Continue your discovery of Chania County by visiting Paleochora that lies 75km south of the town of Chania. On your way, you will cross numerous small and traditional villages. Paleochora is a very beautiful seaside settlement and those who visit it return time and again. It is built on a peninsula sport ween two picturesque bays and is swept by the Libyan Sea. It is rightly considered the "Nymph of the Libyan Sea" and "Land of Sun". Paleochora is the southernmost boundary of our country and the extreme south-eastern geographical point of the European Community. This is were Europe ends.
The picturesque port and kaiki give Paleochora colour and life. The endless come and go, the Venetian fort (Castel Selino) stands on a bewitching hill, the seaside road is full of life and joy throughout the day, neat roads and wonderful beaches make Paleochora one of the most popular holiday destinations.
The hill on which the fort is built must at some point have been an islet (!) and the site of the current town was submerged. With the passage of time however, this beautiful place surfaced. Other researchers believe that ancient Kalamidi was built on this site. Examples of modern history date from the Venetian era when, in 1282, the Duke of Crete built Castel Selino, a fort that gave its name to the area (Selino). Later on, various artisans, fishermen and merchants started gathering in the area and its environs and commerce developed in the settlement. The fortress was destroyed by the dreaded pirate Barbarossa in 1539 and its decline mas completed by the Turks in 1653
Modern Paleochora is one of the most popular tourist resorts because it has respected the environment and development has not ruined the area. The coastal road is perhaps too crowded with cafeterias, pastry shops, bars and tavernas but they do not give an impression of being fun, what is matched, perhaps because they are blended harmoniously into the busy life of the port. Rooms to let in the area are attractively decorated and pnces, in general, are reasonable.
Tavernas serve delicious meals of fresh fish and seafood; pastry shops offer very good sweets and ice creams that you can enjoy after an afternoon walk around the port and the Gavdos neighbourhood. "Apostolis" is a special taverna serving traditional dishes and fresh yogurt made by the owner. We recommend cafe NQstos for coffee or a drink Moreover, you can visit the History Museum of Paleochora where you can admire historic relics from the Byzantine era to the Turkish occupation. The beaches of Paleochora include the bays of Pahia Ammos, Krios, Chaliki, Anidri, Psilos Volakas and Karavopetra. Each one has its own features and all you have to do is choose the one you prefer.
At Pahia Ammos, west of Paleochora, you will find a beautiful sandy beach, equipped with chairs and umbrellas and there are marram trees for shade. There are water sports facilities and the beach has been awarded an EU blue flag. The only disadvantage is the waves that can be very high. At Chalikia, east of Paleochora, there is a pebbly beach; the sea here is very clean and the beach has been awarded an EU blue flag. Chalikia beach is equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas and there are several canteens and tavemas in the area. Psilos Volakas is an isolated beach with fine pebble that without clothes ists prefer; Krios beach is similar. Karavopetra is a quiet pebble beach and there is a rock in the sea that looks like a boat. Anidri, 5km northeast of Paleochora, is built at the edge of a cliff, at an altitude of I 80m from where it overlooks the Libyan Sea. The church of Agios Georgios, with its well-preserved 1323 frescoes painted by loannis Pagomenos, is the main attraction of Anidri. Paths lead from the village to three small bays 2km away and the small Anidri-Gianiskari gorge. You can swim at Gianiskari beach in the waters of the Libyan Sea, and enjoy an enchanting sunset from the village...