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Prefecture: Chania
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Plaka
Plaka is a lovely village in Apokoronas region, built on the slope of a hill overlooking Souda Bay. It has all the amenities you need, including excellent tavernas, bars, a grocery store and a kafeneon, all of which remain open throughout the year.
Plaka is only a few minutes drive from the sandy beach at Almerida, and five minutes further along the coast is Kalives, where day-to-day shopping, general amenities and more sandy beaches are available. The historic City of Chania is forty-five minutes drive, as is the airport.
Plaka was once a sleepy village with only approx. 250 inhabitants – it has grown over the last few years as people have discovered its charms and moved into the area. There are many marked walks and pathways in the area, with local transport and taxis available in Almerida.
The village retains its traditional identity, which must be protected through checks on new buildings in order to prevent the alteration of the traditional architectural style. Every summer Cretan music festivals take place in Plaka, the "Plakiana", in honour of Michael Papadakis, from Plaka, a fine lyra player of recent years.
Places near Plaka
Almirida, a small fishing village, lies along the east of the Souda Bay opposite the cape of Akrotiri, within 25 kilometers from the city of Hania. The surrounding area, with picturesque villages, lovely beaches, and historical sites consists one of the most worth to visit areas in the island of Crete. Kera, Plaka, Kambia, and Kokkino Horio are some of the most renowned and unforgettable places to the numerous friends of Almirida.
The White Mountains dominate the area and provide a dramatic backdrop to the sandy beaches at Almirida and Kalives. In the last few years visitors from Northern Europe have become so enchanted with Apokoronas that many have bought homes here which has brought new life and tourist facilities to the area. This also means that there are now sophisticated and luxury villas available to rent in this part of Crete. Most of our properties are situated slightly inland, a little bit removed from the madding crowd, in the most sought after locations but with beaches and the sea close at hand.
The area has been just developed the last eight years, in a way that the traditional characteristics which attracts the most demanding guests, remained unspoilt.Historically, it introduces great interest. The whole area used to be a colony of the ancient Foinikes, a place named Finika exists in the area, while some ancient ruins and tombs of the time were unearthed there.Nature lovers will find many foot paths leading to some wonderful secluded beaches. At the entrance of Almirida archaeologists discovered Mosaic and tombs which belong to the Royal Church rhythm of the 5th century A.D. Here the last battle between the Greek revolutionaries and the Turks in 1896 took place.
Almirida village: The old church Almirida village: The old church Almirida village: The old church
Almirida has tourist accommodation of all types and class. Not large hotel resorts but many small family operated and well looked after with friendly and quiet environment, which however can provide all the modern facilities. Fresh fish and lots of Cretan specialties are offered at the small taverns located on the coastal street by the sea. There also many bars, cafes, music clubs etc to offer the visitors unforgettable evenings.
For your shopping there are shops with traditional products and souvenirs of a wide range, and of course many mini markets which remain open until late. There is regular bus transportation service to the town of Hania and the surrounding villages in 24 hour basis.
Kambia, on the Apokoronou Peninsula, is a small traditional Vilage near the village of Plaka. As you leave Plaka and follow signs for Kokkino Chorio, you will start to climb up a hill. After about a kilometre, on the bend, turn right in to the tiny hamlet of Kambia. Kambia has about 50 permanent residents.
As always, there is a nice church in the middle of the old houses that form the original village. The older generation of villagers live here along with a few foreign neighbours in adjacent renovated houses.
It is within easy driving distance (4 km) of the coastal resort of Almerida, with its lovely sandy beach, and the busy town of Kalives, which offers shopping and amenities for day-to-day living.
The quaint hamlet of Kambia has magnificent uninterrupted views of Souda Bay, olive and pine covered hills and valleys, and the White Mountains which are snow capped for 6 months of the year. With peaceful fields and olive groves, Kambia - Apokoronas area comprises some of the most attractive villages on Crete such as Kokkino Chorio, Plaka, Drapanos, Xirosterni, Gavalohori, Vamos and Kefalas, all of which are old traditional villages with stone houses and beautifully blended new developments.
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