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The best Polish website dedicated to the Greek island Crete and to a small extent of continental Greece. You will find useful information related to visiting Crete that goes beyond the offer of optional tours. On the website you will also find descriptions of the most interesting places that we visited by visiting this largest Greek island. The content complements the current news, photographs and recipes of Greek cuisine.
Built on the ruins of the ancient city of Kalamydi, Paleochora (Παλαιόχωρα) is, as the locals say, "the bride of the Libyan Sea." This small town located on a small peninsula on the south-western coast of Crete is located 77 km south of the city of Chania. According to data from the 2001 census, 2,213 permanent residents inhabited Paleochora, who currently live mainly in tourism or agriculture, because this region is famous for growing tomatoes, unusual olives and olive oil. The mild Mediterranean climate and high average annual temperature (above 20 degrees C) make this area one of the warmest in Greece.
A place for active independent tourists
Paleochora itself is a quite well-organized tourist town with a beautiful large sandy beach. There is a large number of small family hotels, guest houses, taverns and bars, which are visited every year by tourists who like to build their own holidays. Paleochora is still bypassed by larger travel agencies. This independence from organized tourism is evident especially in the evening at the beach, which does not wipe out at the end of the day. Nobody rushes here for dinner in a hotel, so many people like to spend their evenings on the beach.
The infrastructure useful for tourists, which is here, it is worth to mention the post office, banks with ATMs and a small number of stores (including a larger market). Undoubtedly, the biggest advantage of Paleochory are ferry connections, which make this place a great base for hiking trips in the surrounding mountains and ravines (including Samaria). It is also important that the city is on the line of the long-distance hiking trail E4. There are also KTEL buses that connect the town with Chania and other smaller towns.
The history of Paleochory
The story of Paleochor could be started with the words: long ago in a time when there was nothing ... and it would be an accurate comparison, because in the distant history there was not even the peninsula on which this place is currently located. There was only a small hill above the water, on which the Venetians later built the Selino fort. Only the strong earthquake that struck western Crete caused the peninsula to emerge from the sea waves. The ancient Cretans built nearby the small town of Kalamyde, which probably served as the port of ancient Kandanos, and its significant role fell in the Doric-Roman period.
The strategic significance of this place was appreciated by the Venetians, who in 1278 brought Castel Selino on the hill. However, his story confirms the turbulent history of Crete and the legendary stubbornness of its inhabitants in the fight against the invaders. Only a few decades after completion of construction, in 1322, the fortress was destroyed by rebels led by Vardas Kallergis. The Venetians, however, did not give up and a few years after the first defeat rebuilt the fortifications. In 1539, the fortress in ruins was changed by the famous pirate Barbarossa. It was only after 56 years that it was rebuilt, so that in 1595 it again proudly stood above the city. In 1653 Selino was occupied by the Turks, who ruled this place until the liberation of Crete from the Turkish yoke. In 1834, the British traveler Robert Pashley went to this area, but he only found the ruins of the former fortress.
The area of the current Paleochora once again fell in blood during the Second World War, when after the occupation of Crete by the Germans it became a battlefield and the place of action of the resistance movement.
Today, only the poorly preserved ruins of Selino rising above the modern city remind us of the dark past. It is worth coming here, above all, for a beautiful panorama of the city against the background of mountains and the sea which is shown to the eyes of tourists.
What to do in Paleochora
In addition to visiting the remains of Castel Selino, towering over the Paleochora, it is worth remembering that it is a charming town, which should be given some attention by walking its streets. Eye-catching picturesque buildings, excellent taverns create a nice photogenic mix, ktrice is worth to capture on the pictures. In your plans you must also take a coastal walk along the eastern part of the peninsula and the sunset, which is perfectly visible from the west sandy beach.
If you would like to have a really long hiking trip, you can try to pass a part of the E4 route connecting Paleochora with Elafonissi. However, when preparing for it, keep in mind that the distance between the two places is really long, which is important especially if you would like to walk this route on both sides. For ease of one way, you can take a small cruise boat.
A small ship sailing to the beach of Elafonissi
A much shorter walk is an eastbound trip to the village of Anidri, where there is the charming little church of Agios Georgios, in which there are amazing frescos from 1323. It is also worth going through the same gorge connecting the village with the beach.
When planning a vacation (or part of it) in Paleochore it is worth remembering that it is a good transport connection. There are both KTEL buses and a ferry that connects Paleochora with Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Chora Sfakion and the island of Gavdos. There are also car and bike rentals on site, so you can plan some further escapades.
A place for foodies
It is also worth mentioning that in Paleochory you can find great taverns offering Cretan dishes at fairly affordable prices. We recommend that you look at taverns located a little deeper in the thicket of streets of this town. Premises located near the sea will usually be slightly more expensive, and the food can be a bit more "touristy" and devoid of real local flavor.
Wandering through the streets of Paleochory, it's worth visiting the local bakeries offering the most varied salty and sweet pastries based on filo or French pastry, as well as ordinary greengrocers where you can buy delicious dried salt olives, which are local specialties.
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Interesting places on Crete
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W 2002 roku Falasarna zdobyła tytuł najlepszej plaży w Grecji. Wyróżnienie to nie jest bynajmniej przypadkowe, gdyż miejsce to jak na standardy Krety jest naprawdę unikalne.
Elafonisi is a small island located at the end of the southwestern edge of Crete. A characteristic feature of Elafonisi is the shallow lagoon connecting it with Crete.
Elafonisi is a small island located at the end of the southwestern edge of Crete. A characteristic feature of Elafonisi is the shallow lagoon connecting it with Crete.
Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.
Aptera is a city whose history dates back to at least a thousand years before our era. In the peak period, about 20,000 lived in it. people, of which only 1/5 were free people.
Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.
Omalos is a perfect starting point for exploring the Samaria Gorge. Located over 1,100 m above sea level extends over an area of 25 km2. Its size corresponds more or less to the size of the Lasithi Plateau.
Located 47 km from the city of Chania, it is the only freshwater lake in Crete. Its area is about 580 thousand. sqm. and the maximum depth is about 45 meters
Omalos is a perfect starting point for exploring the Samaria Gorge. Located over 1,100 m above sea level extends over an area of 25 km2. Its size corresponds more or less to the size of the Lasithi Plateau.
The steel crossing, which in the central part is separated from the ground by nearly 150 m, is at the leading position of the places where the longest bungee jumps are made.
Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.
The cave is less than 1 km from Moni Gouvernetou Monastery. You will reach it using the pedestrian trail that has been marked out along the slope of the Avlaki Gorge.
Balos is one of Crete's flagship beaches if not all of Greece. We can assure you that the landscapes you see during your trip to Balos will remain with you for a very long time.
The Orthodox monastery of Agia Triada, located on the northern part of the Akrotiri peninsula, is one of the most beautiful and richest monasteries in Crete.
The Orthodox monastery of Agia Triada, located on the northern part of the Akrotiri peninsula, is one of the most beautiful and richest monasteries in Crete.
On the north-western coast of Crete, at the foot of the Gramovous peninsula, there are ruins of the ancient port of Korikos, later known as Falassarna.
Polyrinia was one of the most important city-states of western Crete during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It was built amphitheater on a steep hill, rising to a height of 481 meters above sea level
The island of Gramvousa, or in fact Imeri Gramvousa (Ήμερη Γραμβούσα), is an inseparable point of a trip that combines a stay in the Balos Lagoon with visiting the remains of a fortress located on the top of the island of Imeri Gramovousa.
There is a beach in Crete that literally makes some people shiver. This place is Seitan Limania which can be translated as Satan's Ports or Cursed Ports.
Dozens of craft workshops located in this small mountain village make Margarites one of the four main centers where traditional Cretan ceramics are made.
The date of the foundation of Moni Arkadiou (Arkadi) is not exactly known. According to tradition, the name of this church refers to the name of the Emperor Arkadiusz, who supposedly was to be its founder.
The date of the foundation of Moni Arkadiou (Arkadi) is not exactly known. According to tradition, the name of this church refers to the name of the Emperor Arkadiusz, who supposedly was to be its founder.
Rethymnon with around 40,000 inhabitants are the third largest city of Crete. This place was populated already in the Minoan period. Historically, the city was an important commercial center.
Skinaria is a small beach located along a small bay, whose outlet on both sides ends with a rocky coast. It is still a little-known place overlooked by mass tourism
Skinaria is a small beach located along a small bay, whose outlet on both sides ends with a rocky coast. It is still a little-known place overlooked by mass tourism
According to Greek mythology, Zeus hid (and perhaps even gave birth) in the Ida cave. This myth is the greatest asset of this cave, which is not as interesting and beautiful as the Dikte cave.
Tripiti is a small beach covered with a mixture of gray sand, gravel and stones. Despite the fact that the beach is unorganized and has a semi-natural appearance, one small tavern works here.
Tripiti is a small beach covered with a mixture of gray sand, gravel and stones. Despite the fact that the beach is unorganized and has a semi-natural appearance, one small tavern works here.
Tripiti is a small beach covered with a mixture of gray sand, gravel and stones. Despite the fact that the beach is unorganized and has a semi-natural appearance, one small tavern works here.
Plakias is a perfect place for people who like to spend time hiking. In the area of the town and the surrounding area, there are several hiking trails that lead to interesting beaches.
Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
Currently, the lower monastery is still not open to the public and is not used by the monks. The buildings of the upper monastery have undergone partial renovation and are the main seat of the Preveli monastery.
The Kourtaliotiko Gorge, also known as the Asomatos Gorge, is perhaps one of the most spectacular natural attractions available in the central part of Crete.
Agia Triada is a small Minoan archaeological site in the south of Crete, located near Timpaki, located on the western slope of the hill about 40 meters above sea level.
This fortress is a perfect example of Crete's multiculturalism. Located today in Greek hands, it was built by the Venetians, but is called a name taken from the Turkish language.
Rouvas Gorge is one of the most interesting places in this part of Crete. The interesting trail leads in a perfect way to the changing appearance of this gorge.
Matala is one of the most popular towns not only of the southern coast but also of the whole of Crete. In the 1960s and 1970s, this small fishing village was a mecca for hippies.
The Odigitrias Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries of southern Crete. Unfortunately, in terms of popularity, he is far from other Cretan monasteries.
In addition to the famous grand palaces on the island in the Minoan period, a number of smaller residences were created. One of the most important examples is the Vathipetro discovered about 5 km north of Archanes, on the southeastern slope of Mount Juchtas in the central part of Crete.
When traveling around Crete, it is not difficult to pay attention to the fact that most of the beaches there are relatively small and short. For this reason, people who are used to our national Baltic standards, where the sandy coast stretches for kilometers, may experience a special disappointment. However, fortunately, nothing is lost, because Crete in its rich arsenal of various beaches can boast of those that allow for long walks along the coast. One of them, our favorite is the Kommos beach located in the south of the central part of the island.
Although there are countless caves in Crete, only a few can be visited. Sfendoni is the largest cave open to the public. content comes from: http://www.crete.pl www.CRETE.pl
Only a few kilometers separate the bustling city of Rethymno from Mili, a village abandoned by its inhabitants. This place is also known as the village hidden in the gorge.
Information about one of the more known tourist cities of Crete, or about Malia. Description of attractions located in the city of Malia and a description of the specificity of this town.
The Lasithi Plateau is located about 70 kilometers from the capital of Crete - Heraklion. The average height at which the terrain of this plateau is located is 840 m above sea level.
One of the tourist attractions eagerly visited by people spending their holidays in Crete is the Dikte (Psychro) cave. The main factors that attract people to this cave are a rich and varied dripstone robe and a close connection with mythology.
Among the olive groves in the place called Logari, which is less than a kilometer from the village of Kritsa, there is a small Byzantine church of Panagia Kera from the 13th-14th centuries.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
Most people crossing the route between Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra will definitely notice the large crack which is marked by the mountain located east of this road. This majestic geological creation called Ha was probably created as a result of an earthquake.
Xerokambos is a small settlement in which you will find literally several taverns, and most of the buildings are single-storey and one-story houses. The big advantage of this beach is a gentle sandy descent to the sea.
Agios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a small town with less than 20,000 inhabitants. permanent residents (according to statistical data from 2001). This city is the capital of the Lasithi nomos.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
The first palace was built around 1900 BC. in the place where there was a quite impressive settlement whose remains were later transformed into the central part of the city.
The ruins of the ancient city of Itanos are located at the eastern tip of Crete, less than 3 kilometers north of the famous palm beach of Vai. Although there are also nice beaches at Itanos, unlike its well-known neighbor, this place does not attract crowds. There are either accidental stray tourists or excavation enthusiasts here.
Less than 10,000 population of Sitia makes the city the smallest in Crete. Some even go a step further and say perversely that it is rather the largest village of Crete.
Napoleon's house is one of the few typically tourist attractions in Ierapetra. About what could have happened here in the summer of 1798 and possibly how much in this legend is the truth we write in the article on the page below.
Moni Kapsa Monastery is one of the most interesting monasteries in Crete. Its massive buildings were erected on rocky, gray slopes surrounding the nearby Pervolakia Gorge.
Wspaniale opisaliście Palaiochore. Cudowne i spokojne miejsce.Pozdrawiam i życzę Wam udanego pobytu na Krecie.
gość Dorota
2019-07-31 19:16:52
Promy
Witam,
Za tydzień wybieramy się do Paleochory. Czy możecie polecić jakieś konkretne promy którymi można się dostać na Gavdos lub Elafonisi?
Z góry dziękuję
Gosia | crete.pl
2019-07-31 19:48:06
odp. promy
Wielkiego wyboru nie ma. Na Gavdos pływa prom Anendyk. Poniżej znajdziesz link z tabelą połączeń: https://anendyk.gr/?page_id=97
Na Elafonissi zaś pływają niewielkie stateczki firmy NEN Κρήτης. Odpływają z przystani o 10 godz., powrót o 16:30. Warto jednak dzień wcześniej dowiedzieć się czy następnego dnia będzie rejs, bo przy silniejszym wietrze statek nie wypływa.
gość PiotrWie
2019-07-31 20:30:38
Prom z Paleochory na Gavdos płynie ładnych parę godzin- jeśli nie zamierzasz zostać na noc - a najlepiej na kilka to daj sobie spokój - dopłyniesz na Gavdos i się odwrócisz wstecz w porcie - wyspa nie jest wielka ale wystarczająco duża na co najmniej kilka dni. Nie ma za bardzo komunikacji więc raczej należy się poruszać pieszo.
About 27 km southwest of Rethymno is an unusual village, which you will not find much information in popular guidebooks, and some of them do not mention it at all. And a pity because the modern settlement known as Argyroupolis was built on the site of the ancient city of Lappa (also called Lambi). And what makes this village extraordinary is this antiquity that accompanies the present at every step.
Agios Pavlos is a small town located on the southern coast of Crete near Saktouria (Σαχτούρια). Despite the relatively good access and a small distance separating this place from the crowded and crowded tourist Agia Galini, they can still be called an oasis of peace.
Milia is an authentic mountain settlement, which most probably dates from about the seventeenth century. A small wooden signpost pointing to Milia may not be a great incentive to visit this place. It's a shame because Milia is one of the most charming and surprising places in Crete.
gość PiotrWie Wczoraj zaczęło przybywać ludzi na wyspie, dziś ( czwartek) przybyło wyraźnie więcej - przyjechali Grecy na święta. Zobaczymy na jak długo.
gość PiotrWie My lecieliśmy ( co prawda 10 kwietnia, więc 9 dni przed Wielkanocą ) z Aten na Paros i w samolocie było zdecydowanie poniżej połowy miejsc zajęte. Na dzień dzisiejszy jest bardzo mało ludzi - co nas bardzo cieszy. Ponieważ planujemy pozostać na Cykladach do 4 czerwca zobaczymy kiedy ilość turystów zacznie narastać.
gość zecia Moussaka to greckie danie, które zawsze mnie urzeka swoim smakiem. Robię ją z bakłażanem, mieloną wołowiną, ziemniakami i kremowym beszamelem. Bakłażana smażę na oliwie, mięso doprawiam cynamonem i pomidorami – aromat roznosi się po kuchni. Układam warstwy i zapiekam, aż wierzch jest złocisty – wygląda jak z obrazka. Dla nas wrzucam odrobinę ostrej papryki – polski sznyt dla wyrazistości. (...)
A small ship sailing to the beach of Elafonissi 
Komentarze
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Wspaniale opisaliście Palaiochore. Cudowne i spokojne miejsce.Pozdrawiam i życzę Wam udanego pobytu na Krecie.
Promy
Witam,
Za tydzień wybieramy się do Paleochory. Czy możecie polecić jakieś konkretne promy którymi można się dostać na Gavdos lub Elafonisi?
Z góry dziękuję
odp. promy
Wielkiego wyboru nie ma. Na Gavdos pływa prom Anendyk. Poniżej znajdziesz link z tabelą połączeń:
https://anendyk.gr/?page_id=97
Na Elafonissi zaś pływają niewielkie stateczki firmy NEN Κρήτης. Odpływają z przystani o 10 godz., powrót o 16:30. Warto jednak dzień wcześniej dowiedzieć się czy następnego dnia będzie rejs, bo przy silniejszym wietrze statek nie wypływa.
Prom z Paleochory na Gavdos płynie ładnych parę godzin- jeśli nie zamierzasz zostać na noc - a najlepiej na kilka to daj sobie spokój - dopłyniesz na Gavdos i się odwrócisz wstecz w porcie - wyspa nie jest wielka ale wystarczająco duża na co najmniej kilka dni. Nie ma za bardzo komunikacji więc raczej należy się poruszać pieszo.
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