Beach · Kissamos · Crete · Greece

Balos Lagoon, Crete

Crete's turquoise lagoon at the tip of the Gramvousa peninsula

A tri-coloured lagoon where the Cretan, Aegean and Ionian seas meet — powdery pink-white sand, ankle-deep turquoise water and the Venetian fortress of Gramvousa on the horizon. Reachable by daily boat or a bumpy 4x4 track.

Type
Wild cove
Length
1 km
Sand
Pink-white powder
Water
Aegean · 22–26 °C · lagoon-shallow, gin-clear
Balos Lagoon, Crete
GPS · 35.5906° N, 23.5878° E
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Where to park

Where to leave the car

Rough dirt-track parking at the top (4x4 recommended) or leave the car in Kissamos and take the boat.

When to arrive

Best time to visit

Weekdays before the 11:30 boat arrives; late afternoon after it leaves.

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How you get there

Getting there

Daily boat from Kissamos (1 h) or 4x4 + 20-min hike.

What you'll find

Services

  • Seasonal beach bar
  • Sunbed rental (limited)
  • No shade — bring an umbrella

Local tips

What we wish we'd been told

  • 01Combine with Gramvousa fortress in the morning
  • 02Wear reef shoes — the sea floor has small stones

Keep exploring

More beaches in Greece

Guide to Greece