If you're after silence, run. But if you want the electric nightlife pulse of western Crete, Platanias is your base.
Platanias stretches along the main artery west of Chania. It's an unbroken run of resorts, beach bars, shops and tavernas. The contrast with the mountainous hinterland just behind is striking — a few kilometres separate the seafront buzz from the silent olive groves of the old perched village.
This is the beach resort par excellence of western Crete. The long fine-sand beach is fully equipped: beach clubs with lounge music, cocktails served to your sunbed, watersports galore. At night the town lights up and becomes the party epicentre for Nordic and British visitors. For what it is — an unapologetic beach resort — it's excellent.
Cretan authenticity here is close to zero. This is mass-consumption tourism. The beach, though long, lacks character and the water can quickly turn choppy on windy days. The constant evening noise makes sleep difficult in hotels near the seafront.
May to October, for those explicitly seeking life, encounters and lively nights. Leave the coastal strip and walk up to Ano Platanias (the upper village) at sunset. There you'll find relative calm, olive groves and an incredible panoramic view over the bay.
What to know
- Guaranteed buzz day and night
- Very complete infrastructure
- Comfortable, well-equipped beach clubs
- Good bus connection to Chania
- Zero Cretan authenticity
- Constant evening noise
- Water sometimes choppy in the wind
- Tourist prices out of step with quality
Practical tip
Walk up to Ano Platanias at sunset for a panoramic view over the bay, away from the noise. The contrast between the perched village and the resort below is striking.
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