Set beside a sweeping sandy crescent and accessed via two scenic gorges – Kotsifou and Kourtaliotiko – Plakias gets swarmed with package tourists in summer (when it can be very windy), but otherwise remains a laid-back indie travelers’ favorite. While the village itself isn’t particularly pretty, it’s an excellent launch pad for regional excursions and hikes through olive groves, along with seaside cliffs and to some sparkling hidden beaches.