Platanias, Chania (Crete): The Resort Village and Its Beach

The village and beach of Platanias

Platanias is one of the tourist villages along the north-west coast of Crete, on the main road between Kolymbari and Chania. The land here is flat and built up, a run of concrete hotels and fast-food restaurants rather than authentic Greece. What draws visitors is the beach: 3 kilometres long and 35 metres wide, larger, wider and better than many on the island. Platanias is sometimes called the Chersonissos of the west, though it is less crowded. It is a good base for travellers who want a lively surrounding and a stylish hotel.

Where to eat in Platanias

Two places we tried stand out: the Gerianotis Beach Resort for its breakfast buffet, and Stamna Grillhouse on the main road for quick food and good coffee.

Gerianotis Beach Resort

Gerianotis Beach Resort serves the most extensive breakfast buffet we have seen, on the beach at Platanias. For 15 euros per person (2017) you choose whatever you want and eat unlimited. The food is very good; only the coffee could be upgraded. Our verdict: 9 out of 10.

Stamna Grillhouse

Stamna Grillhouse is a fast-food restaurant on the main road through Platanias, between Kolymbari and Chania. The menu runs to breakfasts, snacks, omelettes, pittas, pizzas, giros and salads. It is inexpensive and serves great Illy coffee, crunchy fries and good sandwiches. Our verdict: 8.5 out of 10.

Where to stay in Platanias and Agia Marina

Most hotels sit along the beach at Platanias and neighbouring Agia Marina, about 8 kilometres west of Chania, with a few options inland on the hills.

Luxury Villa Provarma Hills, Gerani

Luxury Villa Provarma Hills is a spacious modern villa on a hill in the north of Crete, just outside the villages of Gerani and Modi, between Chania and Kolymbari. The popular resort of Platanias is about ten minutes away by car, and a large Lidl supermarket opened nearby. Quiet roads and hiking paths run into the surrounding hills.

Ermis Suites, Platanias

Ermis Suites is a family-owned hotel on the sandy beach of Platanias, 10 kilometres from the centre of Chania. It was built in 1995 and renovated in 2003, set back from the main road so there is no traffic noise. Rooms are 35 m² studios with one bedroom and 50 m² apartments with two bedrooms, a few metres from the sun beds.

Renieris Hotel, Kato Stalos

Renieris Hotel stands on a hill above Kato Stalos, 200 metres from the sandy beach, with a view over the beach front, Theodorou island and the sea. It was built in 2005 and is family-owned, with an amphitheatre-style design that gives sea views from almost every room. There is a custom pool with a separate children's pool and a covered pool bar.

Folia Hotel Apartments, Agia Marina

Folia Hotel Apartments sits in Agia Marina, 200 metres from the beach and 8 kilometres west of Chania, with views of the mountains, the sea and the city. Close to the golden sand of Agia Marina Beach, it has an outdoor swimming pool, a bar and a tavern serving traditional Greek dishes in the evenings. Guests can hire a car from the hotel to explore the region.

Galini De Luxe Hotel, Agia Marina

Galini De Luxe is a 5-star hotel above the sandy beach of Agia Marina, 8 kilometres west of Chania, with views over the Cretan Sea. It has indoor and outdoor pools and a children's pool, several bars, and a reception desk that books water sports including paragliding and scuba diving.

Frideriki Studios & Apartments, Agia Marina

Frideriki Studios & Apartments stands in the centre of Platanias, close to the resort's shops and nightlife. From upper (Ano) Platanias at the peak, a picturesque village of traditional homes, there are views over the Cretan Sea and the long beaches below, which are awarded EU blue flags almost every year.