In my post about the beautiful Elafonissi beach and lagoon, I mentioned that Falassarna is the perfect spot for sun-downers. Situated on the western part of the island, the sun sets over the wide expanse of the sea.
What to Eat and Do
There is a massive sandy parking area behind the beach. Right nearby is a restaurant that looks like a really fantastic spot for sundowners and/or dinner, Playa Paraiso. It seems to be open over the weekend only (when I was there in September at least). Panorama Family Tavern is another place to grab dinner on the south side of the beach. This side of the sandy beach is dotted with loungers and equipment for water activities like SUP boarding or windsurfing are available for rent.
If you walk further north, you’ll find some rocks, caves and tamarisk trees. This seems to be a quieter part of the beach, so don’t be surprised if you bump into some tourists tanning their sensitive bits.
Explore Ancient Phalasarna
There is an ancient city right nearby. To find these ancient city ruins, follow the dirt road that continues north. Look out for the big, throne-shaped rock, Poseidon’s Throne, on your left, and keep going. There’s parking right near the ancient city.
I found it interesting to see that the ruins are still being excavated. There was some machinery and men at work on the dig while we were there. If you have an iPhone, there’s an app that can walk you through the ruins with some additional in-depth explanation. The highlight for me, was learning about how seawater was used within this historic city and the fact that the people used fish tanks.
Hike to Balos
Marked by a tall palm tree, a little white chapel stands out on the landscape above Ancient Phalasarna. If you head in this direction, passing the church on your left, you’ll arrive at a goat pen. There’s a sign on the gate that says “Balos” with an up arrow. I saw some people walking in that way, between the goats, so it must be the way to go. There’s a map nearby detailing the 8km one-way hike if you’re up for the challenge. There are other ways to get to Balos. You can hike from the Kissamos side, catch a ferry or hitch up the Kilvani road.
