Messages

1

Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge

« on: September 15, 2025, 09:50:33 AM »

"If the plan was meant to discourage mass visitation, it has not worked. On the contrary, the gorge has already recorded more than 100,000 visitors?a staggering figure considering the entry fee and the fact that the site was closed for several days after the torrential rains of May 31, 2025.

Clearly, ?5 is not much of a deterrent. In Crete, it barely buys a coffee in Rethymno. For that price, you get cliffs, waterfalls, dragonflies, and the faint reassurance that someone is keeping an eye on the chaos."

https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotis-gorge-record-visitors/244987/

kali evdomada, kv

2

PlakChat / Re: May / June

« on: September 15, 2025, 08:02:53 AM »

Kalimera Barny, have you also noticed the extreme price increases in Plakias in the taverns, bars, caf?s and supermarkets?

I don't have anything to compare it to in August, but I think August (peak holiday season) has always been very busy in Plakias (and everywhere else).

This year, there has been a development/change in that there are more bookings in Crete for October and November. Many people now find it simply too hot and too busy in Crete in August and September.

However, as August is mainly the peak holiday season for Greeks, it remains very crowded and busy in Plalias, Agia Galini, Matala, etc. in August.

kali evdomada, kv

3

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« on: September 15, 2025, 07:48:26 AM »

Kalimera, yes, in October/early November 2023, I also found Plakias extremely crowded, in the taverns and on the beaches. There was significantly more going on than in previous years.

In October/early November 2024, things have returned to normal. The beaches are significantly 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.

This year, from mid-March to mid-April, significantly more taverns, bars, and cafes were open than usual at this time of year, and the town was also busier. But everything was still totally relaxed.

My observations over the past few years:

- In recent years, Plakias has developed from a summer resort that was virtually closed in winter to a proper coastal town with a school, etc. There are 7 supermarkets, a bakery, a butcher, a fish shop, a pharmacy, and a hairdresser.
The Plakias region has been very popular with Northern Europeans and residents for many years ? many own homes here. Many families from Albania have also settled in Plakias and the surrounding area in recent years.

- the massive construction boom around Plakias. Villas are springing up everywhere, often with pools. In Plakias, you can find new buildings with a sales price of 5,000 euros/m?, and in Asomatos, 4,000 euros/m?.

- This April, I noticed the extreme price increase in Plakias.

The biggest price increase I noticed in Plakias was in the cafes, bars, tavernas, and supermarkets. Some of the prices are simply outrageous. I'd say in every taverna in Plakias, you pay ?2 to ?3 more per dish than last season. The prices for salads and appetizers have also risen dramatically. In many tavernas, you no longer receive water as a welcome. Olive oil is now completely absent from the tables. Often, people charge ?2 to ?5 for the bread, dip, and olives provided. A bottle of beer in the tavernas is also very expensive. I always shared a bottle of beer with my girlfriend. For these reasons, I hardly ever go to a taverna in Plakias anymore.

In Paleochora, for example, the prices in the supermarkets were significantly cheaper than in Plakais.

kali evdomada, kv

4

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« on: September 12, 2025, 09:39:48 AM »

the clientele too have changed.

Kalimera, I would be interested to hear your observations/experiences...

kalo savvatokyriako - καλo σαββατοκuριακο, kv

5

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« on: September 12, 2025, 09:35:15 AM »

It may no longer have its end of the road feel and hardly a backpacker or hippie in sight but for us it still has its magic and we can reminisce about the old days.

Kalimera, although the youth hostel is still full of long-standing regulars/freaks. But they are also getting older...

kalo savvatokyriako - καλo σαββατοκuριακο, kv

6

Plakias / Kourtaliotiko gorge: More than 100,000 visitors from May to the end of August

« on: September 11, 2025, 07:20:04 PM »

"More than 100,000 visitors have welcomed this year the gorge of Kourtaliotis river, in Crete, which since the beginning of May has been operating under a new regime. On the initiative of the Municipality of Agios Vasileios, the Region of Crete, the OFYPEKA and the Ministry of Environment, a new, organized operating model was launched, with the aim of ensuring the experience of visitors and the promotion and protection of the natural environment."

https://creta24.gr/koyrtaliotiko-faraggi-perissoteroi-apo-100-000-episkeptes-apo-ton-maio-eos-to-telos-aygoystoy/

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

7

Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge

« on: August 20, 2025, 08:41:12 AM »

Kalimera, however, the deputy governor of Rethymno, Maria Lioni, believes that the only permanent solution is to build a tunnel. In an interview with Skai radio station, she emphasised that the area is now under considerable strain and that, unlike in the past, the road is used by tens of thousands of people ? both locals and visitors. In the local newspaper Rethymniotika Nea, she emphasised that although the tunnel construction would incur considerable costs ? estimated at around 70 million euros ? its implementation was ?urgently necessary, as there is no other way to guarantee safe travel.?

https://www.griechenland.net/nachrichten/chronik/36748-kourtaliotis-schlucht-auf-kreta-tunnel-soll-f%C3%BCr-sicherheit-sorgen

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

8

Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge

« on: July 16, 2025, 11:40:09 AM »

400,000 euros approved for repairing damage to Kourtaliotiko Gorge - In the tender phase the study for the tunnel

"The Ministry of National Economy and Finance approved the allocation of a credit of 400,000 euros for the implementation of the project: "Restoration of losses from landslides and falls on the provincial road 9 (in section 1 of the study), Kourteliotis Gorge, P.E. Rethymno" from the special Natural Disaster program. The work to be carried out include, as a matter of priority, the removal of unsafe rocky tumors at particularly dangerous points of the route, with the aim of restoring traffic safety and preventing accidents."

Furthermore, the realisation/study of a tunnel is planned.

https://www.neakriti.gr/kriti/rethymno/2128077_rethymno-egkrithikan-400000-eyro-gia-apokatastasi-zimion-sto-koyrtaliotiko

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

9

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Thread for Friends of Christos

« on: June 13, 2025, 05:47:25 AM »

https://alphaomegaplakias.gr/#

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

10

Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge

« on: June 04, 2025, 08:47:06 AM »

Kalimera, the entrance to the gorge to the waterfalls now costs ?5. Only card payment is possible, cash payment is not possible!
Swimming to the waterfall is still permitted.

- Car parking is free of charge.
- There are no toilets

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

11

Plakias / Re: Nikos at 'On The Rocks'

« on: June 02, 2025, 12:20:03 AM »

 Nikos at On The Rocks is now run by new owners and is now called Frenzy seaside all day bar.

Ta Leme, kv

12

Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge

« on: June 02, 2025, 12:07:32 AM »

Kourtaliotiko Gorge Closure Halts Travel Again

https://www.argophilia.com/news/kourtaliotiko-gorge-closure/242613/

kali evdomada, kv

13

Plakias / Taverna Rousolakos...

« on: May 22, 2025, 07:53:49 AM »

Kalimera DandC, Taverna Rousolakos is located 200m before the large car park at Preveli beach, on the right-hand side.

Best regards from Hamburg, kv

14

Where to eat...or not! / Re: Thread for Friends of Christos

« on: May 15, 2025, 08:34:33 AM »

Kalimera shinaria, Christos is currently still closed...

Ta Leme, kv

15

Gossip / Re: How did you first find Plakias?

« on: May 05, 2025, 12:32:12 PM »

Kalimera, I've been visiting Crete since 2008 and have had one or more bases every year on each visit to the island and then explored the area extensively.

My first visit was in October 2014. The destinations: Frangokastello, Plakias and Agia Galini. In Plakias, I went to the Thetis Rooms, which no longer exist.
Then again in Plakias in October 2015.

Then I was back in Plakias in October 2020 and April and October 2022.

Since April 2023, I've been in Souda/Plakias twice a year for several months.

Now in March/April was my 10th visit to Plakias...

Best regards from Hamburg, kv