Your travel guide from Paleochora to Zakros: For individualists, nature lovers and temporary dropouts
Southern Crete is a world unto itself – rugged, open-hearted, windswept. No region of Crete is as unspoilt as the south: towering mountains plunge steeply into the deep blue sea, shepherds drive their goats over scree slopes, and tavernas serve lamb from their own farms. This guide takes you from Paleochora in the west to the south coast of Zakros in the east – with lots of tips for anyone looking for the real Crete.
Paleochora – The gateway to the wild south
At the end of a winding road, Paleochora opens up like a hidden paradise: two beaches, a quiet town centre, artists, free spirits and many regular visitors.
Special features:
- Sandy and pebble beaches on two sides of the peninsula
- Sunsets from the Venetian castle
- Ideal for long-term holidays and families with a thirst for freedom
Tip: Paleochora is particularly magical in autumn – the light, the silence and the warmth remain when the crowds leave.
Sougia and the Samaria Gorge
South of Chania lies Sougia – a secluded seaside resort and starting point for hikers heading into the Samaria or Agia Irini Gorge. Many visitors arrive on foot or by boat.
Experience:
- Natural beaches without umbrellas
- Hippie flair & quiet nights
- Hike to the Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos by the sea
Lentas – a sacred place with hippie souls
According to legend, Lentas was a sacred place for Asclepius, the god of healing. Today, yogis, artists and seekers of meaning gather here in small accommodations below the mountain slopes.
What makes Lentas special?
- Calming energy & gentle tourism
- Daily yoga classes, massages, alternative offerings
- Small pebble beach with a cosy tavern
Matala – Mythos, Musik & Höhlen
Matala is known for its hippie caves in the rocks, where Bob Dylan stayed in the 1970s. Today, travellers of all ages meet here in search of freedom – or at least the feeling of it.
What to expect:
- Beach with views of steep cliffs
- Cave system of the Roman necropolis
- Live music, craft stalls, hippie festival in June
Tip: Stay in Pitsidia or Kommos – a little quieter, but within walking distance.
Triopetra, Agios Pavlos & the south
Triopetra:
- Three rocks in the sea give the place its name
- Wide, quiet sunsets
Agios Pavlos:
- Gentle dune landscape
- Yoga retreats, nature camping, absolute tranquillity
Ierapetra – Europe's southernmost city
Ierapetra is the only major town in the south – economically dominated by greenhouse vegetable cultivation, but also charming with a pretty old town and a beautiful promenade.
Highlights:
- Venetian fortress ‘Kales’
- City beach & boats to Chrissi Island (Caribbean feeling)
- Authentic cuisine in backyard taverns
Crete's wild south-east: Xerokambos & Zakros
Xerokambos: Wide sandy bays, turquoise blue sea, hardly any civilisation. Those who come here often stay longer than planned.
Kato Zakros (south side):
The southern tip of the famous village of Zakros is hidden at the end of a wild gorge – with a Minoan palace, a fine tavern on the beach and the Gorge of the Dead.
Here you will find:
- Peace and quiet like nowhere else
- Archaeology without barriers
- Hiking trails, starry skies & Cretan authenticity