Things to do in Plakias and Damnoni
Plakias and Damnoni sit on the Libyan Sea, on Rethymno's south coast, reached from Rethymno town by about 40 km of mountain road with no rail link to shorten it. That distance is the trade-off for calmer water in July and August, when the meltemi wind can churn the north coast while this stretch stays sheltered.
Swimming season runs May to October, with the sea around 21-25 °C from June and 24-27 °C by September. The Kourtaliotiko gorge and the palm-lined Preveli beach are both short excursions from a Plakias base.
This is a quiet south-coast staging point, not a nightlife hub — evenings here are tavernas and early nights, not the bars of the north coast.
Plan your Crete trip
Book tours and activities through GetYourGuide — same price for you, small commission for us.
Browse activitiesTours and activities in Plakias and Damnoni
GetYourGuide does not provide a product photo for this activity — the image shows the meeting point, photographed by us.
GetYourGuide From Rethymno: South Private Tour Kourtaliotiko Gorgekalypso
Viator From Chania private trip to Spili-Kourtaliotiko-Kalypso beach
GetYourGuide From Chania: Day Trip to Preveli Beach Damnoni Beach
Viator Kourtaliotiko Gorge Waterfalls & Preveli/Kalypso Beach | Private
GetYourGuide From Chania: Shared Transfer from Chania Airport to Plakias
Viator Plakias: Try Scuba Diving first time - Private, from 8 yrs.
GetYourGuide From Rethymno: Preveli Monastery Plakias Kournas Day Trip
Viator From Rethymno Private Tour to Spili Kourtaliotiko Kalypso Beach
GetYourGuide Impressions of Crete Chora Chora Sfakion Plakias
Viator Cretan impressions - Chora Sfakion and Plakias
GetYourGuide Original Crete Kourtaliotis Preveli Plakias Argyroupoli
Viator