Krios River

Krios River comes from (Chionistra) Mount Olympus, towards south and crossing east of Platres. Through its root a green valley is formed with a unique flora, fauna and waterfalls. The water flow is continuous, with variations depending on weather conditions.

The river is a lifeline for the community of Platres and other communities of the area, as it passes through them, and runs towards to the delta of Kouris River, the greatest dam in Cyprus.

Flora and Fauna

The forest area of Platres consists of pine trees and shrubs, such as golden oak, androuklia,cistus and spatzia. In the streams one can find maple trees, sklidros, aradafnousa, merina, reeds, sklinitzia and konizos. Other trees include oak, kavatza, and shrubs such as pernies, trimithies and soumatzies. Towering the village are perennial plane trees as well as oak trees. In fact there is an oak tree there that is over 200 years old. A well-known and popular flower that grows in the Troodos and Platres area, is the safran.

During the 1950s the skies and forests of Troodos had eagles and vultures. Today however, these creatures have disappeared. The dominant bird nowadays, is the nightingale. So small yet so melodic, it is a proud bird that can not live in slavery. It comes in the spring and leaves at the beginning of autumn living amongst the rivers, the streams and fields. Usually they always return to the same areas where they build their nests, lay their eggs and take care of the baby nightingales.

Their chirping can be heard by day but mostly they do it by night beginning from the midst of April and ending in the midst of June with the peak being in the month of May always depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

The nightingales have roots deep in the hearts of the Greeks and they are glorified with songs,poems, stories and myths, most famous being the poem by the Greek Nobel Prize-winning poet, Giorgos Seferis, “the nightingales won’t let you sleep in Platres” which made them famous worldwidealong with Platres.

Psilodentro Area

It is one of the most famous and beautiful areas of Platres. Located in the north part of Village next to Krios river at high altitude and is famous for its special, cool refreshing climate.

At Pslilodentro area there is a restaurant and cafe as well as a trout fishery, an attraction for local and tourist's visitors of Platres.

Ayia Irini Area

Located in the northeast of the village on the road leading from Mesa potamos to Psilodentro Area. From the rock of Ayia Irini hills you can see Platres village and enjoy the outstanding natural beauty.