Tours/Heraklion/Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island or Chania Old Town
Viator · group up to 100 pax

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island or Chania Old Town

4.1(27)Heraklion1 hour
VIATOR3.4(7)TRIPADVISOR4.4(20)

Description

Want to spend an unforgettable day away from the hustle and bustle of cities, in complete relaxation of the soul and body? Enjoy the one-hour cruise from the port of Castelli to the island of Gramvoussa, on the open deck liner from which you can admire the bright natural phenomenon of twelve shades of the sea of the Bay of Balos. After landing on the pirate island of Gramvousa, go to the top of Venetian fortress which was built in 1597 with sweeping views of the Bay. The ascent takes about twenty minutes. Experience Balos Lagoon Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of Crete with beautiful water and soft sand. Monday and Thursday include a visit to Balos beach and Rethymno town. Tuesday and Wednesday include a visit to Balos beach and Gramvousa island.

Tour Options

Balos beach + Chania town
  • Pick-up Area 1: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi Pickup included
Balos Lagoon- Gramvousa Island
  • Balos-Gramvousa/Pick-up Area 2: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Gramvousa Island- Balos Lagoon
  • Pick-up Area 2: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Balos beach and Chania town
  • Pick-up Area 1: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi Pickup included
Gramvousa Island& Balos Lagoon
  • Pick-up Area 1: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi Pickup included
Gramvousa Island-Balos Lagoon
  • Gramvousa-Balos/Pick-up Area 1: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi Pickup included
Balos Lagoone + Chania town
  • Pick-up Area 2: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Balos Lagoon and Chania town
  • Pick-up Area 2: Rethymno/Panormo/Bali/Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa/Linoperamata Pickup included

Itinerary

90 min

After the visit of the island of Gramvousa, you can swim in the azure waters of Balon Lagoon with its white and pink sand. It will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your holiday in Greece.

90 min

The excursion boat departs daily from Castelli in the morning and returns in the evening. A total of 60 minutes' journey divides Castelli from the island of Gramvousa. After landing on the pirate island of Gramvousa, a walking tour is proposed to the Venetian fortress which was built in 1597 on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Bay. The ascent takes about twenty minutes. Visit the island on Tuesday and Wednesday.

90 min

Visit one of most diverse cultural centers of Greece: Chania city. The second largest city of Crete, it attracts tourists from all over the world for its unique blend of Venetian, Ottoman, Byzantine and Greek cultures. Visit the city on Monday and Thursday

Highlights

Boat ticket EUR 22.00 per person
Pick-up from your hotel (at the specific tourist bus stop, outside of the hotel)
Entrance ticket to Gramvousa (children up to 12y.o.free) EUR 1.00 per person
Transfer with air-conditioned bus
Boat ticket - Child (4-12) EUR 11.00 per person
Certified tour-guide

What's included

Included
Boat ticket EUR 22.00 per person
Pick-up from your hotel (at the specific tourist bus stop, outside of the hotel)
Entrance ticket to Gramvousa (children up to 12y.o.free) EUR 1.00 per person
Transfer with air-conditioned bus
Boat ticket - Child (4-12) EUR 11.00 per person
Certified tour-guide
Not included
Lunch

Pickup Locations & Times

Pick-up at the specific tourist bus stop, up to 800m walking from your hotel. Once booked, Status MLB Travel will contact you with details of pickup time and location. If you cannot find your pickup, you can indicate your location and we will help you find a convenient departure point for the tour bus. If you have not received the email, please check your spam folder. When booking, always indicate the area and place of residence in Crete, and a contact phone number.

Traveller Ratings

4.1
27 reviews
5
19
4
2
3
0
2
3
1
3

Important Information

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket.
  • Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels. From Area 1: all the villages between Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi
  • Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels. From Area 2: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi
  • After booking we will contact you to arrange the pick-up. Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up. For pick-up from different location, please, contact us.
  • Monday: English, German, French, Polish, Italian. The program includes a visit to Balos beach and Rethymno town.
  • Tuesday: English, French, Polish. The program includes a visit to Balos beach and Gramvousa island.
  • Wednesday: English. The program includes a visit to Balos beach and Gramvousa island.
  • Thursday: English, German, French, Polish. The program includes a visit to Balos beach and Rethymno town.
  • In case you are affected by the sea sickness, make sure to take a medicine 1 hour before getting on the ship.

Reviews(27)

B
bharti_a
October 30, 2025
The beaches were really...

The beaches were really nice. The view was nice. The fortress at Gramvousa was quite a walk but nice view.

Operator response

Thank you very much for your review!!

L
Lory444
September 3, 2025
Amazing.

Place not to be missed Don't be intimidated by negative reviews on the street, it will be people living in Monopoly If they come by scooter to Via dei Fori Imperialj it's the same thing Very feasible underground The descent offers a spectacle that has no equal Incredible place The point where you arrive on foot is far from the attacker of the boats and is not affected by the influx by sea Enjoying the sunset in that incredible water without the anguish of having to leave at a set time is an unparalleled luxury

Operator response

Thank you for your review!!

A
AldoSGalaxy
July 4, 2025
Spectacular colours

Must stop if I know visit the lagoon of Balos. I recommend climbing to the fortress (about 10/15 min) to enjoy a crazy view

Operator response

Thank you very much for your review!!

N
Nessa k
June 15, 2025
A no no

The ferry was too big the food on board was awful you get off the ferry and follow so many people to get to the sandy beach. The beaches are gorgeous but would have preferred a small boat more friendly

A
amariacarlo
January 1, 2025
A NATURAL PARADISE

Wonderful places! A true paradise, very long journey from Chersonissos 4 hours by bus and 1 hour by ferry but it 'was worth it. Island of Gramvousa with its castle is spectacular. If you are trained I recommend climbing.Preciso bumpy road to climb but from above you can admire a breathtaking view, a tranquility, an unlikely silence is worth it, I recommend closed shoes no flip-flops! Spectacular sea of intense blue color, moving into the lagoon of Balos which is 'very close about 15 minutes by ferry you can notice that the sea changes color becomes emerald green, transparent water with many fish, I recommend snorkeling. Also form several ponds where the water and 'always very shallow, so great to walk.The sand and' white really Caribbean sometimes gray pink a wonder and moreover we had a visit to the beach of a wonderful goat I WANT TO GO BACK IMMEDIATELY

Operator response

Thank you very much for your detailed review!!!

A
Andrea F
September 6, 2024
A paradise

Recommendation to tour both Gramvousa and Balos lagoon. Gramvousa island very beautiful and wild. Recommendation visiting the castle and snorkeling at the wreck. While to the lagoon of Balos go by boat as by car there are 40 minutes of uphill walking on the way back. Not to mention the road to get there. Road NOT passable with a utility car. Very high risk of puncturing or breaking the machine. If you have a 4X4 or an alpha car no problem. Regarding the beach in Balos Recommendation to go in the free part to get to the natural pools. Highly recommended! If you want to stay in the beginning there are still umbrellas and the bar.

Operator response

Thank you very much for your review!!

U
U5511UAjaym
September 5, 2024
The destinations were amazing, though there were 1000s of tourists.

Tour was well organized and super fun. Views were great. The minibus dropped me off a few KM from my hotel which was an exhausting walk after a long day.

Operator response

Thank you very much for your review!!

A
annabeTN
October 25, 2023
A wonderful and uncontaminated place

Simply a dream lagoon. A wild and still absolutely uncontaminated place. Too bad about the daily tour boats which ruin the view a bit. Apart from this, a place that will enrich your soul and inebriate your sight. It's a difficult walk to get from the car park to the beach, so bring a bottle of water.

Operator response

Thank you very much!

C
Clxrkee
July 25, 2023
Trustworthy, kind, reliable

Couldn’t recommend the service more, a very kind and helpful lady talked us through all the tours twice as we couldn’t decide, she was very patient with us and the excursion itself ran very smoothly - we had a great day. Very trustworthy company!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your review!

S
sandragR4406HA
July 2, 2023
Great day

I am very happy with the trip bought in this office. I saw a beautiful place, great atmosphere. professional service in the office. very nice guide sir. I greet and recommend the office!

Operator response

Thank you for your review!

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