Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Tours

From Kissamos Port, not from Chania. Kissamos is the nearest harbour to the lagoon. From town you either drive there yourself or book a version with pickup – check the listing, because the boat ticket is sometimes sold separately.

It is a full day: 16 km on loose stones from the Omalos plateau down to Agia Roumeli, then a ferry and a coach back. Fit walkers manage it, but it is not a stroll. The gorge is open only in the dry season, roughly May to mid-October, and can close in bad weather or extreme heat.

Yes for the west: the Omalos trailhead of the Samaria Gorge, Balos and Elafonissi are all closer to Chania than to Heraklion, and the harbour is where the boat trips start. Knossos and the east are not – they are a long day away, and Heraklion is the better base for them.

Not for the big three – gorge, Balos and Elafonissi all have tours with pickup. A car helps if you want your own pace at Elafonissi or to reach villages and beaches no tour visits. The last stretch to Balos is a gravel track; check your rental terms before you drive it.

On Crete the wind can call off sailings at short notice, especially to Balos. Operators then usually offer another date or a refund – the terms are on each booking page. Book early in your stay so you have a spare day.

The short boat trips and beach days work for most ages. The Samaria Gorge is a long, hard walk and rarely a good idea for small children; the same goes for long coach days in summer heat. The age limit is stated on every booking page.