Kali spera
Just back from 15 lovely days in Plakias - here's some random jottings which may (or not) be of interest:
- weather was amazing - 34-39 every day, which may be too hot for some! Lots of wind, very strong a lot of the time, but dying down last week.
- tourist profile similar to recent years: say 30% German, UK, French/Dutch
- definitely busier than previous years but not overly so
- usually use supermarket next to Bakery/Butcher but for fruit/veg, the big new (2023?) s/mkt across the road is much better. (The former were selling grapes from CHILE!!)
- best local snorkelling is Skinaria/Ammoudaki/W end of Damnoni
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some significant changes in the tavernas -
- Tasomanolis is sadly completely gone - turned into boutique shop
- GioMa under new management since 2023- still excellent view, but no longer able to book a table. Food pretty average and not cheap.
- Christo's is closed down and being replaced by Alpha and Omega - it's not yet open and looked like it will be a few weeks yet.
- Aptly named 'On the Rocks' now replaced by Frenzy Bar. Had high hopes of an improvement to On the Rocks, but Frenzy is just a very basic seaside bar frequented by kids on their cellphones.
Other dining out experiences:
- Plateia (Myrthios): went a few times - excellent. Pre-order moussaka (the best in Plakias) to avoid disappointment. VG mixed mezze.
- Dionyssos (Myr): guided tour of the kitchen so you can see exactly what you're getting. VG food and views. No reservations after 6.30pm.
- Mariou: Great place as always - very friendly, great views and great food.
- Panostrati (Selia) - nice authentic, out-of-the-way spot. VG fish.
- Sirocco - excellent place - friendly, good food, service and view. A top 3 for us - went 4 times - recommend the 'skartas' or the prawn tempura.
- Merastri (Selia) - another great food spot with lovely views
- Vrisi (Myr): went twice - astounding seabass bouillabaise - the soup/sauce is amazing!
And for nice spots for a drink:
- Foinikas Kantina (above Souda beach) - breathtaking view and friendly staff
- Ostraco - a fave late nightcap spot
- Sofia's - nice shoreside spot
- Cantina o Petros - great very cheap rustic place on the Plakias - Lefkogia roadside.
- great tavernas along the coast going E towards Frangokastello : Tav Galini/Lakki beach, Tav Koutelo
- and along the coast going W towards Triopetra - spectacular Tav Fotia (Ag Fotini) and Tav Filenia on Triopetra to Spili road (fill your water bottles with spring water gushing from the fountain!)
Less impressive:
- Apanemo - owners very young kids playing very loud games on cellphones.
- Calypso complex pool bar - rip off spot - e8 for a small, awful white wine in plastic cup + tiny bottle Fanta! (and got an old 10FF coin (remember those?) instead of a euro in change)
- The Kotsifou gorge and Kourtaliko gorge now BOTH open.
- We were getting e1.16/GBP using credit card but drawing atm cash was much lower - e1.03 at the blue/yellow ATM points, but best bet is the 'Eurobank' atm at the shop next to the fish spa place by Moto Plakias. They gave e1.08 AND you just tap your card, so no fears of card being swallowed (as happened to us a few years ago)
- Petrol still rather pricey - best we found was e1.79/l (but 15c less than 2024!)
Anyway, enough rambling! Enjoyed our 2 weeks thoroughly, as always. Yassas!
