There are the islands of Greece, so popular among Romanians – and then there is Crete. Beyond the famous beaches and holiday resorts, a real little world is hidden, full of miracles.
Incredible beaches of Crete Greece true turquoise and pink pink collage DMS
You could visit Crete only for nature: wild flowers, four mountain ranges, two national parks and whole miles of golden shores. Or you could choose for culture: the fascinating art of the minoic era, archaeological sites included in the Heritage of UNESCO, cities and vibrant villages with Venetian, Ottoman and Greek influences, music of an explosive energy and traditional dances that cut your breath. And, of course, you can choose it for exceptional food and wine – Crete, a fertile and almost self -sufficient island, is the queen of Greek gastronomy. Another great advantage? You can visit it anytime. Unlike many other Greek islands, Crete is a living and charming destination throughout the year.
We chose to make around the largest island in Greece, leaving us to be carried by the roads that separate it through the central mountain ranges. We started with the hypnotizing wild of the Balos Lagoon, from the west, we went down a little to the southwest, and then let ourselves conquered by the charm of the northern coast, to the extreme east, to discover during the heart of Crete, the living essence of this legendary island. With so many treasures to offer, here are our recommendations for the best experiences in Crete-a guide to help you start your adventure and let you really feel the spirit of the place.
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Balos Lagoon of Crete Greek Photo Stefan Stoica for Adevărul
West and southern Crete: Hidden Treasures: Turquoise Paradise, Crete Transfagaras and Pink Sand
To make the Crete exploration easier to follow, we divided our guide into three parts, each dedicated to a “paradise” of the island.
Paradise can take different forms: dream beaches such as Balos, valleys and Elafonisi – sandy corners and turquoise waters that seem painted by the gods; Historical and cultural treasures – the minoic sites in Kossos and the museums in Heraklion, or the Venetian fortresses, monasteries and Dikteon Cave; Wild corners and impressive landscapes, such as the White Mountains, Samaria Gorges, Kournas Lake and golden beaches; Or local life and traditions – picturesque villages, gastronomy and wine, music and dances, meetings with the people. Beauty is, in the end, in the eye of the beholder, and every visitor can choose what he considers paradise.
The first part of this holiday guide takes you to the west of the island, where one of our parades are hidden: Balos Laguna, a corner of the world in which the turquoise waters meet with white sand, creating a show that cuts your breath. As you let yourself be carried by the roads of Crete, you will discover the unique charm of each region – from the living traditions of the villages, to the natural story landscapes and the historical vestiges that keep the echo of a legendary world.
Here begins the first step of our trip, in the west, in the heart of a natural paradise that promises to conquer you from the first sight.
Balos: Lagoon where three seas, pirates and the caribian dream meet
If there were a top of the most spectacular places in Greece, Balos Lagoon would undoubtedly be on the podium. Located between the Tigani Peninsula and the island of Gramvousa, in the northwest corner of Crete, this unreal beach seems detached from a tropical vision, with waters that play all the shades of turquoise, emerald green and blue, an aquatic degradation created at the intersection of three seas: Agee and Libyan. Not for nothing is the turquoise paradise.
But Balos is not only a dream place, it is also a place with history: the legend says that here it would have had its hiding place, and the Venetian fortress on Gramvousa, visible from the lagoon, was the last redness of Christians against the Ottomans, resisting until the eighteenth century.
Adventurous route and access to one of the most spectacular beaches in Crete
Today, the Balos Lagoon is a protected area in the Natura 2000 network, accessible either at sea or on land – each variant with its challenges and rewards. Those who choose the light path can climb on a ferry from the port of Kissamos (or, rarely, from Chania) and, in about an hour, arrive directly in Paradise.
For the adventurers, the road route turns into a true epic: after an injured road of 8 kilometers, on the ridge of a dusty mountain, you will reach a parking lot at height-from where you have to travel, on foot, a difficult descent of about 30-40 minutes, on a tray path.
The view that opens in front of you is the supreme reward: the lagoon shining in light, with white dunes, clear waters and islands with strange shapes.
On the route, the only breath is a local seller who descends daily with cold water and ice – a saving presence for hiking hiking. But once you reach the beach, the landscape is indeed an unforgettable one.
At the climb, from the beach to the parking lot, however, the same route becomes a real endurance test, especially for those without physical condition or with health problems.
The road road is also often a test for nerves: cars are starting to form from the early hours of the morning, many tourists choosing to leave their vehicles on the roadside, hundreds of meters away from parking.
Facilities and experience at Balos: How to enjoy the isolated and spectacular lagoon
It should be known that Balos remains an isolated place, with minimal facilities. There is no running water, modern showers or sanitary groups. A single high -priced bar offers basic drinks and snacks, and the loungers, available in a limited number and for a fee, are quickly occupied. Many choose to sit directly on the towel, surrounded by the overwhelming beauty of the lagoon.
In full summer season, Balos can be crowded, but if you get early or choose the extrasezon, you will truly discover that corner of the world where myth, nature and legend merge in a pure light, color and tranquility. And if you are listening to the wind blowing among the rocks and the waves that break from the shore, you may understand why some say that here, in Balos, the sky is closer.
Gramvousa, the island with wreck, fortress and emerald waters
Just a few minutes from the Balos Lagoon, the island of Gramvousa seems detached from a Venetian painting bathed in Cretan light. The boats leaving the port of Kissamos stop here for a break between two miracles – and those who choose to climb the steep rock that dominates the island discover a Venetian fort with a special story: it has resisted the Ottoman attacks for decades, and today they offer a panorama that cuts the three seas.
Snorkeling in the crystalline waters of Gramvousa: How do you get and what to miss
Under the fortress, in the clear waters, a rusty wreck is rest – an unreal decoration for spectacular photos and an unmistakable attraction for snorkeling enthusiasts. Time seems to flow otherwise, between gentle waves, wild rocks and the beach with fine pebbles.
Access is the simplest with the Kissamos ferry – a one -hour walk that includes both Balos and Gramvousa lagoon. The most adventurous can opt for a private boat trip, but there is also the classic version, by car, to Balos, then continuing with a boat to the island.
The road unpaved to Balos, and then the pedestrian one from parking to the beach quite steep, long and difficult, makes many choose the Water Way – especially in the hot summer days, when each step becomes a challenge.
Elafonisi, the pink mirage
In the wild end of the South-West Cretan, where the mountain descends dramatically to the sea, there is a beach that seems detached from a tropical dream: Elafonisi, a place where the sand shines in powdered pink, and the sea slips lazy among the islands of limestone and dunes with rare vegetation.
Here, between the main island and the language of protected land Natura 2000, there is a lagoon of a translucent turquoise, with quiet and deep waters, which do not usually exceed one meter, perfect for a lazy pimp or a walk with bare feet, in the wind rate.
One of the most photogenic Mediterranean corners: Elafonisi
The color of the sand, which seems unreal, is due to thousands of fragments of corals and shells grinded over time – a natural miracle that shines in the sun, offering one of the most photogenic corners of the Mediterranean. It should be said, however, that the pink effect of Elafonisi sand is more subtle in reality than in photos, where the colors often seem more intense.
On the sand dunes grow wild lilies, sea daffodils and juniper bushes, and in the southern part of the lagoon, far from the lump in the main area, there are hidden beaches, for those who seek peace and an untouched landscape.
Road to Elafonisi: Adventure among the mountains and narrow streams
Elafonisi is not only a destination, but a revelation – and one that deserves the effort. The road so far, although spectacular, can be a challenge: the road crosses narrow, flanked by the gaps, and on some portions you have the impression that two cars do not fit in parallel. Romanians compare it to Transfagarasan
The least accustomed to driving in mountain areas could prefer an organized tour, especially in the season, when the road and parking are filled from the first hours. For an authentic experience, go early, before 10.00, when the light is gentle, the sand still cold, and the lagoon – quiet and empty.
Adventure in Crete continues: Discover the northern coast and east of the island
If you want to discover the northern coast and the east of Crete – with Chania, Heraklion, traditional villages, but also fascinating places such as Minotaur’s labyrinth, Zeus cave or the largest natural palm forest – stay with us for the next parts of the guide through the largest island of greece. And this is just a small part of a thousand stories that the island hides!
