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Full-Day Gramvousa and Balos Tour: Explore Western Crete's Geology and Pirate History
2.9
7 Ratings
Gramvousa
Experience a fascinating past surrounded by sapphire blue waters! This is a chance to explore the unique geologic structures of Crete’s Western coast, along with a trip to the island of Gramvousa, known for its notorious pirate fort, and the Balos lagoon facing it.
Experience a fascinating past surrounded by sapphire blue waters! This is a chance to explore the unique geologic structures of Crete’s Western coast, along with a trip to the island of Gramvousa, known for its notorious pirate fort, and the Balos lagoon facing it.
Duration:
11 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Gramvousa - After we pick you up from various locations around Rethymno we will drive through West Crete until we reach the Kissamos port. From there we will sail to the port on Gramvousa, passing by the huge cave believed to be the ancient shipyard of Tarsanas. At the end of the Gulf you will notice an impressive geological phenomenon cause by…
- Gramvousa - After we pick you up from various locations around Rethymno we will drive through West Crete until we reach the Kissamos port. From there we will sail to the port on Gramvousa, passing by the huge cave believed to be the ancient shipyard of Tarsanas. At the end of the Gulf you will notice an impressive geological phenomenon cause by catastrophic earthquakes that took place more than 2000 years ago.
After approximately 1 hour, the boat arrives at the port of Gramvousa. On top of a steep rock on the highest point of the island, lays the Venetian castle built during the late 16th century. Surrounded by a wall that still stands today, it has a rough triangular shape and is rumoured to house hidden pirate treasures from the previous centuries. It is well worth the 10 minutes hike it takes to get there.
- Balos Lagoon - You will have plenty of time to explore the island and swim in its coast before we board the boat that will take us to the Balos lagoon. Fantastic azure waters fill the lagoon creating an rare amalgamation of serenity and ild natural beauty. Make sure to have a camera with you and take photos that will make even your most well-traveled friends jealous!
What's Included
- Pick up/Drop off with air-conditioned luxury bus from select spots in Rethymno
- English and German speaking guide
- Pre-recorded guiding on board
- Pick up/Drop off with air-conditioned luxury bus from select spots in Rethymno
- English and German speaking guide
- Pre-recorded guiding on board
What's Not Included
- Boat tickets to Gramvousa and back (28 € per adult, 13.5 € per child)
- Municipality fee (1 € for adults, free for children)
- Personal expenses, extra beverages or meals
- Customary tips to your driver and escort
- Food and refreshments provided in the vessel are not included in the price
- Boat tickets to Gramvousa and back (28 € per adult, 13.5 € per child)
- Municipality fee (1 € for adults, free for children)
- Personal expenses, extra beverages or meals
- Customary tips to your driver and escort
- Food and refreshments provided in the vessel are not included in the price
Additional Information
- Remember to bring the following items: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, swimsuit and beach towel
- You are advised to bring appropriate shoes for the hike up to Gramvousa Castle
- Rubbish disposal as well as removing seashells from the beach is prohibited
- The Municipality and both fee are paid on the spot with cash
- Remember to bring the following items: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, swimsuit and beach towel
- You are advised to bring appropriate shoes for the hike up to Gramvousa Castle
- Rubbish disposal as well as removing seashells from the beach is prohibited
- The Municipality and both fee are paid on the spot with cash
Location
Gramvousa
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
2.9
(7 Ratings)
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Stay791615
Jun 3, 2024
wonderful experience - highly recommended - well organized and not expensive (10€ p/p for the bus + 30 p/p for the boat.
+ enough time to discover Gramvousa & Baols.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valentina
May 23, 2024
Day trip to Balos - gramvousa - blue lagoon - I went to Balos with a friend. We were picked up by bus to Balos. We have a good guide who is very friendly, she told us about the island and Bleu Lagoon. From Balos we took the boat to Gramvousa, it was a beautiful location with a beach and a fort. Then we went to Blue Lagoon. It was beautiful. Sea is clear blue, gigantic mountains. And you just taste salty seawater. It was a beautiful moment there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cinziaaf9600ef
Oct 29, 2023
Great day in paradise - An all day trip from Rethimno to Balos and Gramvousa by bus and boat. What a beautiful place with wonderful beaches and lovely sea
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U5699jbjessicas
Aug 15, 2024
To flee - The views are not that beautiful! The beach is difficult to access you have to walk a lot on the paths filled with large stones, there is no sand than pebbles, enormous wind everything comes back to your face it is just unpleasant! And the worst part is that there really is no bar nearby to cool off. The Guide is very unsympathetic it does not inform you about anything and does not even answer you when asked questions, I do not recommend this activity at all it is not worth its Award personally the best is to make your own tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aminre4
Jun 22, 2024
Disappointing Day Excursion from Rethymno to Balos - I recently went on a day excursion from Rethymno to Balos, and unfortunately, it was a major disappointment. Unlike my previous experience in 2021, this time I was not informed that the boat no longer docks at Balos. Instead, it stops 10 meters away from the shore, forcing passengers to disembark into deep water.
Disembarking was chaotic and frustrating, taking over 1 hour and 45 minutes to get everyone off the boat. Many people struggled because they couldn't swim, adding to the chaos. It's baffling that the government prohibits boats from docking in Balos Bay but allows them to stop 10 meters away. This rule seems nonsensical and severely impacts the experience.
When I raised these concerns with our guide upon arriving in Kissamos, his response was dismissive: "You don’t have to leave the boat, or you can get a private boat for £200." This lack of empathy and solutions was disheartening.
What was once a fun excursion in 2021 has become a waste of time. I wouldn't recommend this trip to anyone in its current state. The organizers need to address these issues, but it seems they are more interested in taking tourists' money. Save yourself the frustration and look for alternative experiences.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris
May 23, 2024
Bitterly disappointed we arrived in good time to and they told us we weren't going to balls for technical reasons no other reas - Terrible seemed a waste of a day and money. No real explanation of why we couldn't go to balos sad I was really looking forward to it but felt totally let down
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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