Avoiding Greece in the Summer: Insights from Crowded Balos Beach

Greece - A Beauty You Can't Miss

Greece is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, friendly locals, and rich culinary traditions. However, summer is not the best time for those seeking a relaxing atmosphere. Balos Beach on the island of Crete serves as a prime example of this.

Why I Avoid Greece in the Summer

A viral video from Balos Beach showcases the sight of thousands of tourists crowding into a small space during the summer months. Filmed in mid-August, the footage reveals hundreds of people crammed at the dock for tour boats, creating an image far from relaxing.

Sharing Travel Experiences

I had the opportunity to visit Mykonos and Santorini with my family in March. Although the weather was not perfect due to some chill and rain, the beaches were far less crowded than in summer. You could stroll around Chora (Mykonos Town) without worrying about jostling for space and explore Oia without being overwhelmed by throngs of tourists.

Balos Beach: A Magnet for Thousands of Tourists

During peak tourist season, Balos can welcome up to 5,000 visitors a day, many arriving by tour boat. This leads to congestion at the dock, where the simultaneous influx of tourists creates unimaginable crowds. Balos is also part of the EU's Natura 2000 conservation network, raising concerns not only about the travel experience but also about environmental impacts.

Solutions to the Crowding Issue at the Beach

Authorities are considering an online reservation system to limit the number of people entering the beach, possibly allowing only 1,200 guests within a three-hour window. While this could alleviate overcrowding, it also complicates the travel experience.

Choosing the Right Time to Travel

When possible, I typically avoid popular destinations during the summer. Greece, Italy, Croatia, and certain areas of France and Spain can become overly crowded during peak travel seasons. While the weather may be beautiful, it often brings higher prices and more congestion.

When to Go for the Best Experience

Months like May and September can offer a much better experience, with lovely weather and fewer crowds. Even March is an ideal time to explore the islands without the pressure of tourist numbers. I would rather deal with imperfect weather and fewer tourists than squeeze in among thousands of others.

A Reflection on Tourists

I find it somewhat amusing when tourists complain about too many other tourists. I am a traveler myself, and those standing at the dock in Balos have as much right to be there as I do. However, Greece's popularity does diminish the quality of the travel experience.

Conclusion

I absolutely love Greece and look forward to returning many times. It's time to take my daughter there to explore. But if I had to choose between visiting Mykonos in March with chilly weather or a beautiful beach in Greece in August alongside 5,000 others, I would choose March. The video from Balos Beach doesn't make me want to visit Greece any less, but I’m glad I have no plans to go there in August.

Article adapted and edited from: Live and Let's Fly