Palekastro is a large village (1100 inhabitants) with most people working in agriculture. But with its good beaches the area around Palekastro has started to attract tourism and slowly a good infrastucture is emerging for the independent traveler and holiday maker. The village is set back from the sea. Palekastro is a living village, not a tourist resort. So it is lively but 'Cretan lively'. The tourists who come as far are here are mainly looking for peace and quiet and what could be described as the 'real Crete'.