Paleochora is a seaside town and is located on the southwest coast of Crete, 70km away from Chania and 200km. from Heraklion. It is built on a peninsula between two picturesque bays. It is borne by the Libyan Sea and is rightly considered to be the "Nymph of the Libyan sea" and "The Country of the Sun".

It has the natural privilege to be built between two bays, the east and the west. The small peninsula, on which it is located, starts from the surrounding mountains, which protect it from strong seasonal winds. The Well-known meltemia!!!. These mountains, located to the north of Paleochora, are not imposing because of their low height, but they have a special beauty and grace, because in their presence they enrich the natural landscape of the area. That is what the visitor brings to the past, is the exchange of mountain hills and volcanoes with low vegetation of aromatic shrubs and plants. This rare and somewhat wild landscape follows a flat and peaceful plain of Paleochora. Its limits are asymmetrical as the Libyan Sea determines them. The western bay is defined by a beautiful artificial harbor in the region of the pan, with the naval light projecting on an island, for the course of ships heading for Gibraltar or against the Suez Canal. The continuation of this coast is the calm area of ​​the thick sand that is a reference point for Paleochora. This crystal clear beach, in which the blue flag permanently waves in the summer months, receives thousands of bathers. The eastern bay, stands out, differentiates, as far as miles from the first. It has pebbles and rocks. That is, it is an ordinary Greek landscape. Opposite to it is the mountainous mass of the White Mountains that separates our province from Sfakia. The pier in this bay serves foreigners who want to visit Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Chora of Sfakia, Gavdos and Elafonissi. These small trips with comfortable and convenient boats that provide the place ensure you a fairly beautiful and original trip. We have probably the best beaches all over Crete that stretch 18 km on either side of Paleochora.

There are several hiking trails on the E4 & E1 European trails, which all of them end up on one of our beautiful beaches. Other activities include swimming, surfing, water skiing, underwater fishing, jet skiing, sailing ... In the evenings after an active or not, you can enjoy your ride, your food and your coffee on the coastal and central streets of Paleochora, where they remain closed for vehicles and turn into pedestrian streets. With all this, Paleochora is a Greek corner where the holidaymaker is not the subject of tourist exploitation and enjoys quietly humanity, Cretan hospitality, the unforgettable nature, his holidays. You have the opportunity to visit archaeological and historical sites, Byzantine churches, monasteries, museums. The climate of Paleochora from early May to the end of October is good and the sea temperature in May and October is higher than in July and August. Winter is pleasant. The amount of precipitation is about 400 to 450 millimeters per year. The average temperature is 19.5°. Maximum 41,5° and minimum 7°.

TOURISM

It is well known that tourism has been in our country for several decades. This idyllic location of Paleochora and its wider region, with its excellent climatic conditions, beautiful beaches and picturesque coasts, could not be left unnoticed by the foreign visitors. Tourism began in Paleochora in the 1960s. The first tourists were Europeans and mostly German. Calm people, laughable, accessible, medium-sized, usually social classes. These visitors were welcomed with great kindness by the local residents. It was the people who inaugurated the first available tourist rooms in homes. The Cretans seemed to love them as their own people. They were sitting at the same table, discussing, exchanging opinions, winning tsikoudia. There was also the hotel "Livykon" for those who had greater financial comfort. Somehow, the tourists were as casual and relaxed as they were in their day. Poor and traditional restaurants and cafes waited for the quiet summer evenings in the village square to welcome them. The shopkeepers were people without any special tourist training. Luxury was missing from the shops. Tourists, however, found what they were asking for.

We loved them and we be loved!!! The advertising of the place began. The first tourists also brought a friend of theirs next year. So, in the early years tourism in Paleochora began to take some time. In the twenty years 1975-1995 the tourist development of Paleochora was rapid. They made remarkable hotel units, capable of serving not only the visitors who came individually but also those who came with the various agencies.

These groups from different European countries arrive in Chania with special chartered airplanes and from there travel with buses to the various hotels. Year-on-year there is not only a quantitative increase in visitors but also a qualitative one. Today there are many restaurants and taverns in Paleochora that offers a great variety of delicious food. Fresh fish and the local roast goat impress those who taste it. Several cafes and bars with modern equipment and soft music, as well as outdoor discotheques, offer their services on a 24-hour basis, especially during the summer months. Many traditional but also stylish cafes stubbornly would say they resist modern development.

The beautiful and extensive beaches from Cape Aries, to Elide and ancient Aissos, are ideal for all kinds of maritime activities. The thick sand, Chalikia, Yianiskari, Plakaki, Grammenos bay and Krios beach satisfy the needs of holidaymakers in all weather conditions. Leisure can also be enjoyed for those who love hiking with short walks to the Venetian fortress or picturesque hills and mountains rising north of our town. From our area, there is the European path E4, which enables those who love long walks to admire wonderful and unique natural landscapes in an enviable and clean environment. These varied alternations of landscapes with a peculiar flora and fauna impress every visitor and relax him from the stress and annoyance of the urban centers. The stay of each visitor to Paleochora can coexist with several day trips and visits. The most remarkable of these are: The visit of ancient Lissos, the gorge of Samaria or Agia Irini, Gavdos, Elafonissi with the unique beautiful beaches, Koundoura, the Byzantine churches and the historical and folk museum of Azogyre. Today in Paleochora there are 3,000 beds in rooms to let, hotels and campsites. About ten years ago, Paleochora had only 1/3 of the above beds.