Palekastro is a charming, traditional village in the easternmost part of Crete, where time seems to slow down. Known for its authentic hospitality and world-famous olive oil, it is the perfect base for your holidays. Just a few minutes from Kouremenos Beach, Palekastro offers a unique blend of ancient history, stunning nature, and a relaxed atmosphere that windsurfers and wingfoilers have called home for decades.
Festivals with hundreds of people are held in the village square, where you will find yourself dancing to traditional Cretan music—an experience you will never forget. Palekastro is not for lovers of wild nightlife, but for those who love hanging around, drinking, and discussing the morning session.
The area is a major historic site as it was an important trade center during Minoan times. The port of Itanos, today several meters below sea level, holds great historical significance. The Minoan commercial settlement of Roussolakkos, located close to Chiona beach and excavated by British archaeologists, proves that the region was one of the most vital commercial centers of Minoan culture on the island. The “Palaikastro Kouros,” a masterpiece carved from hippopotamus ivory, was recovered here in fragments between 1987 and 1990. In Palekastro, traditional and modern life are beautifully blended, and you will find many taverns to enjoy delicious local seafood dishes.