Balos is famous. The bay, which was 20 years ago a secret among locals and quite difficult to access, is completely overrun today in high season. But:
Balos belongs to the top ten beaches in Greece
and as some say… in the world. To visit the Bay of Balos, there are 3 options:
1. By car through the small town of Kissamos to the village of Kaliviani , then following the dusty, ca. 10 km long dirt road along the western tip of Crete and up to the parking lot. From here, one walks easily downhill on a paved path with stones to Balos (1,5 km).
The view over the bay to Gramvousa is fantastic and captivating, the area is stunningly beautiful, with the color of the sea light blue or turquoise. It is really is a picture-perfect sight.
2. On foot: The most beautiful experience is certainly the five-hour hike to the western slopes along Falasarna to Balos performed by the Mountaineering Club of Chania in cooler seasons. Try this hike – but in no case on your own.
3. By boat: several excursion boats leave from the port of Kissamos and offer a combined tour to Gramvousa islet and Balos bay.
- Read more about this day-trip in the article A Day in Paradise: Pirate Island of Gramvousa and the Bay of Balos.
The beach consists of fine golden sand, and towards south the seawater forms a large shallow lake.
Useful information
- You will have to pay a 1€ fee (2020) for the municipality of Kissamos, either on the parking lot or with the boat ticket.
- A few excursion-boats bring quite a lot of visitors to Balos every day, if you prefer to avoid the crowds, just have in mind, that these visitors appear at 11.30 and leave again at 16.30 latest!
