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Discover the westernmost tip of Crete on a scenic bus and boat trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Buy your boat ticket on the day and opt to visit the Venetian Fortress at an extra cost.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Duration 10 - 12 hours
- Check availability to see starting times
- Skip the ticket line
- Live tour guide
- English
- Pickup included
- Hotel pickup is available in the areas of Kalyves and Almyrida. Pickup is from your hotel or the closest point accessible by a vehicle. You'll receive specific pickup information in a separate email from the activity provider (please check your spam folder).
- Private group available
Highlighted reviews from other travelers
Balos is very beautiful, but a bit too overcrowded. Gramvousa is just a rocky island with a rocky beach. Still, the trip is well organized and a good way to spend a day of your holiday.
The trip was amazing. The guide and the driver were very nice and everything was well organized. You have enough time to enjoy the lagoon of Balos and Gromvousa Island. I recommend.
Select participants and date
Itinerary
26 pickup location options:
Gerani, Kolymvari, Almyrida, Kato Galatas, Chorafakia, Paralia Kourna, Maleme, Galatas, Kamisiana, Perivolia, Stalos, Georgioupoli, Kondomari, Agia Marina, Pirgos Psilonerou, Stavros, Daratsos, Platanias, Galatas, Rapaniana, Kalyves, Agii Apostoli, Halepa, Tavronitis, Chania, Souda
Bus/coach
(1 hour)
Kissamos Port
Break time (30 minutes)
Ferry
(1 hour)
Gramvousa
Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Swimming, Scenic views on the way (3 hours)
Ferry
(20 minutes)
Balos Beach
Photo stop, Visit, Free time, Swimming, Scenic views on the way (1.5 hours)
Ferry
(1 hour)
Bus/coach
(1 hour)
26 drop-off locations:
Kolymvari, Gerani, Pirgos Psilonerou, Chorafakia, Kato Galatas, Kalyves, Daratsos, Paralia Kourna, Souda, Agii Apostoli, Halepa, Tavronitis, Almyrida, Rapaniana, Stavros, Chania, Stalos, Galatas, Maleme, Kamisiana, Platanias, Galatas, Agia Marina, Perivolia, Georgioupoli, Kondomari
For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.
Highlights
- Swim in the crystal clear waters of Balos Bay
- Climb the Venetian fortress on Gramvousa Island for unique views
- Cross to Balos Bay at the northernmost tip of the peninsula by boat
- Relax on a secure bus transfer to Kisamos port on the western part of Crete
- Enjoy the convenience of included pickup and drop-off service
Full description
Your day starts with a pickup from your hotel or at a specific pickup point with the bus. Depending on the option you choose, enjoy pickup from Chania, Kalyves, or Almyrida. Drive towards the west side of Crete in order to reach the port of Kissamos Kasteli.
After receiving all the necessary information about the cruise from your escort, arrive at the port where the Gramvousa ferry awaits you to start the cruise.
Your escort will collect the money for the boat tickets from you so you can skip the lines at the ticket offices. If you've chosen the option leaving from Kalyves and Almyrida, your boat ticket and Fortress entrance are included.
At about 10:40 AM, set off for the island of Gramvousa which takes approximately 45 minutes. Help yourself to the ferry kitchen with self-service dishes, meals, or snacks (at your own expense). You can sit back on a deck chair or in the lounge.
During your cruise, see the elevation of the land along the cliff edges of Crete. This elevation has happened for over 2000 years. The history of the island is explained through microphones in different languages.
Once you arrive at the island of Gramvousa, you can either swim or take a hike to the top of the island to the Venetian fortress. There you have 2.5 hours before you continue to the lagoon of Balos which is 20 minutes away.
Enjoy 3 hours at the lagoon. You may go back to the boat to purchase food at any time or hire umbrellas if the heat is too intense. After a swim and relaxation at the lagoon, the boat will take you straight back to the port of Kissamos.
This is a great photo opportunity as the sun will be behind you as you look out to the scenery of the island. At 6:00 PM the ferry arrives at the port and the journey comes to an end. Return time to your starting point in time for dinner.
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Perivolia, Halepa, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos Psilonerou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana )
- Bus ticket and transfers by modern fully air-conditioned coach
- English-speaking guide
- Professional Driver
- Free time to explore Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
- All the legal taxes
- Liability insurance coverage
- Venetian Fortress entry ticket (optional, €1, paid in cash on site)
- Boat ticket to Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon (€34 per adult, €17 per child aged 5-12 years, to be paid in cash on site)
- Lunch (available for purchase on the boat)
- Towel
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Sun umbrellas (available to rent)
- Photographer on the boat (at extra cost)
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
Important information
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Water
Know before you go
- Lunch and water can be purchased on board the boat
- The cost of the boat ticket and the Venetian Fortress entry ticket (€30) is not included in the option with pickup from Chania
- Walking shoes are necessary for the climb to the Venetian Fortress
