- Region
- Kissamos, west Chania
- Distance
- 17 km from Kissamos, 59 km from Chania
- Beach
- Pale sand, about 1 km
- Facilities
- Umbrellas, cafés, lifeguard, water sports
The beach
Of Falasarna's several bays, Pachia Ammos is the largest and the one most people mean by 'Falasarna beach'. It is wide enough that it rarely feels packed even in August.
The water is at its most turquoise on still days. With the frequent westerly winds it gets waves, which bodyboarders enjoy but which call for care with children.
Getting there and parking
Drive west from Kissamos and descend towards the coast; the road is paved all the way and there are several informal parking areas behind the beach. Buses run from Chania and Kissamos in summer.
Greenhouses fill the plain behind the beach; it is a working agricultural area, not a resort.
Ancient Falasarna and sunset
At the north end are the ruins of ancient Falasarna, a harbour city of the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. An earthquake in AD 365 lifted the coast, so the old harbour now sits on dry land.
Stay for sunset: the horizon is unobstructed, and a few cafés behind the sand stay open into the evening.
Questions before you go
Which is the main beach at Falasarna?
Pachia Ammos, the largest bay, about 1 km long and 150 m wide, with umbrellas, cafés and a lifeguard in season.
Is Falasarna good for children?
On calm days yes, the sand slopes gently. It faces west, so check the waves first; westerly winds can make the sea rough.
How far is Falasarna from Chania?
About 59 km, roughly an hour and a quarter by car, and 17 km from Kissamos.
