Palaiokastro is located 17km west of the city in the big bay of Heraklion. It has a beach with pebbles and the waters are deep. On the big rock in the eastern part of the beach, are found the remains of what was the Venetian castle “Palaiokastro”, meaning Old Castle in Greek, which protected the bay from pirate raids. To access Palaiokastro you should follow the National Road from Heraklion to Chania and taking the exit to Palaiokastro.