{"id":51206,"date":"2025-09-11T11:11:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T09:11:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/greece-moments.com\/?p=51206"},"modified":"2026-03-30T14:05:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T12:05:14","slug":"balos-crete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greece-moments.com\/en\/balos-crete\/","title":{"rendered":"Balos Crete: Visiting the Lagoon with Getting There, Tours and Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/strong> is breathtaking; getting there is a challenge, and leaving is even harder given the beauty of this highlight of Crete.<\/p>\n

Balos, in the far northwest of the island, is one of Crete\u2019s most popular attractions and can only be reached by boat or via a bumpy gravel road.
\nTom & Ella<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Balos
Balos is considered a top destination in western Crete<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yet it\u2019s 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\u2014it\u2019s a 10-kilometer walk from civilization to Balos Beach<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll tell you in the next few lines whether the arduous journey to Balos is even worth it for you. We\u2019ve also included the most important tips and information for your trip to Balos<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\"Kreta<\/p>\n

#1 Getting to Balos<\/h2>\n

\ud83d\udccd Google Maps Location<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

You can reach Balos on your own<\/strong> by car via a rough gravel road or by ferry from Kissamos. Alternatively, a guided boat tour or an organized jeep tour is available.<\/p>\n

Coming from Chania<\/a> or Rethymno<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can continue along the coast to the Gramvousa Peninsula<\/strong> in an off-road vehicle or a standard rental car (with off-road insurance).<\/p>\n

Distances to Balos<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u203a Chania – Balos: 52 km (1 hr)<\/p>\n

\u203a Rethymno – Balos: 114 km (2 hrs)<\/p>\n

\u203a Heraklion – Balos: 190 km (3 hrs)<\/p>\n

\u203a Agios Nikolaos \u2013 Balos: 250 km (4 hrs)<\/p>\n

\u203a Ierapetra – Balos: 280 km (4.5 hours)<\/p>\n

\u203a Sitia – Balos: 315 km (5 hrs)<\/p>\n

Balos by Rental Car<\/h3>\n

Just behind the Balos Beach Hotel<\/em> 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<\/strong>. At the start of the route, there is a ticket booth where a fee of \u20ac1 per person is charged for using the road.<\/p>\n

\"Balos
Ticket booth along the gravel road<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dusty road to Balos<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, you should definitely check with your rental car company in advance to see if gravel roads are covered in case of damage.<\/p>\n

\"Kreta
The arduous drive is worth it<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With most rental companies, driving on unpaved roads is not covered by insurance, and in the event of damage or a breakdown, you\u2019ll 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<\/strong>, e.g., through our partner Discover Cars<\/em>*:<\/p>\n

\u27b2 View offers on Discover Cars*<\/a><\/p>\n

Best time to visit Balos<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Parking at Balos<\/h3>\n

About one kilometer from Balos Beach, there is a large unpaved parking area where you can park your rental car for a fee (approx. \u20ac3). To ensure optimal use of the parking spaces, there are several attendants who will wave you into the appropriate parking spot.<\/p>\n

\"Balos
Goat caravan at the Balos parking lot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In addition to a restroom (\u20ac1), 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<\/strong>. From the viewing platform, the descent to the beach via numerous steps takes about 10 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"Balos
Impressive dune landscape of Balos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Especially during peak season, the large parking lot at Balos<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Crete Travel Guide \u2013 The 10 Best Day Trips<\/strong>
Explore Crete at your own pace: scenic beaches, the best restaurants and handpicked insider tips are waiting for you.

\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f 10 road trip routes with maps
\ud83c\udfd6\ufe0f Beautiful beaches & swimming spots
\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f All top sights & attractions
\ud83e\udd2b Unpublished insider tips
\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Accommodation, tavernas & caf\u00e9s<\/div>
To Crete Travel Guide \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div><\/div>\n

By Bus to Balos<\/h3>\n

A public bus to Balos<\/strong> operated by KTEL Chania-Rethymno<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u20ac6.20.<\/p>\n

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<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\u2192 You can view current bus schedules to Balos<\/strong> here: KTEL Chania<\/a><\/p>\n

#2 Guided Tours to Balos<\/h2>\n

The most popular way to reach Balos Beach is by boat. At the Kissamos harbor,<\/strong> numerous excursion boats and ferries are available for transport to the bay.<\/p>\n

If you prefer a quieter experience and don\u2019t want to travel with the crowds, you can rent a motorboat for Balos<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

\"Balos
Arrival in the Paradise of Crete<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Through the GetYourGuide*<\/em> portal, you can book guided day tours to Balos<\/strong> 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:<\/p>\n

\u27b2 To the online ferry ticket from Kissamos*<\/a><\/p>\n

\u27b2 To the organized tour from Chania*<\/a><\/p>\n

\u27b2 To the organized tour from Rethymno*<\/a><\/p>\n

\u27b2 To the speedboat tour from Falasarna (Limeniskos)*<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Tours<\/a>
*Advertisement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The tours typically include round-trip bus transportation, an English- or German-speaking guide, and hotel pickup (depending on location).<\/p>\n

Important Balos Info<\/strong>: The boat ticket is not included in the day tours from Chania and Rethymno and costs approximately \u20ac27\u201330 extra. Food and drinks are available on board the boats for an additional fee.<\/p>\n

\"Kreta
Welcome to Balos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Balos Weather:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n