
Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno
Traveler rating
3.3/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno worth booking?
Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno is a 8-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $69 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.3/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 3.3/5 (4)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $69 per person
Join this day tour of Gramvousa, an island that serves as a regional bird habitat. Enjoy a hassle-free roundtrip bus transfer from Rethymno to Kissamos port to board the scenic cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. Cruise without the stress of arranging local transportation.
What you get
About this experience
Join this day tour of Gramvousa, an island that serves as a regional bird habitat. Enjoy a hassle-free roundtrip bus transfer from Rethymno to Kissamos port to board the scenic cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. Cruise without the stress of arranging local transportation.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-Conditioned Bus
Not included
- Ferry Ticket to Gramvousa Beach and Balos Lagoon (29EUR/person)
- Food and drinks
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Gramvousa Beach
Gramvousa is famous for its historical Venetian fortress, which still stands at a height of 137m, over the beach. The fort had also been used by pirates; one legend tells that there is a great treasure buried in the island. Also, the old wreck that was abandoned many years ago near the beach, has become an characteristic part of the landscape.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Balos Lagoon
Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Price With Boat Ticket
Pickup included
Price Without Boat Ticket
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- TravelPath AllcreteTours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The remaining hours is for travel time from each place to another
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
1 mentionExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Beautiful Balos, but far too crowded
Beautiful destination, but unfortunately we didn’t enjoy the excursion. The ferry was extremely crowded – I’d estimate around at least 500 people – which really took away from the experience. It was also a very long day with a lot of time spent travelling and on the boat. Balos is beautiful, but if you don’t enjoy crowds or large organised tours, I’d recommend finding a smaller or more private way to visit.
via Tripadvisor
Nice trip, very touristy
Well-planned trip, times were managed etc. Nothing to postpone with the provider, but damn with people. We were on the large ferry that can sail with 1200 passengers. It is intense in the two relatively small places where there are also other ferries sailing to. Beautiful beaches, delicious water, and an experience, but very touristy.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Quite a time to have seen
I was picked up by bus and then the bus trip took so long to see the 2 hours of Rethimno you do little because you just drive along the main road. Arrived in Kissamos the first shock, instead of a boat there was a huge ferry, which was fortunately quite empty on my trip. On the ferry you can buy food and drink in self Service, prices well. So then we sailed off with this huge battleship first it went to balos to the lagoon it looks really very pretty "NEIT" , on board then always came the announcement that here is a nature reserve area, I wonder ha and then we drive with this big oil steamer here (well noticed with me was only the 1 ferry there on site) I was told then in the season more such battleships come here.I got a really bad conscience but now I was there. in the lagoon we had about 2 hours, for swimming it is rather difficult there because everything is very flat. Then back up to the ferry and 10 minutes drive to the opposite island Gramvousa also very pretty there we had 2 hours stay, you can hike up there to the fortress which is very strenuous and takes high about 20 minutes, I have renounced. The beach there is very nice. And after the 2 hours we went back to Kissamos to the port and then back on the bus and back. Like I said it was quite nice to look at but I wouldn't do it again for the reason of loving nature. And the 12 hour tour consists of 4-5 hours bus and 4 hours ferry ride. And I wondered in this wonderful nature whenever I looked at the ferry find the fault.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Great day out to some fab beaches - beautiful!
Can't fault the experience and our tour guide, George, was a legend...so helpful and friendly. It's a long day out but worth the effort. Take cash for ferry ticket and sun beds. There's very little shade so take appropriate clothing. Decent shoes required if you want to visit the fort. It's quite rocky in places so beach shoes also worth having. Highly recommended
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by TravelPath AllcreteTours, who run 29 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.9.
See everything TravelPath AllcreteTours runsWhy this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno cost?
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Prices start at $69 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chania is not rushed.
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.3/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chania can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chania within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chania?
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On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cretan Safari – 4x4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chania?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; and Air-Conditioned Bus. Not included: Ferry Ticket to Gramvousa Beach and Balos Lagoon (29EUR/person); Food and drinks; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 229 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno?
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Across 4 reviews averaging 3.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, value for money, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon Day Tour from Rethimno?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Price With Boat Ticket, Price Without Boat Ticket. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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