Messages

1

Plakias / From 1 May to 31 October there is an entrance fee to enter the Kourtaliotiko Gor

« on: March 02, 2025, 06:23:46 PM »

From 1 May to 31 October there is an entrance fee to enter the Kourtaliotiko Gorge
An overview of all the changes:
   
 - There is controlled access during visiting hours from 9:00 to 19:00. A maximum of 100 people are allowed to descend per hour.
     
- Swimming is prohibited.

- An electronic ticket system will be introduced for entry.
     
- The path into the gorge starts at the entrance near Asomatos and leads to the chapel of Agios Nikolaos.

https://rethnea.gr/neoi-kanones-sto-kourtaliotiko-farangi/


Best regards from Plakias, kv

2

Plakias / Re: The Kotsifou Gorge has been closed since March 13, 2024 due to a landslide

« on: March 02, 2025, 06:15:31 PM »

Kalispera, if all goes well, the work on the Kotsifou Gorge will be completed by the end of February or early March and the gorge can be reopened to traffic about a year after the landslide.

A study is being carried out into the possibility of building a new road to the south and then a tunnel.

Best regards from Plakis, kv

3

Plakias / Re: "Overtourism" in the Kourtaliotiko gorge

« on: February 11, 2025, 07:49:16 AM »

Kalimera, from 1 May to 31 October, the entrance fee to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge, with its famous waterfalls, is now ?5.

https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2101736_i-diaheirisi-toy-fysikoy-ploytoy-toy-koyrtalioti-i-egkrisi-fek-kai-ta

https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/koyrtaliotis-me-eisitirio-sto-exis-i-eisodos-gia-na-prostateytei-i-periohi

Kalo Chimona (Καλό χειμώνα) - have a good winter, kv

4

Plakias / Re: The Kotsifou Gorge has been closed since March 13, 2024 due to a landslide

« on: January 30, 2025, 08:06:54 AM »

Kalimera, another 2 million euros were approved for Kotsifou Gorge and Kourtaliotiko Gorge.

Of this, 900,000 euros are for the Kotsifou Gorge.

There is also a study for a tunnel in the Kotsifou Gorge and in the Kourtaliotiko Gorge.

https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2099682_rethymno-anisyhia-meta-ti-nea-ptosi-brahon-sto-koyrtaliotiko-faraggi-vid

https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/rethymno-2-ekat-eyro-gia-erga-apokatastasis-ton-fysikon-katastrofon-sta-faraggia-koyrtalioti

Best regards from Plakais, kv

5

Plakias / The Palegremnos taverna is history...

« on: January 12, 2025, 02:09:08 PM »

Yassas, it's true, the flats and the Palegremnos taverna are currently being demolished. New apartments are being built in the same place. The associated beach bar has also already been demolished.

"The time has come for us to officially announce that Palegremnos Studios is closing for good.
We would like to thank all our guests who have supported us over the years. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
Gianni and Georgia

Over the last 15 years, Palegremnos Taverna has become one of the best tavernas in Plakias and was a great alternative to the crowded and popular tavernas in Myrthios.
The seasonal daily menus included such delicious and traditional dishes as black-eyed beans with vegetables and yoghurt or spinach and feta lasagne.
Over the years, there have been many long-time regulars from tourists and residents.

In 2023 there was no more free water as a welcome drink, so I haven't gone back since.

In 2024, the quality of the dishes deteriorated greatly and the portions became smaller and smaller. You had to pay extra for the glass of water provided, the bread and even the olive oil.
There were some bad reviews on Google Maps and TA.

Best regards from Pakias, kv

6

Holiday Companies / Re: Car Hire

« on: January 12, 2025, 07:56:04 AM »

Kalimera, I can also highly recommend the local car hire company Moto Auto Plakias. Simply uncomplicated and good prices. Very good prices even in the low season and in winter.

The office is in the middle of the beach road, with the Diving School and Centre and the Vitalakis supermarket to the right.

https://motoautoplakias.com/

Best regards from Pakias, kv

7

Holiday Companies / Re: Transfer from Plakias to Heraklion

« on: January 12, 2025, 07:41:01 AM »

Kalimera, from my own experience I can say that there is often a cheaper option than taking a taxi directly from the airport.

Ask your landlord if there is a reliable local taxi driver from your destination who will pick you up at the airport. The prices charged by taxi drivers in small towns are often far lower than those in big cities. If the taxi driver is also a relative of the landlord, you can get extra good deals. Then you call the taxi driver (or let the landlord do it) and simply arrange to be picked up.

This also has two other charming effects: The taxi driver will give you good tips on the best places to eat, beaches and hikes that await you on the way and you are guaranteed not to be ripped off.

https://www.taxi4you.gr/overall.asp?lang=uk
http://www.plakias-transfers.com/
https://www.taxi-plakias.gr/
https://motoautoplakias.com/

The taxi companies in Plakias are all reliable and friendly.

Best regards from Pakias, kv

8

Holiday Companies / Re: Transfer from Plakias to Heraklion

« on: January 12, 2025, 07:39:54 AM »

Or, of course, you could go by public transport: very cheap, and not as bad as you think.

Kalimera, yes the transfer with the KTEL bus from Heraklion via Rethymnon to Plakias is also very easy and comfortable and cheap. They are modern buses.

The journey time from Heraklion to Rethymnon is 1.5 hours and the bus runs every hour from Heraklion to Rethymnon. Price 9? (2024).

From Rethymnon to Plakias the journey time is 45 minutes. Price 5? (2024).

If you arrive in Heraklion in the late afternoon/early evening, you often won't get the last bus in Rethymnon to Plakias - you must check this beforehand. I then often stay overnight in Heraklion or Rethymnon.

If you still have time in Rethymnon, it is worth taking a look at the Fortezza or visiting the farmers' market. The Venetian Rimondi Fountain from 1626 and the two mosques, Nerantze Mosque and Kara Musa Pasha Mosque, are also worth a visit.

The Fortezza is also definitely worth a visit (?5 per person, April 2024): https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/history-of-crete/forts-and-castles-on-crete/fortress-fortezza-in-rethymnon

The weekly markets on Saturday at the bus station, on Thursday in the large car park on Dimitrakaki Street (next to Dimotik?s K?pos Park) and on Monday in the car park on Kosti Palama/Xilouri Street are also nice.

Best regards from Pakias, kv

9

Holiday Companies / Re: taxi transfer from Chania

« on: January 12, 2025, 07:19:27 AM »

Kalimera, from my own experience I can say that there is often a cheaper option than taking a taxi directly from the airport.

Ask your landlord if there is a reliable local taxi driver from your destination who will pick you up at the airport. The prices charged by taxi drivers in small towns are often far lower than those in big cities. If the taxi driver is also a relative of the landlord, you can get extra good deals. Then you call the taxi driver (or let the landlord do it) and simply arrange to be picked up.

This also has two other charming effects: The taxi driver will give you good tips on the best places to eat, beaches and hikes that await you on the way and you are guaranteed not to be ripped off.

https://www.taxi4you.gr/overall.asp?lang=uk
http://www.plakias-transfers.com/
https://www.taxi-plakias.gr/
https://motoautoplakias.com/

The taxi companies in Plakias are all reliable and friendly.

Best regards from Pakias, kv

10

Plakias / Re: Plakias: what's open in December...

« on: December 24, 2024, 04:17:08 AM »

Kalimera, Corner is open again...

Smerna is now closed, it is being remodelled...

Best regards from Plakias, kv

11

Plakias / Re: The Kotsifou Gorge has been closed since March 13, 2024 due to a landslide

« on: December 16, 2024, 12:57:48 PM »

Kalimera, the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Christos Triantopoulos, accompanied by the Deputy Regional Governor of Rethymno, Maria Lioni, visited today the gorge of Kotsifos, where the Region of Crete is carrying out the restoration of landslide damage with a budget of two million euros.

The proposed restoration works of the slope include the application of a fully anchored net (an anchorage of 3.0 to 12.0 meters in length), the collection of rainwater with a lined concrete trench in the area of the landslide, will be reconstructed and the side on the concrete wall, height 6.5 meters.

Finally, the road will be restored with pavement reconstruction (in the area of the reconstruction of the wall), asphalt carpet, marking with reflective paint and placement of safety barriers.

https://www.cretalive.gr/kriti/sta-erga-sto-faraggi-toy-kotsifoy-triantopoylos-kai-lioni

Kalo Chimona (Καλό χειμώνα) - have a good winter, kv

12

Plakias / Plakias: what's open in December...

« on: December 10, 2024, 08:40:18 AM »

Open now:

- Blu Cafe

- Grill House To Xechoristo

- Veranda (formerly Joes Bar)

- Sifis

- Ostrako

- Smerna

- Cafe Sweet Creations

Of the 8 supermarkets, 5 are open. Also the butchers, the pharmacies and the two hairdressers.

Kalo Chimona (Καλό χειμώνα) - a good winter, kv

13

Plakias / Re: Plakias: October/November 2024

« on: December 10, 2024, 08:25:58 AM »

"Since 2 weeks there is a new tavern LaGuna (formerly Tasomanolis)"

Lagoon is not a tavern, but a boutique.
However, a new tavern is being built to the left of the tavern.

The Corner has been closed since November 29th. I thought they were open all year round.


Best regards from Souda/Plakias, kv

14

Plakias / Plakias: October/November 2024

« on: November 01, 2024, 04:51:56 PM »

Yassas, Plakias is still very lively. All the tavernas and stores are still open. However, the beaches are much less busy than last year. The beaches are also not as crowded with sun loungers/umbrellas as last year - possibly due to the new beach regulations. But it's also been very windy for a few days. It even rained yesterday.

All the tavernas on Damnoni Beach were still open today. In Mirthios. All the tavernas were closed yesterday except for the Dyonissos taverna.

What's new in Plakias:

- Since 2 weeks there is a new tavern LaGuna (formerly Tasomanolis)
- After the contract expired yesterday, the On The Rocks Cafe closed yesterday. There was a farewell party.
- in the side street where the small mini market/biomarket used to be, the store is still empty.
- the library has closed
- every Friday there is now a flea market in the former library. The proceeds go to the cats.
- you can no longer park at the harbor, bollards block the way.

Best regards from Souda/Plakias, kv

15

Where to go / Re: Mirthios/Myrthios Tavernas

« on: October 31, 2024, 05:56:36 PM »

Kalispera, I was in Mirthios today. Apart from the Dyonissos taverna, all the tavernas had already closed for the season.

Best regards from Souda/Plakias, kv