Gramvousa Fortress
Gramvousa Fortress
4.5
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
547 reviews
Excellent
336
Very good
154
Average
45
Poor
8
Terrible
4
Dejan J
Slovenia14 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Walking to the top takes 10-15 minutes and during hot summer days it requires bit of an effort. However once you reach the fortress it gets paid off as views are amazing. Two hour stay is recommended, first hour to visit fortress and second one to refresh on a beach.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Klaudia B
London, UK107 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Incredible views from the top, 137m above sea level😊 will be very hard to get to the top but is worth it for the views. You can take amazing photos . Make sure you have proper shoes for that. I made it in my sandals but was quite slippery in some of the parts. This was 2nd time for me in this place and I still have to get to the top.
Written October 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David I
Cambridge, UK14 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We took a boat trip to Gramvousa/Balos as part of an organised beach clean.
We had the opportunity to walk up to the fortress on Gramvousa, the views are pretty spectacular and the fortress is really interesting. It’s probably a 15 minute walk from the boat/beach but pretty uneven ground so suggest bringing something more solid than flip flops.
We had the opportunity to walk up to the fortress on Gramvousa, the views are pretty spectacular and the fortress is really interesting. It’s probably a 15 minute walk from the boat/beach but pretty uneven ground so suggest bringing something more solid than flip flops.
Written May 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carrie P
Oxford, UK44 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
We booked this trip through Thomson "TUI", it was an hour and a half drive to the boat which was fine. This trip was sold to us as a trip to Gramvousa, we only actually had about an hour at Gramvousa!
We were herded onto a massive boat being pushed and shoved by people who have no concept of queuing or general common courtesy, the crossing took about an hour, then unless you wanted to push and shove again it took about 20 minutes to actually get off the boat to spend our allotted time on Gramvousa which turned out to be one hour -great!
Take sturdy shoes or don't go at all if you are unsteady on foot as it is very rocky and dangerous
We were then herded off to a lagoon which was beautiful had it not been for all the overcrowding and shoving. The lagoon again is very rocky and treacherous, one poor lady took a terrible fall.
Both these islands would be beautiful if you hire a boat and visit them without the hundreds of people they cram on this trip.
Very disappointed with Thomson
We were herded onto a massive boat being pushed and shoved by people who have no concept of queuing or general common courtesy, the crossing took about an hour, then unless you wanted to push and shove again it took about 20 minutes to actually get off the boat to spend our allotted time on Gramvousa which turned out to be one hour -great!
Take sturdy shoes or don't go at all if you are unsteady on foot as it is very rocky and dangerous
We were then herded off to a lagoon which was beautiful had it not been for all the overcrowding and shoving. The lagoon again is very rocky and treacherous, one poor lady took a terrible fall.
Both these islands would be beautiful if you hire a boat and visit them without the hundreds of people they cram on this trip.
Very disappointed with Thomson
Written August 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andries M
Groningen, The Netherlands22 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
Its an impressive site for sure but climbing the 400 steps to 134m altitude is not for everybody. On top the vista and scenery makes up for the hardship suffered.
Written October 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maria l
Cambridge, UK56 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
did this as part of a trip to Balos, my partner and I preferred this little island to the bigger Balos. There is a fort at the top if you want to go up the steps to it where you will have a lovely view of Balos.
Beware you might want to take those water shoes here as it was very stony.
Beware you might want to take those water shoes here as it was very stony.
Written July 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ramona B
London, UK30 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
We made this trip to the fortress as part of the tour to Balos with the boat. We didn’t know what to expect, neither researched it , but we were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of it. There is a very steep climb, and appropriate shoes are a must. The climb can be a bit difficult and not for the elderly, there are many stairs , some very dangerous with moving pebbles. Once you are on top though it is worth it , very mesmerising , quiet and peaceful, if the other people from the boat let you be.😂. Is worth it and advisable to do the trip outside high season as can be very clammed.
Written May 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PedroWorth
Ashford, UK615 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
You will arrive here on an excursion boat which will have an allotted time of one to two hours before the next one arrives. Whilst the crew get their barbecue ready and have a leisurely lunch by the quay the visitors will either rush up to the fortress or throw themselves in the sea in order to get that unique feeling of being adventurous explorers. That's fine because the views from the fortress are quite stunning and it's not hard to imagine Moorish pirate ships crossing the deep blue channels of this remote and rugged coast. The beach is beautiful and sandy and there is a little shade from the acacia trees . You can snorkel from here to to old wreck at the entrance to the bay. Behind the beach is a strange forest of the tall agave plant which, together with the beautiful wild harshness of the place, give it a mysterious and prehistoric feel. And just when you have arrived on the beach from the arduous climb to the fort and ready to dive into the cool, clear water, the whistle will blow and you have ten minutes before the boat leaves for Balos. Take sea sick tablets because the sea can be a bit hairy in the main bay. Good toilet facilities on board and really quite good food from the galley. Try and avoid buying tickets from a tour operator, especially if you have a hire car. You will save 50% by checking the timetables and buying your ticket in the port and ask for either student or retired concessions.
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth K
Yeovil, UK9 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
It was rather slow going as there were literally about 350+ people walking up to it. Again, a good suggestion is to wear sensible and safe walking shoes, Flip flops are not advised. Beautiful views from the top. If not in a fit condition, I'd recommend you stay at the bottom and paddle in the sea.
Written September 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob P
29 contributions
Sep 2014
Luckily I left wife and kids at beach, so I could climb up there fast and easy. The "stairs" were unstable stones, if the stones were stable, they were slippery, as so many feet had stepped at them. Up there the sight was great, and it would be nice to see how it looked originally, and read more about it while being there. Read in advance. However, Google doesn't provide much history about the fortress.
Written September 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is there a small taxi boat that takes you from Balos beach to Gramvousa Fortress?
Written February 28, 2017
We went on a ferry. It dropped us to the beach using tenders and then they came back for us at the allotted time. The ferry then took us across. I didn't see any water taxi's. People generally visit both places in succession. The ferrying swap during the day so people are split.
Written February 28, 2017
da balos spiaggia nessuno ti accompagna a gramvousa ?
Written July 13, 2016
A Tripadvisor member
Non so dirti perchè noi con la "nave" siamo arrivati a Gramvousa e successivamente ci siamo fermati anche a Balos...bella gita, economica e prendi due piccioni con una fava!!! :)
Written July 14, 2016
Superato l'abitato di Kissamos, proseguendo verso nord, dopo 2-3 km c'è il porto da dove partono i battelli per la gita a Gramvousa/Balos. Per avere un'idea dai un'occhiata al sito della cretandailycruises. Noi siamo andati la prima settimana di ottobre 2015 e ci siamo trovati benissimo.
Written March 19, 2016
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