Activity provider: PLATANOS TOURS
Day trip

From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos

4.4 / 5

41 reviews

From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
    From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos
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    Day trip

    From Heraklion Area: Day Trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos

    Activity provider: PLATANOS TOURS
    Likely to sell out
    Likely to sell out

    From US$ 43.94 per person

    Discover the westernmost part of Crete on a scenic bus trip to Kissamos. Board the boat to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of one of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen.

    About this activity

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
    Duration 11 - 15 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Live tour guide
    English, Italian, German
    Pickup included
    Pickup for this option is only from the areas of Malia, Stalis, Hersonisos, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, and Gournes. Pickup begins earlier than the stated starting time and is from your hotel or the closest point accessible by a vehicle. You'll receive specific pickup information in a separate email from the local partner (please check your spam folder).

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Take a secure bus transfer to Kissamos port on the western part of Crete and join a boat cruise to the Balos Lagoon
    • Hike to the top of the Venetian castle on Gramvousa island and gaze at the incredible 360° views
    • Relax in the Balos Lagoon and swim in the crystal clear waters
    • Enjoy the convenience of included pickup and drop-off service
    Full description
    Start your day with pick-up from the nearest point to your hotel. Drive towards the west side of Crete in a bus to reach the port of Kissamos Kasteli. After your escort gives you all the necessary information about the cruise, arrive at the port to board the ferry boat to Gramvousa. Your escort will collect the money for the boat tickets from you so you can skip the lines at the ticket offices. At about 10:30 AM, set off for the island of Gramvousa on the ferry, which has a restaurant with self-service meals and snacks. Sit back on a deck chair or in the lounge for the journey of approximately 45 minutes. During the cruise, marvel at the cliff edges of the wildest part of Crete and learn about the history of the island with the onboard commentary played through the speakers in various languages. Upon arrival in Gramvousa, either have a swim or take a hike to the top of the island to the Venetian fortress. Enjoy 2.5 hours on Gramvousa before you continue to the lagoon of Balos, which is 20 minutes away. As soon as you arrive at the lagoon, you'll have a little less than 3 hours to enjoy the area. You may go back to the boat at any time for food or also hire umbrellas if the heat is too intense. In the early evening, board the boat to head back to the port of Kissamos, where a bus will be waiting to return you to your hotel area.
    Includes
    • Roundtrip transfer in an air-conditioned bus
    • Tour guide
    • Free time to explore Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
    • Hotel pick-up and drop off from Malia, Stalis, Hersonisos, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Gournes Heraklion Ammoudara Agia Pelagia, Lygaria and Fodele
    • Entrance ticket to the Venetian Fortress (optional, €1, paid in cash on site)
    • Towel
    • Food and drinks
    • Boat ticket to Gramvousa island (€16, children 5 - 12 years €8, paid in cash on site)
    Not suitable for
    • People with mobility impairments
    Covid-19 precautions
    Safety measures in place
    • All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
    • You must keep social distance while in vehicles
    • The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
    Traveler requirements
    • You are required to bring and wear a mask
    • You must fill out a travel information form
    • You will receive a mandatory temperature check

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Important information

    What to bring

    • Sun hat
    • Swimwear
    • Towel
    • Snacks
    • Sunscreen
    • Water

    Know before you go

    • The tour is available only from the areas mentioned in the booking options
    • Pickup is done from specific points near your hotel. After booking, you will receive a separate email with details from the local partner
    • This trip consists of a bus tour and a boat cruise
    • Lunch and drinks can be purchased on the boat or you can bring a few snacks and water with you
    • Walking shoes are necessary for the optional hike uphill to the Venetian fortress
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.4 /5

    based on 41 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4/5
    • Transportation
      4/5
    • Value for money
      4.3/5
    • Safety
      5/5

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    Star rating:

    Whoever travels to Crete MUST take this tour. Why? Because here you have the opportunity to see a beautiful piece of earth that is second to none. Both locations, Gramvousa and Balos, are extremely well-kept and beautiful places that give you a great time, no matter how long you can enjoy them. Swimming in Balos, unique, the beach, the crystal clear water, unbelievably beautiful. Price-performance ratio for this tour is great, the transport reliable and safe and the guide or the guidines :-) was a very personable person who also knew how to tell about the country and its people, which made the respective routes entertaining and interesting. We are very happy that we decided to do this tour and would do it again at any time.

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    September 22, 2020

    M
    Mike – Germany Verified booking

    Helpful?

    It was a very nice excursion, the islands are beautiful and worth a visit. The guide gave us directions in several languages including French. On the other hand, the bus trip is quite long it is written "4 hours of road in total" it is rather necessary to count between 5 am and 5:30 am and it is a pity that we do not stay longer on the islands because there is a lot to see !

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    September 13, 2020

    M
    Marilou – France Verified booking

    Helpful?

    The environment is just incredible, it is the most beautiful excursion I have been able to do in Greece. The only problem, the time granted which is not enough to enjoy the magnificent landscapes. Namely the guide is not used much but it is the case for all the excursions that we could take in agency or on the internet.

    September 4, 2020

    L
    Lina – France Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 288290