Falassarna Beach

The basics

The public beach of Falassarna has all the amenities a beach-lover could hope for, from umbrellas and covered beach loungers to authentic tavernas just steps away (though many close during winter). It often features on 4WD day trips departing from Chania, which typically combine it with the much-photographed Balos Lagoon and Kedrodasos Beach, backed by a juniper tree forest. Some paragliding tours give you a birds-eye view of it while kayaking tours let you reach parts of the coast that cars can’t.

Things to know before you go

• Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Restrooms are available, and there’s typically more than enough free parking onsite.

• If you don’t want to pay for a chair, grabbing a spot on the sand is free.

• Ruins of an ancient harbor sit about a 15-minute walk up the beach (heading north).

How to get there

Falassarna is about an hour west of Chania, one of Crete’s main hubs. To get to Falassarna Beach, most visitors simply drive—you’ll wind past the town of Kissamos to the village of Platanos, where you’ll start seeing signs for Falassarna. You can practically drive right onto the beach, where there’s plenty of free parking. You could also take a taxi, or the local bus stops here from April to October, too.

When to get there

In summer, if you want a certain spot on the sand, come early—beach chairs and loungers can fill up on nice days. Naturally, other seasons tend to be less busy, but some nearby shops close during winter. However, the beach is still open, and smaller crowds and still-mild weather make this spot great for a stroll and a swim.

Where to see the best Cretan sunset

While an afternoon on the beach is standard in many places, Falassarna shines brightest at sunset. The beach faces due west with nothing obstructing the horizon, which means the sunsets here are panoramic and truly sublime. To catch those pretty orange-gold rays, get here about 90 minutes before sunset. But this is no secret, so be prepared for other folks doing the same.