The region of Gramvousa with the Balos Lagoon is one of the most exotic destinations in Crete.
The famous lagoon is located 56Km northwest of Chania and 17Km northwest of Kissamos. If you want to visit this region of such unique beauty, Kissamos is the ideal place to stay. The Balos Lagoon is a sandy beach with shallow waters formed between the Peninsula of Gramvousa and the Tigani Peninsula. Balos is famous for its aquamarine waters, the exotic scenery, the view that greets the visitor on his descent through the path but also for the breath-taking wild, natural beauty of the landscape.
Balos is certainly one of the most advertised and photographed destinations in the world and the favourite subject of all tourist guides. A prospective visitor can find a great deal of information and even more photographic material, but one thing is certain. You will forget all of the above when from the top of the mountain, after the drive and the walk necessary to get there, you face the entrancing view to Balos which emerges majestic. Kissamos awaits to extend its hospitality, to offer you treats and enchant you with places like the Balos Lagoon with the white-pink sand and the strong aquamarine and turquoise waters.
The Gramvousa Peninsula – Balos Lagoon region is included in the Natura 2000 network with the codes GR 4340001 & GR 4340017.
In Balos there are 2 snack-bars that provide the visitor with packaged food and bottled water. Visitors should come with due sensitivity and respect and observe the regulations that apply to the area.
Ways to get to the Balos Lagoon:
By car or motorbike from Kissamos and Kaliviani village on a 10Km road that ends in the parking area. From there you will need to walk about 1Km on the path that leads to the beach.
By boat or private craft.
Advice:
Prefer to visit Balos in April, May, June, September and October.
Make an early start from your hotel to avoid traffic and also to enjoy Balos with as few visitors around as possible.
Take many photographs, the beauty is unsurpassed, and you will need them when you take a trip down memory lane.
Respect the environment. After all, one day it will pay us back.
It is prohibited:
To stay overnight and to remain in the area of the dune ecosystems
To smoke and throw cigarettes at the beach.
To light up a fire.
To throw rubbish unless in the rubbish bins.
To contaminate the water and the wider area in general.
To destroy any kind of natural vegetation.
To hunt.
To install bee hives and bee colonies without a permit from the Forest Authority.
To place signs for advertising purposes.
To climb.
To camp.
To park a car.
No matter what you hear about blue waters, pink and white sand, the enchanting scenery of Crete, about clear waters and exotic colours, it will not even begin to describe what you will actually face when you come to the beach of Elafonisi in Kissamos. The water of the sea is of every hue of blue. In several spots where the wave breaks the sand has a special pink hue, a unique characteristic of this unusual beach.
Crystal waters, golden sand,endless beach…a blessed place to be. Falassarna is located 59 kilometers west of Chania and 12 kilometers west of Kissamos. Falassarna is now one of the most famous destinations in Crete, both for its beaches and for ecological interest. Falassarna is part of the Natura 2000 network, both due to its variety of flora and fauna and as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Falassarna beach has been voted the most beautiful beach of Crete and is rated as one of the 10 best beaches in all of Europe.