Location: Kissamos
Top Things to do in Kissamos
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Things to do in Kissamos, Crete: The Best Day Trips from
Kissamos (Greek: Κίσσαμος) is a town and municipality, multiple (former) bishopric and Latin titular see in the west of the island of Crete, Greece. It is part of the Chania regional unit and of the former Kissamos Province which covers the northwest corner of the island. The city of Kissamos is also known as Kastelli Kissamou and often known simply as Kastelli after the Venetian castle that was there. It is now a port and fishing harbour, with a regular ferry from the Peloponnese via Kythira. A town museum is located in the old Venetian governor's palace and there have been important archaeological finds in the town, including fine mosaics, dating from the Roman city of Kisamos (Κίσαμος, Latinized as Cisamus). The head town of the municipality (Δήμος Κισσάμου) is Kastelli-Kissamos itself.
Restaurants in Kissamos
1. Full-Day Guided Tour to Gramvousa Island with Hotel Pickup
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Explore the rocky coast and sandy beaches of Gramvousa Island on this full-day, guided cruise from Rethymnon, Georgioupolis or Chania. Experience Gramvousa Castle and dive in to swim at the Balos Lagoon. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
Inclusions: Guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (Rethymnon, Georgioupolis or Chania), Round-trip shared transfer by bus until Kissamos and by boat from Kissamos to Gramvousa and Balos, Lunch, Boat
Exclusions: Snacks and drinks (available or purchase), Gratuities, Environmental fee for Gramvousa 1,00 Euro per person
Reviewed By Andreas C
We booked via Cretan Holidays our stay in Heraklion, a car rental and one excursion.We received top quality products, quick responce, exceptional customer service!
2. PRIVATE TOUR by 4x4 to Balos lagoon and Falassarna beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Explore the endless blue! The perfect combination tour for beach lovers including a visit to the Balos lagoon viewpoint and the Falassarna beach while your local guide shares with you his vast knowledge about the island.
Inclusions: Private transportation
Exclusions:
Reviewed By SuzanneBColorado
So glad I was able to get a tour with Aliki! My son and I loved our walking tour of Chania and sharing a cold coffee to begin! Aliki completely tailored our time to what we wanted to see and accomplish. She has a great disposition and knows everyone in town, it seems! We learned a lot and took some beautiful pictures of the town. I recommend anyone take this tour- a local always knows the best places.
3. Gramvoussa - Balos
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Discover one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece on a fantastic cruise to the most western part of Crete. Stop at the island of Gramvoussa, where you can see hundreds of birds and plant species. Go to the lagoon at Balos and swim. Discover an extraordinary geological phenomenon Sail to the "Pirates' Island" of Gramvoussa Swim in the lagoon at Balos Disembark on the island of Gramvousa, with its Venetian castle. Also known as "Pirates' Island," Gramvousa used to be a hiding place for rebels. The broader area of Gramvousa forms one of the most significant hydro-biotopes of the eastern Mediterranean. Here, you can encounter over 100 bird and 400 plant species.Enjoy plenty of free time to swim at a gorgeous beach. Admire the wonderful colors and take a few photos of the famous shipwreck. Continue your cruise to the lagoon of Balos and discover one of the loveliest sites in Greece. Get a breathtaking view of the lagoon, before the return journey to the meeting point.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Live English tour guide , Transportation by reliable boat • Experienced drivers
Exclusions: Boat ticket (€18; children 4 to 12 y.o. 9€ ) • Municipality fee (€1)
Reviewed By Tania L
I did the Gramvousa and Balos tour with my family on may 31st and we had a terrible and stressful experience. We waited for almost 25 mins to be picked up in the morning and the boat was overcrowded. These things I could set aside and forget given it was maybe beyond the control of the bus driver to pick us up at scheduled time, or that it is tourist season and the boats might be overcrowded. What I have a problem with, is that it WASN’T ADVERTISED that on both Gramvousa and Balos in order to get to the beach, visitors need to walk over treacherous and dangerous volcanic rocks and there would be no designated walking path. We were also not warned that we need hiking boots to get off the boat as the rocks are absolutely not suitable for beach footwear. It only says for visitors who want to hike up to the fortress to wear walking shoes. It doesnt say the volcanic rocks aren't appropriate for small children and older individuals. The free time we had on Gramvousa island was 1 hour and in Balos 2 hours which was 2 hours LESS THAN ADVERTISED. I travelled with a 2 year old child who fell twice on the rocks in Balos and could've seriously injured himself had he hit his head. My other 2 family members who are women close to 70 year old couldn't even see the Balos lagoon because it was dangerous to walk 200m over the dangerous rocks. One of them nearly twisted her ankle and the other hurt her back while trying to balance on the rocks so they had to go back to the boat and wait over 2 hours for the boat to leave Balos. The tour was not as advertised and actually not disclosing crucial information about the volcanic rocks visitors have to walk over in order to reach Gramvousa and Balos beach is not only misleading but dangerous for the health of visitors. The tour guide by the name Sergio was rude when I expressed my concerns about the safety of the tour and that there was even a man who got seriously injured and was bleeding down his leg. Sergio told me how I wasn't climbing the Himalayas and that I didn't need hiking shoes. As a matter of fact, I did trekking in the Himalayas and I felt safer trekking there than walking 200m to Balos beach. And why I felt safer? Because I had proper footwear. The tour was terrible and my family members could not even access the highlighted parts of the tour, such as the lagoon. I will take this matter to the Greek ministry of tourism. I sent an email to the tour organizer, Viola, after the incident expressing my concerns, and I also asked for a refund. I got NO reply. Just shows how sketchy and unprofessional these people are.
4. Gramvousa and Balos Cruise from Chania (Boat ticket is included!)
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 6 reviews
After we pick you up from various locations around Chania we will drive through West Crete until we reach the Kissamos port. 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. 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. At around 16:30 we will board the boat back to the port of Kissamos and eventually return by bus to the designated spots you were picked up from.
Inclusions: Pick up/Drop off with air-conditioned luxury bus from select spots in Chania, Visit to Gramvousa, Visit to Balos, Boat tickets to Gramvousa and Balos, Pre-recorded guiding on board, English Speaking Guide
Exclusions: Municipality fee (1 euro for adults, free for children), Personal expenses, extra beverages or meals, Customary tips to your driver and escort
Reviewed By panosstoumpos
We choose fantasy travel for our tour! It was so well organized, and the whole trip was detailed. The stuff are very friendly, and answered every single question. I would recommend fantasy travel to all of our friends, and family!
5. Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 8 reviews
Discover the westernmost tip of Crete on a scenic bus and boat trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of some of the most beautiful beaches you ever have seen!Upon arrival, climb aboard a boat and cross to Balos Bay at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. Relax on the 1-hour boat trip, and get 2.5 hours at Balos Bay to enjoy the soft white sands and unique blue and green waters of the lagoon.
Inclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana), Air-conditioned vehicle, Professional guide
Exclusions: Boat ticket to Gramvousa island 30 eyro, Food and drinks, Personal expenses
Reviewed By _U6147NF
Perfect services! Friendly staff ... Good prices! Totally recommend it Good after sales support when I had a problem
6. Gramvousa and Balos Day Cruise from Chania
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 28 reviews
Our trip starts at your hotel or a location in its vicinity, with our bus.Our destination is the port of Kisamos. As soon as we reach the port, you go aboard the ship to set out on the cruise.The ship departs from the port at 10:20. An hour later you reach the small island of Gramvousa.The ship stays at the island for two hours.The castle of Gramvousa is to be found at the top of the island. If you wish so, you can climb up the path to the castle, if not, you can stay on the beach and swim. (Climbing will take you at least 20 min to reach the castle. Proper hiking shoes are a must!).The ship departs from Gramvousa Island at 13:30, the breath-taking lagoon of Balos being its destination. Words can’t possibly do justice to the wild beauty your eyes will meet once you reach Balos.The white and at places pink sand, the turquoise warm and shallow waters, the rocks reaching for the sky around the lagoon, all these amazing elements come together to create a heavenly landscape!
Inclusions: Transport by air-conditioned coach , Local Guide , All Taxes
Exclusions: TICKET PRICES without meals • Passengers up to 2 years f.o.c • 3 and 12 @13€. • Over 13 years @ 27€., Ecological Fee – 1€ , Tips, Hotel pick-up and drop-off can be provided at the extra charge of euro 15 for round trip per person
Reviewed By 706kristinaf
We were 4 but the guide only had two on her paper so first they drive off and later they came back and realiser it was us they were waiting for. Everything else was super.
7. Day Cruise to Gramvousa & Balos
Overall Ratings
2.8 based on 4 reviews
Find yourself on a bus tour towards the west edge of Crete, where your sailing trip begins to the “Pirates Island”, Gramvousa. Swim in the lagoon of Balos and enjoy a relaxing nevertheless unique experience of a natural beauty point of interest.
Inclusions: Pickup and Drop off from hotels and designated meeting points, Transport by air-conditioned coach or minivan, Boat ticket, Guide, Municipality fee
Exclusions: Food & Drink
Reviewed By Kallellak1819
All in all okay - but no „sailing-trip“ & there are changes due to COVID-19! Pick-up time by bus about 7:30 am, very early. It took us about 1,5 h to get to the first stopp. Lots of time in the bus, no sailing, just about 60-90 minutes on a vessel. Due to COVID-19 no swimming in Kolokýtha and no bbq on board but a little packed lunches for everyone and swimming later in elounda for about 2 h. About 1 h staying on spinalonga island.
8. Gramvousa and Balos Private Tour from Chania
Overall Ratings
2.0 based on 1 reviews
A great trip for any Chania visitor is the mini-cruise to Gramvousa and Balos! Our trip starts at your hotel or a location in its vicinity, with our bus. Our destination is the port of Kisamos. As soon as we reach the port, you go aboard the ship to set out on the cruise. The ship departs from the port at 10:20. An hour later you reach the small island of Gramvousa. The ship stays at the island for two hours. The castle of Gramvousa is to be found at the top of the island… built by Venetians on top of some steep cliffs in order to act as a fortification protecting the island, today it offers visitors a panoramic view to the amazingly blue waters of the Cretan sea. If you wish so, you can climb up the path to the castle, if not, you can stay on the beach and swim. (Climbing will take you at least 20 min to reach the castle. Proper hiking shoes are a must!).The ship departs from Gramvousa Island at 13:30, the breath-taking lagoon of Balos being its destination…
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Boat: 27 € , Ecological Fee – 1€ , Tips, Guide
Reviewed By 706kristinaf
We were 4 but the guide only had two on her paper so first they drive off and later they came back and realiser it was us they were waiting for. Everything else was super.
9. Gramvousa Island Day Tour from Rethimno & Chania
Overall Ratings
1.0 based on 1 reviews
Join this 12-hour day tour of Gramvousa, an island that serves as a regional bird habitat. While there, take time to explore the local castle, then head over to Balos Lagoon. Swim and relax at the lagoon with your group before heading back to Rethimno. The island of Gramvousa is associated with the struggle to liberate Crete from the Ottoman occupation. Three thousand revolutionaries used the island as their shelter for 3 years. To solve the problem of food scarcity, they took to piracy. Gramvousa nowadays is an important bird habitat in the Eastern Mediterranean region and is located along one of the bird migration ways in this part of the world. It is the habitat of over 100 bird species and 400 kinds of plants. Built 137m above sea level on this rocky island, it is one of the most impressive castles in Crete.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Local guide, group tour
Exclusions: Ferry ticket & Fee (30EUR/person), Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By D8754AQmaxd
I was not able to join the tour as I did not receive any information about the meeting point. The sign-up confirmation says "meet-up at your hotel or city center". I tried calling and sent a message to the given number, but no reply. Otherwise, these are the the best beaches on Crete island, so definitely recommended.
10. Gramvousa from Rethymno
On the New road, the bus takes you west through the outskirts of Chania to the port of Kastelli. Here, a boat will take you to the small island gramvoussa with its imposing Venetian castle and breathtaking views. After 2 hours of stay the boat will take you to the lagoon of Balos. The fabulous clear water of the lagoon and the white coral sand makes an irresistible paradise for all guests.
Inclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off , Transport by air-conditioned coach , Local Guide , All Taxes
Exclusions: Entrance fees , Boat:27 € (Children 4-12 : 13.5 €) , Ecological fee – 1 euro, children under 18 – free , Tips
Reviewed By 706kristinaf
We were 4 but the guide only had two on her paper so first they drive off and later they came back and realiser it was us they were waiting for. Everything else was super.
