Paleochora
Paleochora is a small town in Chania prefecture. Paleochora is located 77 km south of Chania, at the southwest coastline of Crete and it's built on a small peninsula of 400m width and 700m length. The town is set along 11 km of coastline bordering the Libyan Sea. It is the capital town of the municipality of Pelekanos, in the province of Selino and its population was 2213 in the 2001 census.
Paleochora's economy is based on tourism and agriculture (mainly tomatos cultivated in glass houses and also olive oil). It is a relaxing holiday destination since the early 1970s when it was popular with hippies. Paleochora is currently one of the fastest growing tourist towns on Crete.
Paleochora has crystal clear waters, well organised beaches, and beautiful isolated small anchorages. It is served by numerous hotels, restaurants, tavernas, cafés, bars, and nightclubs. Facilities in Paleochora include bank branches, a post office, a central telephone office, a health centre, doctor's offices, dentists, chemists, a police station, a coast guard and customs office, and many types of stores. Ferry boats connecting Paleochora with Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Chora Sfakion, and Gavdos dock in Paleochora.
Paleochora is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Kalamydi.
Chania prefecture
Often informally termed 'Western Crete', is a beautiful and in many parts unspoilt part of the island. Districts include verdant Apokoronas, mountainous Sfakia, and Selino in the far South West corner. Some other notable towns in the Chania prefecture are: Sfakia or Hóra Sfakìon, Kastelli-Kissamos, Paleochora, Maleme, Vrisses, Vamos, Georgioupolis and Kalives.
The natural park of Samaria Gorge, a major tourist attraction and a refuge for the rare Cretan wild goat or 'kri kri', is in the South of the prefecture of Chania. The White Mountains or '"Lefka Ori'", through which the Samaria, Aradena, Imbros and other gorges run, are the limestone peaks topped by snow until May that occupy much of Chania prefecture. They contain more than 40 peaks over 2,000 meters high. The highest peak in this area is Pahnes, at 2,453 meters above sea level.
Western Crete is popular with tourists for its spring flowers that linger on into early May in the mountains. Birdwatching is also popular, with the lammergeier and golden eagle especially sought for. As an island, Crete has many endemic (ecology) species of plant and animal.
Balos Lagoon
One of the best beaches all over Greece. White-pinkish sand and broken sea-shells. The water in the lagoon is very shallow and warm.
There is a primitive cafe here if you fancy a cold frapé coffee or a beer. You may also swim out of the lagoon. The water is deep, crystal-clear, much colder and good for snorkelling.
You may access the beach on foot from Kalyvianni village in 3 hours, follow the dirt road from kalyvianni village to the parking place and then walk for 15 minutes. The condition of the road is not good and it may prove a serious problem for some cars, by boat from Kissamos. The boat departs at 09:30 and returns at 16:00. It is the most convenient solution and you will also visit the Gramvoussa Venetian fortress at the island of Imeri Gramvoussa. The disadvantage is that you will miss the incredible view of the Lagoon from the parking place, unless you climb the steps. Click here to get directions from our cottages to Balos Laggoon
Falassarna Beach
A long sandy beach with wonderful sunsets. It has been voted for Best Beach of Greece. There are several beaches in the Falassarna bay: small sandy beaches close to the ancient Falassarna town (north). The "Long Beach" or "Pachia Ammos", which is the famous long and wide sandy beach of Falassarna.
- another sandy beach with a rocky seabed (south). No facilities here. - a small pebbly beach close to the port of Falassarna (south).
There are rooms and taverns. No sunbeds and umbrellas Click here to get directions from our cottages to Falassarna Beach
Elafonissi
A tiny island with white sand, separated from the shore by a lagoon no more than a metre deep. Elafonissi means "deer island", but you won't see any deer on the island or in the surrounding area. The island is 75 kilometres from Hania and it will take you about an hour and a half to get here.
On the way you will see Chrissoskalitissa (or Chrysoskalitissa) Monastery, visible from afar as it is a dazzling white and built on a great rock. Climb up to pay your respects at this historic monastery and look for the golden step which, according to legend, only the truly devout can see.
Elafonissi is 5 kilometres from Chrissoskalitissa. On arriving you will see a large bare expanse used as a car park, a few dusty juniper trees and the wonderful colours of the lagoon. The island is less than 200 metres from the beach and you can easily walk there through the warm, shallow water of the lagoon. On reaching the island you will discover lots of tiny beaches on its south coast.
The sand of Elafonissi is white, but in many places it is pinkish due to the thousands of broken seashells it contains. The limpid, blue-green waters will remind you of an exotic paradise. Click here to get directions from our cottages to Elafonissi