Crete's Stunning Gramvousa Island is Home to an Ancient Fortress and a Ghostly Shipwreck

Craggy, wild, and crowned by a crumbling Venetian fortress, this once-strategic outpost was a pirate island. Now, it’s Crete’s best day trip.

Sitting off the northwestern coast of Crete, Gramvousa Island feels like something out of a legend. Craggy, wild, and crowned by a crumbling Venetian fortress, this once-strategic outpost has worn many hats over the centuries—pirate island, battleground, and now a stop on the way to the breathtaking Balos Lagoon.

Most travelers come here as part of a boat trip to Balos Beach, but Gramvousa deserves a closer look. Its dramatic cliffs, shallow waters, and panoramic views from the fort offer more than just a photo op—they tell a story of Crete’s defiance, survival, and natural beauty.

If you’re headed to Crete, especially during high season, Gramvousa is one of those wild places that still feels off the map… even if you’re sharing it with a boatload of fellow adventurers (and you probably will be!).

A Fortress at the Edge of Europe: The History of Gramvousa

There are actually two islands here—Imeri Gramvousa, the inhabited one you can visit, and Agria Gramvousa, which is off-limits. The name “Gramvousa” comes from Venetian times, and it’s Imeri Gramvousa that holds the ruins of the 16th-century Venetian fortress.

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View through a square stone window of Gramvousa island crete — Exploring the fortress

Built by a Venetian commander around 1584, the fortress was part of a broader strategy to guard Crete’s coastline from Ottoman incursions. It stood over sea level like a watchful eye on the northern side of the island, giving it a powerful vantage point over passing European ships.

But as control of Crete shifted, the fortress changed hands too. The French forces took a stab at it. So did the Ottomans. Eventually, during the Greek War of Independence, the island was seized by Cretan rebels—and became an unexpected hideout for pirates. These makeshift corsairs looted passing European powers, earning Gramvousa the nickname “pirate island.”

Bright red and yellow shrubs line a stone path leading to the ruins of a church at the venetian fortress on Gramvousa island Crete — Ruins of a chapel at the fortress

Today, you can still climb to the top and walk through the skeletal remains of the fortress. The views stretch over the brilliant turquoise waters of Balos, making it easy to see why everyone—from generals to pirates—wanted to claim this rock.

How to Get to Gramvousa

The best way to reach Gramvousa is by ferry trip from Kissamos port. From Chania, you can take a local bus to Kissamos and catch the ferry from there.

Balos Gramvousa Ferry Crete Greece — Boarding the ferry on Gramvousa

Most full-day tours include a stop at the island before continuing to Balos Lagoon, one of the most iconic beaches in Greece. If you’re up for a more adventurous route, you can access Balos via a rugged dirt road and then hike—but you can’t get to Gramvousa without a boat.

The ferry boat is how my friend Shannon and I visited the island on our trip to Crete. We stayed in the beautiful fishing village of Chania which is a terrific home base for exploring the western end of Crete.

From Chania, it’s easy to do Crete’s other popular day trip to visit the pink sands of Elafonisi Beach, which was recently voted the best beach in the world.

From Chania, we caught the morning bus to Kissamos and boarded the large ferry (with a few hundred others) for a full-day trip to Gramvousa and then Balos Beach.

The Ghostly Shipwreck of Gramvousa

As our boat approached the island, the first thing we spot is a rusted shipwreck half-submerged near the shore. It looks like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie—tilted, corroded, and totally out of place against the bright blues of the sea.

Sunken Ship at Gramvousa Island Crete — The shipwreck at Gramvousa

The ship, a cargo vessel named Dimitrios P, ran aground here in 1968. It’s been stuck ever since, slowly decaying into the bay. While you can’t go on or inside it (and shouldn’t try), it’s become an iconic part of the Gramvousa scenery.

Whether you’re admiring it from the beach or snapping a few photos from the boat, the wreck adds a haunting twist to the island’s pirate legacy.

3 Things to See Around the Island

Once we land on Gramvousa, we have about an hour to explore. Luckily, there are only a few sights to see:

1. Hike up to the Venetian fortress

The island’s top sight is easily the Venetian castle towering atop a steep rock, 500ft above sea level. It’s considered one of the most impressive castles in Crete, so like most of our fellow passengers, we opt to make the climb to the top instead of lounging around on the beach.

The climb is short but steep and it’s tough in the mid-day heat.

Visitors climb up a stone stairway through red and green shrubs to reach a hilltop fortress in Crete — The very hot hike up to the fortress

Tip: Wear proper shoes—it’s rocky and exposed.

But once we reach the top we are rewarded with incredible views of the sea from every corner of the castle. There are panoramic views of the protected area around Balos and a sweeping view of the sparkling turquoise Aegean Sea that’s hard to beat.

Views from the Gramvousa fortress with Balos in the distance

By the time we climb back down, the ship is blasting its departure horn. So much for beach time!

2. Swim in the shallow bay

Gramvousa features a perfect stretch of white sand beach, complete with the aforementioned shipwreck peeking up from the cobalt sea just offshore.

The waters here are clear and warm, with patches of coral and plenty of space to wade around. If you’re on the ferry trip and you hike up to the castle, you won’t have much time left for a swim.

Views over Gramvousa island from the Venetian Fortress in Crete — Views from the fortress

Not to worry, the next stop is Balos lagoon. And Balos is the perfect spot for a refreshing dip in the sea!

3. Spot local wildlife and rare plants

Gramvousa explodes with colorful flora and fauna and has tremendous views of our next stop, Balos Island.

The island is part of a protected area, home to rare species of flora and seabirds. It’s rugged and dry, but surprisingly biodiverse.

Read and green shrubs line a rocky hillside on Gramvousa island Crete with the sea in the distance — Flora and fauna along the trail

So don’t miss Gramvousa when you visit Crete!

While most people only spend an hour or two here, it’s worth slowing down and letting the place sink in. Between the Venetian history and rugged setting, Gramvousa is more than a pitstop—it’s a highlight of western Crete.

For more terrific Greek islands to visit, start here:

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7 Reasons Naxos is the Best Greek Island (for pretty much everything)

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The 10 Best Greek Islands to Visit This Summer ☀️