PLATANIAS
Platanias is the largest tourist resort in West Crete. It is built along a sandy beach and caters mainly to tourists.
Located on the main coastal road, there is a frequent bus service to and from Chania. There are many restaurants and cafes of all kinds, and plenty of shopping opportunities for when you are not lying on the beach or by the pool. The town has a lively nightlife, with many bars and clubs catering for all tastes.
Opposite Platanias is the island of St. Theodori or Thodorou. The Turks mention it as Tourlou-Andasi, and the Venetians as San Theodoro or San Todaro. In 1574, during the Venetian dominion, it was decided to fortify it, in order to prevent the Turks from landing in Platanias. So they built a multi-angled fortress on the highest point of the island and called it Turluru, and another multi-angled fortress at a lower level, which they called San Theodoro or San Francesco. Only the foundations of the St. Theodori chapel remain today. The island now serves as a rearing place for the Cretan mountain goat, kri-kri.
