DIRECTIONS TO PALEOCHORA & GIALISKARI BEACHES

DIRECTIONS TO PALEOCHORA & GIALISKARI BEACHES

^Paleochora

^Gialiskari
coordinates 35.2342N, 23.6756E (Paleochora) 35.2389N, 23.7229E (Gialiskari)

starting point the Paleoochora/Tavronitis exit of National Road 90 near Tavronitis

National Road 90 is the longest road in Crete. It cleaves toward the northern coast for over 300 kilometers, running from Kissamos near the far west end of the island to Sitia near the far east end. NR-90 passes through Heraklion, which is Crete's capital and largest city, and it skirts the inland edge of Chania, which is the island's second largest city. (Heraklion and Chania are the island's two major ports of entry, each having a ferry port and an airport.) NR-90 has a mix of regular junctions and expressway-type interchanges.

The Paleoochora/Tavronitis exit is toward the far western end of NR-90, about 156 kilometers west of Heraklion and 20 kilometers west of Chania. The exit is very close to the north coast of the island. Your destination is the village of Paleochora, which is on the south coast of the island. You will be driving south-southwest through the mountainous interior of the island to get there. At all junctions, just watch for signs pointing to Paleochora and follow them. (Signage at the exit has the spelling Palaiochora, but most subsequent signs along the way have the spelling Paleochora.) About 50 kilometers from the exit, you will pass the blue-and-white Paleochora village sign. Just after the village sign, the road will begin to pass through a colonnade of eucalyptus trees.

After the village sign, continue about 400 meters and take note of the left-hand turnoff that is signed for Anydroi.

To go to Paleochora Beach:

Do NOT turn at the Anydroi sign. Continue about 300 meters into the village center to a junction where the road straight turns to brick. Turn right. Proceed 200 meters to a "T" junction, where you will see the sea straight ahead. Turn right, following the sign for Voutas and Kountoura. At that point, you will begin driving parallel to Paleochora Beach (which will be on your left-hand side), but you can continue past the main area of the beach and park near its northwest end to get closer to the nude area. Proceed 500 meters until you see a sign that indicates that Kountoura is straight ahead while the road to the right goes to Voutas and Sarakina. Just after that sign, turn left into a large gravel parking area that overlooks the sea, at coordinates 35.2348N, 23.6764E. The parking area is just above the far northwest end of Paleochora Beach, which is the nude area. (Facing the sea, the main area of Paleochora Beach, which you have driven past, will be to your left.)

To go to Gialiskari Beach:

Turn left at the Anydroi sign. Proceed about 100 meters to a stop sign at a "T" where you have to turn. Turn left. At that point, you will begin heading east, roughly parallel to the sea, but your view of the sea will be mostly obscured by buildings and trees. In just over one kilometer, you will reach a point where the road begins to run directly along the seafront (with the water on your right-hand side) for about 250 meters, then the road will curve sharply to the left, away from the sea. Just after the curve, veer right at the blue sign that points toward Gialiskari Beach. Just over 100 meters farther along, keep to the right at a three-way junction. The road will turn to gravel, and shortly you will begin driving along the seafront again (with the water still on your right-hand side). Continue about 2 kilometers and you will pass a large sign that reads "Welkome to the Anydri Beach." (Anydri Beach is just another name for Gialiskari Beach.)

Just after the sign, the road will fork, with the right fork going downhill to parking next to the western part of Gialiskari Beach, which will be prominently in view. Keep to the left instead. The road will veer slightly inland. At that point, you want to continue about 300 meters farther east to an earthen parking lot at the end of the road, at coordinates 35.2385N, 23.7207E. The road is a little confusing to follow since it forks several times, and the sequence of forks to follow is right, left, left. If you take a wrong turn, you will know quickly since all the roads dead end. You will know you have found the correct place because you will pass through a gateway with wooden gates (which should be open) as you enter the parking lot. The parking lot abuts the western end of the eastern part of Gialiskari Beach. Facing the sea, walk to the left about 100 meters to the nude area, which is the eastern half of the eastern part of the beach.

Here is a map* that draws the route described above from the starting point to parking (Paleochora).

Here is a map* that draws the route described above from the starting point to parking (Gialiskari).

* Both maps assume you are heading west when you exit (coming from Heraklion or Chania, heading toward Kissamos).

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