The western region of Crete has a lot to offer, and this excursion combines two of its most famous attractions! We will spend the first half of the day at Balos Lagoon, one of the island’s most beautiful lagoons, before travelling to the old town of Chania, one of Crete’s most beautiful towns, in the afternoon. This trip includes a bus journey along the north coast of the island, a boat trip, swimming in the morning and afternoon, and a very pleasant walk in the evening – that’s what this trip will be like!
On this trip you will see the entire north coast of Crete and experience two major attractions:
An excursion to Balos lagoon and the old town of Chania is always a full day trip. We’ll start our trip from Anissaras early in the morning and head to the westernmost point of our island. This is a new route that we started in 2025. The usual trip to Balos Lagoon involved some time in the lagoon and some time on a pirate island with an old fortress nearby. It’s quite an interesting itinerary, though, which involved a lot of… let’s say, movement and little time for sightseeing: ship embarkation, ship disembarkation, ship embarkation, ship disembarkation, ship em… and not everyone dares to climb a high hill with a fortress on it too! The new itinerary gives a more relaxed stay in Balos Lagoon with more free time to enjoy the lagoon and beach. After all, this is a beach trip and the lagoon is the main place to visit!
The ship will start from the port of Kissamos and travel around a large peninsula. In front of you, you will see high cliffs and caves; you will also see secluded beaches and, of course, the blue sea. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to see a large sea cave that is believed to have once been used as a shipyard. Near the end of the peninsula, you will also see an interesting geological phenomenon: Crete is still moving quite a lot! The western part of the island is rising out of the sea, while the eastern part is sinking under water. You can see this in the lines on the steep cliffs. You can also see the pirate island, as it’s quite close and you can spot it from the ship as it passes next to it. When the boat trip ends, you will arrive at Balos Lagoon. There, you will have lots of time to swim, sunbathe, walk in the shallow waters of the lagoon and on the nearby beaches.
Balos is a nature reserve and is listed as one of the best beaches in the world. It is hard to find the right words to describe how beautiful this place is. This lagoon is known for its shallow waters that are usually very calm, and its white sand that sometimes appears pink due to shells and corals that have been crushed by the sea. You will see it all for yourself as you walk along the exotic sandy beach, swim in the turquoise waters, relax and enjoy the beautiful views of the landscape, sea, coastline, cliffs and slopes. The terrain in this area of Crete is very diverse!
Did you enjoy swimming? Did you walk on the beach enough? It’s time to go to Chania! The time in the afternoon and closer to the evening is dedicated to the most beautiful city in Crete – we will go to the old town of Chania.
With its historical significance, vibrant atmosphere and architectural beauty, the old town of Chania is a must-visit destination. The city’s architecture is a perfect blend of Venetian, Ottoman and Greek influences, giving it a unique character. The old town of Chania is a captivating combination of ancient history and modern charm. Its Venetian harbor with colorful buildings and charming cafes creates a scenic setting that makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The famous lighthouse at the edge of the harbor is a stunning landmark and a great view of the sea (especially in the afternoon and evening). The narrow, winding streets are perfect for exploring, leading you to hidden squares, small cafes, and stores – you will have enough time for all this, and your visit to the old town will be a great ending to this trip!
If you want to go to Balos lagoon and Chania old town from Anissaras with an organized tour, the price of the trip in 2025 is:
This tour is sometimes included in special promotions and sold cheaper for our followers – keep an eye out for discounts on Instagram!
Are you traveling as a big family or a group? Contact us in advance or visit our offices and we will try to make you the best offer.
You can buy an excursion to Balos Lagoon and the old town of Chania from Anissaras online (see “How to book excursions in Crete”).
In 2025 the excursion to the Balos Lagoon and the old town of Chania from Anissaras takes place from 01/05 to 13/10. Available tour days – Monday and Thursday.
Please note that trip schedules are subject to change, including cancellation. This is extremely rare and may be due to weather conditions. For example, heavy rains at the beginning (April and May) or end of the season (September and October) and other force majeure situations. If there are any changes, we will try to let you know as soon as possible.
Please make sure that you have correctly identified your vacation area in Crete and read the cancellation and refund policy.
If there is less than 24 hours before the trip, please contact the manager to check availability before you make a booking!
Firstly, you can come to one of our offices where booking for all services is available and payment can be made either by cash or card.
Secondly, in case of online booking you can choose cash payment (which is available for some areas only) or you can pay online by card. In the case of cash, we will arrange a meeting with our courier in advance, who will bring the prepared documents to your hotel or villa and collect the cash. Please note that this option is only available for bookings made well in advance (days or weeks before the trip!). In case of online payment, you will receive the tickets by e-mail or WhatsApp – as you prefer.
Please keep all documents and tickets until the end of your trip!
It depends on the location of your hotel or villa. In some cases a tour bus will literally stop at the front door of the hotel and you just have to be there, in others it may be a short walk to the nearest pick-up point. This is usually a large central street, bus stop, square, car park, etc. – somewhere where there is no risk of the tour bus getting stuck on a narrow one-way street or stuck in traffic.
You will receive full details of the time and place of the pick-up with your travel documents when you make your booking. Please read it carefully before the trip.
There are no obligatory long walks on this trip.
After arriving at the port of Kissamos and until the end of the boat trip, you will be exposed to the sun for many hours. Please keep this in mind – it’s better to bring appropriate clothing and sunscreen. Also, remember that you will be traveling by bus and ferry, so this trip may not be suitable for young children who cannot handle long bus rides.
Since the tour starts early, you can order an early breakfast at the hotel restaurant or take it with you (a “lunch box”). There will also be a rest stop at a cafeteria along the way. There you can get a snack and a cup of coffee.
You can enjoy a meal on board, with options including salads, meat and vegetarian dishes. Lunch costs 12 euro per person. You can also purchase drinks, fruits, ice cream, etc. Please note that cash payments are not accepted; only credit or debit cards are accepted.
Make sure you have all the necessary sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, headgear, etc.), swimwear, towel and money for extras. If you feel seasick, it is advisable to take tablets one hour before departure.
Yes. On the way you will be accompanied by a representative of the tour company. Your guide will introduce you to the program of the trip, explain the organization and give you some information about these places. This trip is considered more of a beach trip, so there will not be a lot of information like on our excursions to archaeological sites or museums.
Partly. Mostly it’s the beautiful views, the sea and the beach.
Languages: English, German, French on any available day. On some days we can also organize excursions with Italian, Polish, Romanian and Russian speaking guides, so check the booking calendar or send us a request.
Please note that this is an approximate tour schedule. Times may vary depending on traffic and pick-up and drop-off locations. Exact times will be sent to you along with other information when you make your reservation and specify your hotel.
| Schedule of the excursion program | |
|---|---|
| 6:00 - 7:30 | Departure from the hotels |
| 8:30 | A stop at a cafe |
| 10:00 - 10:30 | Boarding at the port of Kissamos and departure to the Balos Lagoon |
| 11:10 | Arrival to the Balos Lagoon, free time |
| 15:30 | Return trip to the port of Kissamos |
| 16:00 | Departure to the old town of Chania |
| 16:30 | Arrival to the old town of Chania, free time |
| 18:30 | Departure to the hotels |
| 20:30 - 22:30 | Return to the hotels |
| Duration and travel time | |
|---|---|
| up to 3,5 hours | From the hotels by bus to the port of Kissamos |
| about 5,5 hours | Cruise to Balos lagoon, free time in the lagoon |
| about 30 minutes | Bus transfer to Chania |
| about 2 hours | Free time in Chania |
| up to 3,5 hours | Bus transfer to the hotels |