Crete – Discover Stunning Balos Lagoon and the Gramvousa Islets

The divine Balos Lagoon and the two Gramvousa islets are situated in the northwestern corner of Crete, in Chania region. You can visit this stunning setting on a private boat trip, or get on one of the local ferries from Kissamos. If you are in for an adventure you can rent a 4W and follow the rocky dirtroad uphill, and from there enjoy the most spectacular views of the lagoon before descending to Balos beach on foot.

Kissamos Town and Port

Korikos Peninsula

Imeri and Agria Gramvousa

Where is Balos Lagoon Crete?

Balos Lagoon on a map

Balos Lagoon and beach

Balos Lagoon – How to get there?

Ennia Horia (Nine Villages)

Pontikonisi

Activities in Chania region

Suggested E4 routes

Sailing around Chania region

Amazing aerial view of Balos Lagoon with magical turquoise waters, lagoons, tropical beaches of pure white sand and Gramvousa island on Crete, Greece
Aerial view of Balos Lagoon with magical turquoise waters, lagoons, tropical beaches of pure white sand and Cap Tigani

Kissamos town and port

Kissamos province is in the foothills of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) covering two barren peninsulas and much rugged coastline, as well as relatively fertile agricultural land.

The town of Kissamos is also known as Kastelli-Kissamou and often referred to simply as Kastelli after the Venetian castle that was there. It is now a port and fishing harbour, with a regular ferry from the Peloponnese via Kythira. A town museum is located in the old Venetian governor’s palace and there have been important archaeological finds in the town, including fine mosaics, dating from the Roman city of Kissamos, the port of Polirinia (ancient Polyrrhenia).

Korikos peninsula

The Korikos peninsula is wild and remote but there is now a dirt track following its eastern side all the way to its northern tip. From there you need only a few minutes on foot to go down to the beautiful beach of Tigani to Balos. White sand and turquoise waters give it a South Seas appearance. Out to sea you can see the islets of Gramvousa with the large Venetian fortress.

Imeri and Agria Gramvousa

Imeri Gramvousa, which translates to Tame Gramvousa, hosts the remains of a Venetian fort and the remains of buildings left behind by Cretan insurgents, who were compelled to live as pirates, during the Greek War of Independence. Today, Imeri Gramvousa is a popular tourist attraction.

Aerial panoramic view through stone arch of an ancient Venetian castle on the beautiful islet of Imeri Gramvoussa near the beach of Balos in Chania region, Crete Greece
Aerial panoramic view through stone arch of an ancient Venetian castle on the beautiful islet of Imeri Gramvoussa near the beach of Balos in Chania region

Agria Gramvousa, which translates to Wild Gramvousa, is much less hospitable and is located due north of Imeri Gramvousa. The two small islands off the coast of north-western Crete in the prefecture of Chania are both uninhabited.

Where is Balos Lagoon Crete?

Balos Bay and Gramvoussa islet Chania region Crete
Balos Lagoon and beach

Balos Lagoon and the Gramvousa islets are to be found in the westernmost part of Crete on the west coast of Korikos penisula. It is about 46 kilometres from Chania city.

Balos Lagoon and Kissamos province on a map

Map of Chania region in Crete, Greece
Map of Chania region – Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa islets are just west of Korikos peninsula – Click to enlarge map

Balos Lagoon and beach

Amazing beach with turquoise water at Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa in Crete, Greece. Cap tigani in the center. Balos beach on Crete island, Greece. Landscape of Balos beach at Crete island in Greece.
Amazing beach with turquoise water at Balos Lagoon and Cap Tigani

Fittingly, for an island that has accommodated pirates, there is a lagoon, named the Balos lagoon on the west coast of Crete. The islet which forms part of a  cape, through the lagoon, called Cap Tigani (which means “frying pan” in Greek). North of Balos, at the Korykon cape, are the ruins of the small ancient Roman city of Agnion, with a temple to the god Apollo.

Tourists relax and bathe in crystal clear emerald water of the famous Bay of Balos.The pirate island of Imeri Gramvousa on backdrop, Chania region, Crete
Tourists relax and bathe in the crystal clear emerald water of the famous Bay of Balos.The pirate island of Imeri Gramvousa on backdrop

Balos Lagoon – How to get there?

How to get to Balos Lagoon by car?

Reaching Kissamos town you need to drive further west till you see the sign for Kaliviani. Here you take the country road which is soon turning into a dirt road. The road is in a terrible condition, forcing you to travel with 10-20 km per hour. You travel along the peninsula of Korikos until the end of the road. Here you will find a large parking space with a few facilities like toilets. From there a trail will take you on foot downhill along steps rougly cut into the hillside. You will be rewarded with the most amazing panoramic view of Balos Bay and the islets of Gramvousa and Pontikonisi. Remember to bring water, since you will be walking under the blazing sun.

Balos Lagoon boat trip

Balos lagoon on Crete island, Greece. Tourists relax and bath in crystal clear turquoise water. tropical beach of pure white sand and Gramvousa island

Private Boat Trip

From Trahilos village to Balos Bay and Gramvousa beach

Another option is to visit Balos and Imeri Gramvousa on one of the daily cruises from Kissamos town. The boat first take you on a tour around Kissamos Bay, then it stops at the island of Imeri Gramvousa (for approx. 90 minutes). Here you can make the climb from the beach to the ruins of the Venetian fortress built on top to keep pirates at bay. Afterwards the boat makes a stop at Cap Tigani and Balos Bay where you can enjoy a swim in the emerald lagoon. The total length of the trip is approx. 7 hours.

Gramvousa, Chania region, crete, greece
Gramvousa ferryboat

Please note: there’s no shade at Balos, but you can rent a sunbed and an umbrella. Toilet facilities are basic.

Beach of Balos and Gramvoussa, Northwestern Crete
Sunset at the Balos Lagoon with Cap Tigani in the center, Valenti rock in the background to the left, the island of Imeri Gramvousa in the background to the right, and further back to the right is the island of Agria Gramvousa.

Ennia Horia (Nine Villages)

Milia village, Chania region Crete Photo Y. Skoulas
Milia village – Photo Y. Skoulas

Ennia Horia (the nine villages) is the name given to the scenic mountainous region south of Kastelli. It is renowned for its chestnut trees. Most people drive through the region on their way to Elafonisos but it is worth stopping on the way to admire what is probably one of the lushest areas of Crete. It comprises the villages of Topolia, Koutsomados, Vlatos, Elos, Pervolia, Papadiana, Amidagakofelli and Kambos but the best known village is probably Milia which was reconstructed in traditional style with financial help from the European Community. The rebuilt stone houses can be rented and are ideal if you are looking for isolation in a lovely mountain setting.

Pontikonisi – yet another islet in Northwestern Crete

The islet of Pontikonisi, Northwestern Crete
The islet of Pontikonisi, Northwestern Crete

Pontikonisi (“mouse island”) is an uninhabited islet off the coast of western Crete. There is a small islet close to Pontikonisi called Pontikaki (“little mouse”).

Activities in Chania region

Hiking/trekking

Tourists visit Balos in Crete, hiking toward to the beach. The Gramvousa Peninsula forms the westernmost of the two pairs of peninsula in Crete and the western part of Kissamos Bay.
Tourists visit Balos in Crete, hiking toward to the beach. The Gramvousa Peninsula forms the westernmost of the two pairs of peninsula in Crete and the western part of Kissamos Bay.

The E4, starting from the Pyrenees passing the Alps and the whole of Greece, arrives in Kissamos, Crete where it crosses to Kato Zakros and ends in Cyprus. The walkers who follow the E4 route, by crossing paths, climbing rocks and crossing wild gorges and forgotten villages, discover hidden corners to enjoy nature in all its splendor and experience customs and traditions around genuine people. The route crosses almost the entire mountain and offer the most beautiful sights.

The trail crosses the region of Chania passing coastal routes, the western as well as the southern coastline and the White Mountains of well (mostly) signposted routes. Important for travelers is to be informed by the Mountaineering Club of Chania on the labeling, the length and the difficulty of the route. The mountain routes require the right equipment and the expertise during winter, partly because the weather is changeable, but also because the approach of shelters can happen only in consultation with the mountaineering club, as they are not permanently open.
The coastal paths E4 in the western and southern Crete is accessible throughout the year. They too, though, require the necessary information as some areas are approached only by experienced walkers since they are not easily identifiable. Also, it is not certain that the springs on the path always have water.

Suggested E4 routes

  • Kastelli Kissamos-Sfinari, 22.5 km, 6.5 hours, Spring – Fall
  • Single-Sfinari Chrysoskalitissa, 32 km, Spring – Fall
  • Chrisoskalitissa-Paleochora, 22 km, Spring – Fall
  • Paleochora-Sougia, 14.5 km, Spring – Fall
  • Sougia-St. Roumeli, 20 km, April – September
  • Agia Roumeli-Loutro, 13 km, throughout the year
  • Loutro-Fragokastelo, 19.5 km, throughout the year
  • Sougia – Koustogerako-Smooth, 24.5 km, Spring – Fall
  • Sougia-Agia Irini Gorge, 15 km, May – September
  • Smooth-Agia Roumeli, 18 km, May – October
Venetian Harbour of the city of Chania at sunrise with turquoise water, Crete, Greece

Chania Tours

TICKETS, ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO:

Sailing around Chania region

Chania is known for its beautiful coastline, beaches and archaeological sites. Destinations that combine all of these are Menies and Gramvousa. Even more interesting is the approach with sailboats. This is possible as you can charter a boat with an experienced captain at the Venetian harbor of Chania. This will allow you a first practical and theoretical approach to sailing.

The vessels can accommodate 4-7 people in cabins with fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and living room making even an extended stay very comfortable. Equipment needed is a hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and warm as well, if you are going to stay the night.
The journey starts from the old port of Chania with north-northwest direction. Passing the southern island of Saint Theodore, which today is home to protected species such as the Cretan wild goat; the bay of Menies after about 3 hour; the journey continues around the cape with steep cliffs after which the course goes west-southwest across the northern edge of the bay of Kissamos on the narrow path between the island of Wild Gramvousa and Gramvousa cape. If you choose, you can stay for a night at Gramvousa island where the sound of the sea is the only accompanying the starry sky.

Paragliding in Chania region

Paragliding in Greece

Locations for paragliding

  • Near Nea Chora, 2 km from the centre of Chania
  • Tableland of Omalos, 45 Km from the town of Chania. An enchanting flight from Kallergi in a northwest-west direction over the Samaria Gorge and the Gigilos
  • Fallasarna, over the ancient town in a west direction
  • Tableland of Askifou
  • A unique flight over the lake of Kournas in a northeast- east direction
  • Over Varipetro with view of the Lefka Ori and the lake of Agia
  • Elafonissi, in a south direction with a view of Elafonissi and the Libyan Sea
  • Over Paleochora, in a south direction with a view of the Libyan Sea.