Youth Hostel Plakias

Youth Hostel Plakias is one of the most celebrated budget accommodations in Greece, a simple yet legendary hostel set approximately 100 metres from Plakias beach on the south coast of Crete, in the Rethymno regional unit. Operating for several decades, the hostel has earned its reputation among backpackers and budget travellers not through luxury but through location, character, and one of the great hostel terraces in Europe — a rooftop space strung with hammocks, offering sweeping views across the Libyan Sea and toward the White Mountains that define the skyline to the north.

The hostel offers both dormitory beds and private rooms, with per-night prices placing it firmly at the most economical end of the Cretan accommodation market. Facilities are modest but functional: a communal kitchen for self-catering, shared bathrooms, free WiFi, and luggage storage. The main draw beyond the legendary rooftop is the immediate proximity to Plakias beach — a long stretch of pebble and sand with clear water and minimal commercial development, characteristic of south Crete's relatively unspoiled southern coastline.

Plakias village sits on the southern flank of the White Mountains, accessible from Rethymno by a 45-minute drive through the dramatic Kourtaliotis Gorge. The village has a handful of good tavernas, a supermarket, and a relaxed, unhurried character that attracts travellers specifically seeking the slower pace of Crete's less-developed south. From Plakias, Preveli Beach — where a palm-fringed river mouth meets the sea beneath towering gorge walls — is about 12 kilometres east. The Monastery of Preveli, perched above the gorge, is equally worth the detour.

The hostel suits backpackers, solo travellers, and budget-conscious visitors of all ages who prefer authenticity and natural beauty over polished amenities. The communal atmosphere on the rooftop terrace naturally facilitates connections among guests. Summer bookings, particularly for July and August, must be made well in advance — the hostel fills months ahead of the peak season.