Kissamos

All About Kissamos

Crete is a land of untamed beauty and spectacular landscapes, which you can explore with ease when you book your ferry tickets to Kissamos. This picturesque seaside town sits on the northwest of the island in a fertile valley about 40 kilometers from the prefecture capital of Chania. Also known as Kastelli after the Venetian fort that used to stand in the town, it is a relatively quiet resort area where the locals are still engaged in traditional activities such as agriculture and wine production.

Kissamos is nearby some of the most exotic beaches on the island, such as Falassarna, Elafonisi to the southeast, and the fantastic Balos lagoon near Gramvousa. Kissamos may seem like a laid-back town now, but in the past, it was an ancient port that saw Roman and Byzantine rule, as well as raiding pirates. You can discover more about its intriguing past by visiting the town’s museum, the 6th-century site of the Dorian town of Polyrrinia, as well as soaking up the natural beauty of its spectacular coastline and inland gorges.

Kissamos offers you the relaxation of a traditional Cretan town and its world-renowned cuisine while being the gateway to some of the best beaches in Crete.

Routes and Ferries to Kissamos

 Book your ferry to Kissamos with Ferryscanner and depart from the port of Piraeus in Athens for a 10-13 hour journey with lines such as Seajets. If you are in the Peloponnese, you can book ferry tickets to Kissamos from the lovely port of Gytheio in Laconia and enjoy a trip lasting 6.30 hours.

Ferries also cross to Kissamos from the nearby islands of Kythira (3.15) and Antikythera (1.45 hrs) so you can even visit for a day, although you may wish to stay longer to take in all of the sights. If you are travelling from Europe, you can book your ferry tickets from Italy to Patras with Ferryscanner and then take the ferry from Gytheio, which stops off at Kythira and Antikythera as well.

If you wish to book your ferry tickets for Kissamos to sail from the port of Piraeus in Athens upon arrival at Athens International Airport, express buses can take you there, with the X96 bus leaving every 30-40 minutes. Taxis are also available to transfer you to the port and if you are already in the city center, there are frequent train connections to Piraeus.

Port of Kissamos

As a port town, Kissamos is a hub of activity, with ferries coming and going throughout the year. Despite its popularity, it has retained its charm as a traditional fishing village where the pace of life is slow and relaxed.

It is located in the wide Bay of Kissamos, which is formed by the two prominent peninsulas of Gramvousa and Rodopou, giving it an impressive setting indeed. The town has a nice long pebbly and sandy beach and it offers all the amenities one would need, such as waterfront taverns, shops, banks, and cafés along the promenade.

There is a small fishing port as well as the larger one serving the passenger ferries arriving from Piraeus, the Peloponnese, Kythira, and connecting ferries from Chania. It is from here that you can also catch the boats that make daily cruises to the impressive island of Gramvousa and the beautiful Balos lagoon.

Capital & Villages

Kissamos Town

 The main town of Kissamos, or Kastelli as it is also known, has remained very untouched by the influx of tourism. The pedestrianized roads mean that you can wander around with ease, browsing its many shops before stopping at one of the cafés and taverns.

Visit the archaeological museum while you are here, which is housed in a recently renovated building in the central square of Stratigou Tzanakaki. It has exhibits dating from the Hellenistic to the Roman periods, as well as from Crete’s more recent past.

Explore the old quarter of the town at Skalidi Street with its traditional arched buildings and local craft shops before enjoying some delicious Cretan cuisine at one of the welcoming restaurants.

Kaliviani

Kaliviani is a tiny village just a couple of kilometers east of Kissamos which is worth visiting if you wish to get an insight into authentic village life. It has a population of about 300 residents who are engaged in traditional farming and you will notice how the area is surrounded by verdant olive groves.

One thing you can also enjoy is the wonderful view over the Bay of Kissamos and it is the ideal place to stay if you want to embrace the true spirit of Cretan life.

 Ennia Horia

Ennia Horia are nine villages scattered around the mountains of the Kastelli region and most of them are so small that people simply drive through them on their way to Elafonisi. Covered in dense chestnut tree forests, this is a beautiful region and you can stop off at the hamlets of Vathi, Kefali, Vlatos, Elos, Perivolia, Chrysoskalitissa, Amigdalokefali, and Kambos to get a sense of the untouched local mountain lifestyle.

Milia

Milia is the 9th village in the mountainous terrain mentioned above, and it’s the most famous due to its reconstructed traditional houses, funded by the European Community. Set high up on the slopes and tucked away from the rest of the world in a lush wooded area, where it seems that time has stood still.

The village stood abandoned before it was turned into a self-sufficient ecotourism retreat. Amenities are limited to solar power and log burners but you will love the rustic charm and the exquisite farm-to-table dishes served at its one and only restaurant.

Polyrinia

Do visit the village of Polyrinia, built upon the foothills of the ancient city of Polyrinia, 7 km south of Kastelli. You will notice that many of the houses have been built with materials from the old city, merging old and new in an unlikely way.

Check out the impressive Andrianos aqueduct with the marble fountains and the remains of an old olive mill, the pillars of which were taken from the temple of Artemis. Also of interest is the church of the Holy Mother built inside a cave, which once served as a secret school during the Ottoman occupation.

Ancient Polyrinia

Ancient Polyrinia used to stand on the hilltop at a height of 418 meters and when you visit the archaeological site you will be amazed at the fantastic views overlooking the Cretan and the Libyan Sea. The city itself was founded by the Dorians in the 6th century BCE and later became a Roman stronghold and the best-fortified city of Crete before the Venetians took over.

Many of the old structures go back to the Roman period and include an aqueduct built by Hadrian and the Byzantine acropolis. The Church of the Holy Fathers that you can see today was built on the site of the ancient Temple of Artemis, using material from the original ancient structure.

Best Beaches

When you book your ferry ticket to Kissamos, you are gaining access to some of the most stunning beaches in Crete and even in all of Greece, which visitors flock from all over the world to see.

Dive into blue lagoons, pink-shelled coastlines, and turquoise coves as you explore the best beaches near Kissamos.

Balos Lagoon

There is nowhere more spectacular than the beautiful blue lagoon of Balos; an extraordinary paradise sitting opposite the windswept headland of Mount Geroskinos, where you can see the rocky islet of Gramvousa.

As you wade through the shallow waters, you will feel as if you are somewhere in the Caribbean and the mesmerizing setting is simply picture perfect. Getting to the beach by road is quite a journey so it is easier to take one of the boats leaving daily from Kissamos port, which usually combines the trip with lunch or snacks on board.

Gramvousa

The island of Imeri Gramvousa is 20 km northwest of Kissamos and is right next to Balos Lagoon. It is a large rock which you can ascend to explore the Venetian fortress and check out the great view. An abandoned shipwreck can be spotted near one of its two large bays and the turquoise cove near the church of the Holy Apostles offers crystalline waters for swimmers and snorkelers.

The area of Gramvousa is a protected nature reserve as it is home to more than 100 species of birds and 400 species of flora, in addition to the Mediterranean seal (Monachus monachus) and the endangered sea turtle (Caretta caretta).

Falasarna

Falasarna (or Phalasarna) is located on the west of Crete just 15 kilometers from Kissamos and upon arrival, you will be stunned by its raw, natural beauty. The azure waters stretch along a fine sandy beach and its position makes it a unique sunset spot after a day of basking in its transparent sea.

As you approach the beach, you will pass through a fertile coastal plain and 1.5 kilometers away, you can explore the cave of Nerospillia, which was used even as far back as the Middle Minoan Period.

Elafonisi

Elafonisi lies to the south of Kissamos and is well worth the 41-kilometer trek, as you will never see another beach like this in Europe. It is formed into an oblong peninsula that often breaks into segments, creating tiny islets surrounded by shallow water. Sand dunes join the coastline but what makes it even more impressive is the pink sand that is composed of minuscule shards of shells.

The beach is well organized and prepared to serve the huge number of visitors but is also home to the loggerhead sea turtle and therefore a Natura 2000 protected area. On your way to the beach, you will pass through the lush village of Elos and the imposing Topolia Gorge.

Mavros Molos

If you want to enjoy a swim nearer to the center of Kissamos, you can go to Mavros Molos and enjoy relaxing on the long, sandy bay. It is the town’s main beach so offers facilities for all the family and has shallow, clean waters for you to bathe in.

Some tamarisk trees provide a natural shade and to the west of the beach lies a smaller cove which is perfect for snorkeling.

Transportation Around Kissamos

Kissamos is easy to get around on foot because it is so small, while also being well-connected to Chania and other major towns in northern Crete by the coastal road, with regular buses and taxis to transport you.

Renting a car is a very good idea, as it allows you to venture further to the west and south, where you will discover traditional villages, unknown beaches and spectacular scenery. Local boats leave the port daily for excursions to Balos and Gramvousa, so you can also enjoy the wonderful coastal scenery from the sea.