Quiet Beach Village in Crete

by Jane
(UK)

Hello, We have been visiting Panormos village for 4 years and this year we would like a change.

We have booked flights into Chania in August, we are looking for a village similar to Panormos, with quiet beach, that has sun beds, a few tavernas, etc. no noisy night life required.

Please could you help?

Thank you in advance

Plakias Beach South Crete

We suggest Plakias Beach in the south of Crete and or Damnoni Beach which is much smaller and quieter.

Plakias has a village, however Damnoni is nice and quiet with a few hotels and a couple of tavernas, without a village.

Both beaches are directly south of Rethymnon town after a great drive through Crete of only 35 km. There is a lot to see in the surrounding area that may be a little different from the area you saw in Panormos. You can still visit Rethymnon town easily for the day, with its great history and shopping, tavernas, bars and cafes.

In Plakias you will find a number of great tavernas right down by the bay (try Sirocco & Paligremnos), really there would be no reason to leave at all, just mooch around from the hotel to the beach to the tavern and back again.

Looking Around
If you do feel like looking around, there is the hillside villages of Myrthios, Sellia and Mariou where village life continues on, and fresh produce means wonderfully fresh food, try the Mariou Taverna. The historic Monastery of Preveli and Preveli Beach and Palm Forest are just 10 km away. This is a unique environment with the river descending from the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, with steep sides creating a micro climate, in which the palms thrive. If you drive there, be aware that the access to the beach is via a steep track.

Or you could take a taxi boat from Plakias to this beach or many other beaches dotted about this southern coast.

Diving
If you are interested in diving, there is a good dive school located at the Kalypso resort which is located between Plakias and Damnoni Beaches. They have dives for beginners and non-certified divers, snorkelling is available and many levels of diving too, like PADI courses. The clear waters here are perfect for lovely hours of underwater magic.

Accommodation
In Plakias we suggest Thalassa House Apartments or Plakias Suites and in Damnoni we suggest the small pension Akti Damnoni.

Rethymnon Town

Rethymnon Region

Plakias Bay

Preveli Beach

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!