Make a self catering villa in Plaka, Crete your home away from home

Plaka is a traditional white-washed village on the north east coast of Crete. There are just 300 residents in the village who work on the local farms growing olive trees, vineyards and vegetables. The area is popular with holiday makers and many old houses have been restored as holiday homes in the area. Plaka overlooks Souda Bay from its elevated position, with views of the snow-capped White Mountains to the south. This popular Cretian hideaway makes a great base from which to enjoy a self catering villa holiday.

Things to do in Plaka, Crete

There are plenty of walking tracks within easy reach of your Plaka villa. Routes range from 3-10 km and hiking is a great way to explore the area. Further afield is Europe’s longest gorge, the Samaria Gorge which takes 4-6 hours to walk and descends 800 meters from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea.

The area close to Plaka has some famous water caves for exploring. Take a picnic, explore the caves and swim from the rocky coastline in the beautiful turquoise sea.

The Greeks love a festival and in Plaka there is a two-day traditional feast at the end of June to honour the lyra player Mihalis Papadakis. With local Cretan dancing, local textiles and ceramics on display this is a great way to experience the local culture. Carnival is usually celebrated in early March and other local festivals are also worth joining in to experience the colourful local culture.

Places to visit near Plaka, Crete

Chania
This beautiful Venetian harbour town is just 23km from your villa in Plaka and is a must to visit. Walk around the harbour, shop in the bustling town centre or visit the Agora indoor market and buy local herbs and spices, local produce and fresh meat and fish. Saturday is market day selling everything from cheese to clothing. Chania is also a great place for lively nightlife. Sample the traditional drink here which is called ‘tsikoudia’.

Kokkino Horio
Famed for its location in the filming of Zorba the Greek, this is a delightful small Cretian town. Take a tour of the Glass Blowing Factory and buy some local souvenirs.

Almirada
The next town to Plaka is Almirada, just 15 minutes walk away. This pretty fishing village has a golden sandy beach and a local harbour full of fishing boats. The sea here is shallow and pleasantly warm for safe bathing. In the evening enjoy the local tavernas and the fish restaurants.

Weather in Plaka, Crete

Crete has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry, windy summers and very mild winters. From April to November average temperatures range from 19-32C (67-90F) which makes Plaka a perfect vacation resort.

Flights to Plaka, Crete

The main airport on Crete is Heraklion International airport and it has flights daily from all over Europe. It is 74km from your Plaka villa. Chania International airport is 30km away but has less connections.