Crete tourist guide

The best Polish website dedicated to the Greek island Crete and to a small extent of continental Greece. You will find useful information related to visiting Crete that goes beyond the offer of optional tours. On the website you will also find descriptions of the most interesting places that we visited by visiting this largest Greek island. The content complements the current news, photographs and recipes of Greek cuisine.

Ancient Falasarna

On the north-western coast of Crete, at the foot of the Gramovous peninsula, there are ruins of the ancient port of Korikos, later known as Falassarna. This name probably came from the name of the local nymph Falasarni. In the Hellenistic period it was one of the largest and most important cities in Crete and an important commercial center famous for the only natural port in this region of the island. At least until the great earthquake in 365 AD, which changed the layout of the island and directly contributed to the destruction of this port.

Falasarna - excavations

Ancient port

The ancient port measured 7,500 square meters, and its builders used the natural lagoon that existed in this place. They connected it with the sea by means of a narrow artificial channel 50 m long, 10 m wide and 2 m deep. According to the sources, the port was connected to the sea by means of yet another small shallow channel that was used by small boats. Its additional function was the circulation of seawater in the port basin.

The city that grew up by the harbor probably arose from the merger of several small settlements located in this area. The ideal location on the west end of Crete and a direct connection by sea to Alexandria in Egypt contributed to the heyday that took place in the 4th and 3rd century BC. The port became known as a safe place. Even after many centuries, the remains of the old fortifications make an impression, consisting of four towers connected by extended walls. The important role of the city should also be testified by its own coins that were beaten here. On the one hand, there was a figure of a woman, and on the other, the initials ΦΑ (FA) placed between the elements of a trident.

The local sailors did not limit themselves only to the civilized form of trading, they increased their revenues because they also dealt with piracy. This activity resulted in major problems for the city. The actions of the pirates of Falassarna aroused the great dissatisfaction of the Romans. In 69 BCE they destroyed the city and to prevent the re-use of the port as a pirate hiding place, blocked the entrance to the port with stone blocks so that only small boats could enter it. Of course, in addition to eliminating piracy, these activities have led to the prevention of long-distance legal commercial activities.


The final fall

The final collapse of the city, however, brought only a great earthquake combined with the tsunami that struck Crete on July 21, 365. According to historical records, it was a catastrophe that stunned the ancient world with its dimensions. This cataclysm will destroy many of the then large cities and have caused the deaths of thousands of people in coastal areas stretching from the current Croatia, Greece to the Nile Delta in Egypt.

The consequence of this earthquake in Crete was the rise of the west coast of the island from 6 to 9 meters. As a result, the Falasarna port was a few meters above sea level, making it totally unusable. Gradually, the city was depopulated and the inhabitants of that time moved to other parts of Crete in search of a place to live. At present, the ruins of the port and the former commercial city are about 100 meters from the sea. Currently, visiting this place you have to use a lot of imagination to "see" on this overgrown area the former international port and neighboring with it a bustling city. A large facilitation may be information boards, which also include computer visualizations showing how the place used to be.

Falasarna

Modern history of Falasarna

The contemporary history of Falasarna begins at the end of the 19th century, when British travelers came to the remains of the city and the port. The first excavations began in 1966, and regular excavation works began only at the end of the twentieth century. In 1986, the Greek Ministry of Culture, with the support of local institutions, began to clean up the area and carry out archaeological work. They continue until now, gradually revealing more areas of the former city and port. From what we saw in April 2016, two new fragments have been prepared and cleaned, at which scientists will appear at any moment.

So far, the remains of the Acropolis have been discovered, and in addition to the port, workshops have been unveiledtwo basins, 40 cm above sea level and two of the four port towers built in 350 BC. One tower was built on a 9-meter-long circular plan, 4.5 meters high, the other built on a square plan. The south-eastern tower is definitely better preserved.


Falasarna

In addition to the remains of the Acropolis located at the top of the headland, two temples were probably found there, dedicated to Artemis Diktynna, water cisterns and public buildings, including baths. An important find was the cemetery, located outside the city walls, in the south-east direction from the port. Archaeologists have found here 43 graves from a very large period: from archaic times to the Hellenistic period. Such a wide time section through which this cemetery was used allowed for the discovery of various tombs and various funeral customs. Found here both clay pots, which were used as coffins, as well as small structures built of stone, graves of natural depressions in the rock, and ordinary graves and urns. Between the tombstones, imported red and black vases with figures were found.

An interesting find is the ancient throne, which is located just off the road leading to the excavation site. The sculptured stone and definitely exceeding the size of an ordinary man was probably dedicated to Poseidon. Another theory is that it was used as a podium during public speeches. Regardless of which theory is closer to the truth, stop the car here and take a closer look at this interesting find. In this region there are also the remains of the "aquarium" and old quarries.

Falasarna


The area of ​​the excavations is fenced and to visit the remains of the port you should come here in the morning between 9 and 15 from Tuesday to Friday.

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Interesting places on Crete

↤ click the appropriate part of the island to change the bottom map

Falasarna
Falasarna

Falasarna

W 2002 roku Falasarna zdobyła tytuł najlepszej plaży w Grecji. Wyróżnienie to nie jest bynajmniej przypadkowe, gdyż miejsce to jak na standardy Krety jest naprawdę unikalne.

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Elafonisi
Elafonisi

Elafonisi

Elafonisi is a small island located at the end of the southwestern edge of Crete. A characteristic feature of Elafonisi is the shallow lagoon connecting it with Crete.

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Elafonisi
Elafonisi

Elafonisi

Elafonisi is a small island located at the end of the southwestern edge of Crete. A characteristic feature of Elafonisi is the shallow lagoon connecting it with Crete.

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Chania Airport
Chania Airport

Chania Airport

This is the second largest airport (IATA code: CHQ) in Crete. In 2010, the airport in Chania served a total of over 1.65 million passengers.

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Chania - Xania
Chania - Xania

Chania - Xania

Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.

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Aptera
Aptera

Aptera

Aptera is a city whose history dates back to at least a thousand years before our era. In the peak period, about 20,000 lived in it. people, of which only 1/5 were free people.

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Chania - Xania
Chania - Xania

Chania - Xania

Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of ​​the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.

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Sfakia
Sfakia

Sfakia

The genesis of the name of this poviat will not surprise anybody who will break the road from the Imbros gorge to Hora Sfakion.

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Frangokastello
Frangokastello

Frangokastello

Frangokastello is a small fortress that was built by the Venetians over four years from 1371. Initially, the castle was named after Saint Nikitas.

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Hrisoskalitissas
Hrisoskalitissas

Hrisoskalitissas

(Χρυσοσκαλίτισσα) The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Golden Step from the 17th century is the westernmost church building of this type.

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Hrisoskalitissas
Hrisoskalitissas

Hrisoskalitissas

(Χρυσοσκαλίτισσα) The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Golden Step from the 17th century is the westernmost church building of this type.

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The Omalos plateau
The Omalos plateau

The Omalos plateau

Omalos is a perfect starting point for exploring the Samaria Gorge. Located over 1,100 m above sea level extends over an area of 25 km2. Its size corresponds more or less to the size of the Lasithi Plateau.

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Kournas
Kournas

Kournas

Located 47 km from the city of Chania, it is the only freshwater lake in Crete. Its area is about 580 thousand. sqm. and the maximum depth is about 45 meters

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The Omalos plateau
The Omalos plateau

The Omalos plateau

Omalos is a perfect starting point for exploring the Samaria Gorge. Located over 1,100 m above sea level extends over an area of 25 km2. Its size corresponds more or less to the size of the Lasithi Plateau.

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Aradena
Aradena

Aradena

The steel crossing, which in the central part is separated from the ground by nearly 150 m, is at the leading position of the places where the longest bungee jumps are made.

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Chania - Xania
Chania - Xania

Chania - Xania

Chania (Χανιά) is the second largest (after Heraklion) city of Crete. The biggest advantage of Chania is the area of the Old Town and the beautiful Venetian Harbor.

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Sfakia
Sfakia

Sfakia

The genesis of the name of this poviat will not surprise anybody who will break the road from the Imbros gorge to Hora Sfakion. Word

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Chania Airport
Chania Airport

Chania Airport

This is the second largest airport (IATA code: CHQ) in Crete. In 2010, the airport in Chania served a total of over 1.65 million passengers.

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Chora Sfakion
Chora Sfakion

Chora Sfakion

Chora Sfakion is an extremely picturesque mountain village of the mountainous and wild Sfakia region

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Loutro
Loutro

Loutro

Loutro is famous for the fact that you can get to it only from the sea or walk on the mountain trail, because there is no other road here.

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Stavros
Stavros

Stavros

Stavros used to be a small fishing village. Today, it is primarily a tourist destination, but in a positive sense.

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Bear's Cave
Bear's Cave

Bear's Cave

The cave is less than 1 km from Moni Gouvernetou Monastery. You will reach it using the pedestrian trail that has been marked out along the slope of the Avlaki Gorge.

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Balos Lagoon
Balos Lagoon

Balos Lagoon

Balos is one of Crete's flagship beaches if not all of Greece. We can assure you that the landscapes you see during your trip to Balos will remain with you for a very long time.

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Moni Katholiko
Moni Katholiko

Moni Katholiko

Moni Katholiko is probably the oldest and most spectacular monastery in Crete. It is located 20 km north-east of Chania.

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Agia Triada Monastery
Agia Triada Monastery

Agia Triada Monastery

The Orthodox monastery of Agia Triada, located on the northern part of the Akrotiri peninsula, is one of the most beautiful and richest monasteries in Crete.

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Agia Triada Monastery
Agia Triada Monastery

Agia Triada Monastery

The Orthodox monastery of Agia Triada, located on the northern part of the Akrotiri peninsula, is one of the most beautiful and richest monasteries in Crete.

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Gouverneto Monastery
Gouverneto Monastery

Gouverneto Monastery

Gouverneto Monastery is probably the oldest active Greek Catholic monastery located on the Akrotiri peninsula near Chania.

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Imbros
Imbros

Imbros

The length of the trail leading through this place is about 8 kilometers and the difference in altitude is about 600m.

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Agia Roumeli
Agia Roumeli

Agia Roumeli

Agia Roumeli znajduje się na południowym wybrzeżu Prefektury Chania, pomiędzy miejscowościami Chora Sfakion i Paleochora.

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Souda
Souda

Souda

Until the early nineties, this place was known only to few tourists and local residents.

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Paleochora
Paleochora

Paleochora

Paleochora is a quite well-organized tourist town, with a beautiful large sandy beach

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Lissos
Lissos

Lissos

Ruiny starożytnego miasta Lissos znajdują się około 3,5 km od miejscowości Sougia na południowym wybrzeżu Krety.

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Samaria
Samaria

Samaria

Samaria is one of the most important tourist attractions located in the western part of Crete.

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Glyka Nera
Glyka Nera

Glyka Nera

Glyka Nera is one of the most spectacular beaches in Crete.

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Sougia
Sougia

Sougia

Sougia is a small town located in the southwest of Crete.

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Falasarna (excavations)
Falasarna (excavations)

Falasarna (excavations)

On the north-western coast of Crete, at the foot of the Gramovous peninsula, there are ruins of the ancient port of Korikos, later known as Falassarna.

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Krios
Krios

Krios

Krios Beach is located about 9 km west of Paleochora and it is also the last beach on this stretch of the southern coast

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Agia Sofia
Agia Sofia

Agia Sofia

Between the villages of Topolia and Koutsamatados there is an interesting cave known as Agia Sofia

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Milia
Milia

Milia

Milia is an authentic mountain settlement, which most probably dates from about the seventeenth century.

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Potamida
Potamida

Potamida

On the edge of the village of Potamida grows a complex of clay mounds called Komolithi (Komolithoi)

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Grammeno
Grammeno

Grammeno

Grammeno (Γραμμένο) is a beach that can be counted among one of the best and most beautiful beaches in this part of Crete.

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Platanias
German tunnels
Platanias<br/> German tunnels

Platanias
German tunnels

Platanias is a popular tourist destination. It is here that there are very interesting tunnels from World War II.

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Polirynia
Polirynia

Polirynia

Polyrinia was one of the most important city-states of western Crete during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It was built amphitheater on a steep hill, rising to a height of 481 meters above sea level

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Agia Irini
Agia Irini

Agia Irini

The Agia Irini gorge, just a short distance from the village of Sougia, is one of the most popular hiking destinations.

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Gramvous
Gramvous

Gramvous

The island of Gramvousa, or in fact Imeri Gramvousa (Ήμερη Γραμβούσα), is an inseparable point of a trip that combines a stay in the Balos Lagoon with visiting the remains of a fortress located on the top of the island of Imeri Gramovousa.

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Fortress
Fortress

Fortress

Agia Roumeli is located on the south coast of Chania Prefecture, between Chora Sfakion and Paleochora.

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Ag. Pavlos
Ag. Pavlos

Ag. Pavlos

The Byzantine church of Agios Pavlos was erected on the remote Selouda Beach in the south of Crete.

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Kedrodasos
Kedrodasos

Kedrodasos

Even in the high season, Kedrodasos still remains wild and unobstructed by crowds

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Seitan Limania
Seitan Limania

Seitan Limania

There is a beach in Crete that literally makes some people shiver. This place is Seitan Limania which can be translated as Satan's Ports or Cursed Ports.

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Aspri Limni
Aspri Limni

Aspri Limni

Aspri Limni means White Lake, although the lake is just a conventional name. Under this term there is a small bay.

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Komentarze

 gość}
gość Bogusław
2016-07-24 19:52:36

Wykopaliska Falasarna - jak tam trafić i inne...

Odwiedzając Falasarnę można zasugerować się widokami i odwiedzić jedną z plaż i nie odnaleźć wykopalisk. Dlatego chyba warto dopisać jak tam dojechać.

Trzeba jechać na sam koniec miejscowości aż do zakończenia drogi asfaltowej (równolegle do morza) i dalej szutrową aż do "parkingu" przy wejściu.

Wstęp w 2016 r. był bezpłatny.

Te kamienne kuwety na jednym ze zdjęć prawdopodobnie służyły do obróbki ryb.

Pozdrawiam.

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Azoria

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Najnowsze komentarze:

Καλή Σαρακοστή ☺
Warto zobaczyć, byliśmy jest pieknie
Piękne miejsce.
Prace wykonane przez Evansa, tak bardzo kontrowersyjne, doprowadziły jednak do tego, że Pałac w Knossos jest najchętniej odwiedzanym zabytkiem na Krecie. Pałac w Zakros czy nawet Fajstos, tak bardzo autentyczne, nie mogą się poszczycić taką popularnością. (...)
Niezapomniane wrażenia
Byłam, widziałam, poczułam moc tego miejsca
Warto zwiedzić.
Nádherná památka byla jsem tam 2x ❤️
gość PiotrWie : Już i na południu jest sporo ludzi - pamiętam puste plaże za Asterousią a w 2019 i w Tris Ekklisies i w Lentas a nawet na plażach Tripiti i Trachoulas było sporo ludzi.A na Serifos czy Kimolos byliśmy sami ewentualnie z jakąś drugą dwójką.
Zostaje mniej oblegane południe , ja pamiętam Kretę z przed 2 dekad i Balos gdzie prawie nie było ludzi :)
Taknpomyślałam, że pewnie trochę zatrzęsło... A wówczas nawet wykonane prace zabezpieczające nie dadzą 100% bezpieczeństwa. Dobrze, że nikt nie ucierpiał
gość PiotrWie : My wybieramy się w maju na Ikarię. Tam czegoś takiego nie będzie jeszcze jakiś czas. Polecam wyspy na którym nie ma lotnisk międzynarodowych - chętni na takie resorty nie uznają podróży z przesiadkami. Np Serifos, Sifnos czy Astipaleę.  
Dobrze, że są miejsca gdzie udało się odsunąć te plany. Typu Plakias , Falassarna
To już nie będzie Kreta dzika i swojska. Będą tłumy i komercja.
Masakra
Pamiętam lekki chłód w porównaniu z upałem sierpniowym poza wąwozem i taką duszącą wilgoć
Ciekawe miejsce. Idąc tam , próbowaliśmy cofnąć czas, wyobrażając sobie wioskę w pełnym rozkwicie…
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