Blessed with unparalleled beauty, Balos beach is a protected area, where the waters are transparent and the sand dust-like – there is no doubt that this is one of the most spectacular beaches in Europe, perhaps even one of the best beaches in the world.
Crete has many spectacular world-class beaches, and especially during the hot summer months, some are getting overcrowded. Balos is definitely one of those places that people need to see to believe.
A take your breath away experience the first time you see it. It’s not just about seeing the incredible power of nature, but also witnessing the thundering, raw powers of water and wind. Just amazing.
Blessed with unparalleled beauty, Balos is a protected area, where the waters are transparent and the sand dust-like – there is no doubt that this is one of the most spectacular beaches in Europe, perhaps even one of the best beaches in the world.
Completely secluded (due to its popularity, you won’t have a hard time finding a boat taking you there), it has soft sand and cerulean water and has retained its pristine beauty, despite being popular.
The islet of Gramvoussa with its Venetian castle is just nearby if you want to do some exploration. The Kissamos to Balos ferry gives you two hours on Gramvousa before heading on to Balos, sometimes a little less, depending on the Balos ferry schedules.
You can reach Balos by car and on foot or by the daily cruise ship that departs daily from the port of Kissamos.
Behind the rocks, in the boundaries of the lagoon, the water gets deeper and colder. The wider area of Balos and Gramvousa is a significantly important breeding and resting site for rare and threatened species of flora and fauna and it is protected by the “Natura 2000” network.
Mavropetrites (a species of hawk), Eleonora falcons, and cormorants nestle in the nearby caves of the area. Moreover, the wider area of the lagoon hosts one of the most important loggerhead sea turtle Caretta Caretta nesting beaches in the Mediterranean.
If you’re spending your Crete holidays in the west of the island, make visiting Balos, and nearby magnificent Falassarna a top priority. If you have also enough time, also explore further south, particularly Elafonissi and Kedrodasos.
No matter where you are on the island you are never far from Balos. And those shades of the magical blend of blue, that wash right up to this perfect beach, are the tell-tale sign that you are in Crete!
A visit in Balos, Falassarna, Elafonissi and Kedrodasos is one of the best things to do in Crete.
Trip Duration: 3 – 6 hours | Best Season: March – October
You can visit Discover Greece to learn more about Balos.
