Recent Posts

1

Plakias / Re: Kourtaliotiko Gorge

« Last post by kokkinos vrachos 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

« Last post by kokkinos vrachos 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

« Last post by kokkinos vrachos 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

« Last post by ian s on September 12, 2025, 07:49:17 PM »

i just feel it has become busy and lost a bit if its laid back feel e.g. people reserving tables in restaurants was never a thing before.  we now tend to eat late afternoon or in the mountain restaurants to avoid the crowds.  anyhow we still love Plakias and have many friends here. The surrounding landscape remains as spectacular as ever.  in process of booking for next year!

5

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by kokkinos vrachos 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

6

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by kokkinos vrachos 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

7

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

« Last post by kokkinos vrachos 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

8

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by ian s on September 10, 2025, 08:20:31 PM »

we go independent so not sure about Olympic.  Far end still the same.

depending on when you come you may find the village very busy.  also the number of cars compared to the old days is staggering.

the clientele too have changed.

but we still keep returning.

9

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by Mike from Sussex on September 09, 2025, 08:46:26 PM »

Barny, Ian, thanks for the replies. Is Olympic the best option now? Whether I can get there depends on the cost of respite care for my wife, who is now disabled. But here's hoping.

Is the far end still as I remember?

Mike

10

PlakChat / Re: Long absence

« Last post by ian s on August 28, 2025, 05:35:07 PM »

Here at the moment for our 35th year I think.  Yes there have been many changes and new accommodation sprouting up in many places.  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.

As with nearly everywhere prices have gone up but it is still possible to dine out for reasonable price.

So worth revisiting to see for yourself I'd say.  The mountains and sea remain the same.