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The village and the beaches of Bali in Crete 
Bali is sort of a quiet cluster of small villages, beaches and highrising rocks set off the mainroad between Heraklion (45 km) and Rethimnon (28 km). The village is situated at the head of a little bay, on the site of ancient Astale.
Bali is set around three small coves. The first has a very small pebble beach with several tavernas and a luxury hotel. The original (and cosy) village is in the second cove where you will find most of the shops, hotels and taverna's, another
On the other side of the highway on the mountain there's the famous monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. Bali is an attractive and pleasant little village. It is also a village that is rapidly becoming more popular, and beaches that were close to empty a few years ago now have umbrellas and many more people, especially lots of people from France. |
beach
and a harbour with some modern boats and some kaiks.
It's possible to rent a waterbike (wich cover about 30% of the space of the small beach there if no one wants to peddle) and explore the bay. Here you can book a daytrip by boat to Rethimnon, Santorini or the "pirate island" of Gramvousa in the northwest of Crete. The third cove, known as Paradise Beach, is the best for swimming.
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A little bit more about Bali in CreteBali is set away a bit from the highway and is situated on a small peninsula. There is no direct noise from the passing cars inside the village. For us Bali is allways a nice stop for a drink, a coffee or something to eat while we travel from the east of Crete to the west (or vice versa). It is also a nice village to have a look around because some parts of Bali are still pretty authentic and give the feeling of a fishermens village. There is a regular bus service to Rethymnon and Heraklion (every hour) but the bus does not bring you completely into the center of the village. The bus stop is up the road along the highway (2008), but there are plans to make the village more accessible by making the buses stop inside the village as well. The trip to Rethymnon takes about half hour and an hour to Heraklion. In the village of Bali itself a kind of small "childrens" train will transport you to different places so you do not have to climb the streets if you don't want to. Around the port and the beaches and in the center of Bali there is a great choice of restaurants and snack bars, and there are several supermarkets and a pharmacy in the village. |
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Agios Ioannis Prodromos Monastery in BaliJust outside the village of Bali there is the monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos (John the Baptist). You can see the sign to the monastery on the highway as you approach Bali from the west, because it is not inside the village itself. The monastery is hidden in the hills above Bali and there are beautiful views of the coastline. Above one of the entrances of its church the date 1635 can be seen, but it is said that a small much older Byzantine church was incorporated into the church. The two aisled church of the monastery dates from the 17th century and inside there are frescoes from the same period. There are old decorated fountains and a beautiful and quiet garden with flowers around the monastery. The monastery is open for visitors daily from 9 to 12am and again from 4 to 7pm. |
Skorpion Café - BaliThis café bar is situated not far from the entrance to Bali and looks out over the most eastern beach of Bali. They serve breakfasts, salads, coffee, sandwiches, drinks and all kinds of snacks. Nice views and comfortable seats. Our verdict: a 7 out of 10 |
 Cafe Kimbo - BaliA bar / coffee shop at one of the beaches in Bali. Even though it is very quiet it takes for ever to make us a cup of cappuccino and when it finally gets there it is watery and with whipped cream on top. Best thing about it is te view on the beach with all those French people on it. Our verdict: a 7 out of 10 |
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Aparthotel Sofia - Mythos Beach - inexpensive and with good reviews, including breakfastA beautiful familiar place, with a magnificent view over the port of the Bali holiday resort. Sofia Hotel - Mythos Beach is located 50m away from a sandy beach of the Bali port (sunbeds and umbrellas with fee). The complex consists of two hotels (Sofia and Mythos Beach) that have joined hands. The Aparthotel Sofia - Mythos Beach has single rooms, doubles and family apartments. The hotel has two sun terraces, a swimming pool, a restaurant and a snackbar. There are several types of rooms, studios and apartments for rent in this hotel. The studios consist of a combined living-/bedroom with a kitchenette and a private bathroom. The apartments are the same, but have an additional separate bedroom. Check availability and prices & book this hotel in Bali on Crete CLICK HERE |
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Hans Huisman, http://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2009