Paleochora
Tucked between the Libyan Sea and the low hills of southwestern Crete, Kountoura is a place whose character is shaped by intensive irrigated horticulture. This small settlement belongs to the Selino area near Paleochora, where broad greenhouse roofs, vegetable plots and olive trees occupy gently folded ground. The cultivated plain is framed by dry, rocky slopes typical of Crete’s south coast rather than a dense urban centre. Farming is central to the local economy, with protected cultivation making productive use of limited level land. Olive growing also links the area to one of Crete’s defining food traditions: olive oil remains a cornerstone of Cretan cooking. Paleochora provides the district’s main concentration of shops, services and coastal life.
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Few towns in Crete have a history as closely tied to the Venetian-built Selino fortress as Paleochora. Set on a narrow peninsula along Crete’s southwest coast, the town faces the Libyan Sea, with beaches extending on both its eastern and western sides. The ruins of Selino Castle stand above the town: the Venetians built the fort in 1282 to control this exposed stretch of coast, and its name survives in the wider Selino area. Paleochora retains the everyday rhythm of a working coastal town, with small boats, waterfront cafés and streets climbing towards the castle hill. Its position also makes it a departure point for ferry routes along the remote southern coast. Explore nearby webcam locations that provide complementary perspectives on Paleochora and southwestern Crete.
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Within Greece's regions, the Region of Crete is distinguished by being the country's largest island and by its Minoan heritage. The Cretan Sea borders its northern shore, while the Libyan Sea meets a markedly drier southern coast; between them rise the White Mountains and Mount Ida, also known as Psiloritis. Samaria Gorge cuts through the White Mountains towards the Libyan Sea. Near Heraklion, Knossos preserves the remains of a major Minoan palace complex. Olive groves, vineyards and coastal towns shape an island whose cooking is rooted in olive oil, herbs and local cheeses. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Crete.
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Greece occupies a mountainous peninsula and island-dotted coastline in southeastern Europe. The Aegean Sea shapes its eastern shore, while the Ionian Sea lies to the west; Crete is the country’s largest island. Athens is anchored by the Acropolis, where the Parthenon has stood since the fifth century BCE as a defining monument of classical antiquity. Beyond the capital, the Pindus Mountains run through the mainland, and Mount Olympus is associated in ancient Greek religion with the home of the gods. Greek food traditions centre on olive oil, seafood, cheeses and regional dishes, with long meals remaining an important part of social life. Continue through nearby webcams to explore the islands and mainland regions of Greece.
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