Bali (written as Mpali) - small town located 40 kilometers west of Heraklion. From our point of view, it is more like a village. What's good about this place? Firstly, Bali Crete spread out (hehe) around a large picturesque bay. In Crete, sea waves, frankly speaking, are a very common occurrence - in Bali, even with serious waves on the neighboring beaches, the sea can be completely calm. Which is a significant advantage when traveling with children, especially small ones.

In general, a little about Crete - it is the largest and most interesting of greek islands. There are a whole bunch of cool places in Crete. While other islands, even very beautiful ones, can easily become boring within a week, Crete can delight and surprise for at least a month or more. Plus the size of the island gives the desired variety - you can find a place for almost every taste.

Returning to our village. Bali also has an extremely favorable location from the point of view of traveling around the island: exactly in the middle of its northern coast. Since the shape of Crete is very far from an ideal circle, and resembles a long, elongated blob of irregular shape, it is difficult to find the best location for a “base” for forays - from Bali you can get to any point on the island in an acceptable time. And come back until late at night, which is important.

We were here a few years ago, and we liked it so much that when we decided to go to Crete for the second time, we had no thoughts about where we would stay. By the way, we also chose the same hotel, now I’ll tell you more about it.

Hotels Bali Crete, Greece



There are a whole bunch of hotels in the village of Bali. However, since we bought package tour, our choice was quite limited. We chose from only two options - Troulis Apts and Nostos. It is to these hotels that the tour operator Pegasus delivers, and Pegasus had the best prices in Crete. We had already been to Trulis, so there was no choice. Moreover, Nostos sold a little more expensive the simplest studio rooms without everything, and in Trulis they offered a two-room suite with a kitchen and air conditioning, plus breakfast, for less money. The hotel itself is very simple, either three or even two stars. It consists of one healthy building and a couple of small ones across the road. At the same time, it has everything we need and we really like it there. Of course, the bonus is a gorgeous view of the bay and 150 meters to the beach. A short video from the hotel grounds, as well as our room:


About breakfasts. Considering local prices, a useful option. At Troulis Apts, meals are organized in the form of a buffet. The range of products is quite diverse on the one hand. On the other hand, they give about the same thing every day. Only some main dish changes: porridge, donuts, eggs and the like. In general, it’s quite possible to eat enough.


By the way, regarding the general organization of recreation. My regular readers know what I love independent travel and is skeptical about package tours. Why are we going to Bali Crete for the second time on a package tour? The answer is banal: it is much more profitable in terms of material and time costs. Crete is an island, tickets there are quite expensive. If you take everything yourself, you will have to spend a lot of time on organization, and the money will be more expensive than the package.

And a package tour to Bali Crete is just perfect - direct (!) chartered flight from Nizhny Novgorod(who wants to wander around train stations and airports with children?), group transfer, hotel and all this at a very attractive price. Where did you buy it? Of course, online on Travelata (). By the way, without that great price I managed to reduce it by almost 40% - thanks to my wonderful AllAirlines travel map. The question is, where else can you get such discounts? :O)

In general, I am for flexibility. Independent organization- this is cool, but don’t forget about other options.

Transport, car rental



Some of the disadvantages are that the village is located somewhat away from the federal highway and stretches out like a long, narrow ribbon along the coast. Without your own transport, it’s even possible to bus stop it won't be close to get there. Especially with kids and bags. To be fair, in my opinion, in Crete it will generally be inconvenient and expensive without personal transport - there are mountains, public transport does not go everywhere and does not always follow a good schedule, and a taxi, without exaggeration, costs as much as an airplane.

If you don't use a taxi, but go by public transport, then there is only one option - buses. I’ll say right away: we never took buses in Crete. Therefore, I can only give a little guidance on the price. I know that the cost depends on the distance. When traveling around the city, for example, inside Heraklion, a ticket will cost from 1.5 euros per person. Intercity buses can cost 2, 4, 7, 10 euros depending on the distance. The most I remember is about 16 euros for travel from Heraklion to Sitia. Children under five years old travel free of charge. Despite this, traveling by bus, in my opinion, is expensive and not particularly convenient. What to do?

As always, there is a solution - renting a car. It is comfortable, pleasant, and relatively inexpensive, especially if you take care of this issue in advance before the trip. You need to approach the choice of car rental responsibly. Carefully study all the conditions and discuss unclear points before signing the contract. Are you planning to relax, and not deal with the difficulties that have suddenly fallen on your head?

I will write a separate detailed article about all the subtleties and nuances of car rental abroad. As for our experience, both times we ordered a car in advance at this place: Autoway. The first time we booked a class A with air conditioning for 21 days, we received a nice, roomy Opel Corsa, which for a week I was afraid to fit into the local super-narrow streets. This time I managed to take class B - a brand new Suzuki Celerio at the price of class A, for 370 euros for two weeks. Here she is, beauty:


Why did we stop at Autoway for the second time? They have ideal conditions in my opinion: really good prices, full insurance, no deductible, unlimited mileage, optional second driver included in the contract free of charge, free child seats. For me, it’s also a plus to pay in cash on the spot when picking up the car - it doesn’t light up anywhere bank card, which guarantees that there will be no attempts to unauthorizedly remove anything from it in the future.

Identical conditions were also in this rental, they offered cars even cheaper. However, we decided to use the services of a rental company already known to us and did not regret it. By the way, there was a funny situation: when returning the car, they forgot the holder for the navigator. Almost immediately we contacted Autoway employees, they brought us the holder to the hotel the next day (fortunately there was time before departure). It was very nice of them.

As for those who prefer to rent a car on the spot. Here's a price comparison from the local Car Holidays rental car (located on the hill between the port and the second beach, near the church). I didn’t photograph the detailed conditions, but I want to say that they were worse than in Autoway: for example, child seats are at an additional cost, and the second driver too. Prices:

Bali Crete, beaches



Little Bali has four beaches. So much due to the fact that the gently sloping shore with soft sand - and they are all sandy - is interrupted by rocks sticking out of the water. The largest one is located closest to the highway. Boats, catamarans, boards and other entertainment for vacationers hang out here. The smallest one, literally just a few sunbeds, is almost there open sea, at the end of the bay. Between them sat the two middle ones. In one of them there is a local port with a lighthouse (you can also rent a jet ski here), in the other all sorts of water fun awaits. This year they set up something like an attraction on the water, collecting all sorts of cool inflatable things that you can jump on and climb in every possible way. There was even a trampoline. The cost is 7 euros per hour, or a ticket for 12 euros for the whole day. Life jackets are provided in addition. If necessary, by the way, you could take them just like that, without buying a ticket. You can see all the beaches of Bali yourself in the video:


As I already said, all beaches are equipped, there are sun loungers and umbrellas everywhere. Unfortunately, for money. A pair of sunbeds with an umbrella cost 6 euros. Every day turns out to be ruinous, but convenient, especially with children. :o(For lovers of early and late tanning, there is a hack - come early and leave around 11 o’clock, and in the evening, accordingly, arrive closer to 17:00 - it is during this period that they collect money for sun loungers. You can also buy a folding umbrella from sun (9-15 euros), a couple of mats (3-5 euros each) and sit on any free spot on the beach completely free.

The sea itself is very clean and smells of watermelon. :o) The bottom is mostly sandy or rocky. The waves are small and it is often calm. You most likely will not see any special living creatures in the water - this is not the Red Sea. For something like this, you should go to your local diving center.

Diving



Tiny Bali has a full-fledged Hippocampos (seahorse) diving center. They have a funny logo with an inflated skate and a cool lady owner. On this visit, I was unable to organize a single dive because of the baby. However, last time I dived with them two or three times, I don’t remember exactly. One dive was at night and the rest during the day. To be honest, I didn’t expect anything special, since by that time I had already managed to snorkel and appreciate the “wealth” under aquatic species(nothing interesting at all). However, reality surpassed all my wildest fantasies. Here are their prices:


If you want to use their services, I also recommend coming there in advance and familiarizing yourself with the dive schedule. Otherwise, on the day you need, there may be either no seats or the event itself.

Engine



Among the local entertainments is a small train that runs from the bus stop on the highway through the entire town to the final beach of Bali Crete. He walks every hour, stopping near all places of more or less interest. The road itself takes about 20 minutes one way. We never went, but people rode with pleasure. Of course, in the heat and hills it’s just right. :o) The cost, if I remember correctly, was 6 euros per person.

Boats



From additional entertainment a variety of options are available in Bali Crete boat trips. In addition to personal rental of watercraft, you can use a local stylized pleasure boat Santa Maria. The program may differ depending on the day of the week. There are trips to the sea with swimming and watching the sunset, and trips to nearby villages. Although you can, for example, go swimming in Rethymno. If you are planning sea cruises, you should familiarize yourself with the program for the near future in advance in order to plan your vacation. Boat tickets are sold, as we noticed, almost all over Bali. You don't even have to go far.

Where to eat in Bali Crete?



Almost everywhere in Bali was pleasant. Almost, since there was one mysterious place on the way to the port, just as you go down the hill and pass the grocery store, the first establishment on the left side. No matter how much we walked past, there was never anyone there or only a couple of people sitting there. Moreover, by the evening literally all the cafes in the village were full of people. And in general, it’s clear why - one day we went there, tempted by the really low prices. Some of the food was so-so. Despite the attractive price tag, we did not experiment further.

We most often either had a snack at a fast food “gyros” on the way to the port (located almost on the embankment on the right side. They have a bright design like a makdacha, you won’t pass by), or at the Porto Paradiso restaurant on our beach with a water trampoline park . There was a gorgeous assortment of seafood and delicious grilled lamb (lamb chops).

Since the Greeks are very sociable, we met the waiter there, Ivan, by the way. And we had a great conversation with him every time. True, on the day of departure an unpleasant situation occurred: they tried to shortchange us, either by accident or not (not Ivan). However, when asked directly, the score was corrected. This is an isolated incident, but I still warn you.

Of the good. A pleasant Greek restaurant feature is the so-called compliment from the establishment. This is when after a hearty dinner they bring some small dessert completely free of charge. Most often it is a stack of raki, a few pieces of watermelon or melon, local yogurt with jam. It’s a small thing, but it’s conducive. We didn’t drink crayfish, but we ate watermelon with great pleasure. By the way, it’s quite possible to voice your wishes regarding a compliment to the waiter, especially if this is not your first time dining here.

I also highly recommend not to ignore sweets: in Crete they bake absolutely amazing pastries and cakes. They are sold in separate bakeries, you definitely won’t miss them. It all looks like a feast for the eyes, smells amazing and is incredibly tasty.

Ice cream is also a great dessert option, especially in hot weather. There are different manufacturers of ice cream; our favorite was the Italian GelatoIt. The coolest flavors we tried: coconut, chocolate and mint. And they are a dime a dozen, you can find all sorts of exotic things like ice cream made from goat milk (the taste is unusual).

What else to see in Bali Crete?



Among the unsolved mysteries: high on a hill, near the port, you can see the tower of a local castle. It is even marked on the map of Bali Crete. However, we never managed to get there - we couldn’t find the way. Or maybe they found it, only it was closed with a locked gate. Apparently, private property, alas. But it would be interesting to be inside.

Also relatively nearby, also on the mountain, only now in the other direction - across federal highway and a little to the right, towards Rethymnon, is one of the local small monasteries. It's quite possible to get there on foot. The area is very nice, a small church, well-groomed flowers and cats. By the way, people are practically invisible. There is no need to break into the buildings, but entering the territory is not prohibited at all, everything is open. Just dress more decently, without bare legs and shoulders.

In general, that’s probably all there is to say about Bali Crete. . I wish you a wonderful holiday!

The beaches of Bali on Crete are located on the northern side of the island in the middle of a warm Mediterranean Sea. The bay with beaches is 30 km from most beautiful city Rethymnon and 43 km from administrative center- the city of Heraklion. Near the resort there is a road along which Bali can be reached from anywhere on the island of Crete.

The resort of Bali is a small village with picturesque mountain and sea views. Bali is translated from Arabic as honey. This name appeared for a reason - in the vicinity of the former fishing village there were always many bee apiaries. Fruit, nut, citrus and many other types of honey are still sold here in huge quantities.

The beaches of Bali are considered the calmest on the entire island, as they have almost no waves. The fact is that the beaches are hidden in closed coves, and the surrounding rocks protect the coast from the sea wind. The tourist season in this quiet place lasts from May to October.

The beaches of Bali are four sandy beaches with clean water, three of which are famous for their almost complete absence of waves.

The first beach from the highway and the largest with yellow sand is Livadi, named after the nearby valley of the same name (translated as meadow). A large number of vacationers prefer to relax on it, as it is the most comfortable of all the beaches in the village.

WITH east side Livadi, if you walk along the pedestrian path near the coast, you can find two small beaches. Unlike Livadi, they are “wild” and do not have much infrastructure. But the number of people there is minimal, which attracts lovers of a relaxing holiday on the seashore.

The next beach, Varkotopos, located to the west, is also crowded due to the fact that it is also well equipped. Varkotopos is three times smaller than Livadi. In addition, the sea in this place is very shallow and warm, and volcanic sand Almost black in color, heats up quickly. All this makes it an excellent holiday destination. At the end of the beach, crabs and shellfish live on the pebbles.

Behind Varkotopos beach, in the northwest direction from the highway, next to the port of Bali, where local fishermen moor their boats, is Limani beach. The beach, in addition to excellent amenities, boasts proximity to many shops and taverns in the village. The coast is covered with sand and small pebbles, and the entrance to the sea is gentle and safe. For some, the determining factor in choosing this particular beach will be the fact that many taverns and restaurants around are ready to treat fishermen with freshly prepared catch.

And finally, Karavostasis is the most beautiful beach resort, albeit a small one. Mountains, greenery, a warm sea without any waves, a small area attract many swimmers, so you won’t be able to enjoy yourself here alone. But the pleasure of the local beauty will make this drawback invisible. There are almost no amenities on the beach, but there is the most important thing - a warm, beautiful sea.

Cost of services on Bali beaches

Renting a set of two sun loungers and an umbrella - 6 € for the whole day,

and the cost of purchasing a beach umbrella as personal property in one of the stores in Bali is 6 € (one-time).

Additional services and entertainment

All the necessary infrastructure of equipped beaches is available to vacationers:

  • cafes, bars and taverns,
  • souvenir shops,
  • excursion bureaus
  • sun loungers and umbrellas,
  • changing cabins,
  • showers,
  • toilets.

And many popular entertainments:

  • banana,
  • waterslides,
  • catamaran,
  • Water bike,
  • quad bike,
  • water skiing,
  • diving,
  • canoe rental,
  • organization of fishing.

Attractions near Bali

Between pleasant airy and water treatments on cozy beaches Bali tourists recommend visiting other interesting places:

  • Atali Monastery, founded in the 17th century,
  • Church of Panagia Charakiani, which contains the miraculous icon of Panagia (Virgin Mary),
  • town of Rethymno,
  • Melidoni cave,
  • the beautiful island of Santorini,
  • the village of Margarites, one of the centers of pottery art,
  • town of Panormo,
  • Kotzifiou gorge,
  • freshwater lake Kournas with turtles and goldfish, etc.

How to get to the beaches of Bali on Crete

The easiest way to get to Bali is by car:

  • car rental - Rent-a-Car-Crete, etc.,
  • taxi - application Ραδιοταξί Ηρακλείου Κνωσσός, etc.

A more economical option would be to travel by bus. From international airport Kazantzakis should first be reached by city bus of blue color No. 78 to bus station A of Heraklion. The stop is located right at the exit from the airport. And then by intercity bus green or beige to the village of Bali. But in this case, you will have to walk another two kilometers from the public transport stop to the village or order a transfer.

Bus schedule and ticket purchase - .

View of Varkotopos beach

Video about Bali on Crete

In the north of the island of Crete in Greece, in the Rethymnon region, is the famous village of Bali, which in the recent past was an unknown fishing village. Now it is a favorite resort for many.

It is located between Rethymno and Heraklion. The village received its name during the Turkish rule. Bali is translated from Turkish as “honey”. In these places they really collect the aromatic product.

On the island of Crete, Bali is a very popular village. Tourist boats call at its small port, where you can take a fascinating excursion and admire the beauty of the island, villages and get acquainted with water sports lovers, here they offer diving, renting a canoe, and fishing.

Tourists from all over the world love to visit the island of Crete, Bali is no exception in this sense. The beaches off the coast of the village are both pebble and sandy. There are numerous cafes and taverns along the coast. Like many settlements on the island of Crete, Bali - a village with good developed infrastructure. Despite this, families with children relax here calmly and serenely.

On picturesque island Crete Bali - unique resort. There is a beach covered with volcanic origin. The dark grains of sand become so warm in the sun that it is impossible to walk on them barefoot.

Tourists have always been attracted to ancient and mysterious Greece. Crete (Bali and other resorts) receives numerous travelers from all over the world every year. Not only those who want to soak up the gentle sun, but also those who dream of plunging into the atmosphere of the national Greek flavor will be able to relax here.

Numerous small and large bays characterize the island of Crete. about which only the most admired, there are four of them, in which are located sandy beaches. The largest and most open bay is located near the highway. In windy weather there are strong waves here. The second one is much smaller and calmer. The third bay is the busiest. It has a small pier, where you can always see fishermen’s boats, and tourist “pirate schooners” - small ships that make excursions along the coast - also sail here.

The calmest and quietest bay is located to the right of the main beach. There are never waves here. It is called Karavostasi, or Evita. This is the most secluded place in the village. There is one hotel and two taverns here.

Like the entire island of Crete, Bali has many souvenir shops and two supermarkets. There are a huge number of large and very small taverns, which are famous not only for their excellent and original cuisine, but also for their huge portions.

Fans of an active lifestyle will be able to visit the Melidoni Cave, the entrance to which is located at an altitude of two hundred and thirty meters above sea level. The main hall is quite impressive in size - 44x55 meters. The ceiling height ranges from 10 to 25 meters. The stalactites hanging from it are illuminated with multi-colored lights.

The magnificent island of Crete and the village of Bali welcome holidaymakers from all over the world throughout the year. Local residents welcome guests warmly and kindly. Tourists note the excellent service and good attitude of the island's population.

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Weather in Bali by month:

Month Temperature Cloudiness Rainy days /
Precipitation		 Water temperature
in the sea		 Number of solar
hours per day
During the day At night
January 13.3°C 9.7°C 44.2% 7 days (98.6 mm.) 16.6°C 10 o'clock 5m.
February 14.3°C 9.6°C 44.6% 6 days (119.5 mm.) 15.9°C 10 o'clock 55m.
March 15.8°C 10.0°C 37.3% 4 days (64.1 mm.) 15.9°C 11 o'clock 59m.
April 18.2°C 11.1°C 27.1% 2 days (33.0 mm.) 17.0°C 13:00 6m.
May 22.0°C 14.8°C 18.8% 3 days (34.1 mm.) 19.8°C 14h. 2m.
June 25.9°C 18.5°C 12.4% 3 days (51.7 mm.) 23.2°C 14h. 30m.
July 29.5°C 21.1°C 4.1% 1 day (13.6 mm.) 25.7°C 14h. 16m.
August 29.7°C 22.3°C 8.0% 2 days (26.5 mm.) 26.4°C 13:00 27m.
September 27.8°C 21.2°C 14.8% 2 days (40.7 mm.) 25.5°C 12h. 23m.
October 23.3°C 17.9°C 26.7% 3 days (53.7 mm.) 23.2°C 11 o'clock 17m.
November 19.2°C 14.9°C 34.6% 3 days (54.7 mm.) 20.8°C 10 o'clock 19m.
December 14.9°C 11.1°C 43.9% 7 days (79.4 mm.) 18.4°C 9 o'clock 49m.

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

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How much does a holiday in Bali cost? May 2017.

tour cost

My friends and I started looking for a tour from Krasnodar 2 months before the trip. The price fluctuated quite a bit, and a month before the trip it dropped to the minimum level - 48 thousand rubles for three people for 7 days (6 nights). By that time, obtaining a Schengen visa cost us 4,000 rubles per person. The total amount was 60,000 rubles (20,000 rubles per person). We were lucky to get to the event - all other tourists paid 10,000 rubles more per person for a similar tour. A pleasant bonus was receiving a visa for 3 years (before that there were several Schengen visas).

We found the minimum prices for excursions in the village of Bali in the Spiridon Tour company. Their office is 10 minutes from the hotel (next to the church) - 20 euros for Elafonisi and 35 euros for the Kounas-Chania-Elafonisi package tour. The quality of the excursion is at the highest level. The guides give their best and beyond the standard excursion program They introduce elements of master classes, raffles and competitions along the way. Plus, the organizers offer all excursion participants treats and even wine.

Food and products

In a picturesque cafe at the port, we paid 35 euros for a meal for three people. We ordered squid, grilled shrimp and baked mussels, Greek salad and wine (by the glass). A bonus was a compliment from the establishment - desserts and the local alcoholic drink raki. On the beach we often ran to the nearest cafes for coffee. Price 2-3 euros.

Souvenirs and other goods

We bought few souvenirs. Mostly it was food. At the hotel we were given discount coupons for the nearest supermarkets - 5 percent. We bought olives (from euros per package, good ones from 2.5), olive paste - 4 euros, soap (also olive, of course) - from 1 to 2 euros per piece. Hats from 7 to 15 euros.

Cost of services and entertainment

A tuk-tuk runs along the sea between the beaches of the village of Bali. The cost of the train is 5 euros in both directions.

Total money spent on vacation

Helpful information?

Catherine

Impressions from a holiday in June

We vacationed in Crete in the village of Bali for 10 days at the end of June 2018. Last years I go to the sea mainly in June. This is the beginning of the season, there are fewer vacationers than in the “peak” months of July and August. At this time, as a rule, the sea has already warmed up enough and the weather has settled. During our holiday, almost all days were sunny ( last days three were a little cloudy, there were short periods of rain, but very little). The water temperature was between 22-24 degrees. So the weather was all very good.

Family holiday

There are quite a lot of vacationers with children in Bali, because... There are 4 bays in this village (three small, sheltered from the wind). Everywhere there is a good gentle entry into the sea. True, the village is quite “mountainous”; many hotels on the second line need to be climbed up. Therefore, with small children it is better to choose buildings closer to the sea. I met quite a lot of older couples. For family vacation the resort is quite suitable.

Where is the best place to stay?

We rested at the Sofia Mythos 3* hotel. I booked it in advance (back in February) with a friend travel agency, the tour itself was from the tour operator Biblio Globus. BG had flights with Rossiya Airlines, which I liked. At the hotel good feedback on “Tophotels” and “Tripadvisor” (rating above 4) - I usually consider such hotels for vacation. The hotel is popular - closer to the season there were no more places in it. The cost for two with HB meals turned out to be about 89 thousand (if I had paid for everything at once, it would have been cheaper, but I paid the other half of the cost in May, when the euro exchange rate jumped quite significantly). I booked a studio room in the Mythos building by the sea - I wanted to have a full-fledged kitchenette with the ability to cook something hot for lunch, and to be closer to the sea.

We arrived at the hotel at ten in the evening (departure from St. Petersburg at 16-15). Everything was fine with the transfer, but not quite with the check-in. For the first night we were placed not in a “studio”, but in a “standard” one on a hill behind the pool in the “Sofia” building. The hotel manager Svetlana said that the hotel was full and she would give us the paid room the next morning. I didn’t get too upset, because... Svetlana assured that we could check in after nine.

“Standard”, where we spent the first night, had its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the location not too high on the mountain, comfortable beds, a bathtub rather than a shower in the bathroom. One of the minuses is the terrible creaky air conditioner (we turned it off at night, opened the windows, it was not stuffy). In addition, the windows of the room overlooked the neighboring buildings - so no beauty or sea was visible. I read that the “standards” located higher on the mountain have a plus - a view of the sea. They put a lunch bag in our room (cheese and ham sandwiches, eggs, tomatoes and oranges), because... We were late for dinner. It was very nice that they took care of us, for this the hotel can undoubtedly be given a “plus”.

By ten in the morning the next day, after breakfast, we were already in our “studio”. It is, of course, much better than the “standard”, lighter, with a luxurious balcony overlooking the sea.

Our room had two comfortable beds, a sofa, a large wardrobe with plenty of hangers, a table, a mirror, one bedside table, a dining table, two chairs. Floor - tiles. There is a kitchen corner with a sink, a small amount of dishes, an old electric stove, and a small refrigerator. There was only one big old pot for cooking; there was no frying pan. During the rest, I cooked cereals and pasta for lunch as a side dish, and in the stores we bought something meat (sausages, salami, jamon).

Wet cleaning - every day (only on Sunday the cleaning lady did not come). Linen and towels are changed every three days.

The air conditioning, unlike the first room, was good and not noisy. We used it often, especially in the morning and afternoon, when the sun was shining through the window. There are no TVs in this hotel (maybe they are provided for an additional fee, I don’t know). Because Our room was close to the reception and we had a good Wi-Fi signal. Other tourists had to use it at or near the reception, but we could surf the Internet while lying in our beds. The bathroom was in good condition, but the shower was not very comfortable - narrow, with a curtain.

I can say the following about the food at the hotel. Breakfasts from 8 to 10 and dinners from 19 to 21 are held in the Sofia building. There are two terraces overlooking the sea and some of the tables are located by the pool (it’s sunny there in the morning, it’s hot to sit). The food format is buffet, at dinner all drinks are paid. The quality of food is average. For a hot breakfast several times there was an omelet with additives (pasta, mushrooms), stewed tomatoes with bacon, beans in tomato, one type of porridge. There are sliced ​​cheeses, sausages, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers. Cookies and puff pastries are served with tea. There were not always successful hot dishes at dinners. On some days there was even nothing to take (greasy, overcooked). The side dish includes rice, French fries, sometimes mashed potatoes, carrots and frozen peas. Of course, you won’t go hungry, but everything is quite modest. Fruits included oranges and watermelon. For dessert - ice cream, protein creams, apple pie, jelly (dishes vary).

What to do at the resort?

In the village there are small shops, souvenir shops where you can buy traditional Greek products (olive oil, honey, sweets), and beach goods. You can go for a swim in all the bays. Our hotel was located in the third bay, but we also went to the other three. The second bay has inflatable paid water attractions. Of course, you can go to restaurants. You can ride a train - it runs throughout the village (costs 3 euros one way, 5 euros there and back). As it is, there is nothing “remarkable” anymore.

In addition to excursions offered by “your” tour operator, you can also buy excursions from “local” travel agencies. There are several of them: “BaliTravel”, “Spiridon Tours”, “Aitidis Travel”. There are Russian-speaking employees everywhere, they communicate in a friendly manner, they will help you and give you advice. The local prices are lower. But this, I think, is due to the fact that the groups, as a rule, are combined and the guide can conduct a tour in parallel in two languages ​​(Russian and English), and in museums a guide does not accompany you, but independent visits to the objects are provided.

I will give examples of prices for excursions. At Biblio Globus, the excursion “Knossos Palace - Labyrinth of the Minotaur with the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion” (Mondays and Thursdays, from 8 to 18) cost 54 euros, plus a combined ticket for entrance to the palace and museum - 16 euros (for adults over 18 years). The same excursion is offered by “BaliTravel” (on Fridays, from 8-30 to 17-00) – 32 euros + 16 euros for entrance tickets.

We went on one excursion from Aitidis Travel called “Knossos - Heraklion” (from 7-45 to 14-00) for 25 euros plus 16 euros for tickets to the sites. We had just the option of a bilingual group; we visited the palace and museum ourselves. We liked it - it wasn’t tiring, the girl guide tried her best and told interesting stories on the way to Heraklion and back.

From Bali you can take a cruise on the Santa Maria boat. On Monday, Thursday and Saturday he swims to Rethymnon (there is a stop for 3 hours for a walk), on the way back there is a stop for swimming. Cruise duration is from 9-30 to 17-00. Cost – 30 euros. On Sundays there is a cruise to Panormo (from 9-30 to 13-00). The cruise includes swimming and parking in Panormo for 1 hour. Cost – 20 euros.

You can travel to Rethymno and Heraklion on your own. Buses run every hour, starting around 6-15 am. The stops are located on the route. From our hotel we walked to the stop at Rethymno for about 35 minutes. You can get to the stop by train. It took us about an hour to get to Rethymnon (we were transferred to another bus along the way), and we got back without stopping in 30 minutes. The ticket price is 3.8 euros. In Rethymno you can go to the Fortezza fortress (entrance ticket is 4 euros, they give you a map of the fortress in Russian, in the brochure you will also see a map of the central part of Rethymno). The city has several interesting old objects, many shops with local goods.

As I already mentioned, there are 4 bays in the village. All beaches are good. In the first (largest), second and third bays the beaches are sandy, with gray sand, and in the fourth - pebble (sand is added under the sunbeds, but the entrance to the sea is on pebbles). All beaches, except the first one, are quite cramped, paid sunbeds and umbrellas (6 euros per set) are placed very tightly, there is practically no place to sit with your own mat and umbrella, but we somehow found a place. The sea is clean, transparent, there are fish. The banks are beautiful - views of the mountains.

What can you buy?

The shops at the resort are small, mainly beach products. Some products can be bought in stores where they buy local residents. These are the stores “Festos” and “Elinika”.

About product prices

If we talk about products, then, for example, a package of cupcakes 180 g costs 2 euros, baklava 240 g – 3.60 euros, dessert wine “Mavrodafni from Patras” 7.90 – 8.20 euros, “Metaxa” 5* 0.5 l - 14.55 euros. T-shirts with a Greek theme from 6 to 12 euros, souvenir soaps from 0.6 to 2 euros, sundresses 16-20 euros, summer leather shoes from 25 to 40 euros.

Where can I eat?

We were only in one tavern, Akrogiali, not far from the hotel. One time before leaving we decided to have lunch outside of our room.

About the quality of food and service

The kebab was not entirely successful; some pieces were stringy. Potatoes, rice, and vegetables are placed on the side dish. I really liked the juice! After lunch they brought me a “compliment” - pieces of watermelon and melon, fruit ice, and candy.

How much does it cost to eat? About food prices.

We took lamb kebab (13.50 euros) and watermelon juice (2.50 euros). For two with tip we paid 36 euros.

Pros of holidays in Bali

Beautiful nature and wonderful sea. Quiet, not noisy.

Disadvantages of holidays in Bali

The village has a large difference in elevation, making it difficult to walk. Second line hotels – on the mountain.

Is it worth vacationing in Bali?

Of course yes. I’ve been “loving” this village for a long time on the Internet, but I only managed to go this year. We liked. If the difference in altitude doesn’t bother you, feel free to go.

We vacationed in Crete in June this year in the village of Bali at the Bali hotel Beach and Village". We drove a rented car for three days through the mountains, villages and attractions, fished, swam, dived, drank and ate. The plan has been fully implemented. Everyone was very pleased with everything. Bali is super!

In Crete it is a winding road through rough terrain with shops and taverns on both sides. I think that elderly and well-fed people in Bali will not be very comfortable, there are a lot of descents and ascents and stairs. There are cars driving along the main village road all the time and this is somewhat annoying. I just want to quote: “We’ve left here!”

Bali is not a party village, however, it has everything for relaxation and, most importantly, it is an amazingly clean and calm sea. The village has three bays and, accordingly, three beaches. The most protected from the waves is precisely the bay where the Bali Beach and Village hotel is located. The bay is protected by rocks and a pier where Greek fishing schooners and all kinds of pleasure boats moor. In June the weather in Crete is already quite warm. In mid-June the sea warms up to +23-25 ​​and becomes warmer and warmer every day. The air temperature in June on Kritia during the day is usually +28-35, at night not lower than +20. It practically never rains. We are on holiday in Crete for the 3rd time and there have never been any weather anomalies.


View of the pier in Bali in front of the Bali Beach and Village hotel.


View of the western part of the village of Bali. In the very center of the photo, above the pier, where there is a green roof made of thickets, is the Panorama tavern, where you can listen to national Greek music and dance sirtaki. By the way, you can also dine in this tavern.


The first beach is the one closest to the national road. There are almost always waves here.

There are no inconveniences from boats in the bay. The sand on the beach of this bay is black of volcanic origin and therefore gets very hot during the day, which interferes with normal movement, because... heats up like a frying pan. You can only get to the water by jumping or wearing slippers. Sun loungers on the beaches of Bali, paid, 6 euros per day. After 11 a.m., a fundraiser walks along the beach and gives out a receipt in return.

For these 6 euros you have an umbrella and two sun loungers at your disposal. Moreover, you won’t be able to take a sun lounger separately, they don’t allow it. But you can safely sunbathe under your own umbrella on your own mats or towels. An umbrella costs 6 euros and literally pays for itself in two days. You can buy it at any of the many shops in the village. The beaches in Bali are considered the calmest, without waves, of all beaches of Crete .



In Bali on Crete there are two more beaches. The sand on them is no longer black, but yellow, but on these beaches the waves are larger due to the openness of the space and the water is not very clear.


This is the second beach. Fine black sand.


The first beach in Bali.

In many taverns and shops, sellers speak Russian. In these shops you can buy any Greek souvenirs, including olive oil, rakia grape vodka, magnets, olive soap and much, much more. Souvenirs from Greece , this is a separate topic.
Previously, a train ran around the village, but it has been a couple of years since it broke down and therefore all movements around Bali are only with legs. You can walk from one end of the village to the other at a moderate pace in 20-30 minutes.


In this shop, a chatty young Greek woman sells olive oil on tap, crayfish and “rakOmello”. This is grape vodka infused with honey.


Rakia with honey - racello.


The acidity of olive oil, if you are going to use it in salads, should not exceed more than 0.2%. If it is more than 0.2%, then this oil is used for frying.

If you want to travel independently from Bali to neighboring Heraklion or Rethymnon or other villages, this is how it is done.
How to get around Crete by public transport.

Walk to the national road and get out onto it along the path along which cars enter Bali from Heraklion, i.e. you need to go left. There will be a stop right there in the form of an inconspicuous concrete house. An uncle sits in it and sells bus tickets. For example, the cost of a ticket from Bali to neighboring Panormo is 1.2 euros, to Rethymnon 3.5 euros. The bus schedule for Crete can be found at any hotel at the “reception”.


Bus stop in the village of Bali. Crete.

Then, with your ticket, board a comfortable, air-conditioned bus that arrives and go to your destination. When you get off the bus, you will be met by the same ticket seller and your tickets will be torn. Everything is very simple and convenient. The only thing that is not easy is that the buses run on a very conditional schedule, i.e. They may be 15-20 minutes late or even arrive early. Therefore, when you approach the stop, ask the cashier when the next bus should arrive, this will make your wait easier.
If you don't like traveling by public transport, travel by Crete by car . There are many rental cars in Bali, almost every hundred meters. I counted about seven of them there. In two of them we didn’t have the car we needed, but in the third everything worked out well. We used the “rent a car” service called “Safe Rental”. This office is located directly opposite the Bali Beach and Village hotel. We rented the car for three days and traveled a lot interesting places. Our auto tourism in Crete turned out to be excellent this time.
We noticed that there are no stray dogs in the village. But there are a lot of cats.
A little about the Bali Beach and Village hotel. Everything was good, the hotel justifies its three stars both in terms of food and service. But, there is one “but” that travel agencies are silent about. The hotel itself consists of two buildings: “Bali Beach” and “Bali Village”. You could say it's territorial different hotels, because "Bali Beach" is located right on the shore, and "Bali Village" is across the road on high mountain. Getting there up the steep steps is not easy, especially in the heat or after a hearty lunch.


Although there, on the mountain, there is also a swimming pool with free sun loungers. But, residents of Bali Village go downstairs to the dining room, like all visitors. Both hotels have the same dining room. We ate all inclusive. In most cases, there was a line for food at lunch and dinner, but it moves quickly and it’s not at all annoying. You can eat in the hall of the building and on the veranda. In the morning and afternoon, when the sun is shining, it is hot to eat on the veranda. It's better in a room with air conditioning.


Main entrance to the hotel.


Hotel dining room. Veranda.


View of the lower pool. There is a bar directly below it, which is open until 17.00.

Our room was cleaned every day, linen was changed every three days. However, upon check-in we did not find soap. Well, it doesn’t matter, let’s go and buy it at the store.
The hotel has three bars: two all-inclusive (free drinks) and one for money. The choice of drinks, compared to other Cretan hotels (and this is not our first time in Crete), is not pampering. At your service are crayfish, Russian vodka, some rum, brandy and a variety of cocktails. There is also good beer. The food in the dining room was quite decent; the only fruits available were watermelons and melons. Sometimes they gave apricots and once cherries. It's ok for June.
There is internet at the “reception”, 3 euros per hour. You can also send a letter to your homeland there for free. You just need to buy the envelope and stamps at the nearest store. It’s cool to come home and receive a letter from myself from Crete.
Near the hotel pool, all the sun loungers are occupied in the morning, mainly by Germans and Poles. These are the people who like to swim in pools.


View of the pool from the dining room of the Bali Beach and Village Hotel.

The hotel rooms are quite spacious, the balconies are simply huge, but during the day it is hot on them due to the lack of awnings, there is no shade at all. The room has a hairdryer, safe and TV. Everything is as usual. But in the mornings you can watch the sunrise directly from the balcony, which in Bali rises from the sea. The spectacle is amazing. But not all rooms face the sea.


Sunrise on Crete. View from our balcony.

In the village Bali on Crete There is a Russian travel agency with Russian guides. They offer various excursions, but mostly by passenger car with no more than 4 passengers. The following excursions are offered:
1. A trip to Rethymnon, a visit to the Venetian fortress, a visit to Lake Kournas, a ride on a catamaran - 200 euros per car. The car can accommodate no more than 4 people. Meals at your own expense.
2. Kotsifiou Gorge, St. Nicholas Church under the rock, Preveli Monastery - 260 euros. Also for the car.
3. Rethymnon, Knossos Palace, Cretan Aquarium, walk around ancient city- 260 euros. A Russian-speaking guide will also accompany you. It is better, of course, to do all these excursions together with someone.


Cost of some excursions in Crete from Bali (per person).

For diving enthusiasts in Crete, Bali has a diving club. One dive will cost you 67 euros for a couple of hours. This includes instruction and training and the dive itself (if you do not have a certificate). Instruction and training are conducted in English, German and French, but not in Russian. You are taken for half a day to the diving site on a boat and brought back. The club is called “Hippocampos”, it is located at the end of the village near the pier. Anyone can tell you.


One of the streets of the village of Bali.

Many Russians vacation in Bali. There are quite a few Poles and Germans, where would we be without them?
For lovers of snorkeling, Bali is a haven. Between the beaches there are small rocks with grottoes and underwater caves. And just swimming on the beach, you will also have a lot of fun. The water is very clean and transparent and you can see a lot of different fish and shellfish. If you're lucky, you'll see an octopus, i.e. octopus. The rocks are full sea ​​urchins, but they are not on the beach, there is nothing to be afraid of.
If you are a fisherman, then in Bali you can also fish from the pier. There are plenty of fishermen there at any time of the day.


All the streets in Bali are neat and full of flowers at any time of the year.


There are also places to take a walk in Bali. Firstly, you can simply take a promenade along the main road from one shop to another. Secondly, you can walk along the coast towards Rethymnon up the mountain. From the top of this mountain there are stunning landscapes with bays and sea views.


One of the secluded coves in the western part of the village.


Cretan honey has always been in price. In Bali you can freely buy honey at reasonable price from local traders.


Bali village on Crete at night. View of the bay with the pier.


This is the third beach in the village of Bali.


Have a great holiday in Crete! Ask questions.