Beach sign on one of Paleochora’s sandy beaches
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.
Pachia Ammos Beach (west side of Paleochora)
The sandy beach of Pachia Ammos, Paleochora
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.
A sign at Pachia Ammos Beach 
Pachia Ammos beach, Paleochora, Crete
Chalikia Beach (east side of Paleochora)
Chalikia Beach, Paleochora
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 spent plenty of time relaxing on these two very different beaches.
You might well be thinking that’s it for beaches for your holiday to Paleochora. However, you really are spoilt for choice, as there are in fact loads of other great beaches to explore in this areas of southern Crete.
Keratides Beach
Keratides Beach, Paleochora
My favourite beach in the region, Keratides Beach is out to the east from Paleochora centre. To get here you’ll pass by some dilapidated greenhouses. I also encountered some very territorial geese on my trips here.
Making the effort to walk the extra 10 minutes along the shore will pay off, as you reach the stretch in front of Pearl Cavo bar. By the time you reach this part of the coast, there are fewer people, a relaxed atmosphere and rustic sunbeds under softly swaying trees.
Maybe it’s the position of the bar, just far back enough so as not to intrude on the beach but close enough to tempt, or the laid-back and friendly staff, but even if you didn’t set out to have cocktails on the beach in the middle of the day, I defy you not to indulge.
Anidri Beach, Gialiskari Beach and Ammoudia Beach
Anidri Beach sign 
Anidri beach
A triumvirate of beaches are situated at the start of the Anidri Gorge hike, with umbrellas on one side and open space on the other. Have fun checking them all out on your return from the walk.
There’s a Kantina to fill up on food and drink here. A free bus leaves from Paleochora. Check the poster outside Sabine Travel for latest times.
Psilos Volakas Beach
This small beach manages to pack a lot in, a bar, umbrellas, parking and some large rocks to dive into the sea from if that takes your fancy.
Azzurro Beach (Umbrella Beach)
Azzurro Beach bar
A flat expanse of beach with free umbrellas if you consume from the eponymous bar (which you walk straight through if approaching from the main coast road).
Further along from the umbrellas, there are some trees that provide great natural shade for an afternoon snooze.
Gramméno/Grammenou Beach
Gramméno Beach 
A wonderful and popular beach, with the Gramméno campsite behind it. If you want an organised beach with small bars and plentiful umbrellas, Gramméno has got you covered.
However, its best-kept secret is the natural area at the headland. Walk over from the main beach and have fun exploring the sandy paths and Mars-like rock formations away from the crowds.
After that, take a dip and relax on the much less populated small pebbly bay at the end of the main beach.
The end of Gramméno Beach 
Krios Beach
View of Krios Beach 
Krios Beach
Within easy cycling distance along a flat route from Paleochora. Krios makes a good place to park bikes and stop for food at the snack bar.
At Krios you can pick up the E4 hiking path, which crosses multiple European countries, including Greece. Walk along the beach and go over the rocks at the far end.
Arrows point the way but they aren’t that clear (or maybe I have an odd sense of direction), go straight up and over and drop back down the wooden ladder onto the remaining section of beach.
From here, follow the E4 signs leading up and away from the beach over some rocks all the way to Viena beach. The initial few metres are a little tricky but after that, it settles into an easy to follow trail.
E4 hiking sign
Viena Beach
Ooh, Viena Beach 
Columns at Viena Beach
A mysterious place, Viena beach is home to slowly submerging marble columns and bits of ancient pottery. I loved being able to swim amongst the small number of ruins, floating on the sea as my mind drifted across the centuries.
This historical daydreaming came to an abrupt end though when I got stung multiple times by something lurking under the sea. Take water shoes to avoid the same thing happening to you. The fact that this little beach is only reachable by foot simply adds to the mystique.
Mysterious Viena Beach near Paleochora
Elafonisi Beach
Elafonisi Beach 
Stunning Elafonisi Beach 
The pink sand of Elafonisi Beach
I’ve saved the best for last as the fabulous Elafonisi beach is a total delight, a vision in pink. It has a reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Crete and it lives up to it.
Glorious crystal clear waters lap at the curved bays and there really is pink sand. Not all over the place but if you look at the water’s edge you’ll see it. The shape of this coast changes each year or two as the wind blows sand in and out again.
If you want to avoid the myriad umbrellas, head in the direction of the lighthouse, where you’ll pass through sand dunes and come out on a beautifully soft sandy beach.
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