The largest island in Greece, Crete is renowned for its pin-up beaches, wild natural beauty, exquisite cuisine and thousands of years of culture and history.
As Crete’s most celebrated author, Nikos Kazantzakis (of Zorba the Greek fame), once wrote: “The mystery of Crete runs deep. Whoever sets foot on this island senses a mysterious force coursing warmly and beneficently through their veins, sensing their soul beginning to grow.”
You’ll be transported to another time wandering around the castles erected by Venetians and Byzantines. Particularly noteworthy are Kastelli in Chania, the Fortezza in Rethymno, the castle of Heraklion, Frangokastello in southern Chania, the Kazarma Castle in Sitia, and the Monte Forte in Lassithi.
Crete is the ideal destination for all kinds of sports and nature activities. For canyoning and hiking, the gorges offer unparalleled beauty. The largest and most famous is Samaria, with its world-renowned Portes (Iron Gates). Other noteworthy canyons are Amba, Tripiti, Kourtaliotiko, Kamaraiko (the longest), Ha (the so-called ‘king of Cretan gorges’), and Ethias and Eligas. You’ll hike across these landscapes of sublime beauty and diversity and, for off-road and 4×4, you’ll zig and zag along Crete’s dirt roads.
Meanwhile, the cosmopolitan resorts in both the north and south of the island are ideal for water sports and scuba diving.
Pictures of heavenly Balos Lagoon in Chania have featured in travel guides and glossies all over the world, as have those of the eternally beautiful Falarsana, one of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. And as for exotic Elafonisi, on the southwestern tip of Chania … seeing is believing. Episkopi and Petres have fervent young fans, while noteworthy in the south of Crete are Preveli, Plakias, Ligres, Triopetra and Agios Pavlos, with its huge sand dunes. In Heraklion, the resorts of Malia and Hersonissos attract a young and vibrant international crowd.
Falassarna is one of the most famous destinations in Crete. It is an area with many taverns which serve homemade traditional Cretan dishes, numerous beach bars for beverages or snacks while you are at the beach and coffee bars where you can enjoy your drink as you are waiting for the sun to set and the view is absolutely amazing.
Falassarna or Falasarna Beach (Greek: Φαλάσαρνα) in Crete is a gem that is not to be missed if you’re planning a trip to the island. Located on the western coast of Crete, Falassarna Beach is renowned for its crystal clear waters and stunning sandy beaches that stretch for miles. Let’s take a closer look at Falassarna Beach and all that it has to offer.