Balos is a full-day trip by itself, so youd need to visit them on separate days. Balos Beach. Kissamos is within easy reach of Balos. There are under ten solidly pink in the entire world, in places like the Bahamas, Barbuda, Indonesia, California, Maui, Spain and Crete! During thistimewe made friends with numerous locals, all of whom said the same thing avoidBalosin the July and August peak season. Balos is featured on our top 10 beaches in Crete. Seitan Limania: our tips to visit the best kept secret of Crete! Copyright Delve Into Europe 2023. Balos Beach and Lagoon: One of the world's most famous pink beaches in Balos Beach is in Chania province, in the north-west corner of the island of Crete. Fortunately, there are numerous lodging options near Kaliviani village. You can check this website for weather conditions and updates for your trip. The other option you have is driving if so, be prepared for some slow, narrow and winding roads, especially in the later stages of the journey. Drive slowly to and from the car park. Watch our video from Balos and follow our Youtube channel. Elafonissi is a beach on a peninsula, extending to the adjacent island onto which you can walk via the shallow waters. Overall,Chaniais possibly the best place to stay in west Crete, partly because theres so much to see there, particularly around Chania Old Town and the Venetian Harbour. This process has been going on for the last 540 million years, and most of the foraminifera shells and remnants in the pink beaches are actually fossils! There is also a great probability that the weather will be windy but not too much. These accessories will be very useful during your stay. The carpark is located 1 km from the beach, but the entire walk down is absolutely stunning, and its easily one of the most photographed areas in all of Crete. However, if you seek solitude and a frisson of pink sand, Id advise heading onto the island, where the further you go, the quieter it gets. Try to guess which sea you are swimming in. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. Discover The 3 Pink Beaches In Crete In 2023 - Delve Into Europe From Kissamos: Boat Cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa. Its one of the best boat trips in Crete, takingyou around a rugged peninsulainto the open sea. 27 Jun 2023 19:36:05 His work is regularly featured in worldwide media outlets including The Guardian, BBC, and Conde Nast Traveler. To go to Balos though, theres no bus service available due to its difficult road, but you can take a taxi on-demand for 5 to 7 (7min route). A wonder of nature not easy to access, but with promises like no other. The water is usually too cold to swim in until late May, sometimes even early July. If youve come to Balos Beach seeking grand and luxury facilities to make your trip worthwhile, just stop for a second and take a good look around you. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. There is a parking fee to pay and a fee for the sunbeds at Balos beach. BalosBay is absolutely breathtaking. There are two routes one from AncientFalassarna, 9 km (6 miles) to the south, and the other fromKaliviani, next toKissamosharbour. See Also:Things to Do In Rethymno Cretes Gorgeous Third City. Hike to the most north-western point of Crete. On holiday, you should enjoy your free time by improving your skin tone! The town closest to Balos isKolymvari. Delve Into Europe is a brand of Delve into Travel registered in Australia, company number 37290601936. Sohow do you get toBalosBeachGreece? Top 4 activities 1. 5 star hotels, with Spa, swimming pool with sea view, but also hotels with private beach, reserved for adults or located near the main sights of Crete! It is 52 km northwest of the town of Chania and 1km away from the town of Kissamos. The entire surrounding area, including beaches, is protected by environmental organizations, so the Balos beach infrastructure here is very modest. The Ultimate 2023 Guide to Balos Beach, Crete - Routinely Nomadic In fact, the "sand" is made up of millions of tiny pink and red shells, scientifically known as foraminifera, which have been around for millions of years. |. ), to be able to cross the last kilometers without any problem, in order to reach Gramvousa, then Balos Beach. Located virtually on the north-westernmost tip of Crete, Balos Beach is not a place you see while passing by, but a place you specifically set out to visit. Its rare to see waves on the beachside, and impossible in the lagoon. Swimming in pleasant, shallow water. You can easily find the best route for Balos on Google based on where you stay. My work is regularly featured in worldwide media like The Guardian, BBC, and Conde Nast Traveler. However, we strongly recommend you to go in 44 (rental? Crete's pink sand beach: Your guide to visiting Elafonisi - Tripadvisor And, of course, if you go by car yourself, take very comfortable shoes, as you will need to go down to the bay, bypassing more than 2 km. In the peak season three boats run from Kissamos to Balos each day, departing between 10.20 am and 12.30 pm, returning between 5.45 pm and 7.30 pm. The charging price is 2 per hour. You'll see tours to Balos advertised at every travel agency between there and the Crete capital Heraklion, and for once, the hype is absolutely justified. My advice is to make a huge effort to visit Balos Beach, and I would build staying somewhere relatively close like Chania into your Crete itinerary for a night or two so you dont have a very long day getting there and back. How to Get to Balos BeachThe Kissamos to Balos Ferry, Frequently asked questions about balos beach, 30 of the Most Famous Landmarks in Greece, Damnoni Beach, Crete: All you need to know before you go, Three Bells Of Fira: One of the best sunset views in Santorini, A guide to the beautiful village Pyrgos Santorini, Panormos Crete a gorgeous village on the North Crete coast. The peak time is July-August. There are secluded places in Balos. Heres what youll find on our Top 13 most beautiful villas for rent in Crete! We rate Balos as the best beach in Greece because it ticks all the right boxes. We didnt opt to drive there, so didnt use the road, preferring theKissamostoBalosferry instead. Most of the summer in Greece is sunny and warm, so it is most likely to be sunny and possibly hot in Balos too. You can read more about the boat trip to Balos beach below. Its a 12 km ride fromKissamosport to theBalosBeach parking area, which is high above the beach. The most famous Crete pink sand beach - known locally as Elafonisi beach - is found on the southwest coast. How to visit Black Beach Santorini (Mesa Pigadia), Three Bells Of Fira: One of the best sunset views in Santorini, Balos Beach Crete: How to visit, best tours and top tips. The famous Balos Beach is one of the three most beautiful beaches in Crete, and all of these are on the remote west side of Crete. Reaching Balos beach requires an act of pilgrimage, as be fitting for such a spectacular landscape. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. Best Time to See Pink Sand Beaches in Crete 2023 - Rove.me You want to visit Balos Beach (sometimes also called Balos Lagoon) during your stay in Crete? Although it is believed that Tigani is part of the Gramvousa Peninsula. Its overtouristed, it takes quite an effort to reach it and is expensive, but Balos Beach is one of the most beautiful places youll visit in your life. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Your email address will not be published. How long do you need at this stunning Crete lagoon? All Rights Reserved. Remember to take your hat and stock up with plenty of water. Learn how your comment data is processed. I personally recommend you check a website 2-3 days prior to your trip to catch the best weather possible. Balos Beach by car and tour [parking, drive, food and more] - MEL365 The foraminifera are tiny, shelled animals that live in the sea, attached by a pseudopod (i.e. When we visited it had some a sizeable area of pink sand on the mainland (east) side of the beach, the furthest part away from the ferry. The journey toGramvousatakes an hour. Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. Balos Beach Adventure, Crete, Greece - Diary of a Gen-X Traveler A small plaque states that it was restored by two dedicated locals in the 1970s. Great idea! An idyllic place with shallow waters, ideal for a small family excursion and a unique sea bath in the world. Along the way, youll come across the Agnio archaeological site. Those who arrive by car should arrive early, so they dont miss out on the sun loungers and the last hours of relative calm before the ferries start running regularly. Balos beach and lagoon are located on mainlandCrete, close to Cape Tigani in the north-west corner of Creteisland, an hours boat ride from the nearest port at Kissamos inChaniaprovince. Two Pink Beaches in Crete Among the Most Beautiful in the World It is always some shade of pink, however, with a velvety, smooth texture that makes the sand feel unique. Immortalise this pink sand lagoon with your smartphone or camera. . You might also be interested in:The pink beaches of CreteA guide to Elafonisi Beach in CreteThe best beaches in Chania, CreteBest beaches in CreteBest beaches in Rethymno, Crete. The arithmetic was simple, we can't get to Balos beach with this car and we had no time for 12 km hike back and forth. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. And Kaliviani Traditional Hotel, in the village of the same name, a family-run hotel with superb views over the sea and Rodopos Peninsula. The walk is pleasant, for about 20 minutes if you go at your leisure. Balos, but also Gramvousa, another tourist place of Crete with paradisiacal beaches, are located at the northwestern point of the island. It is almost indescribable. What makes this place even more special, is the pink colour of the sand, making Balos one of only two pink beaches in Crete. Read more about her here. The fares in 2023 are 29 euros foradults, and 13 euros for under-12s. Its located in the south-western corner of the island of Crete, and like Balos Beach is packed during the summer months. The pink beach at Elafonisi (or Elafonisi) is located among a beautiful group of beaches featuring blindingly white sand. At the end of the road, paradise! Apart from the scenery, there is little trace of any ancient ruins. Map of Balos The island of Tigani can be seen on the left on the map, and the Gramvousa peninsula is visible on the right. A few basic tips for visiting Balos Beach. Count on around two hours to get to Elafonissi from Chania. They also guarantee the best price. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ac1007fbb5e8b454239307fd17bc135f" );document.getElementById("if34fc3a20").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In Gamvousa, you can go swimming and you can go hiking as well. Discover and enjoy the incredible lagoon, 2. There is no bus to Balos Beach. You can read more about our story here, Copyright Delve Into Europe 2023. Getting to Balos will be a lot easier than by car, but it also will be quite crowded, as these day cruises are very popular. Elafonissis pink sand is the prime draw for most visitors, and its much more famous for it than the other two beaches weve written about. Required fields are marked *. Discover and enjoy the incredible lagoon 2. The biggest difference between getting a boat trip and driving to the beach by yourself is that by taking the boat you dont have flexible hours as you do by driving, and the time in Balos beach is limited to usually 3 hours. Tickets & Tours - Balos Beach and Lagoon, Crete - Viator A day trip or tour from Rethymno to Balos makes for a long day (13 hours or more), with an early start and late finish. Organized trip to Crete: a circuit to discover the island differently! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I recommend booking a car throughDiscover Carswhere you can compare all rental car agencies prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. It is God`s wonderful gift for the people. It is advisable to bring your own snacks and drinks. The beach captures your heart twice over: once with a dreamy view, and then, from up close, as a magical swimming spot. These three beaches often have a fringe of pink sand along the shoreline, a sprinkling of magic stardust that draws visitors from around the world to the remote Crete west coast. You can also hire a huge swan or flamingopedaloif you so wish these are availableon the busiest section of the beach, close to all the umbrellas andsun beds. The beach and the opposite Cape Tigani form a shallow lagoon with turquoise waters and white sand, a perfect-picture landscape that has become a symbol of the beaches of Crete. Some are also tiny remnants of pink coral. If you easily get seasick pick a day with no wind if you want to go by boat. Everything You Need to Know About Balos Beach, Getting to Balos Beach by boat from Kissamos port, By KTEL bus (Association of Bus Operators). A good option is to rent a 4x 4 car. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer |Terms and Conditions . Start your day at Elafonisi beach, with its shallow water and fine white sand. Balos Beach, Crete - Book Tickets & Tours | GetYourGuide I visited each destination showcased on this website and I am here to help you make the most out of your holiday. When walking along the beach, I didnt really notice the pink tinge in the sand on the lagoon side. RT @ath_petr: Balos beach on the Gramvousa peninsula in Chania. You can visit the small chapel of Saint George located in Tigani. The main beach is where youll find most of the tavernas and equipment hire, but if you have time I suggest taking a look at some of the smaller series of sandy beaches to the north, in particular Agia Paraskevi Beach. If youre on a tour to Elafonissi Beach, you dont get enough time to visit Kedrodasos as well, but if you are driving, youll have plenty of time to see them both. The beach season on Crete island is one of the longest in Europe. Those who arrive by car should keep in mind that the lagoon is a fair walk from the carpark. If youre driving to Balos, you will pass by some bakeries in Kissamos. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer |Terms and Conditions . Contact Impressum Privacy policy. Balos beach, like Elafonissi, becomes very crowded during the high season.