Best things to do in Falasarna in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Falasarna is a coastal area on the north-west tip of Crete, about 7 km west of Kissamos in the Chania region. Falasarna’s shore is a run of 5 consecutive beaches at the western end of the Gramvousa peninsula, and its two central beaches draw the most visitors. The ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Phalassarna stand at the northern end of the bay. Tavernas, studios and apartments sit in a short line behind the sand.
Chania airport lies about 52 km east, which makes Falasarna one of the longer airport transfers on the island. The area works as a beach destination rather than a town. The draw is the sand and the shallow water, with an archaeological site along the bay and the county town of Kissamos close enough for shops and a ferry port.
Things to do in and around Falasarna
Six outings sit within 11 km of the bay, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Falasarna beach. The sand starts 1.1 km away and runs whitish to golden, which gives the shallows a bright turquoise colour; our Falassarna beach page covers all five sections.
- Walk round the ancient city. The Greco-Roman ruins of Ancient Falasarna stand 1.4 km away at the northern end of the bay.
- Swim at Meri Pigadi. Three protected bays of fine pebbles and clear deep water lie 4 km away, reached by walking or driving 1.5 km along the dirt road that starts at Kaliviani.
- Drive up to Platanos. The village of Platanos, 4 km inland at 240 metres, takes its name from the platanos tree in its square and still farms the land around it.
- Spend a morning in Kissamos. The county capital sits 6.8 km away and has about 3,000 residents, a fine-sand town beach on its western side and a promenade of cafés and taverns.
- Hike the Sirikari gorge. The Sirikari gorge lies 11 km away and splits into two parallel paths, Tsichliano to the west and Kioliano to the east, which both end at the Polirinia settlement.
Beaches in and around Falasarna
Falasarna’s own shore is a run of 5 consecutive beaches across a wide bay, and 4 more lie within 6 km towards Kissamos. Falasarna has been voted the finest beach in Crete and named among the ten finest in Europe, so its two central sections fill up first.
The sand itself is whitish to golden, which turns the shallow water a bright tropical turquoise. Close to the shoreline the sand often carries a faint pink tint, which comes from tiny crushed shells mixed through it.
- Kaliviani lies 3.7 km away, a long stretch of coast 1 km north of Kaliviani village at the foot of the Gramvousa peninsula. The terrain is mostly rocky with sparse sandy patches and no tourist facilities, and large waves over a rocky seabed make it one to avoid on gusty days.
- Meri Pigadi sits 4 km away on the eastern side of the Gramvousa peninsula, three protected bays of fine pebbles and clear deep water. The name means “Meri’s well”, the bay behind the Balos ticket kiosk is called Mouri Lakkos, and a few small trees supply the only shade.
- Vigglia is 4.6 km away, a 2 km coastline of coves that begins near the Panagia church by the port of Kissamos and runs west to Kaliviani. The main beach is almost semicircular, with coarse sand and transparent water, though pebbles and rocks replace the sand in places.
- Damialis stands 5.3 km away and 1.5 km north of Kissamos, a small cove of tiny pebbles and deep water, well shielded from strong winds. It takes its name from the St John Damialis church set in a cave above it, and tamarisk trees give shade.
Where to eat in Falasarna
Eating at Falasarna means a small group of tavernas strung along the shore road within 1.3 km of the sand.
- Taverna Falassarna is at the beach itself.
- Orange Blue stands 200 m from the centre.
- Gilisma Taverna sits 800 m along the shore.
- Adam Restaurant and Apartments lies 900 m out, with rooms as well as a kitchen.
- Liokalyvo Beach House Taverna is 1.3 km along the bay.
Getting to Falasarna
Reach Falasarna on the main road that connects Kissamos to the bay. Kissamos lies 6.9 km east and holds the nearest shops, the old port of Kastelli Kissamos and the larger ferry terminal. Chania is 39.7 km east and Rethymno 83.1 km east, so a day trip from either city is a long drive.
Chania airport sits about 52 km from the bay, at the far end of the same coast road. A car is worth having, because the gorges inland and the coves towards Kissamos all need short drives.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Falasarna in Crete?
Falasarna lies on the north-west tip of Crete, about 7 km west of Kissamos and 39.7 km west of Chania. The bay sits at the western end of the Gramvousa peninsula, inside the Chania region.
Does Falasarna have a beach?
Falasarna’s shore is a run of 5 consecutive beaches across a wide bay. The two central beaches take the most visitors, and the sand runs whitish to golden with a faint pink tint near the waterline.
How far is Falasarna from Chania airport?
Chania airport is about 52 km east of Falasarna. Chania city lies 39.7 km east and Rethymno 83.1 km east.
Are there ancient ruins at Falasarna?
The Greco-Roman city of Phalassarna stands at the northern end of the beach, about 1.4 km from the centre of the bay.
Which beaches are near Falasarna?
4 beaches lie within 6 km: Kaliviani, Meri Pigadi, Vigglia and Damialis. All four sit between the bay and Kissamos, and none carries tourist facilities.
Can you walk a gorge from Falasarna?
Two gorges sit 11 km from the bay. The Sirikari gorge splits into the Tsichliano and Kioliano paths, which both finish at Polirinia, where the ancient town walls still stand on a hill above Kissamos bay. The Kambos gorge lies the same distance away and follows a year-round river under plane trees to a natural spring.
Where Falasarna is
Best things to do in Falasarna in 2024 is located at Falasarna. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
