Balos in Crete is a bay and one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve had the pleasure to see.
On many blogs, we can find various rankings of different beaches: the prettiest, the cleanest, and the most popular. Lists of beaches in Poland, Europe, Asia, and around the world are created. It’s all great, but every ranking is based on personal impressions and experiences. What may seem like paradise to others may not impress us as much.
Many factors influence whether a beach or any other place will seem attractive to us. Moreover, just come to the seashore right after sunrise, when there’s no one else but us, and the young sun pours pastel colours onto the world.
It is difficult to describe beauty and evaluate it
We stand there speechless, as if God Himself allowed us to peek behind the curtain of paradise. The same beach at noon, when people lay out thousands of towels on the sand, when oily bodies appear and make as much noise as only people can, will seem much less interesting than a few hours earlier.
That’s why on Get Ready For Adventure we won’t create a ranking of beaches on beautiful Crete; instead, we will only tell about one of them, the one that made a stunning impression on us, and even though we’ve travelled a good portion of the world, we haven’t found another one like it.
Balos in Crete has a beautiful beach and amazing views
In essence, Balos in Crete is a whole lagoon with its ecosystem, water so clear it’s almost indecent, and fantastic rock formations all around. The view from above, from the side of Crete, makes us feel like we’re on exotic Caribbean islands. With the right lighting, the bright sand appears pink, and combined with the gently turquoise shallow water, it creates a view straight out of dreams.
Balos Lagoon lies on the northwestern tip of the island of Crete. You can reach it by car or by ferry. In both cases, it’s not as straightforward as going to any other beach on the island.
Balos in Crete how to get to the beach
From the land side, the beach is accessed by a hardened but very stony road. Many car rental companies specify that their insurance does not cover this particular route. This leaves only the option of embarking at your own risk or purchasing additional insurance.
We travelled the route from Kaliviani to Balos Beach Parking in an insured car, but despite the road being moderately uncomfortable, it didn’t pose a major threat to us or the car.
The only real danger is the fantastic views of the sea on the right side, which effectively distract from the road. Apart from the rocks and unevenness, on the way to Balos, you might encounter shepherds with dozens of curious goats. When we stopped at one point to let a larger herd pass, a few animals nearly got into our car.
Strong, local raki vodka on the way to Balos
Shepherds, wanting to kill two birds with one stone, set up stalls with local products on the sidelines. These are mostly Cretan spirits. Dry wines called xiros are popular, perfect for the local heat. Besides, of course, traditional raki or equally well-known ouzo, distilled here from light grapes previously used for xiros fermentation.
Raki in Crete has a very specific taste and aroma, thanks to additives such as rosemary shoots or a hint of honey. Adding honey creates the famous rakomelo variety. For a connoisseur, which I consider myself to be, it’s a phenomenal drink.
By the way, I suggest going shopping on the way back. With excellent raki on the beautiful beach, basking in the blissful sun, it’s easy to forget that there is still a journey back ahead.
Balos in Crete and the road by car
The stretch that needs to be covered on the gravel road is about 7 kilometres long. The most challenging part is the second half. The road climbs steeply up just above the cliff. Guardrails are not set up everywhere, so if you have a problem with heights and confidence in your driving skills, it can be quite thrilling.
The car park is also not very well organized. It’s a simple, flat area that is two kilometres away from Balos Lagoon. There isn’t too much space, so if you dawdle and arrive too late, you’ll have to park on the steep road before the car park.
As I mentioned, getting to the lagoon involves quite a hike. In the scorching sun, every kilometre feels like five when you’re walking around the city. So, remember to bring plenty of water and snacks. Your reward will be the most beautiful, in my opinion, view of Balos Lagoon and the flat Tigani Peninsula.
“Tigani” means “frying pan” in the local language, and you’ll understand the significance of this name when you’re there in the middle of the day with the blazing sun overhead.
Somewhere along the way, you’ll see a tempting sign for Donkey Taxi, where you can hop on the back of a small donkey that will take you all the way down. I don’t recommend it; poor animals stand all day in the scorching sun, which is torture in itself. Furthermore, remember that unlike you, they can’t rest on the turquoise beach below. Not a good idea; Our Trails strongly say no.
Balos in Crete how to get to the lagoon and beach by ferry
Another way to reach Balos is by ferry. It departs twice daily from the town of Kissamos. The ships depart in the morning at 10:20 and 10:40. The cruise includes not only Balos but also the famous pirate island of Gramvousa. This is a big plus because you can visit the ruins of the former Venetian fortress standing at the top of the island and admire the entire lagoon from a wholly different perspective.
However, there are many more drawbacks. The biggest, in our opinion, is that you’re dependent on the schedule, which allows for only a 2-hour stay in the lagoon. Moreover, you’ll be in a crowd the whole time. Excursions are quite popular, so don’t expect a moment of peace or solitude.
For us, sitting on the beach, seeing the ferry arrive and watching tourists pouring out with their sunbeds, umbrellas, coolers, and noise was a bit like seeing a crowd of football fans. They accidentally ended up in a theatre instead of a stadium.
Of course, everyone is looking for something different, so the choice is yours.
Balos in Crete interesting facts and practical information
- Balos is located in the northwestern part of the island and is quite a distance from major cities. It’s 55 kilometres from Chania, 180 kilometres from Heraklion, and nearly 300 kilometres from Lerapetra. Therefore, if you’re planning a trip to the beautiful lagoon, it’s important to stay as close as possible.
- Ferries to Balos Lagoon depart twice daily, with an additional ship added during the peak summer. We recommend checking the latest information on the carrier’s website: Cretan Daily Cruises.
- Trips to Balos are very popular, and it often happens that tickets for the next day are already sold out, so consider buying them in advance.
- The cruise lasts until evening, and during the trip, ferries visit Balos and the island of Gramvousa. The ship stays at each location for two hours.
- The ferry ticket prices: the regular ticket costs 27 euros and the discounted one 13 euros. If you’re taking children under 2 years old, they sail for free.
- On the island of Gramvousa, at an altitude of 130 meters, stand the ruins of a Venetian fortress. The monument is ruined but worth seeing. Besides, from the mountain peak, there is a fantastic view.
- It’s a good idea to visit Balos in Crete, as well as the whole island, outside the main season. Fewer tourists and much lower prices are just some reasons.
- To reach Balos in Crete by car, you have to travel about 7 kilometres on a gravel road. It can be challenging in some places, but not enough to give up.
- In the village of Kaliviani, where the asphalt ends, an administrative fee of 1 euro is charged for each car entering the peninsula.
- It’s essential to remember to bring plenty of water.
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