The lagoon of Balos, located at the northwestern tip of Crete, is one of the most iconic and photographed places on the island.
This corner of paradise is famous for its turquoise waters, white and pink sand, and pristine landscape that surrounds it. Visiting Balos is an unforgettable experience for anyone who loves nature and the beauty of the Mediterranean.
New EU directives and bans 2024?
Recently, however, the authorities issued a statement banning tourist ferries from docking directly in the lagoon to protect the fragile ecosystem from 05/30/2024. What does this mean?
This has changed access arrangements for visitors, who now have to carefully plan their trip to reach this natural wonder. Here's how.
Ships dock at Balos Lagoon Pier after much controversy, personally tested in August 2024.
How to reach Balos Lagoon by car?
Getting to Balos by car is one of the most popular options and allows for greater flexibility but if you rent a car be aware that almost ALL agencies prohibit driving on rough and unpaved roads such as the one leading to Balos.
I'll just tell you that my car rental company (I won't mention the company out of respect) at the time of drop-off before I left for Italy, called me back accusing me of driving to Balos because they could hear noises/damage in the lower part of the car.
Of course I have NOT traveled such roads nor even reached this lagoon by land precisely to avoid these situations, I have tickets proving that I went by sea on a cruise excursion, which I will tell you about later.
To give you an idea, I met two Italian couples in Crete during my trip and one of them reached Balos by car: the road is unpaved, you risk extensive damage to the car, and the descent to reach the lagoon is really exhausting: about 40 minutes to walk down and I think an hour to walk back up, certainly not the perfect idea for those with families and children .
Without calculating that car rental agencies expressly forbid getting to these areas, and especially many have GPS installed, even if you pay full insurance, you will not be covered if they ask you for money upon return for violating the contract (I have read of people who paid penalty sums of 400 euros!).
Here are some shots passed to me by this couple of friends I mentioned during the “adventurous” ride with Strata Tours (a company that transports groups of people at set times and which I will tell you more about below).
I chose the more relaxing and economical route: I spent only 30€ per person by purchasing cruise tickets to Balos (conveniently from home before leaving), I took this excursion starting from the port of Kissamos (or La Chaina).
I enjoyed a day exploring Balos and Gramvousa Island. If you want further down you will find shots of the excursion. Better than that?
Getyourguide, the site where you buy tickets, allows you to request refunds or cancel your purchase even up to 24 hours before departure, so should you change your mind you are always in time to cancel your purchase. It works in short like Booking.
Photo Excursion Cruise to Balos Lagoon + Gramvousa Island
Read about my experience with the cruise excursion to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa at 30€ per person, purchasable and redeemable anytime on Getyourguide.
Departure and journey on the ship
Balos Lagoon
Gramvousa Island
1-day cruise to Balos + Gramvousa Island
I bought tickets for the mini cruise to Balos directly online and before I left for Crete at 30€ per person.
On the morning of the appointment we left at about 11:00 a.m. from the port of Kissamos (or la Chaina). The day before you will receive via email and sms the additional ticket with details of the pier where they embark.
You arrive in about 40 minutes as the first stop at Balos Lagoon, you have about 3 hours to enjoy the sea and the view: in my case more than enough, when I think of the massacre I would have had to do by land to get there, especially!
Around 3 p.m. we set off again to the second stop, as mentioned above, Gramvousa Island.
After a steep staircase (bring comfortable shoes and water) of about 20 minutes, you will reach the top, and from here you can enjoy a breathtaking view!
You have about 1 1/2 hours to visit the destination. After that you return to the port around 6 pm.
If you want you can read about my experience on this cruise to Crete from this link.
I also recount this experience in my Instagram profile Marco Livio Travels.
Before we get started with the tips, let me show you the complete list of the most beautiful beaches in Crete.
How to Reach Balos Lagoon
1. By Car
A toll of about 1€ is charged at the beginning of the road while parking is free.
To reach Balos Lagoon by car here is some information:
- Departure from Kissamos: Most visitors depart from Kissamos, a small town about 40 km west of Chania. From here, follow the signs to Kaliviani.
- Off-Road Route: After passing Kaliviani, the paved road becomes a dirt path of about 8 km. It is important to proceed with caution, as the road is quite rough and narrow in places.
- Parking: At the end of the dirt road, you will find a parking lot where you can leave your car. From here, continue on foot but the walk takes about 20 minutes.
2. Strata Tours
Strata Tours offers paid shuttles(20 euros) from Kissamos to Balos Beach via their 4×4 buses.
Here are the schedules below:
- 08.00h dep. – 13.00h ret.
- 09.30h dep. – 16.30h ret.
- 11.30h dep. – 18.30h ret.
2. On Foot
From the parking lot, a scenic trail will take you to the lagoon. The walk takes about 20-30 minutes and offers spectacular views of the lagoon from above. Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sunscreen with you.
3. Boat Excursions
Although the docking ban prevents ferries from reaching Balos directly, it is still possible to participate in organized excursions that depart from Kissamos port.
These excursions often include a stop at Gramvousa, a nearby island with an ancient Venetian castle, before approaching the lagoon. Visitors are then disembarked at a point not far from Balos and can walk to the lagoon.
Useful Tips
- Hours: To avoid the crowds and enjoy the lagoon in peace, try to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon.
- Equipment: Bring everything you need, such as water, snacks, sunscreen, hat and comfortable shoes. There are no facilities available in Balos.
- Respect the environment: Balos Lagoon is a delicate ecosystem. Be sure to leave no waste behind and respect the local flora and fauna.
Despite new restrictions on ferry docking, Balos Lagoon remains a must-see destination in Crete. Reaching it requires some planning and preparation, but your efforts will be amply rewarded by the breathtaking beauty of this corner of paradise. Have a safe trip and enjoy your Balos adventure!
