Balos Beach(Balos Lagoon)

Located in the town of Kissamos in the northwestern part of Crete, Greece, Balos Beach - also known as Balos Lagoon or Chania Balos Beach - is an immensely popular long and wide white and pink sand beach with many rocky portions.  This beach is recognized as one of the most photographed spots in Crete for its unparalleled natural beauty, turquoise waters, and white and pink sand.  The sand gets its distinctive pink hue in some areas from crushed shells and coral fragments mixed with the white sand.  The beach is positioned between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos and has a beautiful backdrop of rocky outcrops, dunes, and coastal vegetation, including sea daffodils and juniper trees. 

The beach is part of the Balos Lagoon and is formed by a shallow bay enclosed by the two small islands creating this natural lagoon, namely, Agria Gramvousa and Imeri Gramvoussa.  Agria Gramvousa is rugged and uninhabited, whereas the other islet, Imeri Gramvousa, Crete, is famous for its historic Venetian fortress that played a crucial role during the Cretan War (1645–1669) and later served as a refuge for Greek rebels during the Greek War of Independence in the early 19th century, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding sea and Balos Lagoon.  Interestingly, the Island of Gramvousa is home to the remnants of a rusty cargo ship that ran aground near the beach in the 1980s, but the exact cause is not yet documented.  The shipwreck is now a rusting hulk, gradually being eroded by the sea and weather, and is a point of interest for tourists and photographers.

The area around the beach is part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network to ensure the survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats.  This protected natural reserve is home to various bird species, including falcons and cormorants, as well as the endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). 

Balos Beach, Crete, does not have lifeguards but offers many other amenities, including sunbeds, a parasol rental facility, a snack bar, and a paid toilet near parking.

Balos Beach, Greece, is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, sailing, fishing, photography, and boating.  If you plan to go into the water, the beach is a safe spot to swim.  The water near the beach is calm and shallow, ideal for  small boats.  If you want to enjoy Balos Beach snorkeling, the shallow waters and clear visibility allow divers and snorkelers to explore a diverse array of fish, corals, and other marine creatures.   Balos Beach is a favorite spot for photographers due to its unique landscape, turquoise crystal-clear waters, natural beauty, and panoramic views.  The iconic view of Balos from the hill above is featured in many travel guides and postcards of Crete.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Balos Beach does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Balos Beach is easy - the beach has a paid parking lot located near Gramvousa Peninsula, Kissamos 734 00, Greece.  After parking, visitors have to hike on a rugged path for 20 minutes in the northeast to access the beach.  It is worth noting that the road leading to Balos is unpaved and bumpy, requiring a slow drive. You may refer to the Balos Beach, Crete, map for locational details.  

Alternatively, the beach can be accessed by boat from Kissamos Port.  Visitors can book a boat trip that usually departs in the morning and takes about one hour to reach Balos.

Interestingly, Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Balos Beach during their private trip to Greece in the early 1980s, where the couple experienced the unique natural beauty of the lagoon, with its turquoise waters, white and pink sands, and secluded atmosphere.

There are many attractions near Balos Beach.  Agia Sofia Cave is home to impressive limestone caves known for their dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, formed by erosion over thousands of years.  In addition, there is a small, ancient chapel inside the cave dedicated to Saint Sophia, which adds a spiritual and cultural dimension to the visit.  Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide in-depth knowledge about the cave and surrounding area.  Chrisoskalitissa Monastery - also known as the "Monastery of the Golden Step," is a popular religious site dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary perched on a rocky hill overlooking the Libyan Sea.  It also has a small museum displaying religious artifacts, traditional costumes, and historical items from the region.   Topolia Gorge is a 1.5-kilometer-long moderately challenging hiking trail that starts near the Katsomatados village and meanders through steep limestone cliffs, lush vegetation, a small village, secluded caves, and the Topolia River.  It offers a unique insight into the native biodiversity while enjoying Instagram-worthy views.  The White Mountains, or Lefka Ori, are the largest mountain range on the island of Crete, renowned for their stunning peaks, deep gorges, alpine meadows, rocky outcrops, plateaus, caves, canyons, and rich biodiversity.  Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including hiking, trekking, mountaineering, bird watching, and exploring Cretan villages like Anogeia and Askifou, where they can experience local hospitality, traditional cuisine, and vibrant cultural practices.   If you are looking for another nearby attraction, the Archaeological Museum of Kissamos has a gallery displaying an interesting collection spanning from the prehistoric period through the late Roman era.  The museum is known for its unique collection of Roman mosaics, sculptures from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and a wide variety of pottery, tools, coins, and figurines from the Minoan civilization, offering insights into daily life and religious practices in ancient Crete.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Balos Beach. Balos Canteen is present near the beach and provides light snacks and beverages.  Sunset Fish Restaurant Sfinari Beach serves amazing Greek-inspired seafood, pork, meat, and poultry dishes.  Captain Fidias serves Cretan dishes, including salads, seafood, pork, and meat dishes.  Antonios serves delicious salads, pizzas, burgers, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Taverna Lefteris serves amazing traditional Greek dishes, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, pork, poultry, and meat dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Taverna Falassarna serves traditional Cretan dishes.

If you are looking for Balos Beach hotels, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star CHC Galini Palace Hotel is 59 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a hot tub, a spa, a bar, and a restaurant.  A more affordable hotel is the beachfront 4-Star Libyan Princess, which offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a spa, and a restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the beachfront 4-Star Molos Bay Hotel, which has many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a kid’s pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the oceanfront 3-Star Balos Beach Hotel, which offers a few amenities, including two outdoor pools, a terrace, and a garden.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Diamond Star Hotel offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a terrace.