Enjoy the views in Balos
Enjoy the views in Balos

Self-Guided Day Trip to Balos Beach, Chania

Experience one of the world's best beaches with a day trip to the shallow, teal waters and white and pink sand of Balos Lagoon.

Overview

Discover one of Crete's most renowned (and photographed) beaches with a day trip to Balos Lagoon. This wild and picturesque location draws in thousands of visitors each year with its warm, turquoise lagoon that meets a shoreline of white and pink sand. You can reach Balos either by driving and then hiking for 30 to 45 minutes down to the beach, enjoying sweeping views of the lagoon along the way, or you can take a boat that stops at the famous pirate hideout, Gramvousa. Balos is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing, and kids will love splashing around the shallow lagoon.

Highlights

  • Swim and snorkel in one of Crete's best beaches
  • Hike down to Balos, soaking in panoramic views of the lagoon
  • Wade through the warm, shallow waters of Balos Lagoon
  • Marvel at soft pink and white sand
  • Visit the Venetian fortress and former pirate hideout on Gramvousa

Know before you go

Duration
8 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Self guided

What you'll do

Enjoy a day at one of the world's best beaches with this trip to Balos Lagoon, whose white and pink sand and shallow, turquoise lagoon have made it a prime destination for visitors to Crete. Visiting Balos from Chania is an all-day activity whether you go by car or by boat, so it's best to begin your day early, particularly if you want to beat the crowds.

If you drive, it's about an hour and 15 minutes from Chania, with the last 30 minutes or so devoted to a 4 to 5-mile (7-8 km) stretch of a winding, bumpy, unpaved one-way road. Once you reach the parking lot, it's time to hike down to the beach. It's 1 to 1.5 miles (2 to 2.5 km) and takes about 30 minutes, so bring lots of water and make sure to have your camera ready for the sweeping panoramic views of Balos that you won't be able to get from anywhere else.

As an alternative to driving all the way there, you can take your car or a bus to the port of Kissamos and catch a ferry to Balos. Most boats include a stop at the uninhabited island of Imeri Gramvousa, about 15 minutes from Balos. If you choose this option, you can expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours at Gramvousa, where you can relax on its picturesque beach or hike 20 minutes up to its 16th-century Venetian fortress that was turned into a rebel and pirate hideaway in the early 19th century.

Once you get to Balos Lagoon, you can set up at one of the paid umbrellas and sunbeds or find a spot for yourself. While there are some services at Balos, like a small beach bar and a few bathrooms, it's more unorganized than not, so be sure to bring snacks or sustenance or purchase them on the boat if that's your transportation method.

The shallow lagoon is ideal for young kids and children, who can play safely in its warm teal-colored waters. There are also rock pools and formations that adults and stronger swimmers can explore in the sea water, non-lagoon side, making this a great location for travelers of all ages.