Balos And Falassarna, Two Beaches

Balos and Falassarna, Two Beaches, 10 hours, rated 4.4 across 471 traveller reviews.

Overview

This Quality Travel day trip pairs two of Crete's most celebrated shorelines in a single outing: Falassarna by coach first, then Balos Lagoon by boat from Kissamos. The whole thing runs about 10 hours, door to hotel door, with pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned coach from a long list of stops around the Chania area. An English-speaking guide travels with the group.

The first stop is Falassarna, where the sand carries a pinkish tint and the water is famously clear. There is time for a swim and a stretch on the sand before the coach moves on to Kissamos port for a short break ahead of the ferry.

Balos sits between the Gramvousa Peninsula and Cape Tigani, with shallow emerald water and pale sand. The schedule allows nearly three hours there before the return cruise and the drive back to the hotels. It is a practical option for anyone who wants both beaches in one day without arranging transport and boat tickets separately.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup from one of dozens of listed locations around the Chania area, confirmed by email or chat the evening before. A door-to-door service is available for an extra fee of 9 euros.
2. Coach to FalassarnaTransfer by air-conditioned coach, a ride of about 2 hours.
3. Falassarna BeachRoughly 2.25 hours of swimming and beach time. Sunbeds and umbrellas here are not included in the tour price.
4. Coach to KissamosA short 20 minute transfer to the port.
5. Kissamos port breakAbout 20 minutes of free time at the port before boarding.
6. Ferry to BalosA 1 hour cruise along the coast to the lagoon.
7. Balos LagoonNearly 3 hours to swim, sunbathe and walk the sand. A kiosk at Balos sells sandwiches, according to reviewers.
8. Ferry and drop-offA 1 hour cruise back to Kissamos, then the coach returns to the pickup points.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, based on the listing and what travellers report back.

• Two beach characters. Falassarna and Balos sit on the same coast but look and feel different, with open sea at the first stop and a sheltered lagoon at the second. One reviewer described waves at Falassarna and very calm water at Balos. Pack for both.
• What to bring. The listing asks for a towel and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and snacks, though a kiosk at Balos sells sandwiches and a meal option exists on the boat according to one reviewer. Eating is not allowed in the vehicle.
• Pickup logistics. The exact pickup point and time is confirmed by email or chat up to 20:00 the day before, so travelers should check messages the night prior. Choosing the nearest listed pickup point is free; door-to-door service costs 9 euros extra.
• Long day, coach time. Two hours of coach travel each way plus two ferry legs means the day is mostly transport at either end. Several reviewers still found the timing well organized, though some wished for longer at Balos.
• Small extra costs. A municipality tax of 1 euro applies, and sunbeds, umbrellas at Falassarna and snorkeling gear are all paid separately. Budget a little cash for these.
• Guides and language. The tour runs with an English-speaking guide, and reviews repeatedly praise guides who were knowledgeable and easy to understand. Tours are also offered in Greek and German.

Common issues. The main criticism in reviews is pacing: some travelers felt the schedule was rushed and wanted more time at Balos, and one reviewer questioned the pickup arrangement since they drove themselves to the port. Wind can affect the day, as one reviewer noted, and this is outside the operator's control. Cancellation is possible free of charge up to 24 hours before, otherwise the listed exclusions apply.

Common Questions