Quick search
⌘+KQuick search
⌘+K
The famous Balos beach is a well-known lagoon found approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, situated between Cape Gramvousa and Cape Tigani below the range of Platiskinos. It is highly photographed and a popular subject for tourist guides in Greece. It was also visited by Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their private yacht many years ago.
Balos is renowned for its striking turquoise waters, picturesque natural scenery, and stunning exotic beauty. During summer, thousands of visitors arrive mostly by ferry from Kissamos port. However, it can be overcrowded, especially in July and August, so it is advisable to visit in the morning before the boats arrive, to enjoy a few hours of isolation in this breathtaking paradise.
The lagoon’s white-pink sandy beaches feature vivid blue and turquoise waters, which are very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. The sand has a lovely pinkish hue in many areas due to millions of crushed shells. The water beyond the lagoon’s rocky boundaries is deeper and colder, perfect for snorkelling. The wider area, including the lagoon, has rare flora and fauna species and is protected under the Natura 2000 program. Eleonora falcons, shags, and cormorants nest in the caves of the area, while the monk seal and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), which are protected species, also find refuge there.
Balos Lagoon Updates
Balos Lagoon, designated as a protected Natura area, boasts breathtaking golden-pink sands and crystalline turquoise waters, providing habitat to diverse marine and avian species. While its allure draws many visitors, it’s imperative to uphold the integrity of this fragile ecosystem. Therefore, visitors are urged to exercise conscientious behavior by properly disposing of all waste, minimizing plastic use, and refraining from removing sand or oysters to preserve the lagoon’s pristine condition for generations to come.
In 2024, significant conservation efforts include the implementation of reduced ferry services and a cap on visitor numbers. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce shuttle buses in Kaliviani to reduce car traffic. To further minimize environmental impact, consider visiting during less crowded times such as early mornings or late evenings.
The best time to visit Balos Beach and Lagoon is during the summer months, from June to September, when the weather is warm and sunny.
Yes, Balos Beach and Lagoon is suitable for families with children. However, parents should keep an eye on their children as the water can be deep in some areas.
Yes, visitors can hire kayaks and paddleboats. You can also enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
Yes, visitors are allowed to bring their own food and drinks to Balos Beach and Lagoon. However, there are no facilities available for cooking or grilling.
No, there is no accommodation available near Balos Beach and Lagoon. Visitors can stay in nearby towns such as Kissamos or Chania.
The water colour of the Balos beach is turquoise.
The Balos beach has white sand with a lovely pinkish hue in many areas due to millions of crushed shells.
The water at the Balos Beach and Lagoon is shallow.
The sea surface at the Balos Beach and Lagoon is usually calm.
Yes, the Balos Beach and Lagoon is a crowded place.
Food and water are available nearby, and umbrellas and beds are also provided.
You can get to Balos beach by car or by boat. The boat leaves from the port of Kissamos Port daily.
The boat to Balos costs around 29€.
Yes, the Balos Beach and Lagoon is a seaturtle nesting point.
Balos Beach and Lagoon has received 1 reviews with an average rating of 5 out of 5
Find below list of things to do near Balos Beach and Lagoon:
Experience a full-day boat trip to the westernmost part of Crete and visit two of the most famous landmarks, Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa island.
Be picked up by an air-conditioned bus at a pickup point close to your hotel and you be driven to Kissamos port.
There you will board a large comfortable boat with an open deck and a bar-restaurant.
Enjoy your cruise along the coast and see the dramatic rockface from the water.
The boat after an 1 hour trip will approach Gramvousa island or Balos lagoon (depending on the itinerary).
Gramvousa island used to be a pirate’s cove. Choose to hike for 20 minutes to the Venetian castle which is built on a steep 137m high rock. Enjoy panoramic views over the Aegean sea and unique landscape from here.
You may also swim in the area next to the chapel of Agioi Apostoloi.
After the boat will depart for the lagoon of Balos, which will be reached after approximately 20 minutes.
Balos is characterized as one of the best beaches in the world. Words cannot convey the wild beauty of your eyes. You will admire the white and in some places the pink sand, the turquoise waters, and the natural beauty of this unique place.
You will have the opportunity to stay in this paradise and swim .
**Due to the new rules for Natura 2000 areas, the ship will stop about 10 meters away from the beach of Balos (depending on the weather conditions) for 2.5 hours, where you will be able to swim.
Board a speedboat and travel from Kissamos towards Gramvousa Island. As you make your way along the shore, see the majestic Venetian Fortress of Gramvousa.
Continue to the famous exotic lagoon of Balos, perhaps the most photographed beach in Crete. Discover a beautiful natural landmark famous for its turquoise waters, wild natural beauty, and exotic scenery. In many places, the sand has a pink color while the sea is very shallow and warm.
Discover locations perfect for swimming and snorkeling during your stop at the lagoon. Have the boat for yourself and have your experienced local skipper show you around. Enjoy a fresh Cretan salad and seasonal fruit, as well as local wine and beverages, before heading back to Kissamos.
After we pick you up from various locations around Chania we will drive through West Crete until we reach the Kissamos port. From there we will sail to the port in Gramvousa, passing by the huge cave believed to be the ancient shipyard of Tarsanas. At the end of the Gulf you will notice an impressive geological phenomenon caused by catastrophic earthquakes that took place more than 2000 years ago.
After approximately 1 hour, the boat arrives at the port of Gramvousa. On top of a steep rock on the highest point of the island, lays the Venetian castle built during the late 16th century. Surrounded by a wall that still stands today, it has a roughly triangular shape and is rumored to house hidden pirate treasures from eras long gone. It is well worth the 10 minute hike it takes to get there.
You will have plenty of time to explore the island and swim in its coast before we board the boat that will take us to the Balos lagoon. Fantastic azure waters fill the lagoon, creating a sense of serenity and idle natural beauty. Make sure to have a camera with you and take photos that will make even your most well-traveled friends jealous!
At around 16:30 we will board the boat back to the port of Kissamos and eventually return by bus to the designated spots you were picked up from.
Departing from the port of Kissamos and while sailing, you will admire a huge cave, that is believed to have been the ancient shipyard of “Tarsanas”. At the end of the Gulf you will notice an impressive geological phenomenon where, as a result of the passage of time, the western part of the island is rising, while the eastern part is sinking. This phenomenon was mainly created by catastrophic earthquakes that took place in 66 BC and 365 BC. According to scientific estimates, this geographical phenomenon still continues today, but at a much slower rate.
Once in your cruise, you will enjoy the magnificents view in the middle of the sea. The boat will make a stop so you can swim, snorkel, or enjoy the sun with your friends and family.
You will visit Gramvousa Island and feel amazed by its beauty and the history it keeps before going back to the port.
-Please note- The boat does not desembark in Balos.
Make your cruise worry-free with a roundtrip transfer from Rethymno to Kissamos port in an air-conditioned bus. Ride in a well-maintained and comfortable bus and leave the navigation to your local driver. Have an onboard guide during your trip.
Be picked up in the morning from your accommodation in Rethymno. Sit back and relax on the drive to the Kissamos port where you can purchase a cruise ticket to swim in crystal-clear water of Balos Lagoon and see the Venetian castle of Gramvousa.
Let your driver worry about traffic and getting to the port on time while you relax. Once you return to the port on the boat, your driver will be waiting to whisk you back to your accommodation in Rethymno.
Admire views of the Tersanas Cave and Vouxa Cape on this sightseeing cruise to the Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. Enjoy the convenience of the included air-conditioned bus transfer from centrally-located meeting points at locations in Chania and the areas surrounding it.
Be picked up and relax in climate-controlled comfort on the drive to the Kissamos port. Your tour leader will collect the boat fee from you and provide you your boat tickets which allow you skip-the-line.
Take in views of the majestic Tersanas cave from the water which is said to be an ancient shipyard. Enjoy views of the geological formations that have formed on the stunning cliffs of the Vouxa Cape. Snap pictures of the unique landscapes of the Imeri and Agria Gramvousa islands.
Sail for approximately 1 hour until you reach the Balos Beach where you can cool-off with a refreshing swim in turquoise waters.**
Continue to Gramvousa island where you can explore the hilltop, 16th-century Venetian castle which was a pirate base in the 19th-century, and you can see an old ship-wreck. Return to your starting point at the end of your tour.
**Due to new rules revolving Natura 2000 regions the ferry will stop 100m away from Balos beach for 1.5h where you will be able to swim in the sea.
Although the time at Gramvousa Island will be prolonged.
Find below the list of hotels near Balos Beach and Lagoon:
Surrounded by a well-tended garden, Agarathos Traditional Rooms with Pool is located in the medieval village of Kaliviani, around 1 km from the nearest beach. It offers spacious rooms and studios, and a restaurant serving local dishes and breakfast. Free WiFi is available.
Located on the ground floor, all rooms and apartments at Agarathos Traditional Rooms with Pool open to a patio with garden and mountain views. Each includes air conditioning a and a TV. Some units come with a separate bedroom and a seating area.
Guests can easily explore the surroundings, such as the famous Elafonisi Beach (50 km), Balos lagoon (9 km) and Falasarna Beach (10 km). The scenic Town of Chania with its Venetian Port is at a distance of 40 km. Free, private parking is available on site.
from
€63
/night
Set in Kalivianí, 1.2 km from Beach Kaliviani and 1.6 km from Trachilos Beach, Trigonaki Studio – Kaliviani village offers air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. The property has city views and is 1.6 km from Meri Pigadi Beach and 4.1 km from Kissamos / Kasteli Port.
The holiday home has 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchenette, and a terrace with mountain views.
Ancient Falassarna is 13 km from the holiday home, while Agios Dimitrios Church is 33 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 57 km from Trigonaki Studio – Kaliviani village.
Situated 1.2 km from Beach Kaliviani, Agarathos Deluxe Homes offers a garden, and air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi.
Featuring a kitchen with an oven and a fridge, each unit also comes with a safety deposit box, a satellite flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, wardrobe and a seating area with a sofa. There is a private bathroom with shower in all units, along with a hair dryer and free toiletries.
The restaurant at the holiday home specialises in Greek, Mediterranean and grill bbq cuisine.
A car rental service is available at Agarathos Deluxe Homes.
Trachilos Beach is 1.6 km from the accommodation, while Meri Pigadi Beach is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International, 57 km from Agarathos Deluxe Homes, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€72
/night
Set in Kalivianí and only 1.2 km from Beach Kaliviani, Sokaki House offers accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This holiday home provides air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The holiday home with a terrace and sea views features 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 2 bathrooms with a shower.
A bicycle rental service is available at the holiday home.
Trachilos Beach is 1.6 km from Sokaki House, while Meri Pigadi Beach is 1.6 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 57 km from the accommodation.
from
€98
/night
Located in scenic Kalyviani Village, 800 metres from the beach, Arhontariki is a traditional, self-catered villa with a private heated swimming pool and free Wi-Fi. It features furnished verandas overlooking Kissamos Bay.
The fully air-conditioned Villa Arhontariki is furnished with antiques and features wooden ceilings and stone walls. It includes a fully equipped kitchen and dining room. Each bedroom features en suite facilities.
There is lots of seating space in the living room where guests can watch TV by the fireplace. A small gym and playroom with table tennis facilities are available. The heated swimming pool area is surrounded by a well-tended garden with lemon trees, palm trees and bougainvilleas. Free bicycles are offered to the guests.
Kalyviani Village is lively and has cafés and taverns serving Cretan dishes. The Port of Kasteli is just 800 metres away while the city of Chania is at 35 km. Free private parking is offered on our premises the Arhontariki Villa.
from
€65
/night
This traditional guest house, located at the tip of cape Gramvoussa, in the traditional village Kaliviani Traditional Hotel, offers accommodation with a satellite TV and unobstructed views of Kissamos Gulf. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.
This 2 storey building features a spacious lounge on the ground floor and bedroom on the first floor with balcony enjoying views of both the sea and the plain.
Traditional homemade breakfast is served daily.
Kaliviani Traditional Hotel is located in the northwest of Crete, just a 5 kilometres distance from Kissamos and 35 kilometres from Chania.
Hotel Kaliviani Traditional Hotel can serve as the ideal starting point to visit the lagoon of Balos, Falassarna beach and Elafonisi.
from
€91
/night
Find below list of beaches near Balos Beach and Lagoon:
The island of Imeri Gramvousa is located 20km northwest of Kissamos, opposite the imposing Cape of Gramvousa and 2 miles northwest of the famous lagoon of Balos.
Its historical significance is captured by the majestic Venetian fortress that remains standing 137m above the beach. This fortress is not just a relic of the past but also an icon of pirate legends, which suggests a buried treasure somewhere on the island. An old shipwreck, long deserted near the beach, has become an integral element of Gramvousa’s unique panorama.
Two sizable bays on the island’s southern flank cradle the iconic shipwreck between them. The western bay, situated below the castle, is a popular destination for hundreds of daily visitors who arrive via excursion boats from Kissamos, a journey that takes an hour. These boats make a stop at Gramvousa before heading onward to the stunning Balos Beach.
Visitors have the chance to explore the castle and shipwreck, as well as indulge in a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of the western cove, adjacent to the Holy Apostles Church. The beach, known for its mesmerising turquoise hue, features a mix of white sand and occasional rocky spots. Tamarisk trees near the beach provide a natural shade, while the area’s seabed is a snorkeler’s delight. Excursion boats provide food and water from onboard bars. Due to the area’s protection under the Natura 2000 program, no additional facilities are available, and overnight stays are prohibited.
Tou Meri to Pigadi is located 8km northwest of Kissamos and 44km west of Chania, on the eastern side of Peninsula Gramvousa. The name means “Meri’s well”, probably named after the name of someone, who owned a well in the area. Meri Pigadi has three consecutive small protected bays, with fine pebbles and crystal clear deep waters. There are no facilities on the beaches; it is an ideal place to relax, away from the noise of cities.
There are a few small trees, under which you can find shade. The first bay, just behind the ticket kiosk of Balos lagoon, is called Mouri Lakkos. To get to Meri’s Well, you have to walk or drive 1.5km into the dirt road that starts from Kaliviani and leads to the lagoon of Balos. If you visit the beaches, do not forget to have water with you.
1.5km north of Meri Pigadi, at position Kakia Skala, there is a small beach with fine pebbles and gorgeous deep blue water, adjacent to the eastern cliffs of the cape. Access to the beach is not easy, as the rocky cliffs make the descent impossible.
Kalyviani Beach, situated a mere 1km north of the eponymous traditional village at the foot of the Gramvousa Peninsula and 7km northwest of the town of Kissamos, is a lengthy stretch of coast that serves as a viable option for swimming for those visiting the scenic village of Kaliviani. However, its overall rocky terrain with sparse sandy patches doesn’t make it a favourite among swimmers. It is advised to avoid the beach during gusty days, as the large waves coupled with the rocky seabed can make swimming hazardous.
Despite its proximity to Kissamos and Kaliviani village, where accommodation and dining options are available, the beach lacks tourist facilities. It also tends to be less than pristine, as it often becomes a depository for trash brought in by the currents and waves.
Located 3km northwest of Kissamos town and 38km west of Chania, you’ll find the beach of Vigglia on Crete island. This beach begins near the “Madonna of the Harbor” church (Panagia) by the port of Kissamos, stretching along a 2km coastline featuring many coves, all the way to Kaliviani to the west. Notably, Vigglia’s primary beach boasts a nearly semicircular shape, with its coarse sand and transparent water. There are areas where the sandy beach is replaced with pebbles and rocks.
Although Vigglia doesn’t provide extensive tourist services, there are a few hotels in its vicinity and some basic facilities. Despite not being highly organized, Vigglia attracts many admirers who appreciate the area’s tranquillity and pristine sea. If you’re seeking a family-friendly destination in western Crete, Vigglia would be an excellent recommendation.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
