Paleochora is a coastal town located on the southwest coast of Crete and apostasi70chlm. from Chania and 200 km. from Heraklion. It is built on a peninsula between two picturesque bays. Washed by the Libyan Sea and justly regarded as the “Libyan Bride” and “Land of the Sun”.
He has the natural advantage of being built between two bays, the east and west. The small peninsula on which it is located, starting from the mountains that surround the protection from strong seasonal winds. The Melton-known one. The mountains are located north of Paleochora is impressive because of the height (300 m), but have a distinct beauty and grace, because the presence of enriching the natural landscape. Ie what visitors are protothafmazei alternating hills and mountain blocks, with undergrowth of aromatic shrubs and plants. This rare and somewhat wild landscape automatically, with the entrance of the visitor to Paleochora, follows a tame level and spreading out, the plain of Paleochora. The boundaries and asymmetric limits set by the Libyan Sea. The western bay is defined by an artificial harbor in the beautiful area of the pan with the navy lighthouse sticking on mikronisida on the rota of ships bound for Gibraltar or contrary to the Suez Canal. Follow this coast is the day area of thick sand about Paleochora is a benchmark. The clean beach which is permanently waving the blue flag of the summer months receives thousands of visitors. The east bay, stands out, apart, as if miles away from the first. It has pebbles and rocks, ie an ordinary Greek landscape. Opposite is the massif of the White Mountains that separates us from the province of Sfakia. The pier located in the Gulf this serves the foreigners who want to visit Sougia, Agia Roumeli, the Aoutro, the town of Sfakia, Gavdos and Elafonisi.
Seafood these intra-day trips with comfortable and convenient boats available to the site, you provide a quite beautiful and original trip. We have perhaps the best beaches in Crete spanning 18 km on either side of Paleochora.
There are several hiking trails in the European path E4 & E1 and out all of them end up in one of our beautiful beaches.
Other water activities include swimming, serfing, water skiing, snorkeling and photos, jet ski, kite, sailing, fishing …
In the evenings after a busy days or not, you can enjoy your walk, your food and coffee to the coastal and central streets of Paleochora where they remain closed to cars and become pedestrians.
With all that Paleochora is a Greek corner where the holidaymaker is not object “tourist” Operations and enjoys a peaceful humanity, the Cretan hospitality, the unique nature of the holiday. You can easily episkeftite archaeological and historical sites, Byzantine churches and monasteries, museums …..
The climate of Paleochora from early May until the end of October is sweet and sea temperatures in May and October are higher than they are in July and August in northern European countries.
The winter is pleasant. The rainfall is about 400 to 450 mm per year. The average temperature is 19,5 °. 41,5 ° The maximum and minimum 6-7 °.
TOURISM: Known is that tourism in our country we have now for several decades, with the difference that this move epikentroneto in areas with particular archaeological interest, such as Athens, Delphi, Mycenae, Knossos etc. But over the years developed several coastal tourist areas of our country like Attica, the Aegean and Ionian, the Cyclades and Crete. The idyllic place was held by Paleochora and the wider region, with excellent climate, beautiful beaches and scenic coastline, could not remain unnoticed by those foreign visitors. Tourism began in the late Paleochora 1965-75. The first Europeans tourists, German origin. People calm, smiling, approachable, usually middle social classes. These gileoforoi and bearded visitors were welcomed with great kindness by the locals. They were the people who launched the first available rooms in tourist homes. Homemade their love seemed like a good figure xenompates. Sits at the table, discussing with them exchanged views, was treating the raki. There was the hotel “Libyan” For those who had a little more money. Most of them diimerefan the beautiful beaches and enjoy the warm and clean our water. Several hours passed over the hot sand for sunbathing. This is how relaxed and carefree tourists spend their day.
Poor and traditional restaurants and cafes were waiting for the quiet evenings in summer in the village square to accept them. The shopkeepers were people pure, without any special prep training and tourism. The luxury was missing from the shops. Tourists, however, found that calling. Many groups of friends and many celebrations were held with them our first visitors. We loved it and loved it. Advertising is the place began. These first of dozens of tourists next year and bring some of their own, a friend. So, somewhat timidly began the first years tourism in Paleochora.
During the twenty years 1975-1995 the tourism development of Paleochora was rapid. Were made remarkable hotels, capable not only serve visitors moving individually, but also those that come with the various agencies.
The group are from various European countries arrive in Chania with specially chartered planes known as “toarter” and from there transported by coach to the various hotels.
The rooms mainly serve those individual visiting our country, foreigners and locals. From time to time there not only increase the volume of visitors, but also qualitative.
Today in Paleochora are many restaurants and taverns that offer a wide variety of delicious dishes. The fresh fish and grilled local kid very impress those who taste.
Several cafes and bars with modern equipment and soft music, and outdoor discos, offering their services around the clock, especially during the summer months. Many are also traditional cafes, but one might say stubbornly resisting the modern trend and reality.
The beautiful and extensive beaches that are inserted from the cape west of Paleochora Aries, until Elide and ancient Aisso, east, ideal for any kind of marine activity. The thick sand, gravel, the Keratide the Gianiskari, the tile, the bay and beach Written Aries meet the needs of tourists with all weather conditions prevail though. Free time can I also have to build for him who loves walking these walks to the Venetian fortress of Fortezza or picturesque hills and mountains that rise north of the town us.
From our region through the European path E4, which enables all who love the long walk to the amazing and unique landscapes in an enviable and clean environment.
These various changes of scenery with a unique flora and fauna, stratokopo impress and relax from the stress and the annoying noise of towns and cities in general.
The stay of each visitor of Paleochora can be combined with various standard and longer day trips and visits. Of these the most notable are: The visit of the ancient Lissos, the Samaria Gorge, Agia Irini, Gavdos, the Elafonisi with unique beautiful beaches of Kountoura, Byzantine churches of the region and the history and folklore Azogyre museum. Today there are 3,000 beds Paleochora in rented rooms, hotels and camping.
Before ten years Paleochora had only 1/3 of these beds.
For convenience, both residents of Paleochora, and visitors, there are services such as:
Order Department, Customs, Port Authority, health centers, private doctors, pharmacies, and National Agricultural Bank, OTE offices and Post Office, and Community Information Office.
Also important is the offer of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives Selino, which is based in Paleochora.
It works a decade before the German occupation without interruption until today. He played and continues to be fighting for the interests of farmers of Selino. Today it is staffed with qualified personnel, has modern equipment and facilities, and care in every way to protect the interests of farmers in our area.