f you’re searching for where to stay in Crete then look no further than glorious Paleochora on the south west coast.  This small town was a bit of a hippy hang out back in the last century and whilst times have changed and Paleochora now offers all mod cons, it still retains that charming laid back beachside vibe  Going with the flow is what holidays are all about and Crete’s Paleochora provides a great base for your own summer of love.  Paleochora is one of the best places to stay in Crete, with natural beaches, epic hikes and delicious local food to sample. 

Paleochora is located close to the main airport and ferry port of Chania.  So it’s an ideal choice if you’re looking for a beach town with other activities nearby.   Regular buses, which go from Chania (and Heraklion), also make Paleochora a great destination if you’re travelling around Crete without a car.   

Paleochora is located on a small peninsula of Crete, which means there are not one but two main beaches within a short walk from the centre.  So if the wind is up on one side you can head to the other side for a calmer day.

A huge stretch of golden sandy beach with plenty of space to spread out.  Water sports are on offer here alongside plenty of beach bars, sunbeds and umbrellas.  Carry on to the far west end of the beach for more natural and secluded areas with rocks, the odd nudist and of course the gorgeous sea to dive into.  This is a wonderful spot to watch the vibrant Cretan sunsets from.

In contrast to Pachia Ammos, Chalikia beach is a rocky affair.  Perhaps as a result, it’s generally less busy than its sandy neighbour.  Although enjoyably rough and ready, there are still umbrellas and sunbeds for hire and bars to fill up at.

I could spend plenty of time relaxing on these two very different beaches and you might well be thinking that’s it for beaches for your holiday to Paleochora.  However, you really are spoilt for choice in Paleochora, as there are in fact loads of other great beaches to explore in this part of southern Crete.