Paleochora - how touristy is it?
 

I seem to be reading different reviews about Paleochora in Crete. I'm looking for somewhere fairly quiet (unspoilt) with good restaurants, beaches and good access to explore other parts of the island. Is this Paleochora???

It is FAIRLY quiet. It certainly has good restaurants, and good beaches. Given its geographic location good access to other parts of the island is iffy. You can easily access the south coast on the daily ferry boats. But to go from Paleochora to anywhere by road means crossing the mountains.

It is well resourced. Nice shops and good services. One night club, but it's away from the centre of town so you don't get disturbed unless you want to.

Have a browse round www.explorecrete.com and see what you think

I really loved Paleohora. However, I must note that I was there in mid-November. We were probably the only tourists in town and we were at the end of a month long trip where we never stayed in a place longer than 2 nights. Paleohora was a welcome and very relaxing 3 days.

It seems as though during the summer months it would be a little more active, there are lots of hotels located near the beach, all with interesting looking restaurants. The places we did eat were great.

I would agree that access to other spots is not one of the selling points of Paleohora. The bus ride from Hania is not fun if one if prone to motion sickness due to the fact that you are going up the mountains and down them to get there.

Hope this helps.

I found Paleochora was quiet, and the restaurants good as well, but as for access via bus, it was limited. You could take a day trip by a bus to Hania, but the other areas you would be better off with a car or scooter.
I also recommend Agios Nicholos. It wasn't as quiet as Paleochora, but more quiet than Hania and very beautiful and had a number of beaches to choose from as well as access by bus to the very touristy beach Vai and other areas.

Theodora, my experience with Hania and AN was the opposite from yours; I found western Crete to be much more "pure" and AN to be very touristy. Eg, music coming from stores and bars, etc., in Hania was Greek; AN was full of places with American rock 'n roll.

Thankyou for all the advice, I think I'm sold. Another question now! Has anyone stayed in the Oraios Apartments, and are they OK?

I haven't stayed there (it's spelt Oreia, incidentally, which means beautiful)

I love the Harbour Apartments if you want to have alook at them

We stayed at the Sandy Beach hotel and liked it. We had a comfy room with a/c and a big balcony just across the street from the beach.

Hi,
Just thought I'd chime in again with another suggestion. You asked about accomodation.

I have wanted to recommend the place we stayed in Paleohora to someone going, but haven't had the chance until now.

We stayed at Adama's Rooms. I looked up Oreia apartments on the internet and the two seem very similar, in fact, they are closely located. Adama's Rooms is located close to the pebble beach as well. Unfortunately, I do not still have the address, I do have the phone number though: 0030-823-41848.

I loved this place. The rooms were immaculate and the woman who ran the place was very nice. After we had a few minutes to settle in, she brought us some Ouzo and cookies. We paid about 35 CND for the room in November. That was just prior to the Euro being adopted. If I remember correctly, it was about double that for room during high season. With the adoption of the Euro since then, it's hard to tell what the prices will be now--I assume a little higher. There is air conditioning in the rooms as well a kitchenette. Just wanted to let you know about another option.

Also, as for a restaurant to try--we ate at a place on the main street, I believe it's English name is small garden. It's run by a Dutch couple who are very friendly and welcoming. They have a nice seating area outside in the back, hence the name small garden.

I hope this info helps...enjoy your trip!