The waterfall of Platanistos in Karystos

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Platanistos is a small settlement in southern Evia (beaches) and specifically in Karystia and the municipality of Karystos. It is located in the southernmost part of Euboea known as Cape Doros (Kavo Doros) or Cape Kafireas. It is a part of Evia with very mild tourist development that remains beautiful in all respects.

The waterfall of Platanistos

The waterfall of Platanistos is located on the route that connects Karystos with the quite small and isolated villages of Cavo Doro and you will find it very easily next to the road and the small bridge (recently we saw that they have named it“bridge of lovers” …) that passes through the few houses of the settlement.

It is a landscape of stunning beauty full of plane trees and other deciduous trees, under which flows the cool stream of Platanistos and in which dominates the large waterfall that if you are lucky, as we were in 2020 when we visited it for the 5th or 6th time, and has a lot of water, will create a large natural pool or pedestals in the waters of which you can swim.

You will see many frogs and tadpoles, dragonflies and maybe even a water snake (which of course is much more afraid of us than we are of it.)

Swimming in the stream and the waterfall of Platanistos

If you like cold showers then you can enjoy it by going under the waterfall or rather at the edge of it, since just below it is almost impossible because of the force of the water falling (of course it always depends on the year and how “swollen” the stream is).

This is probably the best hot tub so don’t miss the opportunity even if it is “a little” cold at first. The water in this part of the stream is much warmer compared to for example the stream and the pedestals of Dimosaris (if you don’t know what it is about don’t miss our article about the beautiful Dimosaris gorge in southern Evia), so if you are going to try swimming in pedestals and waterfall we highly recommend Platanistos.

Our recommendation only concerns the issue of the bathroom and water temperature. In terms of beauty, the Demosari Gorge is equally if not more beautiful. The trail in Dimosaris is much longer, and quite uphill for 20 to 30 minutes if you go from the village of Lenossae, and has several spots where small waterfalls and pools for diving are formed.

Access to Platanistos and its waterfall.

Platanistos and its waterfall is about half an hour to 40 minutes from the capital of southern Evia, Karystos(Karystos beaches) on a 22 km route. The road has several bends and some broken spots so care is needed. We wouldn’t say it is dangerous but it would be good to be alert as there are narrow places or tight bends with no visibility.

From Karystos you will drive east and pass through Aetos and then the village of Metochi. After some kilometres you will find a junction on the right towards Kastri and some beaches (in 2020 it was a dirt road) and diagonally left the road that will lead you to the waterfall of Platanistos.

From Platanistos to the beaches of Cape Doro

The most easily and quickly accessible beach in the Aegean and Cape Doro is Potami. In recent years the road to the sea has been built so that it takes 15-20 minutes to get from the cool fresh waters of Platanistos to the salty waters of the usually turbulent Aegean Sea.

If you get a windy day then you will enjoy one of the best beaches and seas of southern Evia. Be careful though because strong northerly winds usually blow in the area which may make swimming on the beach prohibitive. It is therefore advisable to check the weather.

Accommodation in southern Evia and Karystos

Video of the waterfall in Platanisto Karystia

Map of Karystos and Platanistos

Πτώση Καναντέρ (Canadair CL-215)

text/photos: Yannis Tsouratzis