Palaiochora combines two beaches in town with excursions to coves, peninsulas and E4 trails. If you are looking for a hotel in Palaiochora, you can plan your stay around whether local beaches, culture or trips to the surrounding area will be your main focus.
Local Beaches and History
Palaiochora is located on a peninsula surrounded by the Libyan Sea. There are two beaches in town: the organized Pachia Ammos beach to the west and the pebbly Chalikia beach to the east. Their different orientations and shore types give you two clearly distinct coastal options for days by the water.
The town’s history is also tangible at a specific site: Kastello Selino was built in 1278 by the Venetian Duke Marino Gradenigo on a hill right next to the village. Today, the fortress is called Fortezza. In the center, the Museum of the Akrites of Europe is housed in a renovated building. It presents extensive material on the Byzantine period and the lives of the Akrites. If you plan a museum visit, check the current visiting arrangements before your trip.
Coves and Beaches in the Surrounding Area
About ten kilometers west of Palaiochora is Krios, with two neighboring coves. To the east is an organized beach, while the western part is mostly rocky and not organized. As beach facilities and amenities may change, check the conditions before visiting. From Krios, an easy E4 trail leads either to the beach of the ancient city of Vienna or to Krios Lake Beach. The walking time is approximately 20 to 30 minutes and may vary.
About four kilometers east of Palaiochora are the neighboring beaches of Gialiskari, on either side of a small peninsula. Fine pebbles and deep, clear water characterize this coastline; the water is suitable for snorkeling. An asphalt road leads from the center of Palaiochora toward the eastern beach. Local routes may change, so it is a good idea to check conditions before setting out.
Grammeno offers a different kind of coastline: the small peninsula has a long sandy beach to the west and two pebbly beaches to the east. The western sandy beach is sheltered from the wind. Public buses run from the town center toward Kundura and the beaches of Grammeno. Check the schedule when planning so you can time your trip accordingly.
Compare Hiking Trails
For a short excursion, the E4 trail from Krios is described with two possible destinations and an approximate walking time. Another option is the “Sea and Mountain” circular route, which connects Palaiochora with Gialiskari and Anydros. Check current conditions before setting out on this route. The hike from Palaiochora to Sougia is also part of the European long-distance E4 trail; here, too, trail conditions may change.
The trails therefore differ not only in destination but also in their described format: from Krios, you can choose between two beach destinations, while “Sea and Mountain” is a circular route. Your choice may also depend on whether you mainly want to visit the beaches in town or plan trips to Gialiskari, Krios and Grammeno.
Discover more destinations: Karave, Voutas, Akrotiri, Daratsos, Meskla, Neriana, Astrikas, Epanochori
For the overview of the wider area, see: Chania.
