Best things to do in Platanos village in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Platanos is a hill village in the municipality of Kissamos, in the Chania region of western Crete, sitting 240 metres above sea level about 6 km west of Kissamos town. The village takes its name from the majestic platanos tree in its square, which has stood through centuries of Cretan history. Around 1,000 villagers live here, and Platanos has traditionally been a farming community, not a resort.
Chania is the nearest airport to Platanos, and our village guide puts the drive to Chania at about 40 minutes. The village pairs mountain and sea in one base: a working settlement on high ground with the beach of Falassarna 5 km away.
Things to do in and around Platanos
Six outings start from the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Stand under the plane tree. The tree in the village square gave Platanos its name and still marks the centre of village life.
- Eat in the village itself. Motakis Restaurant is 300 m from the centre, with a second taverna 900 m out.
- Drop down to Kokkina Grema. Kokkina Grema lies 3 km west at the exit of a tiny gorge that runs from Platanos, a rugged pebble beach under red cliffs with no facilities and no shade. The dirt track down from the village is in poor condition, so bring your own umbrella.
- Swim at Falassarna. Falassarna is 5 km from the village, a run of 5 consecutive beaches at the western end of the Gramvousa peninsula, and the ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Phalassarna sit at its northern end.
- Hike the Sirikari gorge. The Sirikari Gorge is 7 km away and splits into two parallel paths, Tsichliano to the west and Kioliano to the east, both ending at Polirinia, where the ancient town’s walls still stand above Kissamos bay.
- Walk the Kambos gorge. Kambos, 8 km away on the road towards Elafonissi, is the most westerly gorge on the island. Its trail runs under plane trees beside a river that flows all year and ends at a natural spring.
Beaches near Platanos
Platanos has no beach of its own, because the village sits 240 m up. 5 beaches lie below and around it, from busy sand to a cove reached on a dirt track.
- Kokkina Grema lies 3 km west, a secluded pebble beach named after the reddish soil of the peninsula and known for its red cliffs. It shapes the bay of Lygia and suits camping and solitude, but the lack of facilities and shade makes it a poor choice with young children.
- Falassarna spreads 5 km away, 5 consecutive beaches across a wide bay, with the two central ones drawing most of the visitors. The sand is whitish to golden and turns the shallows a bright turquoise, and close to the waterline it carries a faint pink tint from crushed shells. Falassarna has been voted Crete’s top beach and named among the ten finest in Europe.
- Mavros Molos sits 5.5 km away, directly in front of Kissamos town and known as the “black jetty”. Fine sand, shallow water, lifeguards, sunbeds and tamarisk shade make it the family beach of the area, and the ancient port of Kissamos was found in the same bay.
- Vigglia runs from the same distance, 5.5 km away, starting at the Madonna of the Harbor church by the port of Kissamos and running 2 km of coves west to Kaliviani. The main bay is nearly semicircular, with coarse sand, clear water and patches of rock, and it is barely organised.
- Kaliviani follows 5.6 km away at the foot of the Gramvousa peninsula, 1 km north of Kaliviani village. The shore is mostly rocky with sparse sandy patches and no facilities, and it is one to avoid on gusty days, when big waves over a rocky seabed make swimming risky.
Where to eat in Platanos
Eating around Platanos means village tavernas and beach kitchens down at Falassarna, all within about 3 km of the square.
- Motakis Restaurant is in the village, 300 m from the centre.
- Taverna Mouraki does taverna cooking, 900 m out.
- Taverna Spilios stands 1.7 km from the square.
- Taverna Vassilis sits 2.1 km from the village.
- Panorama Tavern Falassarna lies 2.7 km down towards the beach.
- Falassarna Beach Perigiali Restaurant follows at 2.8 km, on the Falassarna side.
Getting to Platanos
Platanos is reached by road from Kissamos town, about 6 km east, and the last part of the approach climbs to 240 m. Chania is roughly 40 minutes away by road, and Chania is the nearest airport.
Two neighbouring places cover what the village does not. Kissamos, also called Kasteli, is the capital of Kissamos County, a town of about 3,000 people whose economy runs on wine, oil, raki and farm produce rather than mass tourism, and its ferry terminal sits north of the town beach. Inland, Topolia is 9.1 km away and shares its name with the gorge beside it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Platanos village in Crete?
Platanos lies in the municipality of Kissamos in western Crete, 240 metres above sea level and about 6 km west of Kissamos town. The village belongs to the Chania region and stands on the high ground behind the Falassarna coast.
How far is Platanos from Falassarna beach?
Falassarna beach is 5 km from Platanos village. The beach runs as 5 consecutive stretches of sand at the western end of the Gramvousa peninsula, and the ancient city of Phalassarna stands in ruins at its northern end.
Does Platanos village have a beach?
Platanos has no beach of its own, because it sits 240 m above the sea. Kokkina Grema, 3 km west at the exit of a small gorge from the village, is the closest shore, and Falassarna is the closest organised one.
What is Platanos village named after?
Platanos is named after the plane tree in its village square. The Greek word platanos means plane tree, and this one has stood through centuries of Cretan history in the middle of the settlement.
Can you walk a gorge from Platanos?
Yes, a small gorge runs from Platanos down to Kokkina Grema beach, 3 km west. Two longer walks sit close by: Sirikari, 7 km out, which ends at ancient Polirinia, and Kambos, 8 km out, the most westerly gorge in Crete. Topolia and Chalase follow at 9.8 km and 11 km.
How far is Platanos from Chania?
Chania is about a 40-minute drive from Platanos, according to our guide to the village. Kissamos, the nearest town, is roughly 6 km away and covers shops, ferries and a beach.
Where Platanos village is
Best things to do in Platanos village in 2024 is located at Platanos village. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
