Kissamos Village

Kastelli or Kissamos is a small town of about 2,000 inhabitants, with an attractive little harbour, lots of shops, cafeteria and tavernas mostly along the seafront, a long history and a lively atmosphere.The village is located 43 kilometres from Chania at the northwest end of the island.

It is a busy place, offering everything tourists may need, although it does not seem very impressive at first but don’t forget that the west coast of Crete includes some of the island’s most famous sights, such as Elafonissi, Falassarna and Balos on Cape Gramvoussa.
On first arriving at Kissamos, you see the large beach of grey sand stretching out in front of the town and the rocky coast to the west.

In the west part of Kissamos is the main road, Heroon Polytechniou Street, full of shops and supermarkets. But in the summer (and all year round when the weather’s good), the heart of town beats on the coast road, near Tzanakaki Square or Kastelli Square, which is mostly pedestrianised, letting visitors and residents alike enjoy a stroll by the sea.
The Kissamos area is particularly fertile, rich in grapes, sultanas, wine and raki (tsikoudia). The town played an important part from early historical times onwards, as the provincial capital and economic centre of Kissamos Province in Chania Prefecture.
The harbour of Kissamos is outside the town, linking Crete to the Peloponnese, Chania Prefecture to Kythera, Gythio and Kalamata. There are also daily boat trips to Gramvoussa and Balos Beach.