Balos is a bay with a lagoon on the northwest side of the peninsula Gramvousa on the Mediterranean island of Crete (Greece). The peninsula belongs to the municipality Kissamos the prefecture of Chania.

Gramvousa is now uninhabited. The last settlement before the peninsula is Kaliviani. Shortly behind at the hotel “Balos Beach” ends the asphalt road and an unpaved runway runs about 11 km to the east Gramvousas northward. Half way there is a small chapel. The gate there on the track is unlocked.

Pictures source

At the end of the unpaved road is located approximately 100 meters above sea level with a tavern parking lot. To the Bay of Balos leads from there a trail followed by stone stairway to the west. It takes about half an hour to reach the beach. For the return trip because of the rise has more time to be scheduled.

Another way to the beach of Balos to reach the offer of Kissamos circulating excursion vessels, including the offshore island Imeri Gramvousa start. On this there is an old Venetian castle, which in the 19th Century occasionally has been used by pirates. Some travel companies praise this excursion therefore also known as “Pirate Bay Balos” at.

Bay and lagoon itself through the small peninsula ?igani from the west shielded from the open sea. The greater situated Cape ?igani (translated: “Pan”) is only through a narrow rocky promontory, behind the lagoon so, with the peninsula Gramvousa connected.

The lagoon beach consists of fine white shell and coral sand. Since there is no beach cleaning are found in the sand, unfortunately, many small Teerklumpen caused by westerly winds are angespült. On the southern edge of the lagoon there is a tavern opened in the summer.