Plage
Plage de Balos
515 personnes du coin recommandent,
Conseils des habitants
Τέρη
July 27, 2022
A must see beach with access by car or by boat (recommended)...you will not regret it!
Maria
June 24, 2022
The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece. It is no coincidence that Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Balos with their private yacht many years ago. Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, it is visited by thousands of people, who arrive mostly by the ferries running from Kissamos port. If you do not like crowds, you’d better avoid to visit the beach in July and August. Also, a perfect idea is to arrive at Balos in the morning, before the boats arrive from Kissamos. These few hours of remoteness in such a heavenly place will remain etched in your memory forever. Access Balos can be accessed in three ways. The first and easiest way is to take the morning ferry from Kissamos (around 25 to 30 Euros). You'll have the chance to see the wild shores of peninsula Gramvousa and the marks from their lifting up for 6-9m after a strong earthquake in 365AD. If you're lucky, you might be accompanied by dolphins. Furthermore, the ferry will leave you for a swim in the exotic beach of Imeri Gramvousa islet, where you will see the old fortress and the wrecked ship. If you do not want to come by boat and have a car or motorbike, you can drive in the dirt road, starting from Kaliviani and running along the Cape Gramvousa. Near Kaliviani you have to pay a small fee destined for the protection of the Gramvousa Reserve and preservation of the road. After 10km the road stops at a wide parking area, next to a canteen, just over the lagoon. The panoramic view of Balos and the island of the Gramvousa is breathtaking. From there, you can walk down in the 1km longpath leading to the beach or, better, in heaven! Return to the parking area is quite strenuous and tiring due to the inclination. However, the most exciting way to access Balos is by trekking for three hours from Kaliviani, crossing the rough and dry landscape of Gramvousa and the range of Platyskinos. Do not forget to wear a hat and have plenty of water with you. If you come in Balos, you can visit the small chapel of Saint George located in Tigani. At Tigani, you could also visit the large cavern where many women and children were slaughtered during the Turkish massacres in 1825. The Christians were hiding in the cave, but the Turks soon discovered their shelter, thus killed them all. There is a commemorative sign at the site where the bones of the victims were found. Also, north of Balos, in Cape Korykon there are remains of the small Roman town of Agnio with the temple of Apollo. Today, there is the picturesque chapel of Saint Sozon.
The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist…
Grigor
June 14, 2022
A huge sweep of white sand formed between the coast and Gramvousa islet, where a Venetian fort held out against the Turks until the 18th century. Now a Natura 2000 site, Balos can be reached by car — the last 8km are on a rough dirt road, then a half-hour walk from the car park. Easiest, however, are the excursion boats that run daily in summer from the nearest town, Kastelli Kissamos or from Chania.
A huge sweep of white sand formed between the coast and Gramvousa islet, where a Venetian fort held out against the Turks until the 18th century. Now a Natura 2000 site, Balos can be reached by car — the last 8km are on a rough dirt road, then a half-hour walk from the car park. Easiest, however, ar…
Aimilia
May 24, 2022
Balos Lagoon is a beautiful experience that visitors shouldn’t miss when visiting West Crete. It belongs to the Gramvousa peninsula and it’s a Natura-protected area for its flora and fauna along with careta-careta and monachus-monachus Mediterranean monk seal that can be seen there seasonally. The environment is natural without customers’ support. The area is accessible by boat and by car: Daily cruises depart from Kissamos Kastelli twice a day and they include the whole area of Gramvousa in two parts. First, they reach the bay of Imeri Gramvousa with the Venetian Castle at the top of the mountain and then they lead to Balos Lagoon with the exquisite white-pink sand and turquoise waters. Driving to Balos is the other option, to reach the Lagoon and only that. It requires driving to Kissamos and from a point on the road is rocky until you reach the top of the mountain. The view from the top is astonishing and then you need to walk down to the beach which takes about 40’ the same as to return walking up the same route at the end of your day. Private yacht cruises are also available from various companies. Tip: It’s best to carry a sun umbrella, high protection sunscreen, and a hat. Ferries are fully equipped with everything a traveler needs. A traveler should be properly equipped with food and drinks due to high temperatures, especially during high season.
Balos Lagoon is a beautiful experience that visitors shouldn’t miss when visiting West Crete. It belongs to the Gramvousa peninsula and it’s a Natura-protected area for its flora and fauna along with careta-careta and monachus-monachus Mediterranean monk seal that can be seen there seasonally. The e…
Dimitris
April 20, 2022
The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 70km west of Kalyves and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece. Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, it is visited by thousands of people, who arrive mostly by the ferries running from Kissamos port. Also, a perfect idea is to arrive at Balos in the morning, before the boats arrive from Kissamos. These few hours of remoteness in such a heavenly place will remain etched in your memory forever. The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling. The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna, are protected under the Natura 2000 program. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves of the area. Moreover, the area is a shelter for the protected monk seal and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Despite the protection, some canteens and umbrellas have appeared on the beach in recent years. ACCESS The first and easiest way is to take the morning ferry from Kissamos (around 25 to 30 Euros). You'll have the chance to see the wild shores of peninsula Gramvousa and the marks from their lifting up for 6-9m after a strong earthquake in 365AD. If you're lucky, you might be accompanied by dolphins. Furthermore, the ferry will leave you for a swim in the exotic beach of Imeri Gramvousa islet, where you will see the old fortress and the wrecked ship. If you do not want to come by boat and have a car, you can drive in the dirt road, starting from Kaliviani and running along the Cape Gramvousa. Near Kaliviani you have to pay a small fee destined for the protection of the Gramvousa Reserve and preservation of the road. After 10km the road stops at a wide parking area, next to a canteen, just over the lagoon. The panoramic view of Balos and the island of the Gramvousa is breathtaking. From there, you can walk down in the 1km longpath leading to the beach. Return to the parking area is quite strenuous and tiring due to the inclination.
The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 70km west of Kalyves and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guid…
