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Geographically Platres is located in the centre of the Island on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountain range at an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level. It has excellent road connections to the main towns of Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos and Larnaca.
 
The southern coast with all its entertainments and beaches is around 35 to 45 minutes away by car. During the winter months the two ski runs of Mount Olympus - the highest point of the Troodos Mountain range – are available for Skiers and are suitable for all levels of skill. Mount Olympus is around nine kilometers away with good roads to Platres.

Around 100 years ago, Kings, Emirs, Potentates and rulers of nearby Middle Eastern countries discovered the benefits of travelling to the mountains of Cyprus as a means of escaping the intense heat of their own countries during the summer months. To a lesser extent it also became part of the social travel circuit of wealthy Europeans. The village of Platres was the focal point of these visits and consequently all manner of hotels, hostels and taverna's sprung up in what was until then a small, rural farming village.

The clean clear air and balmy, moderate temperatures, allied to the scenic beauty of the pine forest surrounded village with its far reaching views to the distant coast, its waterfalls and streams, the variegated flora, the nightingales whose melodious song drew many a famous artist, poet or novelist to use Platres as a base and indeed inspiration for their works; Daphne Du Maurier spent time in the 1920’s in Platres, George Seferis the Nobel prize winning poet, wrote his famous poem 'Eleni' in Platres, whimsically complaining that the nightingales song kept him awake at night. These and many other famous visitors helped make Platres the premier mountain resort of Cyprus.

The advent of international air travel in the 1950’s/60’s ushered in a new era for Platres. The area still retains its popularity as a mid summer resort but now the clientele is mostly Cypriot. Many of the original hotels still exist and all the beauties of Platres remain unchanged.

The premier village of the Troodos Mountains and a pleasure to visit.