Plaka: the Athens district, the Crete village and other Plakas in Greece
Searching for "Plaka" and getting conflicting results? Several places in Greece share the name. Here is how to tell them apart.
- Plaka in Athens: the old district under the Acropolis.
- Plaka on Crete: a fishing village near Elounda, facing Spinalonga.
- There is also a Plaka near Chania, the capital of Milos and Plaka beach on Naxos.
Before booking a hotel or taxi to "Plaka", check which island and area it is. It saves surprises measured in hours of driving.
What is Plaka?
The name Plaka appears in several Greek place names, so a search for "Plaka Greece" returns a district in Athens, a village on Crete and a village in the Cyclades. These are the four people look for most.
| Place | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Plaka, Athens | Below the Acropolis | Lanes, restaurants, shops |
| Plaka, Lasithi (Crete) | North of Elounda | Boats to Spinalonga, fish tavernas |
| Plaka, Apokoronas (Chania) | Near Almyrida | Small, quiet village |
| Plaka, Milos | The hilltop capital | Sunset, castle, white lanes |
Plaka in Athens
Athens' oldest neighbourhood, on the north and east slopes of the Acropolis: pedestrian streets, neoclassical houses, restaurants and souvenir shops. Most visitors walk in from Syntagma or Acropoli metro station. See the Plaka walking route and Plaka restaurants.
Plaka on Crete (near Elounda)
"Plaka Crete" usually means the small fishing village in Lasithi, eastern Crete, a few kilometres north of Elounda. Small boats leave from here for Spinalonga, a former leper colony and now a visited historic site. The village has waterfront fish tavernas and a pebble beach. Weather is covered in Plaka and Elounda weather, and the area in the Elounda guide.
Plaka near Chania
"Plaka Chania" refers to a small village in Apokoronas, east of Chania, near the resort of Almyrida. It is a quiet spot with villas and guesthouses, not a major sight. Don't confuse it with Plaka near Elounda: the drive between them is more than three hours.
Plaka on Milos and Naxos
On Milos, Plaka is the island's capital, a white hilltop village with a famous sunset viewpoint. On Naxos, Plaka is a long sandy beach on the west coast.
How not to get confused
- Check the island name in the hotel address.
- In Google Maps, add the area (Lasithi, Apokoronas, Milos).
- On Crete, for boats to Spinalonga, search Plaka Lasithi.
FAQ
What is Plaka? The name of several places in Greece. The best known is Athens' old district below the Acropolis.
Where is Plaka on Crete? In eastern Crete, north of Elounda, facing Spinalonga island. There is also a village called Plaka near Chania.
How do you get from Plaka to Spinalonga? By a short boat ride from the village's small harbour. Check times and fares locally, as they change by season.
Is Plaka on Milos a village or a beach? A village: it is the island's capital. Plaka beach is on Naxos.
