Excellence Luxury Villas · Kissamos
Luxury Villa Rentals in Kissamos
Sea-view villas on the far western edge of Crete, between the Balos lagoon and the long sands of Falassarna
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The last town before the wild west of Crete
Kissamos is a working harbour town that the locals still often call Kastelli. It sits on a wide gulf between two bare, rocky peninsulas, Rodopou to the east and Gramvousa to the west. Beyond it there is no other real town, just olive groves, chestnut villages and some of the finest beaches in Greece.
Our Kissamos collection runs to 60+ properties. They range from sea-view apartments with shared or infinity pools to hillside villas above Kaliviani and Falassarna, and the largest has 20 bedrooms, enough for a whole family gathering.
Below you will find where to stay, what to see and when to come.
Kissamos at a glance
- Villas
- 60+ villas and apartments, with up to 20 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £3,200 to £5,400 a week, from around £2,200
- Best areas
- Kissamos town, Kaliviani, Falassarna and the villages along the gulf
- Highlights
- The Balos lagoon, Gramvousa's Venetian fortress, Falassarna beach and ancient Polyrrinia
- Getting there
- Chania airport, around 56 km away, roughly an hour by road
Browse all 60+ villas in Kissamosor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Kaikias Agia Paraskevi Kissamos: Spacious 8-Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views & Pool – Crete8 bedrooms
Villa Lysias Falassarna Kissamos: Luxury 20-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Swimming Pool – Kissamos20 bedrooms
Villa Lefki Drapano Kissamos: Luxury 6-Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views & Pool – Kissamos6 bedrooms
Villa Lefkos Falasarna Kissamos: Spacious 8-Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views & Pool – Kissamos8 bedroomsWhere to stay in Kissamos
Kissamos town for the harbour and the boats to Balos, Kaliviani for the foot of the Gramvousa peninsula, Falassarna for its beach and sunsets, with Chania and the resorts of Platanias and Agia Marina further east.
A harbour town that kept its own life
Kissamos has never been built over for tourism. It has a long seafront promenade with fish tavernas, a market-town centre and a small archaeological museum whose Roman mosaics came from the ancient city underneath the streets.
Villas along the gulf, in villages such as Drapanias and Kaliviani, look north over the water to the two peninsulas. They put you within a short drive of the port, the beaches and the town's evening volta along the front.
Search villas in Kissamos
The lagoon everyone comes west to see
The Gramvousa peninsula runs north from Kissamos to the Balos lagoon: shallow turquoise water, pale sand tinged with pink, and protected under the Natura 2000 network. Boats leave Kissamos port each day from April to October. Most of them call first at Gramvousa islet, where a Venetian fortress from 1579 overlooks a rusting shipwreck in the bay below.
You can also drive along the peninsula on an unmade road and walk down to the lagoon. Either way, go early, before the wind and the day boats arrive. Our concierge can arrange a private boat instead.
Ask about a private boat
Sunset sands and two ancient cities
Falassarna, about 16 kilometres west of Kissamos, is a long run of sand facing the open sea. It is the place in western Crete for a sunset. At its northern end lie the remains of an ancient harbour city. The land here has risen since antiquity, so its stone quays now stand well back from the water.
Inland, around 7 kilometres south of Kissamos, the acropolis of Polyrrinia sits on a hilltop above the village of the same name. It is a short, stiff climb, with views right across the gulf.
Explore Chania
Fish on the front, chestnuts in October
Eat the day's catch on the harbour, Cretan dishes such as dakos and slow-cooked lamb in the hill villages, and finish with a glass of tsikoudia, the local spirit that comes unasked at the end of most meals.
The boats to Balos run from April to October, and the sea stays warm well into autumn. In October the village of Elos, in the chestnut country to the south, holds its chestnut festival, with music, dancing and roasted chestnuts. Our concierge can arrange boat days, car hire, private chefs and transfers from Chania.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Kissamos
Villa Kissamos Meltemi: Spacious 7-Bedroom Apartment with Sea Views – Kissamos7 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £6,825 a week
Villa Lefkos Kolymbari Kissamos: Spacious 5-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Sea Views – Kissamos5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £6,062 a week
Villa Lysias Malaxa Kissamos: Elegant 4-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool – Kissamos4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,705 a week
Villa Ostria Agia Paraskevi Kissamos: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Crete4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,565 a week
Villa Auge Balos Kissamos: Luxury 3-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Kissamos3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £5,460 a week
Villa Chrysos Agia Paraskevi Kissamos: Luxurious 4-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Crete4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,376 a week
Villa Meltemi Kissamos: 3-Bedroom Beachfront Apartment with Pool – Kissamos Crete3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £5,243 a week
Villa Lefkos Falassarna Kissamos: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Kissamos4 bedrooms · sleeps 9From £5,012 a weekWhy book your Kissamos villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Kissamos villas are spread from the harbour to the hills above Falassarna and the Gramvousa peninsula, and we know which are a short drive from the Balos boats and which look straight at the sunset. With 60+ properties in Kissamos, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Private boats to Balos and Gramvousa, car hire, private chefs, taverna reservations, guided walks to Polyrrinia and transfers from Chania airport. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I stay in Kissamos?
Kissamos town and the villages along the gulf, such as Kaliviani and Drapanias, are best for the harbour, tavernas and boats to Balos. Falassarna suits those who want to be near a long sandy beach and the best sunsets on the coast.
When is the best time to visit Kissamos?
Late May to early October is best for swimming, and the Balos boats run from April to October. September is especially good, with warm water and fewer people. October brings the chestnut festival at Elos.
How do you get to the Balos lagoon from Kissamos?
Boats leave Kissamos port daily from April to October, usually calling at Gramvousa islet as well as Balos. You can also drive the unmade road along the Gramvousa peninsula and walk down to the lagoon. Go early to avoid the crowds.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Kissamos?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Kissamos cost?
Across our 60+ villas in Kissamos, weekly rates typically range from £3,200 to £5,400, with the most affordable from around £2,200 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to Kissamos?
Chania airport is around 56 kilometres away, roughly an hour by road along the north coast. A hire car is the practical choice for reaching Balos, Falassarna and the villages. Our concierge can arrange private transfers.
Are there villas in Kissamos for large groups?
Yes. Our Kissamos collection includes properties with up to 20 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Kissamos
60+ villas and apartments around Kissamos, booked direct with our concierge on hand