The village of Platania is a former province of Amari (and now Kourites), built above a small ravine at an altitude of 420m at the foot of Psiloritis mountain (Ida) and 43 km southeast of Rethymnon City. It has approximately 210 residents, whose main occupations are agriculture and olive growing.

Platania Gorge is a unique trail, with impressive cliffs, vertical limestone rocks, rock roofs and caves. It is recommended for experienced mountaineers, although the first part of the trek is quite easy, even for children who are physically fit.

Many species of birds nest in the gorge, such as harrier eagles, vultures, wild pigeons and crows. Visitors will also come across abandoned olive groves, as well as a wide variety of indigenous and other plants of Crete, e.g. jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa), campanula (Campanula tubulosa), kermes oaks, maples, and pines.

The trail leads to the cave of Pan, which was named thus, as according to the myth, this is the birthplace of the ancient God Pan. In the cave’s interior one can see decorations on the walls that may date back to the Minoan period and imply that this was a place of worship.

Amari Valley seen from Platania Platania Village, by Amari Valley Amari Valley seen from Platania Platania Village, by Amari Valley Platania Village, by Amari Valley Platania Village, by Amari Valley

• Map
• Accommodation
• Villages
• Caves
• Plateaus

Silde apartments in Chania, West Crete

Manolis Rooms in Paleochora, West Crete

Ilios apartments in Maleme Chania

Stochos apartments in Agia Galini, Rethimno

Anemos apartments in Rethimno, West Crete

Delta studios and apartments in Chania West Crete

Kastamonitsa in Kasteli Heraklion Central Crete

Agoii Deka Village in Messara

Nivritos village in Heraklion, Central Crete

Drigies Village by Amari valley, Rethimno, Central Crete

Lefkochori in Arkalochori Iraklion Central Crete

Achlada Village in Iraklion Central Crete

Kassanos Village in Arkalochori Iraklion Central Crete

Vrisses Village by Amari valley, Rethimno, Central Crete

Pyrgos Village in Messara Heraklion Central Crete

Lochria or Lohria Village, Rethimno, Central Crete

Veni Village, Rethimno, Central Crete

Prassas Village in Iraklion Central Crete

Rogdia or RodiaVillage in Iraklion Central Crete

Anopolis Village by Gouves, Heraklion

Avdou Village, Heraklion, Central Crete

Tzanis or Honos Cave by Omalos

Oxo Latsida Cave in Sitanos Village, East Crete

Melidoni Cave, Rethimno, Bali Central Crete

Rousso Haraki Cave in Pefki - Makrigialos, East Crete

Gergeri cave by Zaros, Central Crete

Cave of Holy Fathers, Azogires

Leon Cave - Precipice in Fres, White mountains

Peristeras Caves in Karidi, Palekastro, East Crete

Gerani Cave, Rethimno

Goumenospilios Cave in Agiofarago

Theriospilios cave in Kavousi, East Crete

Kamilari Cave in Tylisos

Astraki Cave in Heraklion

Apoloustres Cave in Pefki - Makrigialos, East Crete

Agia Sofia Cave in Topolia, Kisamos

Gious Kambos plateau in Rethymno

Evdomo plateau in Tilissos

Krapi plateau in the White mountains

Vromonero plateau in Kroussonas

Kallikratis plateau in Chania, West Crete

Sitanos Plateau by Sitia

Askifou plateau in the White mountains

Vothonas plateau in Chania

Omalos - Simi - Viannos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Katharo plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Ziros - Chandras plateau by Sitia, East Crete

Omalos plateau in the White mountains

Lapathos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Limnakaro Plateau by Lassithi Mountains

Asfendou plateau in the White mountains