Ancient Polyrrhenia

About

A hilltop city above Kissamos with huge views.

Polyrrhenia lies on a steep hill above the modern village of the same name, about 7 km south of Kissamos. It was founded by Dorian settlers around the 8th century BC and became one of the most powerful cities of western Crete, controlling the ports of Kissamos and Falasarna.

You can still see parts of the city walls, rock-cut tombs, an aqueduct and the foundations of a temple, on which a church of the Holy Fathers was later built. The climb from the village takes about 20 minutes, and from the top the view over the gulf of Kissamos and the Gramvousa and Rodopou peninsulas is breathtaking.

Kissamos is the wild north-west corner of Crete. The landscape is rugged and dry near the coast and green in the hills, with chestnut villages, olive groves and vineyards. Beaches here are among the most beautiful on the island: Balos, Falasarna and the coves of Gramvousa, reached by boat from Kissamos harbour. The town itself is a relaxed place with Roman mosaics in its museum and tavernas by the sea. The sunsets on the west coast are unforgettable.

Getting there

About 6 km from Kissamos by road.

On the map

35.45700, 23.65200 · See on map