Best things to do in Platanias in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Platanias is a coastal resort village on the north coast of Crete, 11 km west of Chania, and one of the busiest seaside resorts in the area. Platanias sits on a hill above the sea and has grown from a small hillside village into a suburb of Chania. The resort fronts a Blue-Flag sandy beach that runs about 2 km west from the edge of Agia Marina, part of a sandy stretch of roughly 7 km along this coast, and the old village on the slope behind looks out over the sea and the protected islet of Thodorou.
Chania airport is the nearest airport to Platanias. The resort is a lively base rather than a quiet retreat: bars and restaurants stay open late, shops sell clothing, home decor, artwork and ceramics, and frequent buses from Chania make this one of the easiest beaches to reach near the city.
Things to do in and around Platanias
Six outings lie within about 13 km of the resort, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Platanias beach. The sand lines the front of the resort 400 m from the centre, with sunbeds, beach bars and water sports a few steps away. Our full write-up sits on the Platanias beach page.
- Climb to the old village. The original hillside settlement stands above the resort and looks out over the sea and the islet of Thodorou. Our Platanias village page covers the hotels, the shops and the nightlife in more detail.
- Spend a quiet day at Gerani. The beach lies 1.9 km west, between Maleme and Platanias, and is one of the widest and calmest near Chania. Part of Gerani carries sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and beach bars, and the long unorganised stretches stay peaceful even in high summer.
- Walk east to Agia Marina. The beach starts 2.4 km away and faces the protected islet of Thodorou across shallow, calm blue water. Man-made stone piers keep swimming at Agia Marina sheltered on windy days, and beach bars, tavernas and hotels line the shore behind it.
- Hike the Kydoni Gorge. The gorge lies 12.5 km away at the base of the White Mountains, and the walk starts at an ancient fountain in the village of Karanou and drops through a centuries-old olive grove to the stream bed. Kydoni is one of the greenest gorges in Crete, with trees over twenty metres high, and the path passes the church of Agios Dimitrios and its remnants of old frescoes.
- Drive the Therisso Gorge. The canyon runs 6 km through vertical cliffs and greenery, 12.7 km from Platanias, and a road goes through it. Pair Therisso with the village of the same name at the foot of the White Mountains, which has a population of just over 100 and a place in Crete’s modern history.
Platanias beach
Platanias beach is a long, organised, Blue-Flag sandy beach directly in front of the resort. The sand runs for about 2 km, starting at the edge of Agia Marina and reaching west, and sunbeds, beach bars and water sports cover its length. Stalos, Agia Marina and Platanias run into one another along this coast, so the beach reads as one continuous sandy strip rather than a single bay.
Beaches near Platanias
Four beaches lie within 6 km of Platanias, all of them on the same west-running coast road towards Kolymbari.
- Gerani lies 1.9 km west, a long quiet stretch of sand and fine pebbles whose shore is a protected nesting ground for Caretta caretta sea turtles from May to September.
- Agia Marina sits 2.4 km east, one of the busiest beaches near Chania, fully organised and sheltered by stone piers, facing the islet of Thodorou.
- Stalos is 4 km east between Kalamaki and Agia Marina, a well-equipped sandy beach at Kato Stalos that takes a blue flag each year, with the traditional village of Pano Stalos 150 m up the hill behind it.
- Maleme lies 5.7 km west, sandy and well developed, with a quieter west end beside the old military airport. Its name is thought to come from “Malama”, meaning gold.
Where to eat in Platanias
Eating in Platanias happens along the strip behind the beach, where restaurants, tavernas and bars sit within 400 m of the centre.
- Nero Wine Cellar is a wine bar and restaurant, 200 m from the centre.
- Symposium Restaurant stands 200 m from the centre.
- Vegera Restaurant is 300 m out.
- Haroupia Taverna serves taverna cooking 400 m out.
- Socrates Restaurant sits 400 m out.
Getting to Platanias
Reach Platanias on the coast road that runs west out of Chania towards Kolymbari, 11 km in all. Buses from the city run frequently, which makes Chania an easy day out and the resort an easy arrival without a car. The Old National Road and the new national road both serve this stretch of coast.
Two neighbouring villages sit within a short drive. The village of Gerani, 2.7 km west, is split between Kato Gerani on the beach and Palaio Gerani inland, with a small river running through it and far less tourism than Platanias, and Kato Daratso lies 6.8 km away on the same coast.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Platanias in Crete?
Platanias lies 11 km west of Chania on the north coast of western Crete. The village sits on a hill above the sea, on the coast road that runs out towards Kolymbari.
Does Platanias have a good beach?
Platanias beach is a long, organised, Blue-Flag sandy beach running about 2 km in front of the resort. Sunbeds, beach bars and water sports sit a few steps from the sand, and the beach begins at the edge of Agia Marina and runs west.
Is Platanias good for nightlife?
Platanias is one of the liveliest resorts near Chania, and its bars and restaurants stay open late. The long sandy beach and the nightlife together make it a tourist base rather than a place for a quiet retreat.
How far is Platanias from Chania?
Platanias is 11 km west of Chania city. Buses run frequently between the two, so the resort is one of the easiest beaches to reach from Chania without a car.
Which airport serves Platanias?
Chania airport is the nearest airport to Platanias. The resort lies west of Chania city on the north coast of the Chania region.
Which quieter beach is closest to Platanias?
Gerani, 1.9 km west, is the closest quiet beach. It is one of the widest and calmest beaches near Chania, its long unorganised stretches stay peaceful in high summer, and its sand is a protected turtle nesting ground from May to September.
Where Platanias is
Best things to do in Platanias in 2024 is located at Platanias, Crete, Greece. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
