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Plaka Chania Crete

Plaka Chania Crete Πλάκα in western Crete sits looking over Souda Bay and Almirida Beach just 27 km from Chania Town and 33 from Chania International Airport.

This village is in the beautiful and lush Apokoronas region of Crete where you can explore villages and the traditional way of life, as well as relax on sandy beaches.

Here you can see Mount Drapanokefala where Plaka is nestled with views over the bay, and the beaches of Kalives and Almirida on Souda Bay.

Plaka Beaches & Villages

Plaka is a leafy green village on a hillside looking out over Souda bay and less than 1 km from Almyrida Beach. But the road is steep and winding and it would be best to visit the beaches with a car. The nice part about staying in Plaka is the village feel with lovely local tavernas and cafes and less hustle bustle than the beachside strip down at Almirida and Kalives.

Visit beaches with crystal clear waters:

• Kalives Beach
• Kera Beach
  
• Almirida Beach
• Koutalis Beach
  
• Obrosgialos Beach

On Almyrida or Almirida Beach, enjoy water sports like windsurfing, kayaking, pedalos and sailing. Or take a boat trip to go snorkelling or SCUBA diving. The clear waters and rocky shoreline of Souda Bay offer many great diving spots.

At Kalives Beach (above) relax on the sandy beach, or eat at a beachside taverna and try the fresh seafood at Akrogiali Taverna or Kritiko Restaurant and Bar or Mythos Taverna with the sea breeze in your hair.

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Local Villages

Visit villages around the Apokoronas Αποκόρωνας area rich in agriculture, especially olive growing:

• Douliana
• Gavalochori
• Vamos
• Kokkino Chorio
• Xirosterni
• Emprosneros
• Fres
• Alikampos
  
• and many more

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Ancient Aptera

Visit Ancient Aptera Άπτερα on a hillside just inland from Kalives Beach. This ancient site has sweeping views across Souda Bay and is the site of a city dating from 3500 BC including Minoan, Geometric, Classical and Roman remains.

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Raki Distillery

Plaka Chania Crete - just 6 km south of here you will find the small village of Xirosterni and the Tsikoudia Distillery of the Peroulakis family. Visit here for tastings and to learn more about the heritage of Crete and why this white spirit is entwined with our island's culture.

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Dourakis Winery

Plaka Chania Crete - just 16 km south of Plaka Village  you will find the Dourakis Winery near Alikampos Village. Book a tasting, a lunch or a picnic in the vineyard to experience their beautiful wines. Offering white, red, rose and dessert wines, their land will fill you with nurture and pleasure as you understand their unique philosophy towards their wine-making.

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Plaka Chania Crete
Accommodation

Plaka Chania Crete - stay in Plaka for beautiful views across the bay and stay close to the centre of the village for local tavernas and cafes. For these villas it will be best to visit with a vehicle. Although there is a local bus from Chania, the walk to the beach is steep and the road is winding.

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Chania Old Town

Plaka Chania Crete - enjoy the Old Town of Chania on your day trips from Plaka - we recommend strolling within the walls of the historic town to soak up the atmosphere.

While you are in Chania explore:

• narrow lane ways
• boutiques and studios
• Old Venetian Harbour
• Venetian Lighthouse
  
• artesanal workshops
• art galleries
• Venetian Town Walls
  
• museums
• ancient sites such as Ancient Kydonia
  
• Fort Firca and the Maritime Museum
• Trimartiri Orthodox Cathedral
  
• Chania Municipal Market
• Museum of Archaeology
• Restaurants, cafes and tavernas galore

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Explore Chania Region

Chania or Xania in the west of Crete is a rich and varied land of agricultural valleys, high mountains and deep gorges.

Explore the highlights:

• local wildlife such as the Kri Kri goat and Griffon Vulture
  
• hundreds of beaches
• local villages
• Samaria Gorge National Park
• The White Mountains
• Kissamos Town
• Lake Kournas
• The southern inaccessible beaches such as Loutro, Agia Roumeli and Sougia
• Agia Irini Gorge
• Elafonisi Beach
• The E4 European Walking Path

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Map

Plaka Chania Crete - just east of Chania town on the Apokoronas peninsula, very close to Souda Port and Chania airport.

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Getting Here

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.

To get to the village of Plaka, arrive at Chania airport or port and hire a car. Drive for 33 km or about 40 minutes along the edge of Souda Bay via Kera Beach, Kalives Beach and Amlyrida Beach.

To arrive into Chania, there are many flights per day from Athens. The flight time is 1 hour. See details below.

Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.

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About the Team

Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
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