Balos is one of those places where a little preparation makes a big difference.
If you’re driving, check your rental agreement first.
The road includes around 7–8 km of unpaved track, and many rental companies don’t allow their cars to be driven there or exclude damage from their insurance.
From the parking area, you then have about 1–1.2 km downhill to the lagoon. It’s an easy walk down, but remember that you’ll have to walk back up later, often under the sun.
Keep an eye out for the goats. They sometimes climb onto cars and can cause damage, and on the beach they may try to steal your food. Don’t leave it unattended.
Wear proper shoes with good grip. The trail is rocky and uneven, with little natural shade.
Facilities are limited and seasonal, so bring what you need for the day, including food and sun protection.
A small beach umbrella can also be useful if you plan to stay for a few hours.
And please remember that Balos is a protected natural area.
Stay on the marked paths, don’t take sand or plants, and take your rubbish with you.
Save this post before your trip to Balos.
21 days agoilovecrete
@thbau6 I live in Crete and know the problem of overcrowding in its most famous places, Balos included. I share your concern about protecting such a fragile environment. If you read the whole carousel, you'll have seen that I specifically remind people to respect the nature reserve, take all their rubbish with them, and, whenever possible, visit early or outside the high season. I believe these places need regulated access and responsible management. But I also believe the problem lies in how people behave when they visit. How many visitors actually know the rules? And how many take the time to follow them? I've often thought that we should all have some kind of tourist licence: a basic understanding of how to behave responsibly before visiting fragile natural environments like this. Because knowing where a place is isn't enough. We also need to know how to visit it without damaging it. And that's exactly the kind of tourism I try to promote when I share Crete.
21 days agothbau6
DO NOT GO TO BALOS …waren vor 2Jahren dort. Grosse Veranstalterschiffe und viele kleine Boote aber auch Jetskies. Dann noch die Massen die mit den Autos kommen und zur Lagune runterwandern. Ein Ameisenhaufen ist harmlos dagegen. ON TOP dann wird noch Eintritt - weiss nicht mehr wieviel - kassiert weil es sich um ein schützenswertes Naturreservat (Natura-2000) handelt -> zum Todlachen wenns lustig wär. Offenbar machen wir Menschen alles kaputt was wir lieben. Sozial Media wie diesem Medium hier und den vielen geltungsbedürftigen Influenzern wie Dir sei es gedankt
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