Gramvousa Crete satellite map and beach report on Gramvousa

Greek island holidays | Gramvousa Crete

The islet of Gramvoussa sits off the northwest tip of the large peninsular that gropes northwards from Kasteli Kissamos. It is one of the most spectacular sights on Crete. There are two rocky islets, the one north of the promontory is Agriogramvoussa, south of it and to the west is Imeriagramvoussa itself - the prefixes mean wild and tame respectively.
Because of its strategic location the Venetians built a fort there, now in ruins. Construction started in 1579 and ended in 1582. It was destroyed six years later however when lightning struck the powder store and it was rebuilt in 630.The islet was once a base for pirates who plundered every passing ship.
Just opposite the islet is the splendid beach of Balos. It can be reached fairly easily along an unsurfaced road, then along a track down to the beach. The sea is a virtual lagoon here, very shallow and extraordinarily blue. The bad news is that its growing popularity means more tourists dump their rubbish here each season and the growth in passing ships has resulted in sticky black tar deposits on the beach.
Balos beach is a shelf of fine white sand between a couple of small streams. The white sand gives the shallow sea an emerald glow that is quite unique to the area. There is good hiking to be has over the whole peninsula which is covered in thyme, oregano and wild flowers.