Visit Balos Lagoon on Crete
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The island of Crete is filled with beauty. It is the largest islands in Greece and there is certainly no shortage of things to do! One of the best ways to enjoy Crete is to take in its beauty. Balos Lagoon is one of the places you can visit. Here’s more information:
About Balos Lagoon
Balos Lagoon in Crete is located about 56 km northwest of Chania and 17 km northwest of Kissamos. The lagoon is formed below the range of Platiskinos between Cape Tigani and Cape Gramvousa. Balos Lagoon is one of the most well-know, popular, and most photographed areas in Crete.
Balos features beautiful turquoise waters and surrounding natural beauty that is breathtaking. The popularity of the beach means it can get crowded at times, but it is still worth visiting. You don’t want to miss seeing and experiencing the white sand and gorgeous waters that create an almost exotic-like scene. There are some areas of the beach that have pink colored sand, which is due to crushed shells. The water at Balos Lagoon is shallow, making it ideal for families with young children. Moving beyond the boundaries of the lagoon is where the water becomes deeper and more cold.
Balos Lagoon and the surrounding areas are protected under the Natura 2000 program thanks to the rare species of fauna and flora. The shags, cormorants, and Eleonora falcons nests that are found in caves in the area are also worth protecting. The protected monk seal and Caretta Caretta turtles also live in the area.
Visit Balos Lagoon on Crete
Visiting Balos Lagoon is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. The popular beach gets a good number of visitors, but it’s easy to see why once you are there. The beautiful sand and inviting water will draw you in. If you’re visiting with children, the shallow water is safe for them to splash around in. Sun beds and umbrellas can be rented at the beach and there is a canteen on site.
Take some time to explore the area surrounding Balos Lagoon. You may be lucky enough to spot a Caretta Caretta turtle or monk seal. Don’t forget to take in the beautiful and rare flora and fauna.
Getting to Balos Lagoon
You can get to Balos Lagoon by ferry from Kissamos.This is an exciting way to not only get to the beach, but to see the surrounding area as well. You can see the shores of Gramvousa and the marks that show where they were lifted after the earthquake of 365 AD. Taking the ferry may also offer you the unique opportunity to see dolphins along the way. You can also get to Balos Lagoon by car.
When you arrive at Kaliviani, there will be a small fee that goes toward the protection of the Balos Lagoon area and preservation of the road. There is parking available above the lagoon. If you are up for an adventure, you can hike to Balos Lagoon from Kaliviani. The hike takes about 3 hours, so if you’re traveling with children, this probably won’t be ideal. If you want to explore on foot before getting to Balos Lagoon, a hike will take you past Gramvousa, the Chapel of Saint George and a large cavern.
Categorized in: About Crete Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
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