Top Things to do in Falassarna
10 Things to Do in Falassarna That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Falassarna, Greece including Falassarna Beach, Bonsai and Art, Gramvousa Fortress, Sfinari Beach, Falasarna Private Cruises, Balos Lagoon, Sailing In Crete - Fantasia Sailing Boat, Falassarna Activities, Archaeological Museum of Kissamos, Cretan Daily Cruises.
Restaurants in Falassarna
1. Falassarna Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By NicciBr - Antwerp, Belgium
At first I visited ancient Falassarna and I can recommend it. Then I walked over the different Beaches and some had pink sand. You have to notice that the lonely Beaches the closest at the Ancient town are for naturists. But if you walk further on you can enjoy the very lovely Beaches with children. You can walk over the hills of take the road.
2. Bonsai and Art
Overall Ratings
5 based on 62 reviews
Konstante Bonsaiausstellung (Eintritt frei) Kleine und grosse Geschenke aus Olivenholz und Treibholz von den hiesigen Straenden. Unikat-Schmuck und Keramik. Suiseki (Naturstein auf Holzbasis). Wir gehen auf Ihre Wuensche ein, z.B. Aenderung eines Schmuckstueckes - kein Problem! Sonderanfertigung einer Keramik. Gerne gestalten wir Ihre Idee. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch.
Reviewed By elise85 - berkshire
Spotted this place driving from Kissamos to sfinari beach which was also awesome. Really lovely jewellery and decorative items, spent a long time browsing all the unusual things for sale, lady was very friendly and helpful and didn't rush me or try to sell me things. Such an assortment of pottery, glass, wood and shells. Couldn't leave without buying a few souvenirs and gifts. All reasonably priced and wrapped in tissue and cute beach themed bags.
3. Gramvousa Fortress
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 408 reviews
Reviewed By Pedroofpobla - Ashford, United Kingdom
You will arrive here on an excursion boat which will have an allotted time of one to two hours before the next one arrives. Whilst the crew get their barbecue ready and have a leisurely lunch by the quay the visitors will either rush up to the fortress or throw themselves in the sea in order to get that unique feeling of being adventurous explorers. That's fine because the views from the fortress are quite stunning and it's not hard to imagine Moorish pirate ships crossing the deep blue channels of this remote and rugged coast. The beach is beautiful and sandy and there is a little shade from the acacia trees . You can snorkel from here to to old wreck at the entrance to the bay. Behind the beach is a strange forest of the tall agave plant which, together with the beautiful wild harshness of the place, give it a mysterious and prehistoric feel. And just when you have arrived on the beach from the arduous climb to the fort and ready to dive into the cool, clear water, the whistle will blow and you have ten minutes before the boat leaves for Balos. Take sea sick tablets because the sea can be a bit hairy in the main bay. Good toilet facilities on board and really quite good food from the galley. Try and avoid buying tickets from a tour operator, especially if you have a hire car. You will save 50% by checking the timetables and buying your ticket in the port and ask for either student or retired concessions.
4. Sfinari Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By Vanessa_Fou - Athens, Greece
We weren't really planning to come here, but it was a natural stop when driving from Elafonissi to Chania. It was a windy day so swimming was difficult, as the beach has very large pebbles - but it was really quiet and the fresh fish was excellent!
5. Falasarna Private Cruises
Overall Ratings
5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By lazyNYCers - New York City, New York
Highly recommend this private way of seeing Balos and Gramvousa. Avoided both the crowds and difficult road trip. Katerina was very hospitable and easy to deal with, the boat trip enjoyable and the price for this private cruise was more reasonable than the others we looked into. We went late in the afternoon, which meant Balos was somewhat crowded, but Gramvousa was deserted and we had the island virtually to ourselves and saw the ruins and return trip by sunset. This part was perfect. We were told you can avoid the crowds entirely (in season) by leaving super early in the morning before the big boats arrive, but who wants to do that on vacation. The climb to the fortress is not for the weak at heart, but once you get up there, the view is unparalleled. Definitely worth the effort. Only note I might add is to bring your own picnic or for the owners to reconsider upgrading this part of the experience to something more authentic and fresh befitting a private cruise. The prepackaged sandwiches and cheap soda were not up to the standards of the rest of the experience. But I would still highly recommend this cruise service and this way of seeing a beautiful corner of Crete. A final note - bring proper shoes for the difficult climb to the fortress, flip flops or beach sandals will make this more perilous.
6. Balos Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By angel3744 - Heraklion, Greece
Balos bay is on the north-west shore of Crete, near Kastelli Kissamos. The clear-sparkling silver-blue sand and the transparent waters make this bay to be among the most beautiful Beaches in the world. One can go by car, to park and to go down to the beach by walking, for about 20-30 min. Or, can take small boat from Kastelli to Balos. Next to Balos beach a marvellous little island, Gramvousa can be visited. Unique places and ecosystems!
7. Sailing In Crete - Fantasia Sailing Boat
Overall Ratings
5 based on 57 reviews
CRUISES to Balos, Gramvousa (pirates Island)Fantasia VIP Boat, Sailing daily cruises.Explore the lagoon of Balos,Gramvousa pirates island with the venetian castlle and the beauties of wild natute of Crete island. Very welcome to Crete and enjoy your hollidays. Daily cruise, depart from Kissamos port to lagoon of Balos and Gramvousa island . Price for private is 80 euro per person Include rich lunch, sea food or meatballs .wine, beer, soft drinks, fruits and etc..!!! and sailing lesson!!!
Reviewed By Barry S - Brighton, United Kingdom
The 4 of us booked this as the captain told us it went to the old Crete, so at £30. Each we booked the sea was calm and it was a lovely day to sail, the boat was full, so off we went at 11.20 around the harbour to a water cave site, to swim, then off th old sassy, or not was the case, we went into another very old harbour with a huge wall and the water was full of crude oil from other boats, and we sat hear for Two hours, got told due to winds we cannot sail hear, everyone was like what? The lunch was a piece of chicken and green salad, that's was it with hard bread, the free wine was disgraceful and very cheap and the water was in small plastic glasses not bottled, we requested bottles to be told no just glasses, I asked what about the old town, man said I can change if I want to, then we headed back to port whilst the two other boats went past us to the old town, I do not mind paying for anything but truly felt we got ripped off, and it ruined our day,
8. Falassarna Activities
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Water sports, jet ski rentals and cruises
Reviewed By Clau D
I had the best paragliding experience guided by Mr.George on Falasarna beach. He is very professional and friendly. Thank you for the unforgettable flight.
9. Archaeological Museum of Kissamos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By John R - Telford, United Kingdom
Is situated 26km west from our Atlantica Creta Paradise Hotel on the coast, by car about 26 minutes, we used the public transport busses and they take about 45 minutes, the small town has a few shops and a museum, cost of entry for senior citizens is euro1.00 each it was a nice day out and bus fares are reasonable and run frequently throughout the day.
HISTORY
In Hellenic times ancient Kissamos was a small town and harbour of Polyyrrhenia.
In Roman times the town grew – the new parts laid out on Hippodamian (grid) plan-and became more powerful, acquiring limited autonomy from Polyyrrhenia. The new city, whose development began in the 1st century A.D. expanded gradually to the size of a modern town.
Despite the inevitable roman influences, Kissamos preserved it’s cultural traditions. The Pax Romana and the development of trade through its harbour nourished its growth into a prosperous provincial town.
10. Cretan Daily Cruises
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By IliasGeorgiouManos - Lillehammer, Norway
This is not our first time in Makrigialos, nor our first at Koufonisi AKA Leuki/Lefki Island.
My wife comes here since infancy and me for the last 10 years, so we know the whole area and its locals quite well.
This year though our son saw a very big black pirate ship with a Jolly flag at the docks. Walking through the harbour of Makry Gialos we saw Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow on a big picture and our son went mad. There was no choice for us. Fair enough.
We bought the tickets and with half an hour delay we got on board.
The boat was in a good condition, clean and neat, the -few- staff were helpful, polite and smiley.
The music was unnecessarily too loud and of very bad taste
(70s and 80s retro kitcsh music, that only resembled porn films).
Let's come to the bad stuff now:
The boat is supposed to leave at 10.00 and return at 17:30.
There was a delay in order for the business to hoard and stuck as many as passengers as possible (150!) because they had one boat for the transportation from bay to ship.
The way to Koufonisi lasted an unnecessary almost 2+ hours (!) going with 4-6 nmi/h resulting to finally get there at ca. 13:00 after their delays and slow sailing, giving us only 2.5 hours before we sail back. Unacceptable.
Even worse, the reason they did this was for all the people to start buying things from their cantine (at reasonable prices, but nevertheless).
A very big minus for all false and intentional misinterpretation of things:
On the commercial flyer was clearly written that "The Island has the Southernmost Ancient Stone Theater in Europe" and the promoter that talked to us said we should go see it.
Yet, when we arrived (with 1.5 hours delay) they left us on the other side, and when asked when do we go to see the Theatre I got the reply that "we don't". When asked further, I was told
"Listen, if you wanna go there, go. It's 4km walking on unfriendly terrain and you´re gonna need at least 2-3 hours to go there (clock was 13:00), but make sure to be here at 15:45 because I'm leaving"
The tickets were 25 euros per person, and the sea at the island was ok, but not much better than Makrigialos, and definately not better at any way than Kalamokanias or Diaskari (the Beaches right left and right of Makrigialos respectively) that are offered for free and can visit the really nice taverns of George's and Diaskari Tavern respectively.
To be honest I'm a bit tired with false advertising and these tactics used in Greece, and feel quite bothered by the way they handled the whole thing.
Recommended if you have money to give away, time to waste and kids that love a pirate flag.
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