Characteristics of Paleochora

The picturesque town of Paleochora lies on the southern coast of Crete, on a tiny peninsula jutting out into the waters of the Libyan Sea. The resort can be found about 80 km south of the regional town of Chania and about 52 km from the town of Tavronitis, from which the main road leads across the width of the island.

Originally a small fishing village, it has gradually developed into a popular holiday resort, but still manages to retain its peaceful atmosphere. In addition to tourism, the inhabitants are also involved in agriculture, particularly tomato growing and olive oil production. The traditional character of the town is also reinforced by the local housing, mainly made up of smaller family houses converted into guesthouses and apartments to accommodate tourists during the summer season. In the evenings, even the centre of the village closes to cars and locals pull out tables and chairs to debate and have fun in the streets.

There are several restaurants, taverns and bars available to tourists in the resort, and of course a variety of shops, a pharmacy, ATM, post office, petrol station and even a cinema. There is a regular bus service that stops in Paleochora and you can also rent a car at the local rental agency. A third transport option is then boat transport, as the resort also forms part of the harbour.

History of Paleochora

The present-day town of Paleochora stands on the site of the ancient town of Kalamydi, and the area is rich in medieval Byzantine monuments, so you can come across several small Byzantine chapels with unique wall paintings, as well as the remains of early Christian churches. The main landmark of contemporary Paleochora, however, are the remains of the 13th-century Selino Fortress, which gave the name to the whole area.

Selino Castle was built by the Venetians in the late 1370s. Not many such fortresses were built on the southern coast of Crete, so Selino is rather an exception, built on top of a hill overlooking the Libyan Sea. The fortress also included two towers that control the bay on both the east and west sides of the promontory. However, in 1539 the castle was destroyed by the pirate Barbarosa. At the end of the 16th century the fortress was repaired and in the mid-17th century the Turks modified it for their own use. The perimeter walls of the fortress are still visible today.

Paleochora beaches

The mainland promontory of Paleochora is connected to the mainland of Crete only by its northern border, otherwise it is surrounded on all sides by the Libyan Sea. At the southern tip of the peninsula lies the port of Paleochora, and on the west and east coasts of the town are the beaches - the beautiful sandy beach of Pachia Ammos to the west and the quieter pebble beach of Chalikia to the east, both of which have been awarded the EU Blue Flag. Both beaches are well-maintained and organised, and visitors can hire sun loungers and parasols and use the nearby tavernas and cafes. Nudism is tolerated in the outlying areas of Pachia Ammoc Beach.

The better known and livelier beach is the western beach of Pachia Ammos, which is about 500 m long, covered with fine sand and bathed in beautifully clear sea. The small tamarisk trees lining the beach add to the charm of the place. Families with children or elderly couples are often seen here. But be careful on days when the south wind blows strong and the waves are big off the coast. That's when windsurfing and other water adrenaline sports enthusiasts head here. And families move to the east coast, to Chalikia beach.

The surface of Chalikia Beach is made up of larger pebbles that continue along the coastline to below sea level, letting the azure blue of the local sea stand out beautifully. Chalikia is a smaller beach and more sheltered from strong winds. There is also a campsite at its northern end.

Nearby surroundings and tips for trips

The town itself and its surroundings are perfect for romantic walks and more demanding hikes. For example, take a walk to the remains of the Selino fortress and if you head east along the coast, after about 5 km you will reach the beautiful pebble beach of Anydri.

If you take advantage of car hire or the local bus service, you can explore further along the western part of Crete. The picturesque historic town of Chania is definitely worth a visit, as are the natural sights of Samaria Gorge, the most famous Cretan gorge.

Cruise ships depart regularly from the local port, heading to the most popular tourist spots in the southwestern part of the island. Take a cruise to Elafonisi, for example, a beautiful beach with pinkish sand and crystal clear sea, or to Gavdos, which is about 35 km from the mainland and is said to be the southernmost island in Europe. A popular day trip by boat is also to visit the excavations of Lissos or to visit the beautiful villages on the southern coast of the island - Sougia, Loutro or Chora Sfakion.

Who is the centre suitable for?

Paleochora is a rapidly developing tourist resort, but still one of the quieter and more traditional areas of Crete. This is largely due to its location in a more remote area of the southwestern part of the island, on a small spur of land. Tourists are also drawn here by the beautiful beaches and the unique, often very wild, surrounding countryside.

If you require accommodation in a quiet area of the town, choose from guesthouses and hotels located below the ruins of the fortress and away from the main streets. The main roads are packed with cars during the day, and even at night the resort centre doesn't completely quieten down, instead debating and eating moves out of the buildings and into the streets.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Most favourite resorts of Crete: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion (Iraklion), Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kalamaki (Matala), Malia, Platanias (Chania), Rethymno, Stalis

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Crete.