An excursion to the enchanting Gramvousa beach
One of the most enchanting parts of Crete is located in the prefecture of Chania and is an uninhabited island that composes an awesome contrast of wild and exotic landscape.
The beach is long with clear blue water but words cannot describe the beauty, so see the photos for better.
There is nothing here so bring water, sunscreen, hat and sandals, there is no protection from the sun except a few trees. When entering the sea you need to be careful because it has slippery stones. I recommend beach shoes to get in. If you are interested in snorkeling you must go to the wreck. Supplies can also be purchased from the boat.
Above the beach, on the towering rock, dominates the Venetian castle which was built from 1579 to 1584. The ascent is relatively easy with a path with large steps. The view from up there is indescribable and compensates you for the effort to get there. We are talking about an unlimited 360 degree view. The climb takes 15 - 20 minutes. On top of the castle take pictures at the gate and the church of the Annunciation Theotokos and walk along the walls to explore them.
The hotels I recommend in Kissamos are:
- (€€) Galini Beach Hotel (⭐ 8,7) a hotel on a beach near Kissamos city center
- (€) Galini Beach Hotel (⭐ 8,8) modern rooms a breath away from the sea. The hotel features a swimming pool and a pool bar
- (€) Anastellar (⭐ 9,8) apartments equipped with a kitchen
Search for hotel deals in Kissamos
The castle was a den of cretan pirates after the Revolution of 1821, that's why it got the name "the pirate island", the monument there refers to them.
The available time to stay in Gramvousa is about 2 hours and it is barely enough for swimming and climbing to the castle. You disembark at a port and follow the short trail to the beach.
The port in Gramvousa. The castle can be seen on top of the mountain.
Boats for Gramvousa depart from Kissamos. It is 20 - 30 minutes from Kissamos and 10 from Balos. The boats also stop at Balos. It is better to go with smaller boats rather than the big "Gramvoussa" that disembarks hundreds of people. The price is around €35 per person depending on the company you travel with. If you go with a rented boat, however, you will stay there as long as you want.
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