The weather on Crete is generally mild. The average high temperature in the summer is 89 degrees F (32 degrees C) and it rarely drops below 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) in the winter.

The beach here is wide and sandy, with a swimming season that lasts from May into October. The name "Pacheia Ammos," in fact, means "deep sand." The autumn is very mild, with bright green foliage resulting from the first rains to fall after the long dry.

View of Pacheia Ammos

Interior courtyard of Seager's house in Pacheia Ammos

Pacheia Ammos was the home of the American archaeologist Richard B. Seager who excavated at many of the sites in the area (including Mochlos, Pseira, Sphoungaras, Vasilike, and Pacheia Ammos) in the early 1900s. The village is located on the north coast in eastern Crete, on the main highway that runs from Chania to Vai.

Visitors will find rooms at several tavernas and pensions in the village which also hosts three small groceries. Although banking must be conducted in the town of Ierapetra, many postal services are available in Pacheia Ammos.

Wild flowers in Pacheia Ammos

Local activity in the village is generally dictated by the seasons. For most residents, summer is dedicated to serving the tourist trade and tending the family garden. Most vegetables found on Crete are locally grown, either in gardens or in greenhouses. Summer is also a time of numerous religious celebrations ranging from marriages and baptisms to festivals celebrating the patron saints of local churches. The number of guests who attend these events is usually so large that they must be held outdoors.
The autumn is when raki, a Cretan liquor made from grape skins, is manufactured in stills. Shortly after the raki production is concluded, the olive harvest begins. This usually starts in late November and runs through January.

Spring is a time of rejuvenation on Crete, when farmers prune, fertilize, hoe, and plant in their groves and gardens. Houses and businesses receive coats of fresh paint and other repairs. Sheep and goats give birth; thyme and other flora bloom.

There are many archaeological sites in the immediate area of Pacheia Ammos that can be reached by foot, car, bus, or boat. Buses run several times each day between Pacheia Ammos and Ierapetra, Siteia, Agios Nikolaos, and Herakleion. Three archaeological museums are relatively close by, in the towns of Ierapetra, Siteia, and Agios Nikolaos.

Location of the INSTAP Study Center for East Crete and some of the neighboring sites served by the facility