Balos Lagoon

Balos Lagoon sits at the northwestern tip of Crete, where the Gramvousa peninsula meets the sea. The shallow lagoon is famous for its pink-white sand (coloured by crushed shells), water that shifts between turquoise, aquamarine, and deep blue, and a wild, remote setting that feels more Caribbean than Mediterranean. It regularly appears on lists of Europe's best beaches.

A proper lagoon — pink-white sand, knee-deep warm water, and three distinct shades of blue depending on where you point the camera. The hike down is steep but the payoff is worth every bead of sweat.

What to expect

• ✓Shallow lagoon with three distinct shades of blue
• ✓Pink-white sand coloured by crushed shells
• ✓Wild Gramvousa peninsula backdrop
• ✓Views of Gramvousa fortress island
• ✓One of Europe's most photogenic beaches