Falassarna Beach in West Crete

Falassarna sits on the west coast of Crete and is regularly counted among the ten best beaches in Europe, one of the most striking stretches of coastline on the island. Locals still call it a small earthly paradise, and the ruins of the ancient city that gave the beach its name sit close enough to explore in the same afternoon. Fine white sand and warm, crystal-clear water are the reasons Falassarna keeps winning "most beautiful beach in Crete" mentions, and this coastline earns a full day on the itinerary if you rent a car in Crete for your holiday.

The drive from Chania or Kissamos

Getting to Falassarna by car takes about 1 hour from Chania, or 20 minutes once you reach Kissamos, and the route is straightforward even on a first visit. From Chania the road heads west to Kissamos, roughly 40 km away, then continues for another 10 km to the village of Platanos. A signed turn to the right at Platanos puts you on a small, winding road that drops down to sea level and into Falassarna. Rental Center Crete's guide to the area places the ancient harbour around 59 km from Chania by road, a figure that lines up with that roughly hour-long drive. Our guide to driving in Crete is worth a read before you leave Chania if this is your first time behind the wheel on the island.

What to expect once you park

A walkway through the trees leads down to a quieter section of the bay once you park near the far end of the beach, close to the 'Falasarna Tavern'. Several shallow pools sit in this part of Falassarna, calm enough for young children and older visitors to wade in comfortably, and sunbeds and umbrellas can be hired on the sand. A handful of cafes sit within easy walking distance, enough to turn the visit into a full, relaxed day at the beach.

Booking your car for the trip

A worthwhile road trip like this one depends on having a car of your own for the day, since public transport rarely matches a lazy afternoon by the water. Browse our car hire fleet for a model that suits the winding road down to Falassarna, then reserve your car online before the summer season books out. Falassarna and the drive to it are exactly the kind of detour a car rental in Crete is built for.