Balos Beach is a beautiful beach located in the northwestern part of the island of Crete, Greece. It can be a bit challenging to reach, but there are 4 different options:
By car: Balos Beach is accessible by car, but the last part of the road is a dirt track and can be quite bumpy. From Chania, you can take the national road towards Kissamos, then follow the signs to Balos. Due to unpaved and rocky conditions of the road most of the car rental companies do not allow to travel to Balos by car. ( And don't try to cheat them - they will know by the GPS if you went and you would have to pay a fine ). The only option - to rent a 4x4 that explicitly allows to drive to Balos and has insurance in place.
When you will arrive to the parking lot you will have difficulty finding a parking lot as due to high demand most of the lots are taken. Also, it will take about 25 minutes of walking down the hill on unpaved, rocky stairs. For this you’d need your sneakers, not flip-flops. This part of the road would not be easy if you travel with kids. In any case, once you reach the parking lot, you can either hike down to the beach or take a boat.
By public ferry: There is a daily ferry that goes to Balos & Gramvousa. A ferry ticket usually costs around 27 Euros per person ( 13 Euro per child ) , the ferry would have 200+ other tourists on board. Also, you have to follow the schedule, the Ferry will also stop at Gramvousa Island for 2 hours, again with little privacy to enjoy. Oh, and also do bring your own food on this trip.
By private boat: Another way to get to Balos Beach is by taking a boat from Kissamos, Kolymbari or Chania Old Port. With 100+ boats in our network we will offer the best option for you. Each boat trip to Balos which usually includes a stop at the nearby island of Gramvousa. The boat trip can be a great way to see the coastline and take in the scenery.
This is the best way to reach Balos, have a flexible schedule, food and drinks onboard. As local skippers know the schedules of Ferries, they do their best to avoid them - making sure you have your privacy and comfort. The half-day cruise for up to 5 persons starts from 400 Euros, it’s under 80 Euros per person but it’s a completely different experience.
By foot: For the more adventurous, it is also possible to hike to Balos Beach from the nearby village of Kaliviani. The hike takes about 2-3 hours each way and can be quite challenging, but it offers stunning views of the coastline and the surrounding hills.
Whichever method you choose, it's important to wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as the sun can be quite strong in this part of Greece.
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