Bali, Crete
Best things to do in Bali, including free and rainy-day options
Base yourself in Bali village and treat the beach, Melidoni Cave and Atali Monastery as half-day trips; Rethymno is a longer drive east (distance and drive time check). Do the coast on foot in the morning, keep a car day for the mountains, and save the cave and the old town for rain or wind — confirm opening hours first.
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GuideBali, Crete
Key facts
- Best for
- Beach days, a cave, a monastery and access to Rethymno
- Free things
- Village lanes, the beach, the harbour and the coastal walk
- Rainy-day pickcheck
- Melidoni Cave and Rethymno's old town and museums (opening status check)
- Getting aroundcheck
- Car or scooter is the practical option; bus frequency and journey times check
- Distance to Rethymnocheck
- Roughly 30–40 km east; drive time check
- Best months
- May–June and September–October
- Cave entrycheck
- Small fee, 2026 estimate; hours change by season
The choices at a glance
Bali is a small resort village on the north coast of Crete, between Rethymno and Heraklion. It works as a base rather than a sightseeing hub: you come for the bay, then use the village as a launch point for the cave, the monastery and the Venetian towns either side.
| Thing to do | Cost | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bali beach and harbour | Free | 1–3 hours | Swimming, sunsets, an easy first afternoon |
| Village lanes on foot | Free | 1 hour | Coffee, bakeries, a look at daily life |
| Melidoni Cave | Small fee (2026 estimate) | 1–2 hours plus drive | Rainy days, geology, a cool interior |
| Atali Monastery | Free or small donation | 1 hour | Quiet, views, a short detour |
| Rethymno old town | Free to walk | Half a day | Venetian harbour, museums, food |
| Boat trip or coastal walk | Free to moderate | 2–4 hours | Sea views without a car |
| Day trip to Heraklion or Knossos | Bus or car plus entry | Full day | Minoan sites, the archaeological museum |
The detail
Start with the village itself. Bali has a compact centre, a small harbour and a beach that curves around the bay. Walking the lanes takes an hour and costs nothing; the bakeries and cafés are where you see the place working rather than posing. The beach is the main event for most visitors, and it is free. Sunbeds and umbrellas are usually rented by the day, so ask before you sit down.
Melidoni Cave is the standout half-day trip inland. It is a large limestone cave with a history that includes a wartime tragedy, and the interior stays cool when the coast is hot. Entry is a small fee (2026 estimate) and opening hours shift with the season, so check before you drive up. The road is winding; a car or scooter is the practical way to reach it.
Atali Monastery sits near the coast and is a short detour from the village. It is a working religious site, so dress modestly and keep voices down. Entry is free or by small donation depending on what is open.
Rethymno is the obvious bigger day out: a Venetian harbour, an old town of narrow streets, a fortress and several museums. It lies east of Bali along the coast road (distance and drive time check). Buses run but frequency and journey times vary by season, so check the timetable before you rely on them.
If you want a full day, Heraklion and Knossos are further east. Knossos is the Minoan palace, and Heraklion has the archaeological museum that goes with it. This is a long day from Bali; a car makes it easier, and a bus is possible but eats the day.
For something quieter, walk the coast in either direction from the village. The shoreline is rocky in places, so shoes help. Boat trips run from the harbour in season; ask locally about times and prices rather than assuming a fixed schedule.
What it costs
The village, the beach and the coastal walk are free. The main costs are transport, cave entry and food. A rental car for a day is the biggest single item; a scooter is cheaper but only if you are comfortable riding one. Bus fares to Rethymno and Heraklion are low, but the timetable is the constraint, not the price.
Treat all figures as 2026 estimates and confirm locally. Sunbed rental, boat trips and cave entry are the items most likely to change.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and village | Free | Sunbeds usually extra |
| Melidoni Cave entry | Small fee | Hours vary by season; check |
| Atali Monastery | Free or donation | Dress modestly |
| Car rental, one day | Moderate | Book ahead in July–August |
| Scooter rental, one day | Lower than a car | Only if experienced |
| Bus to Rethymno | Low | Limited timetable; check |
| Food and drink | Varies | See where to eat in bali |
Practical tips
- Do the beach and village on foot; keep the car for the cave and the towns.
- Check cave and monastery opening hours the day before; they change with the season.
- In July and August, book a car ahead and start early to avoid the heat.
- Carry water and sun protection; the north coast sun is strong from May to September.
- If you are relying on buses, plan around the timetable rather than the other way round.
- For a wet day, the cave and Rethymno's museums are the two indoor options — confirm current opening status first.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What are the best things to do in Bali?
The beach and village are the core. Add Melidoni Cave, Atali Monastery and a half-day in Rethymno. With a car, Heraklion and Knossos become a full-day option. Check opening hours before you set out.
What are free things to do in Bali?
Walk the village lanes, swim at the beach, wander the harbour and follow the coast in either direction. All cost nothing; sunbeds and boat trips are the paid extras.
What can I do in Bali when it rains?
Melidoni Cave is the usual indoor pick, and Rethymno's old town has museums, churches and covered lanes. Both need a car or a bus, and opening status can change, so check before you go.
Do I need a car in Bali?
For the cave, the monastery and Rethymno, a car or scooter is the practical choice. Buses exist but frequency and journey times vary, so check the timetable if you plan to rely on them.
How far is Rethymno from Bali?
It lies roughly 30–40 km east along the coast road; drive time depends on traffic and the route (check). Buses run but are slower and less frequent, so check the timetable before you go.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisit Greece (Greek National Tourism Organisation)
- officialRegion of Crete
- secondaryWikivoyage – Crete
- secondaryOpenStreetMap