Balos Bay – the most beautiful beach of Crete

04/05/2019

Balos (Μπάλος) – one of the famous beaches of Crete, moreover all over greece Not even the best photo showing the landscape. This place can make a lasting impression. Lack of convenient asphalt road can be considered an advantage, because in the afternoon when cruise liners arrive, this beach is not visited very much tourists.

This bay is located between two peninsulas: Cape Tigany and Gramvousa. Every year, the beach of Balos tends to change its landscape, which is formed during the winter storms. As is the case with Elafonissi, this is the perfect beach for families with children. Extensive shallows which extend here for tens of meters, allow freely swim even the youngest children. On Balos you can spend not only a typical “lazy” day, but also actively relax. People, who like to snorkel, visiting this beach, should Do not forget to take with you the necessary equipment.

Pink sand beach

On Balos, as on other beaches on the western edge of Crete, you also find characteristic pink sand.

Fact: Balos Bay is the place where the three merge Sea: Cretan, Mediterranean and Ionian. therefore coastal waters have many shades: from bright turquoise to “deep” blue.

How to get to Balos

You can reach Balos Lagoon in two ways: by car or on the ship. If you want to stay longer in Balos, you should choose a car. Unfortunately, you will need to drive 10 kilometers of dirt road connecting Kaliviani village with parking located at the top of the hill. Most of this the road is in good condition, so here you can easily to get on a regular car. But this does not mean that part of this road is simple: you be especially attentive and go not too fast. It is also worth noting that most contracts car rental does not provide insurance for damage caused the result of driving on such roads. If you choose go for Balos by car, then you can enjoy the tranquility and a relatively small number of tourists vacationing on this beach in “non-touristic” time. Unfortunately, this is a situation will change “with the first ship to come to Balos Bay. In the height of the holiday season several hundred tourists are transported to three ships sailing to this beach. Cruise fleet includes two small ships that stop in a small bay not far from the peninsula of Cap Tigany, and a larger ferry, equipped with a ramp going directly to the shore.

The ships going to Balos begin a cruise in a small port, located next to Kissamos. Near the port is small building where the owner is Gramvousa Balos Cruises provides complete cruise information and sells tickets. AT they are currently offered at two prices: 22 euro per so called an “open ticket” and 25 euros for a regular ticket, purchased on departure day. You can use the first one option only if you buy it at least 2 days in advance. Of course, You can also buy tickets online, in which case they cost 22 €. The ticket price does not include the cost of landing. Cruise lasts about 55 minutes and starts at the port of Kissamos around 10:00 and ends at 18:00 At the peak of the season, an extra cruise is introduced, which begins. at 12:30 and ends at 19:30.

During the cruise to the bay of Balos you will pass by two twin islands called Imeri Gramvousa (Ήμερη Γραμβούσα) and Agria Gramvousa (Άγρια Γραμβούσα). The prefixes of their name are beautiful characterize these two stony pieces of land emerging from Mediterranean Sea. Imery from Greek means “tamed”, and Agriya is nothing but wild. Depending on which ship you go, on the way to Balos or on the way back, you have will have the opportunity to visit the Venetian fortress on the “manual” the island. Although it is time to explore this island rather limited, we recommend climbing to the top because that the panorama extending from the walls of this fortress captures spirit, and the bay itself makes an indelible impression. We are you we assure that the landscapes seen during this trip will remain with you for a long time. This place is worth seeing with your own eyes!

Balos Beach on the map