Major city · Greece
Bali, CreteΜπαλί
Base here 3–5 nights only if you want a beach-and-hotel stay; the village itself is small, so treat it as a resort, not a sightseeing hub.
Bali is a small seaside village on Crete's north coast, in the Rethymno regional unit between Rethymno and Heraklion. It is a beach base with hotels, tavernas and a harbour, not a town with a monument list. Come for swimming, boat trips and slow evenings; use a car or the bus for everything else. Most travellers need 3–5 nights, and a car if they want to see the island.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–early Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), Nov–Mar (many places shut)
- Airports
- HER · CHQ
- Nights
- 3–5
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bali, Crete112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bali, Crete, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Greece-wide
- SIM or eSIMCosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.Greece-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland.Greece-wide
- TippingTaverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.Greece-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Greece-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are traffic, sun and the sea.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés (buy something), museums and sites.Greece-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency number · 100 police · 166 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysArchaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 08:00–15:00 or 17:00) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Archaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 8:00 AM–3:00 PM or 5:00 PM) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Greece-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckHER Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis) (About 50 km (31 mi) east; taxi roughly €50 (≈ US$60) or more, bus via Heraklion (check)).HER Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis) (About 31 mi (50 km) east; taxi roughly €50 (≈ US$60) or more, bus via Heraklion (check)).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable but hilly.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealTaverna main course€9–16 (≈ US$11–19)
- Beer500 ml€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Budget bedSimple studio or apartment, a night, per room€45 (≈ US$55)
- Mid-range bedSimple studio or apartment, a night, per room€75 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedSimple studio or apartment, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €105 (≈ US$130) · High €190 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HER Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis) (About 50 km (31 mi) east; taxi roughly €50 or more, bus via Heraklion (check)) · CHQ Chania International Airport (About 100 km (62 mi) west; longer transfer, usually via Chania or Rethymno (check))HER Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis) (About 31 mi (50 km) east; taxi roughly €50 or more, bus via Heraklion (check)) · CHQ Chania International Airport (About 62 mi (100 km) west; longer transfer, usually via Chania or Rethymno (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best*
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Bali, Crete: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable but hilly. A little tourist train links the main road, the centre and the beach and is a practical shuttle, not just a tour; buy a ticket from the conductor. Taxis are ordered from Rethymno or Heraklion, so they are slow and costly for short hops. Rental cars and scooters are available locally; bring an international driving licence if you are not from the EU/Schengen area, and wear a helmet on a scooter — insurance can be void without one.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rethymno
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
KTEL bus along the coast, or about 30–40 min by car
Venetian harbour, old town and the best shopping near Bali; everything closes on Sunday.
Door to door: About 1 h
KTEL bus or car on the E75
Big-city shopping, port for island hopping and the airport; shops shut on Sunday.
Plakias
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car over the mountains via Rethymno
South-coast beach with a different, breezier feel; a car makes this easy.
Anogeia
cautionDoor to door: About 1.25 h
Car up into the Psiloritis foothills
Mountain village and food stop; winding road, so go in daylight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre and harbour
Walk to tavernas and the small beach; some rooms sit on steep lanes above the water.
Main-road and hillside hotels
Cheaper and quieter, but 2 km (1.2 mi) from the centre and often a climb; check the walk before booking.Cheaper and quieter, but 1.2 mi (2 km) from the centre and often a climb; check the walk before booking.
Beachfront complexes
Step-out-of-room swimming; book early for Jun–Sep.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–75 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–140 (≈ US$95–170) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double1 × 4 nights × €110 | €440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × €105 | €840 |
| Taxi from Heraklion airport, one way1 × €55 | €55 |
| KTEL bus Rethymno–Bali, one way2 × €3 | €6 |
| Rental car, one day in low season1 × €45 | €45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €142 |
| Trip total≈ €195 per person per day, bed included | €1,558≈ US$1,900 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Gyros or souvlaki | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Taverna main course | €9–16 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Beer, 500 ml | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Nightclub drink | about €5 (≈ US$6) |
| Sunbed and umbrella on the beach | €5–15 (≈ US$6–18) (check) |
| Boat trip with lunch | €30–60 (≈ US$35–70) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The bus stop on the main road is about 2 km (1.2 mi) from the village centre: plan the walk, the little train or a taxi.The bus stop on the main road is about 1.2 mi (2 km) from the village centre: plan the walk, the little train or a taxi.
- Not all bars and restaurants take cards; there is an ATM on the road up from town, so withdraw before you eat.
- Many shops outside tourist villages close on Sundays; restaurants generally stay open.
- Hot water is often solar-heated, so showers can be cool after a cloudy day.
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet.
- Steep lanes and few lifts make the village hard going for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility.
- Smoking is common and bans are loosely enforced in many places.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency number
- 112
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 166
- Fire
- 199
- Tourist police
- 1571
- Coast guard
- 108
Pocket card
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Bali, CreteΜπαλί
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency number112
- Police100
- Ambulance166
- Tourist police1571
Embassy
No embassies in Bali; most are in Athens, with consulates in Heraklion and Chania (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Heraklion airport → Bali: €50 (≈ US$60) or more, about 50 min (check)
- Bus Rethymno → Bali: a few euro, about 30 min (check)
- Little train in the village: small fare, buy from the conductor (check)
Say or show
- Γεια σας — Hello (ya sas)
- Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (efharistó)
- Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ — The bill, please (ton logariasmó, parakaló)
- Πόσο κάνει; — How much is it? (póso káni)
- Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; — Can I pay by card? (boró na pliróso me kárta)
- Πού είναι η παραλία; — Where is the beach? (pu íne i paralía)
Keep the number of your accommodation and the local taxi contact saved offline.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bali, Crete. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and crowds), Nov–Mar (many places shut) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 7 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares