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If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.","text",[345],{"type":346},"italic",{"type":348,"attrs":349,"content":351},"heading",{"level":350,"textAlign":197},2,[352],{"text":353,"type":343},"In short: Elafonisi and Balos",{"type":338,"attrs":355,"content":356},{"textAlign":197},[357],{"text":358,"type":343},"Elafonisi is in the southwest of Crete, about one and a half to two hours by car from Chania. Balos is in the northwest, and you reach it by boat from Kissamos or by car and a short walk. Stay in Kissamos and you can reach both before the big coaches. 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From the car park it is about twenty minutes down to the beach, and the walk back up is steep.",{"type":338,"attrs":417,"content":418},{"textAlign":197},[419],{"text":420,"type":343},"From May to October boats leave the harbour in Kissamos. The trip takes about an hour and usually stops at Gramvousa, where you can climb to a Venetian fortress from 1579. Book the boat early in July and August.",{"type":338,"attrs":422,"content":423},{"textAlign":197},[424,428,429],{"text":425,"type":343,"marks":426},"Boat trip to Balos:",[427],{"type":366},{"text":368,"type":343},{"text":430,"type":343,"marks":431},"See experiences and tickets from Kissamos",[432],{"type":373,"attrs":433},{"href":434,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":376,"linktype":377},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FA2ubPxB",{"type":338,"attrs":436,"content":437},{"textAlign":197},[438,442],{"text":439,"type":343,"marks":440},"Good to know:",[441],{"type":366},{"text":443,"type":343}," When a strong north wind blows, the boats can be cancelled. September is often the best month, with a warm sea and fewer people.","BodyBlock",{"_uid":446,"image":447,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":457,"caption_text":458,"caption_title":459,"image_caption":14},"76f02bfd-21fb-41ba-8bd3-9f0e0fb825eb",{"id":14,"alt":448,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":449,"width":450,"height":451,"source":452,"filename":453,"copyright":452,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":454,"public_id":455,"aspect_ratio":456,"is_external_url":200},"The Balos lagoon from above, with turquoise water and sandbanks","Balos",3840,2546,"Marina T \u002F Unsplash","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002FPicolo\u002FCountry\u002FGreece\u002FCrete\u002Fbalos-lagoon-north-west-tip-crete.jpg",{"alt":448,"title":449},"Picolo\u002FCountry\u002FGreece\u002FCrete\u002Fbalos-lagoon-north-west-tip-crete",1.5082,"FullImage","Balos seen from the path down from the car park. Photo: Marina T \u002F Unsplash","The Balos lagoon",{"_uid":461,"body":462,"component":444},"7e3e9246-7165-4337-a188-8d53e15d829c",{"type":335,"content":463},[464,469,474,480,485,494,502,514,519,524,532,540,553,558,563,571,579,592],{"type":348,"attrs":465,"content":466},{"level":350,"textAlign":197},[467],{"text":468,"type":343},"Where to stay",{"type":338,"attrs":470,"content":471},{"textAlign":197},[472],{"text":473,"type":343},"Kissamos is the best base for both beaches. The boats to Balos leave from here, and Elafonisi is just over an hour away by car. The town is small and quiet, with a beach and tavernas along the sea.",{"type":348,"attrs":475,"content":477},{"level":476,"textAlign":197},3,[478],{"text":479,"type":343},"Aphrodite Beach, Kissamos",{"type":338,"attrs":481,"content":482},{"textAlign":197},[483],{"text":484,"type":343},"Aphrodite Beach sits on the bay in Kissamos, a short way from the harbour where the boats to Balos leave. The apartments have furnished balconies, and there is an outdoor pool, a beach bar and the Inalia restaurant serving Mediterranean food. You can also book a facial after a day in the sun.",{"type":338,"attrs":486,"content":487},{"textAlign":197},[488,492],{"text":489,"type":343,"marks":490},"Best for:",[491],{"type":366},{"text":493,"type":343}," travellers who want to catch the morning boat to Balos.",{"type":338,"attrs":495,"content":496},{"textAlign":197},[497,500],{"text":439,"type":343,"marks":498},[499],{"type":366},{"text":501,"type":343}," It is a two-star hotel, so the rooms are simple.",{"type":338,"attrs":503,"content":504},{"textAlign":197},[505,509,510],{"text":506,"type":343,"marks":507},"Book your stay:",[508],{"type":366},{"text":368,"type":343},{"text":370,"type":343,"marks":511},[512],{"type":373,"attrs":513},{"href":375,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":376,"linktype":377},{"type":348,"attrs":515,"content":516},{"level":476,"textAlign":197},[517],{"text":518,"type":343},"Galini Beach Hotel, Kissamos",{"type":338,"attrs":520,"content":521},{"textAlign":197},[522],{"text":523,"type":343},"Galini Beach is a simple hotel near the beach in Kissamos, with a terrace, a garden and a café. Parking and wifi are included, and guests rate it 9.6 out of 10. It is an affordable base for the boat to Balos.",{"type":338,"attrs":525,"content":526},{"textAlign":197},[527,530],{"text":489,"type":343,"marks":528},[529],{"type":366},{"text":531,"type":343}," travellers who want an affordable bed near the harbour.",{"type":338,"attrs":533,"content":534},{"textAlign":197},[535,538],{"text":439,"type":343,"marks":536},[537],{"type":366},{"text":539,"type":343}," It is a one-star hotel, so expect simple rooms.",{"type":338,"attrs":541,"content":542},{"textAlign":197},[543,546,547],{"text":506,"type":343,"marks":544},[545],{"type":366},{"text":368,"type":343},{"text":548,"type":343,"marks":549},"Check availability and prices at Galini Beach Hotel",[550],{"type":373,"attrs":551},{"href":552,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":376,"linktype":377},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fgalini-beach-hotel-kissamos-hellas.pEPbycW",{"type":348,"attrs":554,"content":555},{"level":476,"textAlign":197},[556],{"text":557,"type":343},"Sunset Elafonisi Apartments",{"type":338,"attrs":559,"content":560},{"textAlign":197},[561],{"text":562,"type":343},"Sunset Elafonisi sits by the beach in the Elafonisi area, with a seasonal pool, a terrace and a garden. Parking is included, and you are on the sand before the day trippers arrive. It suits you if you want the west coast almost to yourself in the morning.",{"type":338,"attrs":564,"content":565},{"textAlign":197},[566,569],{"text":489,"type":343,"marks":567},[568],{"type":366},{"text":570,"type":343}," travellers who want to be on the beach before the coaches arrive.",{"type":338,"attrs":572,"content":573},{"textAlign":197},[574,577],{"text":439,"type":343,"marks":575},[576],{"type":366},{"text":578,"type":343}," Shops and restaurants are far away, so you need a car.",{"type":338,"attrs":580,"content":581},{"textAlign":197},[582,585,586],{"text":506,"type":343,"marks":583},[584],{"type":366},{"text":368,"type":343},{"text":587,"type":343,"marks":588},"Check availability and prices at Sunset Elafonisi Apartments",[589],{"type":373,"attrs":590},{"href":591,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":376,"linktype":377},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fsunset-elafonissi-apartments-kissamos-hellas.ma2VjpD",{"type":338,"attrs":593,"content":594},{"textAlign":197},[595,597,605],{"text":596,"type":343},"If you would rather stay near Chania and drive out for the day, see our guide to ",{"text":598,"type":343,"marks":599},"Chania hotels",[600],{"type":373,"attrs":601},{"href":602,"uuid":603,"anchor":197,"target":604,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Fchania-hotels","b4b7fbb9-935f-4afa-820f-9c1327d6dc96","_self",{"text":606,"type":343},".",{"_uid":608,"theme":308,"title":609,"people":610,"cta_link":640,"overline":641,"body_copy":642,"component":643,"cta_label":644},"2afc40b0-e27b-446e-9ef7-6cbd72c99f85","Aphrodite Beach",[611,627],{"_uid":612,"name":613,"text":614,"image":615,"cta_link":625,"component":626,"job_title":14},"b5a95e1e-7222-42bd-a63d-f2d01c98353d","The bay in Kissamos","The hotel sits on the bay in Kissamos, with a beach bar and loungers near the water. The boats to Balos and Gramvousa leave from the harbour close by.",{"id":14,"alt":616,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":617,"width":618,"height":619,"source":620,"filename":621,"copyright":620,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":622,"public_id":623,"aspect_ratio":624,"is_external_url":200},"The beach at Aphrodite Beach in Kissamos","The bay",1920,1550,"Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Fbeach-aphrodite-beach-kissamos-crete.jpg",{"alt":616,"title":617},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Fbeach-aphrodite-beach-kissamos-crete",1.2387,{"id":14,"url":375,"target":376,"linktype":377,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":375},"person",{"_uid":628,"name":629,"text":630,"image":631,"cta_link":639,"component":626,"job_title":14},"51d27843-5410-4594-bb0f-cf22ec2f608c","Apartments with balconies","The apartments have furnished balconies and flat-screen TVs. In the evening you eat Mediterranean food at the Inalia restaurant.",{"id":14,"alt":632,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":633,"width":618,"height":634,"source":620,"filename":635,"copyright":620,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":636,"public_id":637,"aspect_ratio":638,"is_external_url":200},"Room at Aphrodite Beach in Kissamos","The rooms",1590,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Froom-aphrodite-beach-kissamos-crete.jpg",{"alt":632,"title":633},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Froom-aphrodite-beach-kissamos-crete",1.2075,{"id":14,"url":375,"target":376,"linktype":377,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":375},{"id":14,"url":375,"target":376,"linktype":377,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":375},"Our first choice in Kissamos","Aphrodite Beach sits on the bay in Kissamos, a short way from the harbour where the boats to Balos leave. In the morning you are among the first on board, and in the evening you eat at the hotel restaurant Inalia. Elafonisi is just over an hour away by car.","HalfAndHalfBlock","Check availability and prices",{"_uid":646,"body":647,"component":444},"dc4d0451-7e25-48ab-a947-bc7a657cd3e8",{"type":335,"content":648},[649,654,659,664,669,674,679,684,689],{"type":348,"attrs":650,"content":651},{"level":350,"textAlign":197},[652],{"text":653,"type":343},"Frequently asked questions about Elafonisi and Balos",{"type":348,"attrs":655,"content":656},{"level":476,"textAlign":197},[657],{"text":658,"type":343},"Can you visit Elafonisi and Balos on the same day?",{"type":338,"attrs":660,"content":661},{"textAlign":197},[662],{"text":663,"type":343},"It is possible by car, but it makes a long day with a lot of driving. The beaches are on opposite sides of the western tip, about an hour and a half apart. It is better to split them over two days and stay in Kissamos. Then you reach both before the large groups.",{"type":348,"attrs":665,"content":666},{"level":476,"textAlign":197},[667],{"text":668,"type":343},"How do you get to Balos without a car?",{"type":338,"attrs":670,"content":671},{"textAlign":197},[672],{"text":673,"type":343},"Take the boat from the harbour in Kissamos. It runs from May to October, takes about an hour and usually stops at Gramvousa on the way. Buses run from Chania to Kissamos. Book the boat in advance in July and August, and check the forecast, as strong wind can stop the boats.",{"type":348,"attrs":675,"content":676},{"level":476,"textAlign":197},[677],{"text":678,"type":343},"Is the sand at Elafonisi really pink?",{"type":338,"attrs":680,"content":681},{"textAlign":197},[682],{"text":683,"type":343},"Yes, but the pink tint comes from crushed shells and is clearest at the edge of the water and in thin streaks. It looks strongest early and late in the day. The sand is protected, so leave it where it is. Photos online are often edited, so expect a softer pink than on Instagram.",{"type":348,"attrs":685,"content":686},{"level":476,"textAlign":197},[687],{"text":688,"type":343},"When is the best time to visit Elafonisi and Balos?",{"type":338,"attrs":690,"content":691},{"textAlign":197},[692],{"text":693,"type":343},"June and September bring a warm sea and fewer people than July and August. Whatever the month, arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Between eleven and three the beaches fill with coaches and boats. Check the wind before you head to Balos.",{"_uid":695,"body":696,"component":444},"30588a9c-0f5a-45cc-9ea5-3e4e86ed20e6",{"type":335,"content":697},[698,703],{"type":348,"attrs":699,"content":700},{"level":350,"textAlign":197},[701],{"text":702,"type":343},"Read more",{"type":704,"content":705},"bullet_list",[706,719,729],{"type":707,"content":708},"list_item",[709],{"type":338,"attrs":710,"content":711},{"textAlign":197},[712],{"text":713,"type":343,"marks":714},"Car hire in Crete",[715],{"type":373,"attrs":716},{"href":717,"uuid":718,"anchor":197,"target":604,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Fcar-hire-crete","a3f7b5d9-58e5-49b2-bd31-4ef545a72a72",{"type":707,"content":720},[721],{"type":338,"attrs":722,"content":723},{"textAlign":197},[724],{"text":725,"type":343,"marks":726},"Chania hotels: the old town and the harbour",[727],{"type":373,"attrs":728},{"href":602,"uuid":603,"anchor":197,"target":604,"linktype":28},{"type":707,"content":730},[731],{"type":338,"attrs":732,"content":733},{"textAlign":197},[734],{"text":735,"type":343,"marks":736},"The best beaches in Crete",[737],{"type":373,"attrs":738},{"href":739,"uuid":740,"anchor":197,"target":604,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Fbest-beaches-crete","40e0f577-b2b4-47b7-9fc3-5de2cedefac1",{"_uid":742,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":743,"author_name":744,"author_text":14,"author_image":745,"section_overline":746,"facebook_share_link":747,"instagram_share_link":748},"ebcaed68-c6bc-4c16-8c25-b5bdbd3b16b7","ArticleFooter","Picolo editorial team",{"id":197,"alt":197,"name":14,"focus":197,"title":197,"filename":14,"copyright":197,"fieldtype":16},"Enjoy Bilbao",{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"id":14,"url":14,"linktype":28,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":14},{"_uid":750,"card_type":751,"component":752,"filter_by":753},"7b7d9929-5c44-4834-957d-cff2cdacfd02","stories to inspire your next trip","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":754,"plugin":755,"values":756},"608921a3-5d44-4d54-beaa-ab8cc2d54329","storyblok-tags-select",[757,758,759],"Hotel","Beach Hotel","Sun","7",[762,763,764],"Crete","Greece","Travel tips","Article",{"id":14,"alt":317,"name":14,"focus":14,"title":318,"width":319,"height":320,"source":321,"filename":297,"copyright":321,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":767,"public_id":323,"aspect_ratio":324,"is_external_url":200},{"alt":317,"title":318},"elafonisi-balos-day-trip","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Felafonisi-balos-day-trip",-390,[],228765013445563,"59f9d2ad-03de-46f9-8bca-572f4c861138","2026-11-01T14:36:38.962Z",[776],{"id":777,"name":778,"slug":779,"published":208,"full_slug":780,"is_folder":200,"parent_id":781},236970797551341,"Elafonisi og Balos: dagstur","elafonisi-balos-dagstur","nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinasjoner\u002Feuropa\u002Fhellas\u002Fkreta\u002Felafonisi-balos-dagstur",228765011536825]