Welcome to the southernmost hostel in Europe - a place for fun, for adventure or just relaxing.
Plakias is a quiet backwater away from the hectic north coast of Crete. Some people stay for the wonderful walks in the area. It is still possible to wander off to a lonely beach and see nobody all day. The mountains are for the more energetic. There are also special places known only to the hostel where you can swim in freshwater pools and shower under waterfalls. Then again, some people stay for the beach and the nightlife.
We have 6 large bungalows that are all the same with 4 bunks in each, one of the bungalows is for women only. In the summer we put an extra bunk on the terrace of each bungalow making a total capacity of 60 people.
We also provide free use of beach mats and snorkels, cheap food and drink, volleyball and backgammon. Communal room with large book and music collection. Free hot showers. Internet access, coin phone, communal fridge.
Open 2 weeks before Easter until the end of October.
"Set in an olive grove, this happening hostel goes all-out with hot showers, good music and cheap alcohol, making it a raved-about backpacker oasis. After one day's stay you may hear the sirens singing and never want to leave."- Let's Go
All beds are €9.00 per night with a cheaper weekly rate. Possibly the cheapest hostel in the Euro zone!
New WI-FI 24 hours a day.
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How to book...
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Youth Hostel Plakias Reviews
Verified Reviews by our Community
Great place to stay -- welcoming spirit
I had a great time at Plakias Hostel. The spirit was warm and friendly and welcoming, true to its reputation. There's a free basket of beach gear to borrow, and a spirit of sharing. Hostel caretaker was really welcoming; had a fun time eating together. Nice mix of ages and nationalities. Places to hike and lie on the beach. I could have stayed a lot longer and would love to come back.
Betsy
2013-12-09
Age 63 | USA
Incredibly good -- no hitches whatsoever
This is a hostel that dreams are made of. I visited for the first time in May, 2011 and found everything so perfect that it defies description. Buildings, cleanliness, landscaping, dorms, facilities, atmosphere, security, natural beauty, beach. I had never stayed in a hostel before, quite often in hotels, 4 & 5 star, but find them boring in the long run, someone recommended this hostel to me for a different experience, and I gave it a try. The price is so low it brings tears to your eyes, and the quality so high that I simply do not believe there can be a better hostel in the world. Was I bribed to write this? No, but I am truly thankful to the guy who created it, Chris from England, who has made it into a magnet for some of the most wonderful people one could wish to meet. He is Einstein of hostel management, no less, and I cannot wait to get back there!
Shark S
2011-05-23
Denmark
i was there in the summer and it was a lot of fun. crete is incredible and plakias is a beautiful little town. you feel safe there, they make it very comfortable. the staff was super cool and glad to be there. it is cleaned by people who are staying there so they do a really good job. they cook you eggs for breakfast how you like them. it's almost cultish how people feel about that place. there is a certain magic that seems to attract good people. the river hike is talked up a bit. great place though. the food in crete is the best in greece. also there seems to be more girls than guys at all times which keeps it mellow. thanks chris, and the man in black on the hill, i had a great time.
christian
2007-03-25
The hostel is really laid back, nice landscaping, great atmosphere, and good management. Attracts lots of solo travellers. I first went for three days and stayed three weeks, and have been back several times since. Best hostel i've ever stayed in. you will love it.
Rebecca
2006-09-10
I thought the hostel was the best that I have ever been to.
Amelia
2006-04-07
This is the place you went travelling to be. Its the place you hoped you would find when you set off. If you enjoy living then this is the life you had hoped for. Go -- visit. Take a deep breathe and feel how good your life can be. Let the beauty of existence seep into your soul. Let the life you would love, love you. I am a repeat offender at this hostel, and in Plakias.
Scouse Dave
2006-03-18
This is one of the best hostels I've been to in many years of traveling. Many people who are traveling there have been going there year after year, and for good reason. Plakias is a top-notch hiking spot, with mountains, caves, and waterfalls. You can get a guidebook of local hiking spots at the store in town. There are good places to go snorkeling (it's on Crete's southern coast), and the restaurants are cheap and have good food. The hostel is a great place to sit under a tree to read a book, or to meet and talk with other travelers. There are many different beaches to visit. I highly recommend it.
Josh
2005-08-02
I loved this place, it was full of tranquility and fun. The people there are all laid back everyone seemed so nice. The beds were open to the nice breeze. Every night there was music, games, and of course drinking. I will come to this hostel again.
Anonymous
2005-07-17
Youth Hostel Plakias Reviews from the Web
Before my stay I was skeptical about the amazing reviews. Such a simple hostel in a very chilled out area of crete and everyone raves about it. After 4 nights there I can understand why!! Everyone who comes is so friendly and I think that is due to the amazing outdoor setup of the hostel. The common areas are all connected together allowing you to wander and join different groups. The hammocks are amazing for midday naps, the kitchen is so clean, the dorms and bathrooms as well. But its windy!!
rcastellino
2022-07-30
Perfect example of how a good hostel should be!
This hostel is absolutely superb, Uli is friendly, helpful, full of local knowledge and goes the extra mile for his guests. The facilities are cleaned daily, rooms are spacious and the large lounge/patio is calm and relaxing as well as a great place to meet other travellers.
aahmed2016
2022-07-26
Amazing amazing place
ajRrj3xwtxB8vTnn
2022-07-23
The facilities are simple but absolutely fine. The location is great but honestly, the best thing about this place are the people and the atmosphere. Everyone is super welcoming and friendly and it is very easy to hang out with people.
The Creten wind was very stormy and annoying but that is not the fault of the hostel, of course.
tharnischfeger6678
2022-07-20
The best hostel I have ever stayed at!! Rooms are spacious and the kitchen is clean & well stocked. Uli has cultivated such a great atmosphere that is accepting of all different types of travelers, and he has so many recommendations for activities to do in the area. Whether you are looking for a beach vacation, dramatic & beautiful hikes, or just want to chill in a hammock and relax, this is the place for you. It speaks volumes that I met so many people who have visited multiple times over the years, I hope
katiehallagan8421
2022-07-11
Very relaxed hostel - nice outdoor area with hammocks and a kitchen and dining area that opens out onto the garden. The hostel has lots of recommendations and organised a bbq night which really got everyone together. Bit of a different vibe to a lot of hostels - there is an older crowd and many people who come back every year and stay for longer periods of time. Downsides - some of the lockers didnt have latches so couldnt be locked and the kitchen could have been a bit cleaner.
taracam
2022-07-07
Such an incredible experience. Very close to central plakias while also being a calm place to relax after a long day. But what was the highlight of the trip is the people. Uli the manager was incredible, he had endless advice about walks for us to do and was so welcoming. Plakias youth hostel is such a community there were lots of group trips to the beach and endless opportunities to join someones plans and make new friends in the process. Stay here !!!We already want to come back !
aZ5SXB4Mkv2voxPQ
2022-06-30
This truly is the most chilled out hostel in the world. I walked in at sunset and was just immediately relaxed as I came through the olive grove and summer camp-like setup. Uli is an amazing manager and can help with where to go on the days you have there. This was my first hostel on the solo-travel part of my trip and it was so easy to meet people. If you go, join the family of people who are there while you are and you will have a group of friends to go hiking, swimming, drinking, or literally anything
gaupshaw3501
2022-06-27
What a gem! Such an incredible place to stay. Uli the hostel manager is so friendly, as are all the guests. It has a real community feel. Book here for at least a few days or you'll regret it.
iftnoknoi3537
2022-06-25
Stay here you will not regret it!!! The cutest place and the best atmosphere- met some wonderful people and there were so many great activities near by. The town is super cute and lots of great local spots, but also the hostel is the perfect place to spend a chill day as well!!
mkuan
2022-06-18
This place really lived up to the hype. The vibe was excellent and I met a lot of people to organise trips/activities with. The rooms were nice and well thought out. Loved the combination of big & small lockers and shelves. Outlets and shelves in each bed. The breakfast was nothing special but sufficient and really cheap. One downside - showers do run out of hot water by late afternoon.
rachelconnor7575
2022-06-18
This place is exceptional. Feels like a summer camp. So relaxing. You can meet great people there and the host Uli helps to organise plenty of great outdoor activities. I spent there just a few days and discovered 2 beautiful places I would have never found, have I not stayed in this hostel. Really great experience! I will be coming back :))
chadalskamarta1552
2022-06-13
Enjoyed two nights at the Youth Hostel Plakias while scuba diving in the south of Crete. The atmosphere of the hostel was unlike any other Ive visited and really had an island vibe to it. There was no available lockers to store our luggage but we did have a car for any valuables. For a youth hostel, there was quite a bit of older (40+) people actually living in the hostel for an extended period of time and thinking of it as their home which left a bit of a sour taste but great overall!
ChaseDavidson
2022-06-08
you can't miss this hostel if youre in crete! the best atmosphere, and so many things to do nearby. Uli is great and will help with anything, and will tell you the local hikes and best beaches when you arrive. the beds are comfy and the hostel has a beautiful garden with a river running next to it. located in the most beautiful area and you will meet amazing people. the evenings at this hostel are always a great atmosphere and there is so much to do in the day time. will be back!!
nancccnd6464
2022-05-30
Well smack my ass and call me judy..
This hostel has such a nice chill atmosphere, 5 minutes walk from the town & closest beach.
Uli the host is a great guy that has many recommendations on what to do in the area, the facilities are clean and it's very easy to socialize and at the same time have your own time if you need to.
The one thing for improvement that I have in mind is to add curations to the bunk beds.
Will definitely recommend & come back.
aYLAECgk0ArguMNi
2022-05-30
Fantastic hostel with amazing staff. The location is great and the hostel has a really relaxed atmosphere. Uli was always fantastic with arranging trips and did above and beyond to make sure everyone had a good stay and got to know the beautiful Plakias area. I would definitely stay again!
baileyg39335
2022-05-16
Youth Hostel Plakias was an amazing experience! Uli the manager is fantastic and knowledgeable and very helpful with any questions you have. The hostel itself is gorgeous, it feels like youre in a sanctuary and the repeating guests prove how wonderful this place really is. Highly recommend!!
mstoughton3129
2022-05-15
This is a very special hostel in a beautiful location. The manager Uli is very hands on and nothing is too much trouble. It is a very a hard place to leave.
Annebradley
2022-04-09
this hostel rules!! ended up staying an extra 5 days and it was so hard to leave. uli who runs the hostel has endless knowledge about things to do in plakias and neighboring towns and gets groups together for hikes and dinners! its easy to meet people and socialize but also have private time too. would highly recommend this hostel to anyone, young or old, busy body or chilled out- its a very special place!
poprobin858
2022-04-07
Amazing hostel and atmosphere, the people I met were really kind and the hostel is very special. It's certainly a place to re-visit many times over. Close to the beach and lots of activities to do in the surrounding areas. I'll cherish my memories here and I'd like to say a special thanks to the manager for looking after the place. See you again soon! :-)
MrFlynn
2022-04-07
Description
Location and Contact
Location
On the south coast of Crete, 35km south of Rethymno. If you arrive by bus; walk 150m with the sea on your right, turn left and look out for the yellow triangular signs. Only 10 minutes walk from the bus.Map
Address: Mirthios, Plakias, Crete, Greece
Youth Hostel Plakias is listed on the following booking sites:
Hostelworld Not listed at Booking.com Not listed at HostelsClubWebsite
www.yhplakias.com
Phone Number:
+30 28320 32118
To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Correction Form.
Facilities and Amenities
Party Hostel
Quiet Rest
Solo Traveller
Luggage Storage
Parking
Safe Deposit Box
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Wi-Fi in Rooms
Bedsheets
Breakfast
Towels
BBQ Grill
Bar
Board Games
Book Collection/Exchange
Concierge/Info Desk
Food/Restaurant
Hair Dryers
Hot Showers
Laundry
Lounge Area
Movie Library/Rental
Outdoor Seating
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
Airport Pickup
Credit Card Payments
Entirely Non-Smoking
Kitchen
Lockers in Rooms
Wheelchair Accessible
Service Animals
Pet-Friendly
Checkout: 12:00 (12 Noon)
Curfew: No Curfew
Lockout: No
Maximum Stay: Unlimited
Minimum Stay: 2 nights
Open Dates: 2 weeks before Easter to end of October.
Reception Hours: 9am to noon, 5 to 8pm.
Size: Medium (30-60 beds)
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