Between the Gramvousa Peninsula and the offshore islet of Tigani lies a Caribbean-like setting with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. The Balos lagoon is breathtaking; getting there is a challenge, and leaving is even harder given the beauty of this highlight of Crete.
Balos, in the far northwest of the island, is one of Crete’s most popular attractions and can only be reached by boat or via a bumpy gravel road.
Tom & Ella
Yet it’s not that easy to reach this remote spot in Crete; car rental companies even contractually exclude the trip to Balos. So the only option is to travel there on a more or less crowded tour boat. Experienced hikers can also explore Balos on foot—it’s a 10-kilometer walk from civilization to Balos Beach.
We’ll tell you in the next few lines whether the arduous journey to Balos is even worth it for you. We’ve also included the most important tips and information for your trip to Balos:
#1 Getting to Balos
The Balos lagoon is located in the far northwest of Crete, almost at the end of the Gramvousa Peninsula. The nearest major town, Kissamos (Kasteli), is about 15 km away.
You can reach Balos on your own by car via a rough gravel road or by ferry from Kissamos. Alternatively, a guided boat tour or an organized jeep tour is available.
Coming from Chania or Rethymno, you can reach Balos by car via the E65 expressway (New Road), which runs along the north coast to Kissamos and ends at the Kavonisi harbor in the coastal town. Boat tours to the lagoon depart from here.
Alternatively, you can continue along the coast to the Gramvousa Peninsula in an off-road vehicle or a standard rental car (with off-road insurance).
Distances to Balos
› Chania – Balos: 52 km (1 hr)
› Rethymno – Balos: 114 km (2 hrs)
› Heraklion – Balos: 190 km (3 hrs)
› Agios Nikolaos – Balos: 250 km (4 hrs)
› Ierapetra – Balos: 280 km (4.5 hours)
› Sitia – Balos: 315 km (5 hrs)
Balos by Rental Car
Just behind the Balos Beach Hotel in the south of the Gramvousa Peninsula, an 8 km-long gravel road begins (travel time approx. 25 min), leading you to the parking lot above the Balos Lagoon. At the start of the route, there is a ticket booth where a fee of €1 per person is charged for using the road.
The dusty road to Balos is littered with potholes and bumps and is consequently in terrible condition. We personally recommend driving on this road only in an off-road vehicle with appropriate insurance.
However, every day, numerous small cars also brave the arduous drive to the lagoon. If you plan to drive the road to Balos by rental car, you should definitely check with your rental car company in advance to see if gravel roads are covered in case of damage.
With most rental companies, driving on unpaved roads is not covered by insurance, and in the event of damage or a breakdown, you’ll be left to cover the costs yourself. Many rental companies now also use GPS tracking for their vehicles to ensure they can trace the vehicle in case of damage. It is recommended to book an off-road rental car for Balos, e.g., through our partner Discover Cars*:
➲ View offers on Discover Cars*
Best time to visit Balos
This dreamy bay is one of the most popular destinations in Crete. If you want to enjoy the enchanting lagoon without crowds, we recommend visiting before 9 a.m. during peak season and before 11 a.m. during the off-season.
Parking at Balos
About one kilometer from Balos Beach, there is a large unpaved parking area where you can park your rental car for a fee (approx. €3). To ensure optimal use of the parking spaces, there are several attendants who will wave you into the appropriate parking spot.
In addition to a restroom (€1), the parking lot also features a simple canteen offering snacks and drinks. A footpath (Monopati) leads you westward over a mountain saddle to the Balos Beach Viewpoint. From the viewing platform, the descent to the beach via numerous steps takes about 10 minutes.
Especially during peak season, the large parking lot at Balos can fill up very quickly. We recommend arriving before 10 a.m. to secure a parking spot. Be careful when maneuvering: Since this is a wild area, goats often roam the grounds.
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By Bus to Balos
A public bus to Balos operated by KTEL Chania-Rethymno runs daily from Chania during the season, including at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., taking just over an hour to reach the port of Kissamos.
From here, several excursion boats depart daily between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. for the Balos Lagoon. For the return trip from Kissamos to Chania, there are various departure times to choose from, including 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. A one-way ticket costs €6.20.
During the high season, it is recommended to purchase your bus ticket in advance online on the KTEL website or at the Chania bus station (near the Samaria Hotel).
→ You can view current bus schedules to Balos here: KTEL Chania
#2 Guided Tours to Balos
The most popular way to reach Balos Beach is by boat. At the Kissamos harbor, numerous excursion boats and ferries are available for transport to the bay.
If you prefer a quieter experience and don’t want to travel with the crowds, you can rent a motorboat for Balos at the port of Kissamos. A boat license is not required. After a brief orientation, you can explore the Balos lagoon on your own when wind conditions are suitable.
Through the GetYourGuide* portal, you can book guided day tours to Balos from Chania and Rethymno. Alternatively, smaller boats also depart from the hamlets of Limeniskos and Falasarna to Balos. Here you can find out more about the excursions and reserve your spot directly if needed:
➲ To the online ferry ticket from Kissamos*
➲ To the organized tour from Chania*
➲ To the organized tour from Rethymno*
➲ To the speedboat tour from Falasarna (Limeniskos)*
The tours typically include round-trip bus transportation, an English- or German-speaking guide, and hotel pickup (depending on location).
Important Balos Info: The boat ticket is not included in the day tours from Chania and Rethymno and costs approximately €27–30 extra. Food and drinks are available on board the boats for an additional fee.
Balos Weather: The picturesque colors of the lagoon landscape are especially beautiful in bright sunshine and under blue skies. If it is cloudy with strong winds from the north, we recommend postponing the trip to another day. Strong gusts of wind occur in the strait between Balos and the Gramvousa Peninsula, making conditions in the lagoon unpleasant.
Small Group Tour to Balos
Are you looking for a special excursion for you and your loved ones, where you can enjoy this top attraction in Crete undisturbed, far away from the crowds? You also have the option to book a private Balos tour with a local guide in an SUV. More info on GetYourGuide*:
➲ To the private tour with lunch*
#3 Interesting Facts About Balos in Crete
The name Balos refers both to the bay in northwestern Crete and to the stunning lagoon landscape and dune beach located there.
Balos is located on the Gramvousa Peninsula, a nearly 12-kilometer-long, virtually uninhabited rocky promontory that juts out into the sea to the northwesternmost point of Crete, Cape Vouxa.
In front of the impressive lagoon lies the 117-meter-high islet of Tigani, which is connected to the Gramvousa Peninsula by a flat sandbar.
Depending on the season and weather conditions, the sandbar changes its shape and width and can occasionally be cut off from the sea. To the east lies the 500-meter-long Balos Lagoon, which is barely deeper than 50 cm.
The lagoon captivates visitors immediately, as the water shimmers in gorgeous shades of blue. The fine white sandy beach, made up of shells and coral, creates a paradisiacal South Sea atmosphere.
Once you’ve navigated the rough gravel road from Kaliviani, it’s about a 20-minute walk from the Balos parking lot to the lagoon. The descent (100 meters in elevation) is well-maintained, and after 10 minutes, a viewpoint with a breathtaking panorama awaits you. The lagoon appears like an enchanted oasis in the barren landscape.
Balos Hike and Tigani Island
You can walk all the way around the lagoon in about 30 minutes. Once you reach the bottom, follow the beach to the left until you come to the raised reef. Blue arrows mark the path around the lagoon to Tigani Island.
The path leads past washed-out sea basins where sea salt accumulates. Sturdy footwear is required here, as the rocks are sharp-edged. After a few minutes and a couple of wooden walkways, you’ll reach Tigani Island.
Here, it’s worth taking a short detour to the Church of Agion Panton (Chapel of All Saints) above the ferry landing (Balos Jetty). From the church, you can watch the bustling activity in the lagoon.
Experienced hikers can climb over hill and dale from here to the island’s highest point (117 m). Everyone else continues along the circular path along the northern stretch of beach. The knee-deep channel near the beach umbrellas and lounge chairs can be carefully waded through.
💡 Dress code for Balos: The steep descent down to the lagoon and the crossing of the rocky reef on the beach make sturdy footwear essential—you won’t get far here in flip-flops. Additionally, due to the wind tunnel between the two landmasses, it can get unexpectedly cool in May and October despite sunny weather. So, if you’re sensitive to the cold, it’s best to pack warm clothes. Our packing list for your Greece vacation is available here: Vacation Checklist
Imeri Gramvousa and Kastro Islands
Those who reach the Balos lagoon by boat also have the opportunity to visit the island of Imeri Gramvousa. On this rocky island, located about two kilometers from Balos, lie the ruins of the 16th-century Venetian fortress of Kastro Gramvousas.
In the early 19th century, Kastro served as a pirate hideout; at times, up to 3,000 people are said to have lived here. This is why the area is also known as the “Pirate Bay of Balos.” Even today, the fortress walls are still fully preserved in places. Inside, visitors can explore several ruins and medieval chapels.
Balos Beach Swimming Tips:
› Beach chairs: Pair with umbrella starting at €15
› Restrooms: Outhouse (€1), showers, and changing rooms
› Food: one canteen (snack bar) on the beach and one at the parking lot
› Family-friendly: Ideal for small children due to the very shallow lagoon
› Gear: Sturdy footwear (steep descent, slippery rocks), warm jacket (May/Oct.)
✓ Full coverage & unlimited mileage included
✓ Free cancellation until 24h before pickup
✓ Best price guarantee via Discover Cars
Restaurant recommendations for Balos
The two snack bars on the beach and at the Balos car park only sell packaged snacks and expensive drinks, and don’t offer anything enjoyable.
Gramboussa Restaurant
For traditional Cretan cuisine, head to Gramboussa Restaurant in Kaliviani, located in the south of the peninsula. As soon as you walk in, you’ll be captivated by the tasteful ambiance and the many charming details in the decor.
They serve a wide selection of creatively plated, delicious dishes at a fair price-to-quality ratio. The terrace offers a magnificent view of the coastal plain. However, depending on the time of day, you should expect it to be quite crowded.
Kaliviani Fish & Meat Tavern
The neighboring Kaliviani Fish & Meat Tavern has a more cozy and less touristy vibe. Here, hearty home-style cooking is served at reasonable prices. You can also enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the rooftop terrace.
#4 Hotel Tips for Balos
The nearest accommodations near Balos are located in the village of Kaliviani in the south of the Gramvousa Peninsula. From here, it’s about 8 km to the lagoon. A few apartments and small hotels have since opened up in the area. You’ll find additional hotels in Falassarna and Kissamos. Below is a selection of studios and hotels near Balos.
Click on the links to Booking.com* for more information:
Accommodations in Kaliviani (Gramvousa Peninsula)
Balos Beach Hotel
A solid 3-star hotel right on the beach with a large pool. The closest hotel to Balos, as it’s located directly on the access road. Good breakfast.
Agarathos Rooms
Simple but spacious studios and rooms with terraces. Well-maintained garden, small infinity pool, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Olive Tree
Kostas rents out simple and spacious rooms on the outskirts of Kaliviani, nestled in an olive grove with a beautiful pool area.
Kaliviani Traditional Hotel
A well-maintained, family-run hotel with modern rooms and a great view of the Gulf of Kissamos. Delicious breakfast!
➲ Book Kaliviani Traditional Hotel*
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#5 Things to See in the Area
Along with Elafonisi, Balos is considered the most popular destination in western Crete. The region around Chania invites you to explore. A visit to the provincial town of Kissamos, which is usually just a stopover, is also worthwhile. The first impression deters many vacationers: it’s loud, hectic, and the main road toward Balos is often congested.
A short stroll through the old town of Kissamos is still worth it, though; between the Ag. Spyridon Church (1865) and the Archaeological Museum, you’ll find many interesting shops (including To Kaniski), bars, and restaurants, as well as the microbrewery called Lyra. Click the link to GetYourGuide* to see all available tours:
Side Trip to Falassarna Beach
Falassarna Beach is about 15 km from Kissamos and is located in the southwest of the Gramvousa Peninsula. The kilometer-long stretch of golden sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete and is well worth a visit.
There are both commercial and free sections of the beach. The sea is crystal clear, and numerous beach bars and restaurants have set up shop along the coast. We liked the northern part of Falassarna best, including Baby Beach.
Acropolis of Polirrinia
About 15 minutes from Kissamos lies the quaint village of Polyrhenia (also Polirrinia), hidden behind a mighty mountain. In ancient times, the village was considered a center of power that even minted its own coins.
The 20-minute hike up to the Acropolis hill (481 m) with its sparse ruins is well worth it for the 360-degree panorama of Crete’s west coast. At sunset, you can stop by the quaint “Akropolis Restaurant” at the foot of the hill.
→ Find out everything there is to discover in western Crete in our separate post: Western Crete
Komolithi near Potamida
The Komolithi (also Komolithotroulia) are a local attraction in Potamida, about 10 minutes from Kissamos. These bizarre clay rock formations were shaped over centuries and some reach the height of multi-story houses.
The rock pyramids make for particularly interesting photo opportunities in the evening light. The area is freely accessible, and the lunar landscape invites you to take a short exploration tour. Parking is available on the road by the olive grove.
→ You can find more articles and numerous Crete travel tips at:
- Crete Travel Tips
- Crete Holiday Resorts
- Crete Highlights
- Crete with Kids
- Best Hotels in Crete
- Crete Holiday
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