A small, rather isolated inland resort, Platres is built into a hillside, overlooking a valley. It has a pleasant, sleepy, low-key, almost village-like atmosphere, and a compact centre formed of fairly nondescript low-rise buildings in a mixture of modern and traditional styles. A couple of small roads pass through. The climate tends to be a few degrees cooler than at the coastal regions, and some limited skiing is available in winter in nearby Troodos.

Middlemarket, young and old. Bird-watchers; walking groups.

Small selection of hotels, ranging from modern to traditional. Situated in and above the village.

Range of souvenir shops, a couple of banks and a few supermarkets.

Daytime: hiking and strolling; use of hotel pools for a fee. Nightlife: handful of bars and discos in village.

Selection of restaurants and tavernas, some serving fresh locally farmed trout.

Limited. A workers' bus to Nicosia leaves from outside the tourist office very early in the morning and returns at about 11am. There is no other bus service. Service taxi for Limassol leaves at 7am but quickly turns around, arriving back in Platres at 11:30am. Taxis can be hired from hotel receptions. Car hire is recommended.

Variety of organised walks to mountain range of Troodos and surrounding villages. Kalidonia Waterfalls (2 mls). Pottery museum at Phini. Traditional wineries at Omodhos. Lace at Kilani. Horse riding in Troodos. Trout farm (1 ml) serving barbecued trout.

W-central Cyprus, 20 mls NW of Limassol. 40 mls W of Larnaca airport.

3,700 ft above sea level and 20 mls from the coast. Surrounded by mountains and forest, it is built on a steep slope and terraced at 3 different levels.

Telephone Area Code: 25

Airport : International
Airport Code: PFO
Flight time from ther U.K.: 4 hrs 15 mins