At Southwestern Crete’s edge is a beach world-famous for a beautiful feature: its sands are actually a gorgeous pink (!), thanks to the crushed shells coloring the sand.
Balos is a lagoon, with sand so brightly white it intensifies the turquoise of the waters. The area also has some pink sands, like Elafonisi, and is also protected by the Natura 200 network.
The Church of Panagia Tsambika looks over this splendid beach from the northern end. It’s not only a lovely church but also a protector of the area’s natural beauty: the Orthodox Church owns much of the surrounding land, keeping the area near the soft sands and crystalline waters unspoiled.
A deeply curved cove is so symmetrical it looks like an ‘Omega’ forms this secluded beach. The sands are pure and soft, the water gorgeous, and the beach protected from the breeze by dunes.
This full-service beach features sunbeds, umbrellas, beach bars, and a couple of nearby tavernas. There’s even camping just 50 meters away. When the winds pick up, there’s also good windsurfing.