Bali is not a roadside stop. It is a trap — the good kind. You tell yourself: "We'll just stop for lunch." Then you see the harbour, the three small coves the village straddles, the fishing boats coming in at 10am. And the road to Heraklion can wait.
Bali as a stop — how to fit it into a road trip
Bali sits 35 km east of Rethymno and 55 km west of Heraklion — exactly in the middle of the island's northern axis. It's the ideal lunch stop on the Chania → Heraklion drive, and the best staging post if you're doing a split-stay between the two cities.
The village descends in terraces towards three natural coves: Livadi (the largest, sandy with tavernas), Varkotopos (rocks and snorkelling), and the Port (the most authentic, where fishermen unload their catch). The water in all three coves is spectacular — transparent and sheltered from the wind.
For lunch: arrive before 12:30, choose the tavernas at the port (not those on the Livadi waterfront, which are more touristic). Dried octopus on washing lines, morning squid — this is where you understand what a Cretan actually eats on a weekday.
See the Chania → Heraklion split-stay strategy →Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Bali from Chania or Heraklion?
By car from Chania: 45 min via the E65. From Heraklion: 50 min. By KTEL bus: Bali is served from Heraklion and Rethymno — stop on the main road, 15 min walk to the harbour. A rental car remains the optimal solution.
Are there hotels in Bali?
Yes — around twenty small hotels and apartments. Most overlook the coves. Bali is popular in high season: book from March–April for July–August. Excellent value in June and September.