The famous lagoon of Balos is located about 56 km northwest of Chania and 17 km northwest of Kissamos. It is a shallow sandy beach that forms between the Gramvousa peninsula and the smaller Cape Tigani, under the imposing Geroskini mountain range. Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, wild natural beauty and magnificent exotic scenery. In summer, the beach is flooded daily by hundreds of visitors, mostly by boat from Kissamos.
The Balos Lagoon has white sand and exotic white, highly turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a wonderful pink color, coming from crushed shell shells. Beyond the rocks the water is deeper and colder, ideal for snorkeling. Like the surrounding area, they are part of the Natura conservation program, with rare species of flora and fauna. At Cape Tigani you can visit the picturesque chapel of All Saints, as well as the cave on the north where many women and children who had fled to hide from the Ottomans were tragically killed . In 1825 massacres had begun in the area and when the Ottomans discovered the hiding place by accident, they killed all Christians. Today there is a commemorative plaque at the place where the bones of the victims were found, and a memorial service is being held on the day of All Saints’ Day. Also to the north of Balos, on Cape Korikon, are the ruins of the small Roman town of Agniou with a temple dedicated to Apollo. Today there is the picturesque chapel of Agios Sostis.