From Wikitravel

Paleochora is a small town of about 2000 inhabitants nestling 75 km southwest of Chania, under the immense White Mountains on the Greek island of Crete. In the summer it entertains up to a couple of thousand tourists of all European nationalities.

On a small peninsula, at the southernmost tip of Europe, Paleochora enjoys very hot summers but with pleasant sea breezes.

Probably because of its distance from the airport in Chania it is fairly quiet even in high season and has retained a wonderful old-fashioned feel. Many visitors seem to return year after year.

[edit] Get in

2 hour car drive over the mountains from Chania Airport (use the National Highway to avoid the traffic in Chania and the North coast 18-30 strip!)

5-6 busses a day from Chania bus station - takes 1 hr 50 mins on a good day and costs (2008) about 7 Euros one way.

[edit] Get around

There are many places where you can hire cars/scooters/motor bikes.

There is also a bus station that has frequent buses coming in and out of Paleochora.

[edit][add listing] See

• The Acretan Museum next to the main church.
• The flowers in the spring.
• The carnival at the start of Lent.
• The Fortress.
• The Byzantine/Venitian frescos in the churches specially those in Kandanos.

• There is a cinema in the summer – in the open air – with a reasonable choice of films, changed quite frequently but even if you're only there for a week there's a good chance you'll catch Zorba The Greek!

• Dolphin spotting boats go out each day in the tourist season.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Walk the local gorges.

• Walk up to the radio masts for a stunning view of the area.

• Visit the local villages - specialy Azogires with it's Museum in the old Monastery; it's 'evergreen' plane tree; The Holy Father's cave and the Alfa Kafenion. (Local tales of the village are at: http://www.azogires-alpha.blogspot.com/)

• Both the Paleochora Beaches are Blue Flag beaches and both have life guards in attendance in the peak season.

• The Sandy Beach on the western side of the peninsula has a lovely sand, is well stocked with beach umbrellas and some bars. It provides fabulous safe bathing, and is well used by families. A treeline at the top of the beach provides extra shade. Watch out for the wind though!

• The Rocky Beach on the east side is much smaller but has a very nice restaurant, The Wave, just next to it.

• Catch a ferry, west to Elaphonisi or east to Chora Shakia.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• The town enjoys a traditional long siesta, with shops open late into the night – very nice shops, too.

• Several large supermarkets are in the town - these do not keep the siesta.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• On the east is a Rocky beach, the harbour and some of the town's evening eateries - the remainder are mostly on the main street, which closes to traffic at 7PM from May to October, when the tables are set out. It's a great chance to hear the local music and enjoy some traditional Greek/Cretan cuisine.

Lots of choice of places to eat and drink - you'll hear the music bars but Agios, at the crossroads by the church, is good value.

Have a look for the local tavernas, in particular try ODAS next to the Agricultural bank.

For fish try: The Galaxy or The Caravella.

For fusion food try The Calypso.

The Grameno Taverna, 5 km out on the western road towards Kondura, is rewnowned for its authentic Cretan food and well worth a trip out of town.

In the opposite direction, there's the Alpha Kafenion at Azogires which does the world's best omlette!

[edit][add listing] Drink

If you find a 'locals' taverna you might be lucky and find the local krassi (wine) or tsikudia (raki).

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Many rooms available for rent, and you will be able to negotiate prices with the locals.

[edit] Get out

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