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Built on the ruins of the ancient city of Kalamydi, Paleochora (Παλαιόχωρα) is, as the locals say, "the bride of the Libyan Sea." This small town located on a small peninsula on the south-western coast of Crete is located 77 km south of the city of Chania. According to data from the 2001 census, 2,213 permanent residents inhabited Paleochora, who currently live mainly in tourism or agriculture, because this region is famous for growing tomatoes, unusual olives and olive oil. The mild Mediterranean climate and high average annual temperature (above 20 degrees C) make this area one of the warmest in Greece.
Paleochora itself is a quite well-organized tourist town with a beautiful large sandy beach. There is a large number of small family hotels, guest houses, taverns and bars, which are visited every year by tourists who like to build their own holidays. Paleochora is still bypassed by larger travel agencies. This independence from organized tourism is evident especially in the evening at the beach, which does not wipe out at the end of the day. Nobody rushes here for dinner in a hotel, so many people like to spend their evenings on the beach.
The infrastructure useful for tourists, which is here, it is worth to mention the post office, banks with ATMs and a small number of stores (including a larger market). Undoubtedly, the biggest advantage of Paleochory are ferry connections, which make this place a great base for hiking trips in the surrounding mountains and ravines (including Samaria). It is also important that the city is on the line of the long-distance hiking trail E4. There are also KTEL buses that connect the town with Chania and other smaller towns.
The story of Paleochor could be started with the words: long ago in a time when there was nothing ... and it would be an accurate comparison, because in the distant history there was not even the peninsula on which this place is currently located. There was only a small hill above the water, on which the Venetians later built the Selino fort. Only the strong earthquake that struck western Crete caused the peninsula to emerge from the sea waves. The ancient Cretans built nearby the small town of Kalamyde, which probably served as the port of ancient Kandanos, and its significant role fell in the Doric-Roman period.
The strategic significance of this place was appreciated by the Venetians, who in 1278 brought Castel Selino on the hill. However, his story confirms the turbulent history of Crete and the legendary stubbornness of its inhabitants in the fight against the invaders. Only a few decades after completion of construction, in 1322, the fortress was destroyed by rebels led by Vardas Kallergis. The Venetians, however, did not give up and a few years after the first defeat rebuilt the fortifications. In 1539, the fortress in ruins was changed by the famous pirate Barbarossa. It was only after 56 years that it was rebuilt, so that in 1595 it again proudly stood above the city. In 1653 Selino was occupied by the Turks, who ruled this place until the liberation of Crete from the Turkish yoke. In 1834, the British traveler Robert Pashley went to this area, but he only found the ruins of the former fortress.
The area of the current Paleochora once again fell in blood during the Second World War, when after the occupation of Crete by the Germans it became a battlefield and the place of action of the resistance movement.
Today, only the poorly preserved ruins of Selino rising above the modern city remind us of the dark past. It is worth coming here, above all, for a beautiful panorama of the city against the background of mountains and the sea which is shown to the eyes of tourists.
In addition to visiting the remains of Castel Selino, towering over the Paleochora, it is worth remembering that it is a charming town, which should be given some attention by walking its streets. Eye-catching picturesque buildings, excellent taverns create a nice photogenic mix, ktrice is worth to capture on the pictures. In your plans you must also take a coastal walk along the eastern part of the peninsula and the sunset, which is perfectly visible from the west sandy beach.
If you would like to have a really long hiking trip, you can try to pass a part of the E4 route connecting Paleochora with Elafonissi. However, when preparing for it, keep in mind that the distance between the two places is really long, which is important especially if you would like to walk this route on both sides. For ease of one way, you can take a small cruise boat.
A small ship sailing to the beach of Elafonissi
A much shorter walk is an eastbound trip to the village of Anidri, where there is the charming little church of Agios Georgios, in which there are amazing frescos from 1323. It is also worth going through the same gorge connecting the village with the beach.
When planning a vacation (or part of it) in Paleochore it is worth remembering that it is a good transport connection. There are both KTEL buses and a ferry that connects Paleochora with Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Chora Sfakion and the island of Gavdos. There are also car and bike rentals on site, so you can plan some further escapades.
It is also worth mentioning that in Paleochory you can find great taverns offering Cretan dishes at fairly affordable prices. We recommend that you look at taverns located a little deeper in the thicket of streets of this town. Premises located near the sea will usually be slightly more expensive, and the food can be a bit more "touristy" and devoid of real local flavor.
Wandering through the streets of Paleochory, it's worth visiting the local bakeries offering the most varied salty and sweet pastries based on filo or French pastry, as well as ordinary greengrocers where you can buy delicious dried salt olives, which are local specialties.
↤ click the appropriate part of the island to change the bottom map
W 2002 roku Falasarna zdobyła tytuł najlepszej plaży w Grecji. Wyróżnienie to nie jest bynajmniej przypadkowe, gdyż miejsce to jak na standardy Krety jest naprawdę unikalne.
Elafonisi is a small island located at the end of the southwestern edge of Crete. A characteristic feature of Elafonisi is the shallow lagoon connecting it with Crete.
Elafonisi is a small island located at the end of the southwestern edge of Crete. A characteristic feature of Elafonisi is the shallow lagoon connecting it with Crete.
This is the second largest airport (IATA code: CHQ) in Crete. In 2010, the airport in Chania served a total of over 1.65 million passengers.
Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.
Aptera is a city whose history dates back to at least a thousand years before our era. In the peak period, about 20,000 lived in it. people, of which only 1/5 were free people.
Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.
The genesis of the name of this poviat will not surprise anybody who will break the road from the Imbros gorge to Hora Sfakion.
Frangokastello is a small fortress that was built by the Venetians over four years from 1371. Initially, the castle was named after Saint Nikitas.
(Χρυσοσκαλίτισσα) The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Golden Step from the 17th century is the westernmost church building of this type.
(Χρυσοσκαλίτισσα) The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Golden Step from the 17th century is the westernmost church building of this type.
Omalos is a perfect starting point for exploring the Samaria Gorge. Located over 1,100 m above sea level extends over an area of 25 km2. Its size corresponds more or less to the size of the Lasithi Plateau.
Located 47 km from the city of Chania, it is the only freshwater lake in Crete. Its area is about 580 thousand. sqm. and the maximum depth is about 45 meters
Omalos is a perfect starting point for exploring the Samaria Gorge. Located over 1,100 m above sea level extends over an area of 25 km2. Its size corresponds more or less to the size of the Lasithi Plateau.
The steel crossing, which in the central part is separated from the ground by nearly 150 m, is at the leading position of the places where the longest bungee jumps are made.
Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.
The genesis of the name of this poviat will not surprise anybody who will break the road from the Imbros gorge to Hora Sfakion. Word
This is the second largest airport (IATA code: CHQ) in Crete. In 2010, the airport in Chania served a total of over 1.65 million passengers.
Chora Sfakion is an extremely picturesque mountain village of the mountainous and wild Sfakia region
Loutro is famous for the fact that you can get to it only from the sea or walk on the mountain trail, because there is no other road here.
Stavros used to be a small fishing village. Today, it is primarily a tourist destination, but in a positive sense.
The cave is less than 1 km from Moni Gouvernetou Monastery. You will reach it using the pedestrian trail that has been marked out along the slope of the Avlaki Gorge.
Balos is one of Crete's flagship beaches if not all of Greece. We can assure you that the landscapes you see during your trip to Balos will remain with you for a very long time.
Moni Katholiko is probably the oldest and most spectacular monastery in Crete. It is located 20 km north-east of Chania.
The Orthodox monastery of Agia Triada, located on the northern part of the Akrotiri peninsula, is one of the most beautiful and richest monasteries in Crete.
The Orthodox monastery of Agia Triada, located on the northern part of the Akrotiri peninsula, is one of the most beautiful and richest monasteries in Crete.
Gouverneto Monastery is probably the oldest active Greek Catholic monastery located on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania.
The length of the trail leading through this place is about 8 kilometers and the difference in altitude is about 600m.
Agia Roumeli znajduje się na południowym wybrzeżu Prefektury Chania, pomiędzy miejscowościami Chora Sfakion i Paleochora.
Until the early nineties, this place was known only to few tourists and local residents.
Paleochora is a quite well-organized tourist town, with a beautiful large sandy beach
Ruiny starożytnego miasta Lissos znajdują się około 3,5 km od miejscowości Sougia na południowym wybrzeżu Krety.
Samaria is one of the most important tourist attractions located in the western part of Crete.
On the north-western coast of Crete, at the foot of the Gramovous peninsula, there are ruins of the ancient port of Korikos, later known as Falassarna.
Krios Beach is located about 9 km west of Paleochora and it is also the last beach on this stretch of the southern coast
Between the villages of Topolia and Koutsamatados there is an interesting cave known as Agia Sofia
Milia is an authentic mountain settlement, which most probably dates from about the seventeenth century.
On the edge of the village of Potamida grows a complex of clay mounds called Komolithi (Komolithoi)
Grammeno (Γραμμένο) is a beach that can be counted among one of the best and most beautiful beaches in this part of Crete.
Platanias is a popular tourist destination. It is here that there are very interesting tunnels from World War II.
Polyrinia was one of the most important city-states of western Crete during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It was built amphitheater on a steep hill, rising to a height of 481 meters above sea level
The Agia Irini gorge, just a short distance from the village of Sougia, is one of the most popular hiking destinations.
The island of Gramvousa, or in fact Imeri Gramvousa (Ήμερη Γραμβούσα), is an inseparable point of a trip that combines a stay in the Balos Lagoon with visiting the remains of a fortress located on the top of the island of Imeri Gramovousa.
Agia Roumeli is located on the south coast of Chania Prefecture, between Chora Sfakion and Paleochora.
The Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos was erected on the remote Selouda Beach in the south of Crete.
There is a beach in Crete that literally makes some people shiver. This place is Seitan Limania which can be translated as Satan's Ports or Cursed Ports.
Aspri Limni means White Lake, although the lake is just a conventional name. Under this term there is a small bay.
Kali Limenes (meaning Dobre Porty or Piękny Przystanie) is a coastal town located in the Asterousia Mountains on the southern coast of Crete. Although the road runs to Kali Limenes, it runs through a mountain range, so it is narrow and very winding. The demanding route and quite a distant location mean that in most cases in Kali Limenes the only tourists that can be found here are the Greeks resting on a makeshift bivouac.
Zakros is a small town on the east coast of Crete, less than 40 km south-east of Sitia. Through Zakros leads the main road leading from the north coast to the 8 km distant Kato Zakros, where there are ruins of the Minoan palace and the entrance to the Gorge of the Dead. However, few of those who are going to these places stop at the center of the village of Zakros and leave the car to explore this interesting place.
Makry Gialos is one of the less-appreciated tourist destinations in Crete. It's a pity, because unlike those located on the north coast, it is here that we can enjoy the full tourist infrastructure and a good sandy beach, without sacrificing peace.
Komentarze
:)
Wspaniale opisaliście Palaiochore. Cudowne i spokojne miejsce.Pozdrawiam i życzę Wam udanego pobytu na Krecie.
Promy
Witam,
Za tydzień wybieramy się do Paleochory. Czy możecie polecić jakieś konkretne promy którymi można się dostać na Gavdos lub Elafonisi?
Z góry dziękuję
odp. promy
Wielkiego wyboru nie ma. Na Gavdos pływa prom Anendyk. Poniżej znajdziesz link z tabelą połączeń:
https://anendyk.gr/?page_id=97
Na Elafonissi zaś pływają niewielkie stateczki firmy NEN Κρήτης. Odpływają z przystani o 10 godz., powrót o 16:30. Warto jednak dzień wcześniej dowiedzieć się czy następnego dnia będzie rejs, bo przy silniejszym wietrze statek nie wypływa.
Prom z Paleochory na Gavdos płynie ładnych parę godzin- jeśli nie zamierzasz zostać na noc - a najlepiej na kilka to daj sobie spokój - dopłyniesz na Gavdos i się odwrócisz wstecz w porcie - wyspa nie jest wielka ale wystarczająco duża na co najmniej kilka dni. Nie ma za bardzo komunikacji więc raczej należy się poruszać pieszo.
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