Between the Gramvousa peninsula and the offshore island of Tigani, a Caribbean backdrop with a white sandy beach and turquoise blue sea is revealed. The Balos Lagoon is breathtaking, the journey is tedious and the departure is even more difficult in view of the beauty of this highlight on Crete.
»Balos in the far northwest of the island is one of the most popular sights in Crete and can only be reached by boat or via a bumpy gravel road.«
It is not so easy to reach this remote place on Crete, the car rental companies already contractually exclude the trip to Balos. So the only option is to travel by more or less overcrowded excursion boat. Experienced hikers can also explore Balos on foot – from civilization to the Balos Beach it is 10 km away.
Whether the arduous journey to Balos is worth it for you at all, we will tell you on the next lines. In addition, we give you the most important tips and information for your excursion to Balos on the way:
#1 Getting to Balos
The lagoon of Balos is located in the very northwest of Crete, almost at the end of the Gramvousa peninsula. The nearest larger town of Kissamos (Kasteli) is about 15 km away.
You get to Balos on your own by car on a very dilapidated gravel road or by ferry from Kissamos. Alternatively, you can take a guided boat trip or an organized jeep tour.
If you are 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 port of the coastal town. From here the boat tours to the lagoon start.
Alternatively, you can continue along the coast with an off-road vehicle or with a normal rental car (incl. gravel road insurance) to the Gramvousa Peninsula.
Distances to Balos
› Chania – Balos: 52 km (1 h)
› Rethymno – Balos: 114 km (2 h)
› Heraklion – Balos 190 km (3 h)
› Agios Nikolaos – Balos: 250 km (4 h)
› Ierapetra – Balos: 280 km (4.5 h)
› Sitia – Balos: 315 km (5 h)
Balos with rental car
Directly behind the Balos Beach Hotel in the south of the Gramvousa peninsula begins an 8 km long gravel road (driving time approx. 25 minutes), which takes you to the parking above Balos Lagoon. At the beginning of the route there is a ticket station where 1 € per person is due for the use of the road.
The dusty road to Balos is littered with potholes and bumps and is accordingly in a miserable condition. We personally recommend only driving on the track with an off-road vehicle that has the appropriate insurance.
Every day, however, numerous small cars also accept the arduous journey to the lagoon. Do you want to go to Balos by rental car, you should definitely ask your rental car rental company in advance whether gravel roads are also insured in the event of damage.
With most rental companies, driving on unpaved roads is not insured and in the event of damage or a breakdown, you will be left with the costs. In the meantime, many rental companies also use GPS tracking for their vehicles in order to have appropriate traceability options in the event of damage to the vehicle. It is advisable to rent an off-road rental car, e.g. at Discover Cars*:
Best time to visit Balos
The dream bay is one of the most popular destinations in Crete. If you want to enjoy the magical lagoon without the crowds, we recommend that you visit the place before 9 am in high season and before 11 am in low season.
Parking at Balos
About a kilometer from Balos Beach there is a large unpaved parking area where you can park your rental car for a fee (about €3). For optimal use of the parking areas, there are several attendants who maneuver you to the appropriate parking space by waving.
In the parking lot, in addition to a toilet house (1 €), there is also a simple canteen that offers snacks and drinks. A beaten path (Monopati) leads you west over a mountain saddle to the Balos Beach Viewpoint. From the viewing platform, the descent to the beach takes about 10 minutes via numerous steps.
Especially in the high season, the large Balos car park fill very quickly. We recommend that you arrive before 10 a.m. to secure a free parking space. Be careful when manoeuvring: Since this is a wild terrain, goats also often roam the terrain.
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By bus to Balos
A public bus to Balos of the company KTEL Chania-Rethymno runs daily from Chania during the season at 8:30 and 11 a.m. to the port of Kissamos in just over an hour.
From here, several excursion boats depart every day between 10-11 a.m. to Balos Lagoon. For the return trip from Kissamos to Chania, there are various times to choose from, including 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. A one-way ticket costs €6.20.
In high season, it is recommended to book the bus ticket in advance online on the KTEL website or at the bus station of Chania (near the Samaria Hotel).
→ Current bus routes to Balos are visible here: KTEL Chania
#2 Guided tours to Balos
The most popular way to reach Balos Beach is by boat. At Kissamos Port there are numerous excursion boats and ferries ready for transport to the bay.
If you prefer a quieter trip 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 short briefing, you can explore the Balos lagoon on your own when the wind conditions are right.
On the portal GetYourGuide* you have the opportunity to book day tours to Balos from Chania and Rethymno. Alternatively, smaller boats run from the hamlet of Limeniskos or Falasarna to Balos. Here you can find out about the excursions and reserve your place directly if necessary:
➲ 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)*
Tours usually include round-trip bus transfers, as well as 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 about 27-30 € extra. Meals are offered on board the ships at an additional cost.
Balos Weather: The picturesque colors of the lagoon landscape are especially beautiful in bright sunshine and blue skies. In case of clouds and strong winds from the north, we recommend postponing the excursion to another day. In the strait between Balos and the Gramvousa peninsula, strong gusts of wind occur and it becomes uncomfortable in the lagoon.
Small-group tour to Balos
Are you looking for a special excursion for you and your loved ones, where you can enjoy this Top sight of Crete far away from the crowds? There is the possibility of a private Balos tour with a local guide in an off-road vehicle. More information on GetYourGuide*:
➲ To the private tour with lunch*
#3 Things to know about Balos in Crete
The name Balos refers to both the bay in the northwest of Crete and the dreamlike lagoon landscape including dune beach located there.
Balos is located on the Gramvousa Peninsula, an almost 12 km long almost uninhabited rocky spur that stretches into the sea to the northwesternmost point of Crete, Cape Vouxa.
In front of the impressive lagoon is the 117 m high islet of Tigani, which is connected to the Gramvousa peninsula by a flat land bridge made of sand.
Depending on the season and weather situation, the sandbank changes its shape and width and can occasionally be cut by the sea. To the east of it stretches the 500 m long Balos Lagoon, which is hardly deeper than 50 cm.
The lagoon inspires visitors right away, because the water shimmers in wonderful shades of blue. The fine white sandy beach, consisting of shells and corals, provides paradisiacal South Sea flair.
Once you have mastered the miserable gravel road from Kaliviani, it takes about 20 minutes to walk from the Balos car park to the lagoon. The descent (100 meters in altitude) is well developed, after 10 minutes a vantage point with a dream panorama awaits you. The lagoon looks like an enchanted oasis in the barren landscape.
Balos Hike and Tigani Island
The lagoon can be completely circumnavigated in about 30 minutes. After you reach the bottom, follow the beach on the left until you meet the elevated reef. Blue arrows mark the way around the lagoon to the Tigani Island.
It goes past washed out sea basins in which sea salt accumulates. Sturdy shoes are required here, as the rocks are sharp-edged. After a few minutes and a few wooden walkways later, you will reach the island of Tigani.
Here it is worth taking a short detour to the Church of Agion Panton (Chapel of All Saints) above the ferry pier (Balos Jetty). From the church you can watch the hustle and bustle in the lagoon.
Experienced hikers can climb from here over hill and dale to the highest point of the island (117 m). All others continue the circular route along the northern section of the beach. The knee-deep strait at the beach umbrellas and loungers can be waded through carefully.
💡 Dress code for Balos: The steep descent down to the lagoon and the crossing of the rocky reef on the beach make sturdy shoes indispensable – you won’t get far here with flip-flops. In addition, the wind tunnel between the two land masses can make it unexpectedly cool in May and October, despite sunny weather. So it’s best to pack warm clothes for frostbite. Our packing list for your holiday in Greece can be found here: Checklist vacation
Island of Imeri Gramvousa and Kastro
If you reach the lagoon of Balos by boat, you will also have the opportunity to visit Imeri Gramvousa Island. On the rocky island, about two kilometers from Balos, there are the remains of the Venetian fortress Kastro Gramvousas from the 16th century.
In the early 19th century, the Kastro served as a pirate hideout, and up to 3,000 people are said to have lived here at times. The body of water is also known as the “Pirate Bay of Balos”. Even today, the fortress walls are completely preserved in places. Inside, some ruins and medieval chapels can be visited.
Balos Beach Swimming Tips:
› Beach loungers: Pair with umbrella from 15 €
› Sanitary facilities: outhouse (1 €), showers and changing rooms
› Catering: one kantina (snack bar) on the beach and one at the parking lot
› Family-friendly: Ideally suited for small children, as the lagoon is very shallow
› Equipment: Sturdy shoes (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 kantinas (snack bars) on the beach and at the parking lot of Balos only offer packaged snacks and drinks.
💡 Insider tips for Crete: Get our Crete travel guide now and benefit from our experience on site: More info
Gramboussa Restaurant
Traditional Cretan food, on the other hand, can be found in the Gramboussa Restaurant in Kaliviani, which is located in the south of the peninsula. As soon as you enter, the very tasteful ambience and the many pretty details in the decoration inspire.
A wide selection of creatively arranged, tasty dishes is served at a fair price-performance ratio. From the terrace there is a wonderful view over the coastal plain. Depending on the time of day, however, a lot of crowds must be expected.
Kaliviani Fish & Meat Tavern
A little more homely and not quite as touristy is the neighboring restaurant Kaliviani Fish & Meat Tavern to. Here, hearty home cooking is served at reasonable prices. From the roof terrace you can also enjoy a great panorama.
#4 Hotel tips for Balos
The nearest accommodations near Balos are in the settlement of Kaliviani in the south of the Gramvousa peninsula. From here it is about 8 km to the lagoon. In the meantime, a few apartments and small hotels have settled. You can find more hotels in Falassarna and Kissamos. Enclosed you will find a selection of studios and hotels near Balos.
Click on the links to Booking.com* for more information:
Overnight in Kaliviani (Gramvousa Peninsula)
Balos Beach Hotel
Solid 3-star hotel directly on the sea with large pool. Closest hotel to Balos, as it is right on the access road. Good breakfast.
Agarathos Rooms
Simple but spacious studios and rooms with terrace. Well-kept garden, small infinity pool and family atmosphere.
Olive Tree
Kostas rents simple and spacious rooms on the outskirts of Kaliviani, nestled in the olive grove with a beautiful pool area.
Kaliviani Traditional Hotel
Family-run, well-kept hotel with modern rooms and great views of the Gulf of Kissamos. Delicious breakfast!
➲ Book Kaliviani Traditional Hotel*
Crete Island Map: This card includes all Crete Highlights, 298 Places to Visit & Insider Tips, 94 beaches & bays, as well as personal recommendations for 117 restaurants & cafes. Ideal for holiday planning and local navigation. Can be used for smartphone, tablet and PC/Mac. Click here and start using it right away: To the Crete Map
#5 Places of interest in the area
Balos may refer to: Elafonisi as the most popular excursion destination of western Crete. The region around Chania invites you to go on discovery tours. A visit to the provincial town of Kissamos, which is usually only a transit station, is also worthwhile. The first impression deters many holidaymakers: loud, hectic and the main road towards Balos is often congested.
A short walk through the old town district of Kissamos is nevertheless worthwhile to distinguish between the Ag. Spyridon Church (1865) and the Archaeological Museum, there are many interesting shops (e.g. To Kaniski), bars and restaurants, as well as the microbrewery called Lyra. Click on the link to GetYourGuide* to see all available excursions:
➲ To guided tours around Chania*
Detour to Falassarna Beach
The beach of Falassarna is about 15 km from Kissamos and is located in the southwest of the Gramvousa peninsula. The kilometre-long coastal strip of golden sand is one of the most beautiful Beaches of Crete and worth a detour.
There are both operated and free beach sections. The sea is crystal clear and numerous beach bars and beach restaurants have settled along the coast. We liked the northern part of Falassarna best, including Baby Beach.
Acropolis of Polirrinia
About 15 minutes from Kissamos is the cozy village of Polyrhenia (also Polirrinia), hidden behind a mighty mountain. In ancient times, the town was considered a centre of power, which even minted its own coins.
The 20-minute hike to the top of the Acropolis Hill (481 m) with its sparse ruins is worth it because of the 360-degree panorama of Crete’s west coast. At sunset, you can stop at the quaint “Akropolis Restaurant” under the hill.
Komolithi at Potamida
The Komolithi (also Komolithotroulia) is a local attraction in Potamida, about 10 minutes from Kissamos. The bizarre rock formations made of clay were formed over centuries and sometimes reach the height of multi-storey houses.
Especially in the evening light, the rock pyramids are interesting photo motifs. The site is freely accessible and the lunar landscape invites you to take a short exploration tour. Parking must be done on the street at the olive grove.
→ More articles and numerous Crete travel tips can be found here:
- Island of Crete – Our Guidebook
- Crete Resorts
- Crete Highlights
- Best Crete Hotels
- Crete Holidays
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