The Dreamy Aquamarine Hues of Balos Lagoon Make it the Best Day Trip in Crete

Balos or Elafonissi? 

If you only have one day to explore western Crete and you’re trying to decide between Balos and Elafonissi, that’s a tough one. I highly recommend seeing them both. But they’re both fairly remote, one is located at Crete’s northwestern tip and the other at the farthest southwest point, so unfortunately, you’ll have to choose. 

While the gorgeous pink sands of Elafonissi Beach recently landed it the #1 spot on the list of the best beaches in the world, a day trip to Balos Beach is still my pick between the two (but only if you have to pick, you should really see them both!).

Read More: This Remote Greek Beach is the Best in the World (& You’ve Never Heard of It)

Why Balos? Because the perfect day trip to Balos also includes a stop at Gramvousa Island to see the old shipwreck and hike to the Venetian castle. It’s an added bonus that includes a little history with your day at the beach.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle).  All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you. 

Now let’s talk about how to get there, because there’s really only one way that makes sense.

How to Get to Balos Beach

Yes, technically you can rent a car and drive from Chania to Balos. The drive takes about 90 minutes but that’s not the hard part. The final stretch of road is unpaved and riddled with potholes and steep cliffs. And it’s very unlikely that your rental car company will allow you to take it there.

Even if they do, I don’t recommend it. Once you park, there’s another 20-30 minute hike to reach the actual beach. 

Zero stars, do not recommend. 

By Ferry from Kissamos Port (Best Option)

By far, the most civilized way to visit Balos Beach is by ferry from Kissamos Port. This option is my pick because it eliminates the challenging drive and includes the previously mentioned bonus stop at Gramvousa Island.

Here’s what to know about the ferry trip:

• The ferry ride takes about 1 hour each way.
• You can catch a local bus from Chania to Kissamos (about an hour).
• The ferry first stops at Gramvousa Island with a little time to explore before heading to Balos.
• The ferry offers the usual large ferry onboard amenities, so it’s a much more comfortable journey than the drive.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the port but I recommend booking online in advance during the peak season summer months.

By Private Tour

The other option if you don’t want to drive or take the bus is to book this Gramvousa and Balos Tour from Chania which will get you from Chania to Kissamos and back and includes the boat ticket from there. If you want to avoid the ferry altogether, this is the best option:

Balos & Falassarna Beach – Jeep Tour w/Loungers & Lunch

This full-day small-group Jeep Tour is one of the top-rated tours on the island. And it’s the perfect way to dodge the ferry and avoid the crowds. You’ll stop at Balos for photos & then head to Falassarna Beach (a local favorite). It also includes lunch and reserved lounge chairs, something Balos doesn’t have.

Our Day at Balos Beach

On our visit to Crete, we stayed in the charming town of Chania for our 5-day stay. 

Read More: Heraklion or Chania? It’s an Easy Choice (PLUS: the Perfect 5 Day Crete Itinerary)

On our second day, we rented a car and drove to Elafonissi Beach. And on our third day, took a full day trip to Balos Beach. 

To get to Kissamos from Chania, we took the 8:00am bus to the port of Kissamos. From there, we hooked up with our boat for the day. 

We could also have kept the car we rented for Elafonoissi Beach yesterday but there isn’t a ton of parking in Chania and the bus seemed like an easy enough option. Plus, I already mentioned the dirt road involved with driving to Balos.

We arrived at the port around 9:30am and were mildly alarmed at the size of the ship. It’s huge and there are easily 400 people aboard the large ferry boat.

We immediately fear this might be one of those obnoxious group tours, elbow to elbow on the beach with everyone else.

But we shouldn’t have worried.

Despite the large number of people aboard, both islands turn out to be expansive. There was plenty of room for us to carve out our own little bit of serenity at each stop, away from the crowds.

After a one-hour sail from Kissamos, we arrive at our first stop, the more ambitious of the two, Gramvousa Island.

First stop, Gramvousa

Gramvousa features a perfect stretch of white sand beach, complete with an awesome shipwreck peeking up from the emerald sea just offshore.

However, the island’s top sight is easily the Venetian castle towering atop a steep rock, 500ft above sea level. It’s considered one of the most impressive castles in Crete, so like most of our fellow passengers, we opted to make the climb to the top instead of lounging around on the beach.

The climb is tough in the mid-day heat, but we are rewarded with incredible views of the sea from every corner of the castle.

The island itself explodes with colorful flora and fauna and has tremendous views of our next stop, Balos Island. 

By the time we climb back down, the ship is blasting its departure horn. So much for beach time!

The Spectacular Balos Lagoon

Our next stop at Balos Lagoon is all about relaxation.

Like Elafonissi the day before, the beach is actually a vast lagoon with several different beach areas. Deciding to forgo the more crowded umbrella and beach chair area, we find a quiet area off to the side of the main beach and spread out our towels to relax for a while.

It is a splendid way to spend an afternoon.

Balos Beach is nothing short of spectacular. The moment you lay eyes on its turquoise shallow waters, you’ll understand why it’s considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. The contrast of the white sand and hints of pink sand and coral along the shore gives the beach a dreamy, almost otherworldly feel.

Because Balos is part of a protected nature reserve, you won’t find large resorts or restaurants here. There are a few sunbeds and umbrellas available for an extra cost, but if you want guaranteed shade, it’s best to bring your own gear.

When to go

Despite its remote location, Balos Beach does get busy, especially in peak season. That’s really the only downside of taking the ferry, you arrive with everyone else! But like I said, at Balos, there’s plenty of room to spread out so we never felt crowded.

If you want to experience its beauty without the crowds, arriving early in the morning or later in the afternoon is the way to go (and for that, you’ll have to book a private tour or brave the drive). 

Final Tips for Visiting Balos Beach

Visiting Balos Beach is a bit of an adventure, but the effort to get here is worth it for one of the most breathtaking beach views in all of Greece. With the ferry trip, we were able to enjoy nearly three hours of relaxation time on Balos before it’s time to head back to Kissamos for the drive back to Chania.

In terms of amenities, don’t expect full-scale beach bars or restaurants. There are a few small snack stands during peak season, but options are very limited.

Bringing your own food and drinks is a good idea if you want to stay fueled for a day of exploring. Basic restrooms are available, though they may require an extra cost to use, so keep some change on hand just in case.

So don’t miss a trip to Balos Beach when you visit Crete. It truly is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re arriving by ferry from Kissamos Port or taking the scenic (but bumpy) drive, this natural wonder is well worth the effort.