Bali (Μπαλί in Greek, with emphasis on the last syllable) is a popular tourist destination in Crete. What was once a quiet fishing village is now a bustling tourist area, filled with hotels, tavernas and villas.

It is located approx. 50 mins drive from Heraklion, mid-way to Rethymno. Its calm and shallow waters, as it has three sheltered gulfs, make Bali an ideal destination for families with small children. 

We stopped here for lunch on our way to Rethymno and it was my first encounter with Cretan hospitality. The lunch we had at Karavostasi taverna was simply delicious and not to mention the view, although it was a cloudy day. 

Bali has four main beaches: Karavostasi, in front of the taverna with the same name, Bali Beach, Varkotopos and Livadi. All of them have sunbeds and umbrellas, beach bars, cafes and tavernas. There are also some small and not-so easy to get to beaches, usually used by nudists, as they are sheltered from the “eye”.

The area is a bit hilly, amphitheater style, most hotels do not have their own beach. 

Car rental is a must, as buses cannot enter the village. The main bus stop to/from Heraklion is on the national road, approx. 30 mins walk to Bali Beach, for example. 

You can also use the tourist train to move around the village and get to/from the bus stop.

Bali is a laidback and quiet destination, so do not expect nightlife and pub crawling until sunrise. Its orientation is east, so you can see a beautiful sunrise if you wake up early in the morning. 

You can buy day trips around Crete and even to Santorini (departure from Rethymno) from the local agencies, buy souvenirs from the local shops and eat delicious food at the tavernas. You can also book boat trips, jeep safari so fun is guaranteed. 

What to visit around:

· Panormos

· Rethymno

· Heraklion 

· Melidoni Cave

· Margarites village

· Arkadi Monastery

· Agia Pelagia

· Ancient Eleftherna

If you have a rented car and would like to venture a little further:

· Preveli

· Voulisma

· Chania

· Balos

· Elafonisi

· Matala

· Spili

· Triopetra