Gramvousa is a pair of uninhabited islands located near Crete. It is considered part of the city of Kissamos. The island of Imeri Gramvousa has a good beach and harbor, its main attractions are the Venetian fortress of 1579 and the ruins of buildings from the Greek War of 1821-1830. The island of Agria Gramvousa has a more rocky landscape with little vegetation.

After the transfer of Crete to the Turks as a result of the Cretan War of 1645-1669, Gramvousa remained with the Venetians and was one of the important outposts that protected their trade routes. In 1691, the fortress was nevertheless captured by the Turks with the help of a traitor in the ranks of the Venetian army. The Cretan rebels repeatedly tried to recapture Gramvousa, but they succeeded only in 1825. A further rebellion was put down and the isolated island became a local center for piracy. in 1828, pirate ships were sunk, and Gramvousa came under the control of Greece, but in 1831, by international agreement, it was returned to the Turkish sultan.