Balos: the shallow lagoon at the edge of Crete

Balos near Kissamos in north-western Crete is a shallow turquoise lagoon framed by pale sand and rugged rock, reached either by boat or a hillside path.

Balos is a shallow lagoon and bay on the Gramvousa Peninsula near Kissamos in north-western Crete, combining pale sand, shallow water and stark rock in a single compact landscape. Set within the Chania regional unit of Greece, it forms a natural amphitheatre of sea, lagoon and peninsula that has become one of the main coastal sights of western Crete.

A lagoon wedged between capes and cliffs

Balos occupies a small embayment on the western side of Crete, framed between Cape Gramvousa and Cape Tigani at the tip of the Gramvousa Peninsula.between Cape Gramvousa and Cape Tigani Behind the lagoon rises the range known as Platiskinos, giving the whole scene a layered structure of shore, shallow water and higher ground.the range of Platiskinos The setting places Balos at the westernmost part of Crete, in the prefecture of Chania and within the municipality of Kissamos.

The lagoon itself lies just south of the small island and cape of Gramvousa, with the sea opening northwards and westwards towards the wider Mediterranean. The geography creates a sheltered body of shallow water landward of the bay, with sandbars and low-lying shoreline that contrast with the steeper rocky slopes behind. Maps and regional descriptions place Balos roughly west of the town of Chania and north-west of Kissamos, at the exposed outer edge of Crete’s landmass.a bay with a lagoon behind it

Sand, shallow water and colour in the lagoon

Descriptions of Balos emphasise its combination of almost white sand, shallow turquoise water and the darker tones of surrounding rock.turquoise water and almost white sand The lagoon forms landward of the bay, with water that remains shallow across wide areas, creating broad zones where the sea and the sand intermix. The shoreline between the open bay and the lagoon narrows to a strip, so the visitor walking across it has sea on one side and lagoon water on the other.

The sand and sediment in parts of Balos have a light hue that stands out against the blue-green water, and in some accounts this is described as having a slight pink tinge in places.a shallow turquoise lagoon wrapped in pale pink sand Around the lagoon the ground rises into rocky slopes and cliffs, giving a sense of enclosure when standing near the waterline, and a wider view of the lagoon’s form when looking down from higher paths. Shallow channels run through the sandbars, and the mixture of water depths contributes to the patchwork of colours seen from above.

Approach routes from Kissamos and the surrounding region

Balos is reached either overland from the direction of Kissamos and the village of Kaliviani or by boat from the harbour at Kissamos.two options: arrive by boat or by car The overland route follows a road from Kissamos towards Kaliviani and continues along an unpaved coastal track on the Gramvousa Peninsula to a parking area above the lagoon.accessed in three ways From this point, visitors continue on foot down a path to the lagoon and beach.

Boat excursions depart from the port of Kissamos, travelling along the coast towards Gramvousa and Balos and giving access directly to the shoreline without the hillside walk.the boat option departs from Kissamos port The route by boat passes steep coastal cliffs and approaches the lagoon from seaward, while the land route reveals Balos from above as the path descends towards the water. In both cases, the journey underlines the remote character of the Gramvousa Peninsula compared with the more continuous settled coast nearer Chania.

Visiting Balos: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Balos lies on the Gramvousa Peninsula in north-western Crete, north-west of Kissamos in the Chania regional unit; access is commonly organised from Kissamos itself.
• The overland approach from Kissamos runs via the village of Kaliviani and continues on a gravel coastal track to a hilltop parking area, followed by a descent on foot to the lagoon.
• Boat excursions to Balos operate from the harbour at Kissamos and travel along the Gramvousa coast, reaching the bay and lagoon directly from the sea.
• The terrain around the lagoon includes a hillside path with a noticeable gradient, stretches of loose rock and sand, and areas of shallow water spread across wide sandbars.
• Greece’s official language is Greek and the currency is the euro.

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Frequently asked questions about Balos

Where is Balos located in relation to Kissamos and Chania?

Balos is on the Gramvousa Peninsula in north-western Crete, within the municipality of Kissamos in the Chania regional unit, west of the town of Chania.

What should visitors expect when they arrive at Balos?

Visitors encounter a shallow lagoon with pale sand, shallow turquoise water and surrounding rocky slopes, with a shoreline that forms a narrow strip between sea and lagoon.

What makes the landscape at Balos distinctive among Cretan beaches?

The combination of a lagoon landward of a bay, sandbars, shallow water, enclosing cliffs and views from the hillside approach gives Balos a layered coastal landscape that is characteristic of this tip of Crete.