Travel Guide > Kreta > Chania > What to see > Balos

West of Chania and north-west of the village of Kastelli there is the wild and remote Gramvoussa peninsula. It is formed by steep rocks and it is covered with thyme, origanum bushes and wild flowers. On the north-west side of the peninsula, opposite to the island of Gramvoussa and the Gramvoussa castle, there is the wonderful beach of Balos. The Balos beach is covered with fine white sand; the same white sand covers the bottom of the sea and grants to the sea an emerald color.

You can get a boat from the Kastelli harbour at about 10 am to visit the Balos beach; otherwise you have to go on foot. The road to the beach stops about 2 km before it and the visitor has to follow a pave road with gorgeous views to reach it. It takes about half an hour and the climbing in the end is much more difficult.

Route : Chania - Kolymbari - Kissamos - Balos

The Balos beach is one of the purest, sandy beaches of Crete which cannot be reached by car. It is located in the Gramvousa Peninsula, a few km after the Kastelli village. The visitors can either follow the New National road until Kastelli or make a stop in the seaside village of Kolymbari.

We start with a visit to Kolymbari (23 km west of Chania) and the Gonia Monastery which is located one kilometre to the north. After that, we enter again the New National Road, and move to the west. We cross the plain of Kissamos to reach the seaside town Kastelli. It is located 42 km far from Chania (about 20 km from Kolymbari), a lovely small town with a long beach and a few cafes and tavernas.

We have two options to go to the Balos beach. We can either get a boat from the Kastelli harbour at about 10 am to the Balos beach and the Gramvousa peninsula, or we should go on foot. The road to the lovely sandy beach stops about 2 km before it and we have to follow a pave road with gorgeous views to reach it. It takes about half an hour and the climbing in the end is much more difficult, however the scenery is unique. There is a cafe next to the parking with bottles of water, juices and soft drinks.