# Phalasarna > Augmented reality exploration and historical simulation of Ancient Phalasarna. (iPhone/iPad app by CodeGrind AB.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phalasarna/id1017734231 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [CodeGrind AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/463424157) - Category: Education, Travel - Price: Free - Rating: 4.00/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 9.1 · 356 MB - Languages: American English, Norwegian Bokmål, Swedish - Released: 2015-07-20 - Data updated: 2026-06-11 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phalasarna/id1017734231/reviews.md ## What is Phalasarna? Ancient Phalasarna is located on the west coast of Crete. The Phalasarna situated simulation tells the dramatic story of this fascinating city based on the archaeological findings and written sources. If you are traveling in this area you should download the app and visit Ancient Phalasarna (50 km west of Chania). Move around on the archaeological site with your iPhone or iPad and explore the current ruins and remains and compare with their realtime 3D reconstructions. You will experience Ancient Phalasarna as it may have looked in 330 BC when the fortified harbour was built with Persian funding to prevent Alexander the Great’s empire from further expansion. You can also witness the Roman attack on Phalasarna in 69 BC when Phalasarna had become a port for pirates. In the app you can use Snapshot to take parallel photos of both the real and the virtual environment and then share online. You can also test your knowledge about the site with the built–in quiz, as well as consult the MapView for easy navigation. NB! The Phalasarna app is location–based and works only when you are physically at Ancient Phalasarna. Download the app for free before you leave home or at your local hotel, to avoid roaming charges and limited cellular bandwidth. ## Key features - Augmented reality 3D reconstructions - Location-based exploration - Historical narrative - Built-in knowledge quiz - Snapshot photo feature - MapView for navigation ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phalasarna/id1017734231/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Bas assumption *2024-10-25* App won’t load unless you’re onsite. Basically, you need to download the app using cell data and the site has to be open (though hours are really limited). Otherwise you can never access the app images. Fail. ### 5/5 — Phalasarna app *2020-05-30* Digital reconstruction of this important site with 3 historical layers: today, when it was built in the 4th c BC, and during the Roman attack. ### 4/5 — Use of app *2018-08-29* Great app when on site looking at the current view verses in ancient times. Really liked the Birdseye view. Would have liked the “earthquake” re-enacted to show the uplift. A bit annoying when taking a snapshot with the app re. today verses the past when the port was working and sending it to what’s app. All this did was send a link to the receiver for the Phalasarna App with no photo. Emailing the photo to myself worked. Would like to be able to access information on Phalasarna when offsite. The App had to restart every time I decided to take a photo with my phone rather than through the app which was frustrating. Overall a great app to use which made the trip around the ruins more fun ## Frequently asked questions about Phalasarna ### What is Phalasarna? Phalasarna is an augmented reality app that allows you to explore the ancient city of Phalasarna on Crete. It provides 3D reconstructions of the ruins and tells the city's dramatic story based on archaeological findings. ### How does Phalasarna work? Phalasarna is location-based and works only when you are physically at Ancient Phalasarna. You can move around the site with your iPhone or iPad to compare current ruins with their real-time 3D reconstructions. ### Can I use Phalasarna offline? It is recommended to download the app before you leave home or at your hotel to avoid roaming charges and limited cellular bandwidth, suggesting offline functionality once downloaded and at the site. ### What historical periods does Phalasarna cover? Phalasarna covers significant periods in the city's history, including the construction of its fortified harbor in 330 BC and the Roman attack in 69 BC when it served as a port for pirates. ### Does Phalasarna have ads? No, Phalasarna does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use without any ad interruptions. ### What devices support Phalasarna? Phalasarna is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed for Apple's mobile operating system. ### How often is Phalasarna updated? The latest version of Phalasarna is 1.2, which was last updated on November 13, 2017. This indicates infrequent updates in recent years. ### What is the age rating for Phalasarna? Phalasarna has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including younger individuals interested in history and exploration. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.2 — 2017-11-13 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. • Fixed an issue with device orientation occurring on some devices • Bug fixes • Content corrections ### 1.1 — 2015-07-23 • Revisions of terrain and models • Improved Roman attack scene • Content corrections ### 1.0 — 2015-07-20 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Phalasarna | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Colonies of Chalcidice AR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colonies-of-chalcidice-ar/id6479049809) | — | Free | Education | | [Gyaros Story](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gyaros-story/id6478207019) | — | Free | Education | | [ToposText](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/topostext/id1061003115) | 4.5 (13) | Free | Education | | [Agios Nikolaos Arch. Museum](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/agios-nikolaos-arch-museum/id6478706088) | — | Free | Education | | [NaxosAR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/naxosar/id6464475417) | — | Free | Education | | [Polis Inventory](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polis-inventory/id1527341314) | 4.9 (8) | Free | Education | ## More apps by CodeGrind AB - [Omaha Beach](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/omaha-beach/id1242113984) All apps by CodeGrind AB: https://appshunter.io/developer/463424157 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*