Falassarna and Balos are two of the best beaches in western Crete, both in the Kissamos area near the northwest tip of the island. Falassarna sits about 59 kilometres from Chania and is a long, open sandy beach with pinkish sand and shallow turquoise water. Balos lies about 56 kilometres from Chania on the Gramvousa Peninsula and is a shallow lagoon ringed by cliffs. Both were named among the world’s best beaches in the 2023 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. Falassarna ranked 21st in the world and 6th in Europe. Balos ranked 25th in the world and 8th in Europe.
If you have one day in the far west of Crete, you can pair the two. Balos is best in the calm of the morning, and Falassarna faces west, so it is the place to end the day at sunset. This guide covers what each beach is like, how to get there, what facilities to expect, and the best time to visit.
| Falassarna | Balos Lagoon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Western coast, Kissamos region | Gramvousa Peninsula, northwest coast |
| Distance from Chania | About 59 km | About 56 km |
| Sand | Pinkish, several coves over about 3 km | Pinkish, soft and powdery |
| Water | Clear and shallow, turquoise | Shallow, clear lagoon water |
| Access | Car or public transport, free parking | Car and a walk, or by boat |
| Admission | Free | Free (boat tours and parking are paid) |
| 2023 Tripadvisor rank | 21st world, 6th Europe | 25th world, 8th Europe |
Falassarna is one of the most striking beaches on the western coast of Crete, known for turquoise blue water, pinkish sand, and a wide natural landscape. The beach stretches for about 3 kilometres and is divided into several smaller coves, each with its own view of the sea. The water is clear and shallow, which makes it good for swimming and snorkelling, and the cliffs behind the sand frame the whole bay.
The area is still relatively undeveloped, with only a few beach bars and taverns nearby, so it keeps a calm and open feel. It is a good place to spend a slow day: lie on the sand, swim in the shallows, and watch the light change over the water.
Falassarna is also known for wind. The strong winds and waves make it a well-known spot for windsurfing and kite surfing, and the beach hosts the annual Windsurfing World Cup, which draws windsurfers from around the world. If you want a calm swim, the mornings are usually gentler, while the afternoon wind is what the water sports crowd comes for.
Beyond the sand there is more to see. You can walk the hiking trails around the bay or explore the ancient ruins of Falassarna, the remains of an old harbour town set back from the beach. The nearby town of Kissamos is the place to try traditional Cretan cuisine after a day by the sea. For a fuller day out, the west of Crete also holds the famous walking route through Samaria, which you can read about in our Samaria Gorge guide.
Falassarna is accessible by car or public transport, and there are designated parking areas near the beach. The beach is open year-round and admission is free. Because it faces the open sea to the west, it is one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset, so it is worth timing your visit to stay into the evening. To plan the sand itself, see the full Falassarna beach page.
Balos sits on the northwest coast of Crete, on the Gramvousa Peninsula, and it is one of the most photographed beaches in the world. It is a lagoon-like beach with crystal-clear water and an unusual shape: steep cliffs surround a natural lagoon in the middle, which gives it the look that Tripadvisor reviewers called a “landscape from another planet.” The water in the lagoon is shallow and clear, which makes it a calm spot for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing.
The sand at Balos is pinkish, and the colour comes from the broken shells of tiny marine organisms mixing into the sand. It is soft and powdery underfoot and sits against the turquoise water for the contrast the beach is famous for.
Balos is about 56 kilometres from Chania and is only reachable by boat or by car. If you drive, you park at the designated parking area and then walk down to the lagoon on a hiking trail from the car park. The trail is relatively easy and takes about 30 to 40 minutes, with wide views of the peninsula and the sea along the way. Bring water and sun protection, as there is little shade on the path. A car gives you the freedom to reach the trailhead and time your day around the calm morning hours, and you can look at rentals on our car rental in Crete page.
The other way in is by sea. Boat tours run to Balos and the nearby island of Gramvousa and give you a different view of the coast from the water. This is the easier choice if you would rather not drive the rough final road or walk the trail. See our full-day boat trip to Balos and Gramvousa for how the sea route works.
Balos is not only about the beach. The Gramvousa Peninsula is home to the ruins of an old Venetian fortress, built in the 16th century on Gramvousa island just off the coast. Many boat tours stop at the island, and you can climb up to the fortress and take in the history and the view before heading down to the lagoon.
Balos is a natural site, so keep your expectations for facilities modest and carry what you need for the day. Go early: the lagoon is calmest and least crowded in the morning, before the tour boats arrive around midday. To plan the swim and the walk in more detail, see the full Balos beach and lagoon page.
Both beaches earned a place on Tripadvisor’s 2023 list, and they suit slightly different days. Choose Balos for the lagoon shape, the shallow protected water, and the walk in with a view. Choose Falassarna for the long open sand, the sunsets, and the wind if you windsurf. If you have a full day and a car, do both: Balos in the morning while it is calm, then Falassarna in the afternoon and evening for the sunset.
The west of Crete has far more coastline than these two names. For more spots to compare before you go, browse our roundup of Crete beaches.
Chania is the natural base for reaching both beaches. Between beach days, our guide to things to do in Chania covers the old town, the harbour, and more of the region.
Falassarna is about 59 kilometres from Chania and Balos is about 56 kilometres from Chania. Both are in the far west of the island, in the Kissamos region.
Yes. They sit close together in western Crete, so with a car you can do Balos in the morning, when the lagoon is calmest, and Falassarna in the afternoon and evening for the sunset.
Balos is reachable only by boat or by car. If you drive, you park at the designated parking area and walk a relatively easy trail of about 30 to 40 minutes down to the lagoon. Boat tours from the coast are the other option and also stop at Gramvousa island.
Both beaches have pinkish sand. At Balos the colour comes from the broken shells of tiny marine organisms mixed into the soft, powdery sand.
Admission to both beaches is free. At Balos you pay separately for parking or for a boat tour, and Falassarna has designated parking areas near the sand.
Falassarna. Its strong winds and waves make it a known windsurfing and kite surfing spot, and it hosts the annual Windsurfing World Cup.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
