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Paleochora is a picturesque town by the sea-side, built between two gorgeous big bays, in the western coast of South Crete. It’s situated 70 km from Chania and 200 km from Iraklio. Because of its beautiful landscape and perfect beaches, in summer there are plenty of tourists, as well as corresponding infrastructure. But in spring and in autumn it’s calm and offers you nice, peaceful holidays.
It’s possible that Paleochora is built on the ruins of ancient Calamidi. In 1278 Marin Gradenig, the Venetian Duke, built the historical Castello Selino on a hill with wonderful view to the Libyan Sea, which communicates with the village, nowadays called Fortetza.
The small peninsula on which Paleochora is built, is an extension of beautiful hillsides that skirt the town protecting it from strong northern winds, known as “meltemia”. These hills, situated to the north of Paleochora, are especially nice and elegant, and they enrich the natural environment with their presence. This alternation of mountainous hillsides and bulks, with low plants (mostly aromatic herbs), this rare and rather wild landscape gives its place to a flat and tame grassy area – Paleochora fields (“kampos”). Its borders are restricted and defined asymmetrically by the Libyan Sea.
It’s possible that Paleochora is built on the ruins of ancient Calamidi. In 1278 Marin Gradenig, the Venetian Duke, built the historical Castello Selino on a hill with wonderful view to the Libyan Sea, which communicates with the village, nowadays called Fortetza.
The small peninsula on which Paleochora is built, is an extension of beautiful hillsides that skirt the town protecting it from strong northern winds, known as “meltemia”. These hills, situated to the north of Paleochora, are especially nice and elegant, and they enrich the natural environment with their presence. This alternation of mountainous hillsides and bulks, with low plants (mostly aromatic herbs), this rare and rather wild landscape gives its place to a flat and tame grassy area – Paleochora fields (“kampos”). Its borders are restricted and defined asymmetrically by the Libyan Sea.
On one side, there is the western bay bordered by a beautiful artificial port, with a lighthouse rising from a small island. The extension of this coast is a tame area of Pacheia Ammos. It’s an endless, very clear, sandy beach with a blue flag always flapping above it. While it accepts thousands of swimmers during summer months, it’s an organized beach with all the comforts.
In a few meters, on the right, there is an eastern bay, so different from the first one you could say it’s miles away from it. It has pebbles and rocks and not sand. Opposite of it there is the Madara mountain range (White Mountains). On this big beach there are places where nudists swim. The quay situated in this bay serves those who wish to visit Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Chora Sfakion, Gavdos and Elafonisi.
Paleochora beaches are among the best in the Mediterranean and maybe even in the whole world! They spread up to 18 km right and left from the town.
Paleochora beaches are among the best in the Mediterranean and maybe even in the whole world! They spread up to 18 km right and left from the town.
