The site of the ancient Falassarna is located on the western edge of Cape Gramvousa on the west coast of Crete.
In ancient times it was called Korykos and included the rocky promontory, where the citadel was situated, with its stunning views of the sea west of Crete.

Falasarna served as one port of Polyrrhenia but it was never dependent on Polyrrhenia, with its main peak in the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
It was named after the bride – local hero Falassarna.

The area was inhabited during the Middle Minoan era, it flourished though during the Hellenistic period, as ancient Falassarna was situated on the navy road that linked the Ptolemaic Alexandria and the Aegean.
The sources of its prosperity may be derived from the common practice of piracy in the Mediterranean, which brought Falassarna into conflict with the Roman political, social and economic network, which then spread.

In an effort to reduce piracy centers, Rome then set up Roman military enclaves around the island who destroyed the city in 69 BC.
The town never recovered, while a Roman settlement localized south was again called Falasarna.
Other factors, such as sea level rise, also helped for ancient Falassarna to decline.