds cost €5 per day (for an umbrella + a pair of beds – singles pay €3), payable to the conscientious attendant who replaced the delightfully cheerful Freddie around 2013. Each bed pair now has an earthenware pot for users’ rubbish. There are now reported to be beach bars in both the non-naturist and the naturist sections.
One report found that seaweed and flies were an unpleasant nuisance, and another described the water as rather murky. In spite of this, overall impressions are still favourable, and two reports particularly commend it for young families.
walking guides
Some contributors recommend Lance Chilton’s brochures outlining walks in the Plakias area. They’re very good if you want to get to the beaches on foot. There are 10 walks in the Plakias area, 7 more challenging walks in Plakias. It can be obtained in the supermarket next to the bus stop in Plakias.
tourism day
The local authority has taken to arranging a free festival for the benefit of the tourists on “Tourism day” at the end of September, with food and local wine, music, singing and dancing. Thank you to Finikas authority and all involved for this generous and enjoyable gesture.
bus service
There’s a bus service between Plakias & Rethymnon (the nearest big town, on the north coast):
depart Rethymnon:
06.15, 09.00, 11.00, 14.30, 18.00 weekdays
09.00, 11.00, 14.30, 18.00 – – – – Sat & Sun
depart Plakias:
07.00, 10.00, 12.00, 15.15, 19.00 weekdays
10.00, 12.00, 15.15, 19.00 – – – – Sat & Sun
fare: €4? each way
(Summer 2016 timetable – more at cretetravel.com.)
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2020 August The nudist part is at the end, so we have it all for ourselves. Very relaxed, all ages. Nice showers.
2023 July: report from Aaron on the Forum:-
Naturism still strong at the far end of the beach, prob about 95% nude but a few textiles who don’t get the hint and use the other 95% of the beach available to them. Plenty of sun loungers available every day, they were never all in use. Mostly couples but also a few single men, women, a family one day. Nice mix of nationalities and friendly vibe. The downsides though are the wind – either unpleasant or unbearable, and the rocks / stones that make getting into the sea very hard – once you’re in, the long sand bank is lovely but everyone struggled getting in and out. Sun lounger man friendly and clearly knows his regulars, doughnut man calls around lunchtime.
The nearest beach bar is nice but extortionate, the second one is much fairer priced and saw a lot of people from the beach there (both are clothed). Not sure I’d return because of the wind but glad I experienced it. If the wind does whip up and sandblast you, head towards the dunes for a bit of protection.
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From a Barefooter (Summer 2026):
It was our first time visiting the Plakias nude beach in August – we have been there many times during September – and we noticed a different vibe. First of all, there were a lot more Greek people in Plakias, including enjoying the nude beach, and unsurprisingly the village itself was busy with younger people than outside the peak season.
The nude beach itself was less busy than we remembered from September and there was no difficulty getting sunbeds (now €10 for the day). We think it will revert to the usual pattern when September comes. Unfortunately the row of umbrellas from the “textile” section just further north had been extended south, stealing precious metres from the naturist area. But that did not seem to cause real issues; there was still plenty of space for everyone. And the naturist area was pretty much 100% nude.
Worth stressing that the sand gets very hot quite early in the day – you definitely need a decent pair of flip-flops or beach sandals for the trip from your place on the beach to the sea!
RedRoseRomer
One of my favourite beaches for all the reasons mentioned above.