Holidays to Kissamos

Top attractions

Go back in time and explore the treasure of the past on your Kissamos holiday. The Chania region is full of history and ancient remnants. The Archaeological Museum of Kissamos will allow you to delve into the history and culture of Crete. The Rotunda of Michael Archangelos is one of the area’s most impressive landmarks, while a visit to the fascinating old town of Chania will allow you to experience even more of the area’s history.

If you’re keen to explore the local environment, you’ll come across some outstanding natural wonders. The well-known Cave of Agia Sophia near Kissamos is a remarkable sight, full of twisted stalagmites and stalactites. The Sirikari Gorge that runs from the village of Sirikari down to Polyrrinia can be explored on a three hour walk, where you will see a wealth of beautiful plants and as well as wild animals. Another gorge, the Keramari Gorge near to near Kissamos, is the entrance to the traditional village of Milia.

Beaches

The lure of the ocean has never been greater than on Kissamos holidays. There is a wonderful choice of beaches to descend upon, all promising immense indulgence on glorious soft sands and in the warm, clear waters of the Aegean. Separated by a canal, there are two beaches in Kissamos, the pebbly Telonio beach to the east and the sandy Mavros Molos in the west.

Nearby, Balos Beach and lagoon is an undeniably idyllic setting. Known for its remarkable blue waters, it’s perfectly calm and great for little ones to splash around. Kedrodasos Beach and Sfinari Beach will provide even more satisfaction for beach bums searching for thrills and spills in the sun, including water sports.

An hour’s drive away in the south west of Crete, sits the beach of Elafonissi with its magical pink sand. It’s a very popular beach and the unique sands are definitely worth seeing, as is the islet of Elafonissi, which is separated from the mainland by a pretty lagoon.

Eating out

The healthy diet of Crete, which is influenced by both Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, can be sampled all over Kissamos. With a menu of Cretan specialties, like Kissamos roast rabbit and the famous local wine, you will get the chance to indulge your taste buds at a range of eateries. The wonderful family-run taverna culture here means that you are sure to find a friendly place to eat on your Kissamos holiday, plus the family style of eating, where everyone shares, means you can get to know one another better.

The majority of restaurants and tavernas in Kissamos are on the beach by the promenade or on Venizelou Square and Tzanakaki Square, like Taverna Petra, which serves the best souvlaki in town, alongside heady olive oil, the local’s liquid gold. For a quintessential tavern experienced, head to the family-owned Taverna Sunset, which is aptly located on the waterfront and boasts a menu of grilled meats and fresh fish.

Nightlife

Known as one of Greece’s party islands, Crete knows how to show holidaymakers a good time. Most of the after-hours entertainment in Kissamos is centred on the quaint cafés and tavernas. During the summer months, many of the cafés turn into stylish bars and clubs in the evening.

Like in Kissamos, nearby Chania has several tavernas that transform into live music venues during summer. If you want to party into the early hours, the majority of late-night bars and night clubs are in Chania’s harbour area. Fagotto Jazz Bar is one the oldest and most popular jazz bars in the city located in Old Chania town in a 15th century Venetian building. With jazz, swing and blues live music shows galore, you can enjoy a cocktail in an intimate setting.

Younger clubbers tend to flock to the beach resort of Platanias, spending the evening on the main strip, which is home to the most popular nightclubs on the island.

Family holidays

The beaches in Kissamos are a major draw for the whole family. With the warm waters of the Aegean Sea, golden sands to sunbathe and play on and fantastic boat trips, family holidays are made in Kissamos.

As it’s managed to keep itself a secret, you can expect a wonderfully untouched and quiet welcome from this resort. Known for being a tranquil town, Kissamos is surrounded by a stunning landscape of gorges, forests, valleys and mountains that the kids will enjoy exploring. For the active family, Kissamos’ outdoors is ideal, with incredible mountains and desert-island beaches. Want to see the countryside from a different perspective? Why not rent bikes or go on a horse-riding trek, where you can choose your own pace?

Day trips to the spectacular Balos Lagoon, or Gramvousa Island and its famous Venetian castle should also feature on your family’s itinerary.

Couples holidays

The beaches in Kissamos are a major draw for the whole family. With the warm waters of the Aegean Sea, golden sands to sunbathe and play on and fantastic boat trips, family holidays are made in Kissamos.

As it’s managed to keep itself a secret, you can expect a wonderfully untouched and quiet welcome from this resort. Known for being a tranquil town, Kissamos is surrounded by a stunning landscape of gorges, forests, valleys and mountains that the kids will enjoy exploring. For the active family, Kissamos’ outdoors is ideal, with incredible mountains and desert-island beaches. Want to see the countryside from a different perspective? Why not rent bikes or go on a horse-riding trek, where you can choose your own pace?

Day trips to the spectacular Balos Lagoon, or Gramvousa Island and its famous Venetian castle should also feature on your family’s itinerary.

Action & Adventure

The coast of Kissamos is home to wonderful walking trails that lead to beautiful coves, caves and much more. If you enjoy hiking then Kissamos is the ideal base for picturesque walks and hikes down gorges. One notable gorge to visit is the 1500-metre long Topolia Gorge with immensely tall, sheer cliffs and lots of caves.

If you want to discover more of what the sea has to offer and simply swimming in the shallow shores doesn’t do it for you, then book onto a rib safari to Rodopou Peninsula and Menies Beach on the western coast. Here you can explore the rocky terrain through the sea and swim to secluded beaches.

On the rocky Rodopou Peninsula adventurous types can tackle the barren dirt tracks to Diktynna sanctuary at the end of the peninsula. You can choose to get there by four-wheeled drive or walk, but be sure to pack refreshments, as there’s not much life beyond the town of Afrata.

Culture

Surrounded by many traditional villages, like Nopigia with its delightful ancient stone theatre and Kalathenes with the Venetian villa known as the Rotonda, you are sure to find a piece of Kissamos’ long history. Even its alternative name ‘Kastelli’, meaning castle, is a nod to its past, given after the Venetian fortress that still remains in Kissamos.

You cannot go a Kissamos holiday without visiting the Kissamos Archaeological Museum in Tzanakaki Square. With historical artefacts from Kissamos and the town of Polyrrinia, you will learn more about the region’s past, as well as witness the clay "Master Impression." Another site to broaden your mind is the newly established Eirinaios Museum.

If you fancy a day trip, head to Elafonissi to see the Chryssoskalitissa Monastery. Also known as the ‘Monastery of the Golden Step’, the religious monument is named after the iconic golden step leading up to it. In Chania, Kastelli Hill next to Venetian harbour is home to a Byzantine fortification and further down are excavations at Agia Ekaterini Square.