Near the coast the North-Western part of Crete are two small uninhabited Islands known as the island of Gramvousa. Small wild rocky islet with a minimum of vegetation is called Agia Gramvousa. The second island of Gramvousa remarkable softer landscapes, nice beach and harbour. At Imeri Gramvousa today can see the remains of the Venetian fortifications and the ruins of buildings that were built by Cretan insurgents, who lived on the island during the Greek war of independence (1821-1830).

The Venetian fortress of Gramvousa was built in 1579-1584 the years as protective structures from the Ottoman Empire, but in 1588 because of lightning struck the powder magazine, it was destroyed. Restored the fortress to 1630. The building had an almost triangular shape where each side is approximately 1000 m.

When in 1669 over the island of Crete was transferred to the Ottoman Empire, of Gramvousa with the Court and fortresses of Spinalonga were left in the Venice, in order to provide some protection of the Venetian trade routes. At the same time, this fortress was an important strategic objects in the case of new hostilities with the Turks. But on 6 December 1691, the fortress was still occupied by the Turks, thanks to the Venetian commander, who received for his betrayal of the huge amount of money.

In 1825, dressed in Turkish Cretans conquered the fortress, which became their strategic base. Although the Turks were never able to recapture the Fort, they successfully crushed a revolt in the Western part of Crete, and the rebels on Gramvousa came under siege. In order to survive on the island they were forced to resort to piracy. In this period there were built a school and a Church. In 1828, the fortress came under the control of the Greek government, and the pirate ships were destroyed. But at the end of 1830, respectively international agreements Crete and adjacent Islands came under the control of the Turkish Sultan.

Between the island and the coast of Crete is located the picturesque lagoon of Balos, where the three seas – the Aegean, Ionian and Libyan. Pure water plays in the sun many different colors, and the color of the sand varies from white to a nice pink shade. Today the island of Gramvousa and the lagoon is very popular and visited by many tourists.