Our Balos and Gramvousa private tour takes you to the most photographed lagoon of Crete, at the far western end of the island, with pickup from your hotel and a driver who waits for you.
Balos is the lagoon you have probably already seen on a postcard of Crete: shallow turquoise water, white sand and a thin strip of land between the Gramvousa peninsula and Cape Tigani. It lies about 56 km northwest of Chania, at the far western end of the island.
There are two ways in. By road, the last stretch from Kaliviani is a rough dirt track of about 8 km to a car park, then a walk of around 30 minutes down to the beach. By sea, boats sail from Kissamos port in summer and also stop at the island of Imeri Gramvousa, where a Venetian fortress from 1579 stands on the rock high above the bay.
Balos and Gramvousa private tour by taxi
A private tour means the car is only for you and your group. You choose the pickup time, how long you stay and where you stop on the way, and your driver takes you back to your hotel at the end. There is no fixed timetable and no crowded coach.
We pick you up from your hotel or address in Kolymbari, Chania, Platanias or anywhere in western Crete. A taxi takes 1 to 4 passengers and a mini bus 5 to 8; for bigger groups, up to 20 people, we send more than one vehicle. Every vehicle has air conditioning and satellite GPS tracking, and our drivers are professional, certified taxi drivers who know the roads of Crete well.
Plan your day
Plan a full day for Balos and Gramvousa. From Kolymbari the road follows the bay of Kissamos, and from there you either continue by road to Kaliviani and the dirt track, or take the boat from Kissamos port, which also stops at Imeri Gramvousa. Bring swimwear, water and good shoes for the path. We can drop you at the port in the morning and collect you when the boat is back.
Good to know
- Balos is a protected area and the municipality charges a small entry fee.
- The path back up from the lagoon is steep: bring water, a hat and proper shoes.
- Ask us how to combine the drive with the boat from Kissamos.
Questions about the Balos and Gramvousa tour
Where do you pick us up?
From your hotel or address. Tell us where when you book.
How many people can join?
A taxi takes 1 to 4 passengers and a mini bus 5 to 8. For groups of up to 20 people we send more than one vehicle.
Can we stop on the way?
Yes. It is your private tour, so tell the driver where you would like to stop, for a photo, a coffee or a swim.
Can we combine it with another tour?
Yes. Many places in Crete combine well in one day. Tell us what you would like to see and we suggest a route that fits the time you have.
Can you take us to the airport at the end of the day?
Yes. If you fly out the same day, we can end the tour at Chania Airport or Heraklion Airport. Tell us your flight time when you book.
Do you drive at weekends and on holidays?
Yes, we work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Book the Balos and Gramvousa tour
Send us a booking request with the date, the pickup point and the number of passengers, and choose this tour in our booking form. We get back to you with the price for the day and confirm the details. You can also call us on +30 28240 84575 or email info@taxi-kolymbari.gr. Prices are per vehicle, not per person: see the indicative transfer prices on our price table.
Find Balos lagoon on Google Maps, or see all our private tours in Crete.
