Changes over the past few years

[Andrew]

My last visit to Plakias was in June 2019, where I had a lovely trip that went pretty well.
In simple terms what has changed since then and over the last four years. I understand that there has been some development of properties that are set back from the main coast road through the village (Somewhere near/behind Antoni's Place I believe)? Are there any updated photos that can be seen on this site?
Anything else that might have changed? There was talk of a ring road making the area pedestrianized so does that limit access by car to some places?
Any further information would be most welcome.
Thank you all.

[JBMouse]

Check Youtube for various videos, the latest is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OnFdRWbUEM
This shows the major changes to the seafront road up to the bridge. This is a major change, don't know yet where the taxi rank is, nor how or where the buses will stop and turn. I bet The Livikon is not too pleased with all the work going on in front of them!
Haven't been to Plakias since October 2019, would love to go back and see all the friends there, but other things are conspiring against me that will probably halt my Greek travels, I will have to rely upon Youtube videos from now on.

[DandC]

I see the alley with several tavernas (eg Thoubi, Elia) is pedestrianized in the evening now! Nice move!
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g319776-d12326244-Reviews-Throubi-Plakias_Agios_Vasileios_Municipality_Rethymnon_Prefecture_Crete.html#photos;aggregationId=101&albumid=101&filter=7&ff=414232971

[Richard]

The whole front is being pedestrianised in the evening apparently - the sea front pavement is being widened in preparation.

The new (ish) pavement has had short lengths of plastic pipe sticking up out of it, all the way to Souda. I'd assumed that these were conduits for lights and this is also planned, though given they've been there a couple of years at least, who knows! I'm an amateur astronomer, and one of the appeals of south Crete is (was) the pristine, dark skies. I could still see the Milky Way from the Souda road, above the harbour, last week but less clearly than in previous years.

Plakias was always a resort, since my first visit in the early 90s, but still felt different to other Greek/Cretan resorts, in that some Cretan character had been retained. In about 2020, I noticed that most tavernas stopped using Greek greetings and farewells, instead using English. This seemed quite clear-cut, to me at least, as if a decision had been made to do so. Perhaps with the arrival of the new hotel by Paligremnos?

I don't feel like I'm 'getting away from it all' by going there, as I did 25 years ago. This has its uses, since I'm semi-retired now, can stay longer  and do some work there if needed.

In general, I feel that the recent changes seem to cater for a different kind of visitor than in the past, one who is going less to see Crete and more looking for a generic sunny resort. I know that change is inevitable, but I miss the 'old Plakias'.

[Barny]

Agreed,
I've been going since 1989 and have watched the changes and yes........

         Barny.

[Andrew]

Thanks for the information, the videos really do show the ongoing work. It looks like there is construction work everywhere along the road and that will continue all this summer. Not exactly picturesque if as far as Souda as well! There seems to be roadworks everywhere, over here and over there. Yes, I'm now wondering where the development will stop?

[DandC]

Hi - just returned (8 Jul) after glorious 14 days in sunny Plakias 

Some random jottings which may (or not) be of interest:

- weather was amazing - 34-37 every day, which may be too hot for some! (looks like it's set to climb even higher this week!!)
- every year has been fairly windy but this year we had med-strong winds on only 2 days out of 14!
- the promenade looked mainly complete and all signs of construction work removed.
- Lots of trees removed - apparently due to disease. Couple of large circular concrete bases in place - looks like plans for a couple of fountains along the front.
- tourist profile different to recent years: say 50% German, 20% UK, 10% each French/Dutch. Also quite a few Aussies!

- some significant changes in the tavernas - the sunken area previously occupied by Lysseos is now filled in and construction going on there now
- GioMa under new management - still excellent, but no longer able to book a table
- Tasomanolis also under new management. Also excellent but care needed in ordering the fresh fish: it's VG but rather pricey, charged at 60 euro/kilo

Other dining out experiences:
- Eleia (in the alleyway off main drag) - very disappointingly dry/overcooked 'Gopes' fish
- Plateia (Myrthios): went 3 times - excellent. Pre-order mousaka 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
- Vrisi (Myr): like last year, they had given away our reserved table but gave us an adjacent (also reserved!) table. A knock-on effect of annoyed punters ensued. The 8-9 HUGE king prawns with creme freche were excellent.
- Mariou: Great place, very friendly and great food.
- To brizolaki (Mariou): tiny new spot. Home-produced white wine VG, and complementary (large) salad platter. Ridiculously cheap - wine+orange juice+bottle water+salad was e3.50!!! Left a very fat tip!
- Panostrati (Selia) - nice authentic, out-of-the-way spot. VG fish.

Mysteriously, the Nymfes bar and restaurant have jumped in at #1 and #2 spots in TripAdvisor after years in spots 12-35!! We visited briefly out of interest: yes, they're smart and tidy and clean etc, but you could be in any 3-4* hotel bar/ restaurant in the world. The bar especially is like a hotel lobby. All just rather characterless.

btw - I was misled in my quote of 1/6/23 saying the alleyway was pedestrianised at night - must have been a one-of!! It's open to traffic - Apologies!

Anyway, enough rambling! Enjoyed our 2 weeks thoroughly. Yassas!

[Noah526]

My last trip to Plakias was very memorable for me. It was one of the best trips with my friends. We had many different situations, both funny and not-so-funny. What I liked about this trip was the freedom we felt. Usually, we sit at home and work with our friends 24 hours a day. And when we go out for a walk around the city, we don't do anything interesting. But this trip changed everything, I felt that it is possible to live and get a lot of positive emotions. It was also a very good decision to rent a car https://rentcar.gr.com/ , I don't even know how we would have managed by bus. We wouldn't have seen all these secluded corners. I hope we will get together again soon and go to Plakias.

[bwian]

An elderly and slowly ailing dog has prevented us from making the trip to Plakias for a few years now....

Is cash still king in Plakias - or are shops and tavernas moving over to 'contactless'..?

[Barny]

Cash is still accepted but also all other forms of payment. Maybe not at the beach though!

       Barny.

[bwian]

Thanks!! Yes, I don?t think I?d try to pay at the beach by card 😉

[kokkinos vrachos]

Jassas, I was in Souda/Plakias from October 1st to November 14th.

The first days (early October) the weather was still a little bumpy, a lot of wind and occasionally it rained. Then good weather throughout November 10th.

I didn't notice any major changes in Plakias compared to April. The new "promenade" was almost finished. The work continued on November 1st.
Of course, it is still being built, at the output behind the supermarket on the left, on the Paligremnos Beach and also between Souda and Selia.
At the end of October, the small health food store/vegetable shop in the side street was unfortunately added. Too bad, I always liked to buy here.

There were regular music in the Cafe Armyriki, Gorgona, in the Tavern Seaside, Tavern Sifis and in the Tavern Galini in Souda/Plakias.

The beaches (Souda, Paligremnos and Damnoni) were much more paved with umbrellas/sun loungers compared to last year.
It was nice to see how the first umbrellas were dismantled at the end of October. Now the beaches were nice again for the eye.
In Souda, the prices were 4€ -6€  at the Paligremnos 6€ -10€, and 10€ on the Damnoni. At Ammoudaki Beach 10€ and on the terraces 20€ (!), Skinaria Beach 8€.

The prices in the supermarkets, taverns, cafes and bars have also risen. For example, a small bottle of cyclists costs ? 3.50 in the SMERA bar (where I like to sit), no cocktail below ? 10. In some taverns in Plakias and the surrounding area, you can no longer get water to greet me to avoid the restaurant for me.
The taverns and caf?s were all very well attended at all times.

At the end of October, the first taverns, supermarkets and boutiques/souvenir shops were gradually closed. On November 14, the baker also closed, and it was open every day for 7 months.

At the beginning of November, most taverns and shops in Plakias and the surrounding area ended the season. The tourists were also (almost all) gone. Now you could see more locals and some residents again. There were also a few motorhomes.

https://radio-kreta.de/kreta-im-winter-ein-reisebericht-von-clemens/

Best regards from Hamburg, kv