Bali, Crete
Bali itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 days
One day in Bali, Crete covers the village, the beach and the monastery; two days adds the Melidoni cave and Margarites pottery; three days adds the Arkadi monastery and Rethymno. Base yourself in Bali itself and drive, since buses are slow and infrequent. Without a car, one day is the realistic limit.
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GuideBali, Crete
Key facts
- Minimum useful time
- 1 day for the village and one beach; 2–3 days to see the coast and the inland villages without rushing
- Best base
- Bali village or the beach strip at Bali; Rethymno works for a 3-day version
- Getting around
- Rental car or taxi; buses along the coast are slow and infrequent
- Distance to Rethymno
- About 30 km east along the coast, roughly 30–40 minutes by car
- Distance to Heraklion
- About 50 km east; allow 50–60 minutes by car
- Best months
- April–June and September–October; July–August is hot and crowded
- Parking in the village
- Limited in high season; park on the approach road and walk in
Which length fits you
Bali is a small resort village on Crete's north coast, between Rethymno and Heraklion, with a bay, a harbour and a handful of inland villages behind it. It is not a place that needs a week, but one day only scratches it. The table below sets out what each length actually buys you.
| Length | What you see | Time on the road | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Bali village, the harbour and one beach | Under 1 hour of driving | Car hire €40–60 per day plus fuel |
| 2 days | Adds Melidoni cave and Margarites pottery village | 2–3 hours of driving across both days | Car hire €80–120 total plus fuel |
| 3 days | Adds Arkadi monastery and a Rethymno half-day | 4–5 hours of driving across three days | Car hire €120–180 total plus fuel |
Car hire prices are a 2026 estimate for a small manual car in high season; book ahead in July and August.
One day in Bali
Start in the village. The main square, the small church and the harbour take an hour on foot, and the morning is the coolest and quietest time. Then pick one beach for the middle of the day: the bay at Bali itself has several small coves with sunbeds and tavernas, and the water is calm enough for weak swimmers.
Eat lunch at a taverna on the water and keep the afternoon loose. If you have a car, drive up to one of the villages behind the coast for the view back over the bay, then return for sunset. Without a car, stay in Bali and use taxis for short hops; the buses along the coast run but not often enough to build a day around.
- Morning: village square, church, harbour
- Midday: one beach, lunch on the water
- Afternoon: short drive inland or a second cove
- Evening: sunset over the bay, dinner in the village
Two days in Bali
Day one as above. On day two, drive inland. The Melidoni cave is the standard stop: a large chamber with a history tied to the 1824 siege, reached by a short road off the Rethymno–Heraklion route. It is cool inside, so take a layer even in summer.
Pair the cave with Margarites, a village known for pottery workshops where you can watch a wheel being worked and buy directly. Both are within a short drive of each other and of Bali, so the day stays relaxed. If you would rather stay on the coast, swap the cave for a boat trip or a second beach and keep the driving to a minimum.
| Stop | Time needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Melidoni cave | 1–1.5 hours | Cool inside; steps at the entrance |
| Margarites | 1–2 hours | Pottery workshops; some closed on Sundays |
| Bali village and bay | Half a day | Beaches, tavernas, harbour |
Three days in Bali
Day three adds the Arkadi monastery, inland towards Rethymno, a fortified complex with a walled courtyard and a museum, and one of the best-known sites on this part of the island. Give it a couple of hours, then continue to Rethymno for the afternoon.
Rethymno's old town is compact: the Venetian harbour, the fortress above it and the lanes behind the waterfront are all walkable in an afternoon. Park outside the old town and walk in, as the centre is largely closed to through traffic. If you are based in Bali, this is a full day out and you will want an early start.
| Stop | Time needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arkadi monastery | 1.5–2 hours | Modest dress expected; entry fee applies |
| Rethymno old town | 3–4 hours | Harbour, fortress, lanes; park outside the centre |
| Return to Bali | 40 minutes | Coast road east |
What it costs
Bali is cheaper than Chania or Rethymno for the same standard of room, which is part of why people base here. The figures below are 2026 estimates for one person, excluding flights and car hire.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Double room, mid-range | €60–110 per night | Higher in July–August |
| Taverna lunch | €12–18 | Main, salad, water |
| Taverna dinner | €18–30 | With wine |
| Car hire, small car | €40–60 per day | Fuel extra; book ahead in summer |
| Taxi, Bali to Rethymno | €35–50 | Meter or fixed price; agree first |
| Cave or monastery entry | €4–8 | Cash useful |
Practical tips
Do not try to see Bali, Rethymno and Heraklion in one day. The coast road is slow in summer and you will spend the day in the car. Pick one direction and go deep rather than wide.
Fuel up before heading inland; stations thin out away from the main road. Carry cash for small tavernas, caves and monastery shops, and keep a layer for the cave and for the evening wind off the bay. If you are relying on buses, check the timetable the day before, as services drop outside the summer season.
- Book car hire before you arrive in July–August
- Carry cash for entries and small tavernas
- Start early for the inland days
- Check bus times the day before if you have no car
Questions people ask
How many days do you need in Bali?
One day covers the village and a beach. Two days adds the Melidoni cave and Margarites. Three days adds Arkadi monastery and Rethymno. Most travellers base here for two or three nights and use it as a quiet alternative to Rethymno.
What can I see in Bali in one day?
The village square, church and harbour in the morning, one of the small coves for the middle of the day, lunch at a waterfront taverna, and sunset over the bay. With a car, add a short drive to a village behind the coast.
What is a good 3-day itinerary for Bali?
Day one: village and beach. Day two: Melidoni cave and Margarites pottery village. Day three: Arkadi monastery in the morning and Rethymno old town in the afternoon. A car makes all three days much easier.
Do I need a car in Bali?
It helps. Buses along the coast run but are slow and infrequent, and the inland sites are awkward without your own transport. Taxis work for short hops; hire a car for the cave, Margarites and Arkadi days.
When is the best time to visit Bali, Crete?
April to June and September to October give warm sea and manageable crowds. July and August are hot and busy, and you should book rooms and cars well ahead.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisit Greece (Greek National Tourism Organisation)
- officialRegion of Crete
- secondaryWikivoyage – Crete