Cheap Platanias (Chania) Holidays 2026/2027

Cheap Holidays to Platanias

This bustling seaside town is home to a long sandy beach, picturesque Old Town and a lively strip. Platanias holidays are brilliantly located for day trips too, so you can explore even more of the region with ease.

Situated on Crete’s beautiful northwestern coast, Platanias is a lively seaside town where a raucous main strip splits the town in two halves. To the north you’ll find a long stretch of golden beach dotted with bars and hotels, while to the south there’s quaint old town that climbs up the breathtaking surrounding hillside. Platanias holidays are popular for their Blue Flag beaches with the resort generously boasting a long stretch of fluffy sand, backed by family-friendly beach bars with outdoor terraces. But it gets better, because where Platanias Beach ends, Agia Marina Beach starts. And this one comes fully-equipped with its very own jet-ski centre. Then it gets even better again with Falasarna Beach being just a 45-minute drive away. Voted one of the top 10 beaches in Europe, it’s really worth venturing out to spend a day here to lap up the beauty and serenity of the endless sweep of sand, transparent waters and breath-taking mountain back drops.

As wonderful as the beaches are, family holidays to Platanias are much more than just sand, sea and sun. If you fancy filling your holiday with adventure and exploring, you’ll find the ancient ruins at Aptera just thirty minutes away. Here you and your family can tour an enormous roofed cistern and then walk 10 minutes to a hilltop Byzantine castle that overlooks the mammoth ocean. Or perhaps you’d prefer a scenic road trip across to the farming town of Theriso. The drive is a highlight in itself, as you pass through luscious green wilderness and the mesmerising towering Theriso Gorge.

A Guide to Platanias (Chania) Holidays

Get Active At The Beach

Fancy earning yourself the proud title of Coolest Parent of the Year? Try your hand at windsurfing at Platanias Beach! The gorgeous Blue Flag beach stretches for about 2 kilometres, and its gentle shelving ebb into the sea makes it perfect for little paddling feet. But venture out a little further and the choppy waters offer ideal windsurfing conditions. Just rent a kit from the watersports centres in the beachfront hotels, hit the ripples and let your kids have the time of their lives as they watch you battle with the ocean.

Explore Chania's Old Town

Holidays to Platanias are just not the same without a trip to the narrow, cobbled streets of Chania’s old town, which is just a 20-minute drive away. You and your family can start at the huge Venetian harbour where colourful and vibrant waterside buildings house quaint, rustic eateries before strolling to the main square Eleftherios Venizelos. (As you make your way through the town, keep your eyes peeled for the secret little leather shops that sell stivania – knee-high boots made for traditional Cretan dancing!)

Dine At The Panorama Taverna

Platanias holidays are all about quality family time, and there’s no better way to grab some of this than by enjoying a meal together. The Panorama Taverna is a family favourite restaurant that sits on a hillside just above the main street, and as its name suggests, the place promises sea views as tasty as its food. With Greek classics such as mixed grill, moussaka and souvlaki on offer, you and your family had better visit this place with rumbling bellies – because they won’t be empty for long!

Sampajana Jazz Festival

Book one of our Platanias holidays in June and you and your family can be part of the famous annual Sampajana Jazz Festival set on the stunning Venetian harbour in nearby Chania. Each night revolves around obscure jazz-infused genres such as Pa funk, swing and even gypsy folk, and with tickets costing as little as 10 euros per night, it really is worth a visit!

Getting Around Platanias (Chania)

🚌 Transport in the Platanias (Chania) Region

The resort of Platanias offers many spectacular sights that you will not want to miss. To help you make the most out of your trip, we’ve got your transport covered…

Travelling by bus or car There is no direct bus service from Platanias to the airport or Heraklion, to visit these places you will need to change at Chania. The bus takes roughly 25-30 minutes to travel between Chania and Platanias. The buses here are a safe and affordable option for travel. As a popular tourist resort, you’ll find it easy to get around Platanias, although hiring a car is highly recommended to be able to explore the surrounding areas as and when you want.

Passports and Visas

You don’t require a visa to travel to Platanias, but you will need a valid passport that will remain valid for 6 months after the duration of your trip.

Health and Safety

Illness and injury are the last things we want to think about while we’re on holiday, but it’s good to know your family will be in safe hands should any of you need medical treatment while you’re abroad. Platanias offers high quality public and private health services should you or your family need it, so it’s important to make sure you take out relevant health insurance ahead of your trip.

Vaccinations

You don’t need special vaccinations to travel Greece but your routine jabs should to be up to date. See your GP before your holiday for any specific medical advice you may need.

Platanias Holidays