Crete - Greece - page 884

Falasarna €3.50 20min 3 daily

Hania €4.70 45min 13 daily

Hora Sfakion (via Hania) €11.90 3hr 2 daily

Paleohora €7.20 1¼hr 3 daily

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Around Kissamos

Falasarna Φαλάσαρνα

Some 16km west of Kissamos, Falasarna is little more than a long sandy beach - but
what a beach! This broad sweep opens up from the road coming in from Kissamos and is
considered among Crete's finest, even though views are somewhat marred by green-
houses set among the olive groves. Spread your towel on the Big Beach (Megali Paralia)
at the south end or pick a spot in one of the coves separated by rocky spits further north.
Falasarna was a 4th-century-BC Cretan city-state and trading centre with its own har-
bour. Today you can wander among the ancient ruins , reached via a 2km dirt road which
starts where the paved road ends. The entrance is just past the 'stone throne'. Admission
is free.
Falasarna has no centre as such, although there are several tavernas, bars and small su-
permarkets. Lodging options include Sunset Taverna & Apartments (r/apt incl breakfast
€40/65, mains €7-8; ) , which has a terrace with fig trees and wonderful views, its
own natural spring and beach access, along with simple but comfortable rooms.
There are three buses daily from Kissamos (€3.50, 20 minutes) and five daily buses
from Hania (€7.60, 1½ hours).

Gramvousa Peninsula Χερσόνησος Γραμβούσα

Northwest of Kissamos, the wild and remote Gramvousa Peninsula cradles the lagoon-
like white powdery beach of Balos off its western tip. Its shallow, shimmering turquoise
waters will bring a giggle to your holiday-hungry throat. The beach overlooks two islets,
the larger one (Imeri) crowned by the ruins of a huge Venetian fortress built to keep pir-
ates at (and out of the) bay. Excursion boats from Kissamos make a two-hour stop here
before continuing on to Balos.