Excellence Luxury Villas · Plaka
Luxury Villa Rentals in Plaka
Sea-view villas in a fishing village on the Gulf of Mirabello, a ten-minute boat ride from Spinalonga
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A fishing village with a fortress island for a view
Few villages in Greece have a view with quite so much story in it. Plaka is a small fishing village on the north-east coast of Crete, a few kilometres north of Elounda, and directly across the strait lies Spinalonga: a sixteenth-century Venetian fortress that became one of Europe's last leper colonies, closing only in 1957. British readers may know it from Victoria Hislop's novel The Island, which is set on these very shores.
Our Plaka collection runs to 50+ villas, from apartments and two-bedroom houses with hot tubs to large villas with private pools, the biggest with 10 bedrooms. Most look out over the water towards Spinalonga and the Kolokytha peninsula.
What follows covers the village, the bay and the best months to come.
Plaka at a glance
- Villas
- 50+ in and around Plaka, with up to 10 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,700 to £10,500 a week, from around £2,300
- Location
- The Gulf of Mirabello in north-east Crete, a short drive north of Elounda
- Highlights
- Spinalonga by boat, the Kolokytha peninsula and the waterfront fish tavernas
- Airport
- Heraklion, around an hour and a quarter by road
Browse all 50+ villas in Plakaor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Lysias Mavratzi Plaka: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Seaview & Pool – Plaka3 bedrooms
Villa Saronida Greece8 bedrooms
Spinalonga Villas 8 Greece6 bedrooms
Spinalonga Villas 3 Greece6 bedroomsWhere to stay in Plaka
Plaka itself for the waterfront and Spinalonga, Elounda for restaurants, boats and the Kolokytha peninsula, and Heraklion and Hersonissos for days out on the north coast.
Pebbles, tavernas and a ten-minute crossing
Plaka is small enough to walk end to end before lunch. There is a pebble beach of clear, calm water, a short run of fish tavernas with their tables set almost at the water's edge, and a quay where the little boats leave for Spinalonga.
The crossing from Plaka is the shortest of all, around ten minutes, which means you can be on the island early, before the larger excursion boats arrive from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Villas on the slopes above the village tend to have the widest views, and the walk down for supper is part of the pleasure.
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Venetian walls and a quieter, sadder history
The Venetians fortified Spinalonga to guard the bay, and it held out long after the rest of Crete had fallen to the Ottomans. From 1903 it was used as a leper colony, and the restored streets, houses and church inside the walls tell that story with real restraint.
It is one of the most visited historic sites in Crete, second only to Knossos, and a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. Go in the morning, take water and good shoes, and leave time to walk the full circuit of the walls.
Ask about a guided visit
Boats, a sunken city and the road to Kritsa
Elounda, a few minutes south, has more restaurants, a busy harbour and the causeway to the Kolokytha peninsula, where the remains of ancient Olous lie under the shallow water and the coves on the far side are good for swimming. Many boat trips around Spinalonga stop here for a swim on the way back.
Further afield, Agios Nikolaos sits on its lake around twenty minutes away, and the hill village of Kritsa, with its frescoed Byzantine church of Panagia Kera, makes a fine morning out. The Lasithi Plateau and the Dikteon Cave, mythical birthplace of Zeus, are an easy day trip.
Browse villas in Elounda
Grilled fish, dakos and a long, warm autumn
Eating in Plaka is mostly a matter of choosing which fish to have grilled. Add dakos, the Cretan barley rusk piled with tomato and soft cheese, wild greens dressed in local olive oil, and a small glass of raki, offered on the house more often than not.
The season runs from May to October. June and September are the sweet spots, warm enough to swim but without the August crowds, and the sea stays warm well into October. Our concierge can book boats to Spinalonga, tables by the water, a private chef and transfers from Heraklion.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Plaka
Villa Yiorgos Greece5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £11,382 a week
Villa Michail Greece5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £10,347 a week
Villa Kosti Greece6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £10,031 a week
Villa Mirabello Plaka: Luxurious 6-Bedroom Apartment with Private Pool & Sea Views – Plaka6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £8,260 a week
Ariadne Luxury Villa Greece2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £8,010 a week
Villa Oskelos Estate | 5-Bedroom Villa in Naxos Plaka5 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £7,533 a week
Villa Spinalonga Plaka: Luxury 6-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Plaka6 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £6,433 a week
The Residence 2 bedroomed villa Greece2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £6,396 a weekWhy book your Plaka villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Plaka's villas run from the waterfront up into the hills behind, and we know which have the clearest view of Spinalonga and which are an easy walk down to the tavernas. With 50+ properties in Plaka, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Boat trips and private boats to Spinalonga, taverna reservations, a private chef, car hire and transfers from Heraklion. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plaka a good base for a villa holiday in Crete?
Yes, for those who want somewhere quiet by the sea. Plaka is a small fishing village with tavernas and a pebble beach, and Elounda's restaurants and harbour are only a few minutes' drive away.
How do I get to Spinalonga from Plaka?
Small boats cross from the quay in Plaka throughout the season, and the journey takes around ten minutes, the shortest crossing to the island. Our concierge can also arrange a private boat.
When is the best time to visit Plaka?
May to October is the main season. June and September are ideal for swimming and sightseeing without the August crowds, and the sea is usually warm until well into October.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Plaka?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Plaka cost?
Across our 50+ villas in Plaka, weekly rates typically range from £2,700 to £10,500, with the most affordable from around £2,300 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How far is Plaka from Heraklion airport?
Plaka is around an hour and a quarter by road from Heraklion airport. Our concierge can arrange private transfers in both directions.
Are there villas in Plaka for large groups?
Yes. Our Plaka collection includes properties with up to 10 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Plaka
50+ villas in and around Plaka, booked direct with our concierge on hand