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Platani, situated 7km to the west of Sitia and 60km east of Agios Nikolaos on Crete island, can be reached by taking the road to Faneromeni Monastery, which starts near the village of Skopi. Around 2km after Skopi, just before reaching the monastery, you’ll discover two adjacent small pebbly beaches with crystal clear waters.
The first beach, known as Agii Pantes, is nestled at the exit of the verdant Agii Pantes gorge, which can be accessed easily by a hiking trail. Limestone formations near the beach, resembling Pleurotus mushrooms, are a sight to behold. The gorge houses two freshwater springs, Koutsounari and Hosto Nero, the latter located inside a cave. During winter, Agii Pantes beach floods and transforms into a significant wetland.
The second beach, Platani, is formed at the exit of another lush canyon that runs parallel to Agii Pantes. The canyon starts from Faneromeni Monastery. The beach is named Platani, which translates to platan tree in Greek, after the platan trees that line the beach. A spring with fresh water is located next to the beach. This undeveloped area is perfect for peaceful solitude and calm swimming. To the west of Cape Trahilos lies Papadiokambos, a spot renowned for windsurfing.
While you’re in the area, it’s worth paying a visit to the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni, located adjacent to the Platani gorge. The monastery, likely built in the 14th century and renovated in 1624, houses paintings dated to 1455. These were blackened by the destructive raids of the pirate Barbarossa in 1538 and by the Turks in 1829. The monastery’s name, Faneromeni, which means ‘Revealed’, is derived from the image of the Virgin Mary that reportedly “appeared” in a small cave next to the church. Today, the monastery is uninhabited.
Get directions to Platani beach
There are various activities you can do at Platani beach such as swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball, beach soccer, and snorkeling.
Yes, Platani beach is suitable for families with children as the water is shallow and calm, and there are lifeguards on duty during the day.
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes near Platani beach where you can enjoy local cuisine and drinks.
Yes, you can rent beach equipment such as umbrellas, sun loungers, and beach towels at Platani beach.
Yes, there is a parking area near Platani beach where you can park your car for a fee.
Yes, there are several water sports activities available at Platani beach such as jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides.
No, pets are not allowed at Platani beach for hygiene and safety reasons.
The water colour of the Platani beach is blue.
The Platani beach has pebbles as its sand type.
The water at the Platani beach is deep.
The sea surface at the Platani beach is usually wavy.
The Platani beach is usually quiet.
There are no facilities available at the Platani beach.
The Platani beach can be accessed through a paved road.
The Platani beach is ideal for snorkeling and spearfishing, and there is tree shade available.
Find below list of things to do near Platani beach:
Explore one of Crete’s most beautiful landscapes while hiking by the small river that will lead you to the 20m waterfall of Richtis. During the hike you will see some small ponds and waterfalls, as well as many different endemic plants, flowers, trees and animals. Richtis Gorge is part of the Sitia Geopark. On the path you will pass over small wooden bridges, old water mills and amazing view points. The hike is about 7km long. Richtis gorge is a green oasis where you definately want to be during the Cretan summertime.
Following collection from select areas, the experience starts from Agios Nikolaos heading east. This is an excellent opportunity for you to admire the sublime Gulf of Mirabello, which is Eastern Crete’s riviera. You will then pass through many picturesque villages before reaching the 15th-century Toplou Monastery.
The compound features a small museum with notable exhibits of Christian-Orthodox art, such as sacred utensils and chalcography by the monks of Mount Athos. There is also an olive press which produces olive oil of outstanding quality, as well as wine-making facilities. Both the olive oil and the wine produced in the monastery are exported all over the world.
You may participate in a wine and spirit tasting session (optional) at the monastery’s cellar, after which you will pay a visit to one of the main attractions in eastern Crete, the protected Palm Forest of Vai. It is unique in Europe and is located next to one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. At this location there will be plenty of time for you to enjoy swimming, as you bask in the rare beauty of the landscape. On your way back, you will stop at Platanos where you can watch the sunset in an area which boasts an enchanting view.
Start your day tour discovering the beautiful east part of Crete!
Visit Toplou, a 15th-century monastery located in a dry and barren area. Toplou monastery is one of the most significant monasteries in Crete, dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary) and St. John the Theologian.
Continue the tour to visit the largest palm forest in Europe, Vai Palm Beach. The palm forest draws thousands of visitors each year. They come not only for its wonderful palm forest, but also for the large sandy beach spread out at its foot.
Last stop of the day the cozy town of Sitia, with a lovely beach road and Venetian castle.
Detailed Time Schedule:
Morning Pick Up
We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning.
Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive will differ.
Bus Drive to Toplou: 2 hours amd 30 minutes
1nd stop: Toplou Monastery – 40 minutes
Our participants willenjoy a visit to the historical and beautiful Monastery of Toplou.There they will spend about 40′ of guided time and free time to take photos of the unique architecture and the Cretan Natural landscape outdoors.
Bus Drive to Vai Beach: 20 minutes
2rd stop: Vai Beach – 2 hours and 30 minutes
Stop at Vai, the biggest natural palm forest in Europe. Enjoy your free time to swim, sunbathe, have lunch and take photos of this exotic landscape of Crete.
Bus Drive to Sitia: 30 minutes
3rd stop: Sitia – 1 hour and 20 minutes
Participants will enjoy some free time to explore the town on their own pace, walk by the cosmopolitan beach road, have a coffee at a traditional cafe or taste the delicious local homemade sweets.
End of the tour – Arrival at resorts:
Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning.
Depending on traffic and on the pick-up places of each one, the time of journey back to the hotel will differ.
Return Bus Drive to Heraklion: Around 2 – 3 hours hours
Discover the enchanting allure of East Crete with our meticulously crafted day tour.
Toplou Monastery
The journey starts as we make our way to the storied Toplou Monastery. You’ll be allotted 40 minutes to delve into its rich history, admire its distinctive architecture, and soak in the breathtaking views of the Cretan countryside that envelops this sacred site.
Vai Palm Beach
Next, we venture to the idyllic Vai Beach, celebrated for hosting Europe’s largest natural palm forest. Enjoy two hours of leisure time to swim in its azure waters, sunbathe on its golden sands, relish a tasty lunch, and take in the mesmerizing beauty of this unique landscape through your camera lens.
Sitia Town
Our exploration culminates in the picturesque town of Sitia, a gem that allows you to experience its lively beach road, enjoy a coffee at a traditional café, and indulge in exquisite local sweets over a 40-minute visit.
As the sun sets on this unforgettable day, we return to Heraklion by bus, carrying with us a treasure trove of memories from this enchanting journey through East Crete’s most cherished sights.
Find below the list of hotels near Platani beach:
Located in Roússa Límni, right next to the beach, Stonehouse villas with breathtaking view features self-catering accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi. The property provides barbecue facilities as well as a garden.
The villas feature 1 separate bedroom and includes a kitchen with an oven and a dining area.
The villas offer a terrace. If you would like to discover the area, snorkelling is possible in the surroundings.
Agios Nikolaos and Elounda are around 80 km from Stonehouse villas with breathtaking view. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 120 km from the property.
Featuring mountain views, Papadiokampos Maissonete provides accommodation with free bikes, around 35 km from Vai Palm Forest. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa comes with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
The villa offers a children’s playground. After a day of snorkelling, diving or cycling, guests can relax in the garden or in the shared lounge area.
The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 10 km from Papadiokampos Maissonete.
Boasting city views, Mira Sitia Luxury Apartment features accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 1.3 km from Sitia Beach. It features mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The apartment with a terrace and sea views has 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a bath. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
Deep River Beach is 2.2 km from the apartment, while Vai Palm Forest is 24 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, a few steps from Mira Sitia Luxury Apartment.
from
€111
/night
Featuring sea views, Terrace house provides accommodation with a balcony and a kettle, around less than 1 km from Sitia Beach. With mountain views, this accommodation offers a patio.
The apartment features a terrace, 1 bedroom, a living room and a well-equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
Deep River Beach is 2.7 km from the apartment, while Karabopetra Beach is 2.9 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, a few steps from Terrace house.
from
€42
/night
Set in Sitia and only less than 1 km from Sitia Beach, Sitia View offers accommodation with sea views, free WiFi and free private parking. This apartment features air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace.
This apartment is fitted with 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom equipped with a bath. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Deep River Beach is 2.6 km from the apartment, while Karabopetra Beach is 2.9 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 1 km from Sitia View.
from
€111
/night
Located in Sitia, 700 metres from Sitia Beach and 2.7 km from Karabopetra Beach, Sitia Cozy Apartment provides air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The property features mountain and city views, and is 2.9 km from Deep River Beach.
The apartment comes with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Vai Palm Forest is 24 km from the apartment. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 1 km from Sitia Cozy Apartment.
Find below list of beaches near Platani beach:
The sea around Papadiokambos is frequently choppy, which makes the eastern side of the Trahili peninsula, just east of the settlement, an ideal alternative for swimming. The stubby cape shields against the waves, resulting in tranquil, azure-blue waters. Initially, it may seem as though there is only a rocky shoreline without a beach. However, there’s a hidden, modest beach, accessible by a dirt road, named Gaidaros (meaning Donkey), as seen on the map. Gaidaros is the sole natural beach in the extensive region between Kalavros and Sitia town that boasts consistently calm waters.
In the expansive, uninhabited wilderness between Platani and Sitia airport, the landscape is dominated by sparse vegetation and rugged, sharp rocks. This region, known as Melissokipi or ‘Bee Gardens’, is devoid of roads. It is intersected by numerous deep streams that flow into the sea during the winter season. One such stream, the Vathys Potamos or ‘Deep River’, gives way to a small sandy beach. However, the beach is often adversely affected by frequent winds and waves that bring trash ashore. The region is also referred to as Spilia, which translates to ‘cave’, owing to the presence of one of Crete’s largest caves near the beach. This cavern is so sizable that it can comfortably accommodate a large vessel.
Situated 12km west of Sitia and 59km east of Agios Nikolaos, Papadiokambos nests near the Faneromeni Monastery in the Skopi area, just west of Cape Trahilos. Reachable via a well-maintained dirt road, Papadiokambos is home to a long beach scattered with large stones and rocks. You will find a few bays formed with pebbles where swimming is possible. The beach is secluded, so it’s likely you’ll have it all to yourself. However, it’s worth noting that amenities are scarce, so bring your own supplies. Strong winds and large waves discourage most visitors, making it an ideal spot for windsurfing enthusiasts, even in winter. Known as Faneromeni among windsurfers, Papadiokambos is renowned as one of Greece’s prime locations for wave sailing, a thrilling aspect of the sport. The area is characterized by strong currents, large waves reaching 3-4m high, and virtually no beach. Some spots can be hazardous, requiring caution and advanced level skills to avoid damaging your equipment on the rocks.
The beach also houses an excavated Minoan fisherman’s house, a small structure that has provided significant insight into Minoan dietary habits.
It’s definitely worth your while to venture west from the Papadiokambos settlement, particularly on those seldom windless days. You might consider parking your car roadside, bypassing the wire fence, and taking a brief 2-minute stroll to the mouth of the gorge that stretches from the Liopetro region to the stunning Charkomatas beach, located near Roussa Limni. The breathtaking formations of the Charkomatas gorge, carved from layers of limestone, are sure to leave a lasting impression.
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