Balos Lagoon Viewpoint

Reached by a steep gravel path from the parking area above Kissamos, this lookout sits on the ridge of the Gramvousa peninsula and looks straight down onto Balos lagoon, where a sandbar separates turquoise shallows from the deeper blue of the Cretan Sea. The Venetian-era islet of Imeri Gramvousa is visible offshore. The descent to the beach itself takes about 15-20 minutes on foot or by donkey; most visitors photograph the lagoon from this upper viewpoint before going down.