Paleochora a laidback seaside town
1st visit 2013, updated 2016, updated 2018, updated 2023
is an enjoyable laidback “smallish” town approximately 70km south of Chania on the south west coast of Crete. On arriving, the eucalyptus lined avenue will lead you into the main street with shops, tavernas, cafés, bars and the resort centre.
The two beaches of Palechora are awarded the Blue flag. One bay has a fine sandy beach (Pachia Ammos) and the other a pebble beach. Beach-water sport activities include wind surfing, kite surfing, jet ski etc.
There are great opportunities to explore the dramatic mountainous and barren coastline by using the daily ferry services linking it as far as Hora Sfakia.
There are also daily (high season) boat trips to the beautiful beaches at Elafonisi, These leave at around 09:30/10:00 and return in the afternoon 15:30/16:00.
Paleochora ferry port eastern side along the lively seafront promenade.
Hora Sfakia Village
Elafonissi beautiful Beaches
Paleochora yesterday and today
was originally named after the castle of Selinous, built by the Venetians around 1280. The fort-castle was destroyed by Barbarossa 1539 and since then has never been properly reconstructed. The ruins are still accessible towards the end of the narrowest part of the long and narrow Paleochora peninsula.
The “hippies discovered" Paleochora in the 1960’s and the resort has over the years seen an ever growing number of backpackers and holiday makers but still retains an enjoyable and laid back atmosphere.
It is a fairly a small and hassle free resort with approximately 2000 residents; mind you there are many more visitors (locals and internationals) in the summer, however, the ambiance and tranquillity with the mixture of people (locals and internationals) make Paleochora something special.
Enjoyable
and laidback
GOOD FOOD
A landmark in Paleochora The Church of Evangelistria
great seaside location (close Nireas Adventures) Good Greek and Mediterranean cooking. Indoor and outside terrace seating. Joyful atmosphere.
great seaside location (close Ferry pier) modern gastronomy with tasty Cretan cooking flavour influence. Wide selection of wine. One of the best,
Third Eye Vegetarian Restaurant.
Good location (close town end Pachia Ammos beach) Vegan and vegetarian choices. Nice atmosphere.
good location (close top end Pachia Ammos beach). This was the first taverna/snack bar I visited in Palaochora year 2009. (See Image) Still open, must be good.
Comfortable Stay
a family run 3 star hotel. Located close to Methexis Taverna and Nireas Adventures, 400 meters to Pachia Ammos sandy beach. Small pebble stone beach and rocks within 65 meters. Free WiFi access and views over the Libyan Sea or the garden. All rooms have air conditioning, a small fridge and an electric kettle. Private bathrooms with shower.
Anchris Paleochora studios
Address: Palaiochora 730 01, Greece
Phone: +30 697 844 5280
Less than 100metres from Pachia Ammos sandy beach, Free wired internet is available. Simply furnished and air-conditioned studios and apartments open to a furnished balcony. Each studio/apartment has a kitchenette with a mini oven, electric kettle, fridge and dining table. A private bathroom with shower, Book with Booking.com
Ammos Paleochora Hotel
Address: Sandy beach, Paleochora 730 01, Greece
Phone: +30 694 728 6909
3 star. Virtually on the Pachia Ammos sandy beach. Air-conditioned rooms, coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a shower. Some rooms have sea views. Book with Booking.com
(web site under construction Feb 2024). 2 star Hotel. Great central location, Pachia Ammos sandy beach less than 150 meters and the centre with all amenities 150 meters stroll. Basic rooms simply furnished and all feature a private balcony with table and chairs. Rooms with air conditioning, satellite TV, mini fridge and en-suite bathroom with shower. Free Wi-Fi available, and free parking is provided on site. Book direct or with Booking.com
Comfortable clean rooms with all the necessary amenities, AC and Wi-Fi. Most rooms with view of the sea. Book direct.
Paleochora activities
Anidri gorge is the closest one to Paleochora. Details Anidri walk.
East and West side beaches
East Side of Paleochora
Leaving Paleochora east on a dirt road (sitable for cars),
Chalikia pebble stone beach
spreading out towards Camping Paleochora. Self Catering accommodation and tavernas on each side of the road.
At the camping the beach change name to Keratides still a pebble stone beach. Further along the dirt road, the sea on one side, impressive mountain on the opposite side.
Anidri or Gialiskari beach (image)
After nearly 4km east of Paleochora Anidri or Gialiskari beach) lies on the easternmost edge of the coastline of Paleochora. The beach is essentially a cluster of 3 smaller beaches on the west and east of a small peninsula It’s a pristine pebble beach occupying both sides of a tiny peninsula, a glorious place, below the entrance to the steep-sided Anidri gorge and the mountains behind. The water is crystal-clear both sides.
West side of Paleochora
There are many small coves and beaches within 5km to the West of town.
Kalamia Beach
1,8km utside Paleochora small local beach, pebble stone.
Psilos Volakas
little pebbly stone cove, its waters sheltered by a tiny rocky peninsula It’s right next to the road from Paleochora to Kountoura, and signposted; the bus will stop nearby on request. Beach bar, umbrellas, sun beds, toilets
Psilos karavopetra
small cove followed by
Plakaki beach
followed by the larger beach of
Alonaki beach
Just under 4.5km from Paleochora centre, Aloniki beach (also known as Votsalo or Gialos beach) on the east side of the Grammeno peninsula, is an open to the sea pebbly beach around 550 meter long with crystal clear waters.
Accommodation available as well as Grammeno Camping (in the middle of the peninsula)
Grammeno Beach
5km from Paleochora town Located on the west side is the 400 meters sandy bay, where you can enjoy the many shaded area offered by the Cedar sea trees. A few self catering and tavernas available.
How to get to Paleochora
By Air
If you arrive by air, Chania is the nearest airport, and then Heraklion airport
International and domestic flights with Aegean Airlines to Chania or Heraklion airport.
For both airports charter and International airlines traffic available.
Paleochora is approximately 75km south of Chania. You can get there by bus, taxi or rent a car. There are 4 daily buses. Chania to Paleochora, which take about 1 hour 40 minutes.
From Heraklion to Paleochora by bus via Chania, (several daily buses from Heraklion to Chania) The bus itinerary include a Rethymno stop. In Chania change of bus. If you are lucky to catch the Paleochora bus at once, the whole bus trip will take around 5 hours.
If you rent a car the journey will take approximately 3.5 hours
Local bus
Taxi Service
Car rental / hire
By sea
Crete has 6 Ferry Ports: Heraklion largest and busiest. Chania, Sitia, Rethymno, Kissamos and Agios Nikolaos.
Book your ferry with Ferries in Greece