Villas in Plaka
Plaka is a small village in Lasithi, Crete, next to Elounda, with tourist boats leaving daily for Spinalonga island. Most homes here have a private pool, and many sleep six or more. It is a village rather than a resort, so for bars, restaurants and sandy beaches you head to neighbouring Elounda.
- Villas
- 13
- From, per week
- £1,234
About Plaka
Plaka is a village in the municipality of Agios Nikolaos, in Lasithi, and it neighbours the town of Elounda. Spinalonga, a rocky island that the Venetians held as a fortress and that served as a leper colony from 1904 to 1957, lies about 750 metres across the water, and the boat over takes around ten minutes. The village features prominently in Victoria Hislop's novel The Island. The ruins of the ancient cities of Olous and Lato are in the vicinity. Elounda has a small fishing port and several sandy beaches within walking distance of its square. Check boat times before you plan the day.
Is Plaka right for you?
- Best for
- Families wanting a private pool near Spinalonga and Elounda
- Not for you if
- You want shops, bars and a beach within walking distance, because Plaka is a village and Elounda is the nearest town.
Near Plaka
Spinalonga
Former Venetian fortress and leper colony, about 750 metres off Plaka, reached by tourist boat in around ten minutes.
Elounda
Neighbouring town with a small fishing port, many bars and restaurants on its square, and sandy beaches within walking distance of it.
Olous and Lato
The ruins of two ancient cities, both in the vicinity of Plaka village.
Agios Nikolaos
The town that gives its name to Plaka's municipality, and another departure point for Spinalonga boats, though the crossing from there is longer.
Getting to Plaka
Heraklion Airport serves this part of Crete; from neighbouring Elounda it is about 80 km, roughly an hour's drive. Elounda is close, but a hire car makes Agios Nikolaos and the wider coast easier to reach.
Villas in Plaka
Villa Superior - Das neue Öko-Schick-Ziel
Plaka, Crete, Greece
12
6
0
Air ConBBQParking+11 more
from£743
per night
5-star property
5-star property
5-star property
4-star property
3-star property
Plaka villa holidays: questions answered
How do you get to Spinalonga from Plaka?
By tourist boat from Plaka, which takes about ten minutes each way. Boats also leave from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, but those crossings are longer. Boarding for the return is informal, so check which town your boat is heading for.
Is Plaka near Elounda?
Yes. Plaka neighbours the town of Elounda and belongs to the municipality of Agios Nikolaos. Elounda is the place for restaurants and sandy beaches, with a small fishing port and bars around its square.
What is Spinalonga, and is it worth a trip from Plaka?
Spinalonga is a rocky island at the northern mouth of the gulf of Elounda, held as a fortress under Venetian rule and used as a leper colony from 1904 to 1957. Plaka has the shortest crossing of the three departure points.
Is Plaka good for families with a pool?
For pool-minded families, it works well: most homes here have a private pool and many sleep six or more. Elounda's sandy beaches are close, and near its main beach there is a children's play area.
Nearby towns to Plaka
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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