Pachia Ammos

Falassarna is the westernmost village in Crete, located approximately 20km from Kissamos in the neck of the Gramvoussa peninsula. The name Falassarna is pre-hellenic and is derived from the nymph "Falasarni". Falassarna used to be the port of ancient Polyrinia. The peak of the city of Falassarna was during the Hellenistic period and at the time the city had its own coin. Its port was closed and surrounded by walls and it was connected to the sea with a canal. The port and the canal today are cultivated land due to the fall of the sea-level, the ancient remainings are located 300-400 meters from the sea. The secure position of the port, the impregnable fort and the rich valley of the area indicate that Falassarna was a great naval and commercial center. The remainings saved today are part of the supporting walls of the city as well as part of its Cyclopean walls, defensive towers, foundations of houses and remainings of the temple dedicated to Artemida or Appolona. Present days Falassarna is a quiet resort, with many small hotels, apartments and taverns, close to the wonderful sandy beach. There are also many spots for free camping. Here the visitor can admire the magnificence of the archaic landscape and the blue sky. One of the most beautiful stretched sandy beaches in Crete, "Pahia Ammos" (thick sand), is located south of Falassarna.