Overview:
The Spinalonga Day Trip is a tour that takes visitors to the famous island of Spinalonga, which was once a leper colony. The tour includes transportation and a professional tour guide, but the entrance fee to Spinalonga is not included. Adult Price: €, Child Price (4-12 years): €, Children 0-4 years old travel free of charge.
Itinerary:
The trip starts with a stop in Agios Nikolaos, where visitors have free time to explore the local market and take a walk around the port. Then, we head for the wind-blasted Plaka, a delightful bijou village of attractive boutiques, inviting restaurants, and cafés. From here we take the boat that sails around the famous Spinalonga, while we listen to our guide narrating the fascinating, yet the dramatic and heartbreaking story of the island. After leaving Spinalonga, we get back to Plaka, where at a beautiful bay, visitors have plenty of time for swimming or lunch. Leaving Plaka we will have a short stop at the picturesque village of Elounda, before returning back to our hotels.
NOTE: The pick-up and drop-off time can be changed during the season.
The correct pick-up time will be shown on your ticket.
The drop-off time is approximate and delays can occur.
Things to Do & Things to See
– We drive through St George’s Gorge, the main north highway, a gorge’s road that is surrounded by limestone cliffs, hills full of sheep and goats, and windmills. The trip will take about 40 minutes from the last pick-up to reach Agios Nikolaos. You will have at least one hour and 30 min of free time to explore the local market, do your shopping and take a walk around its port. Visit the bottomless lake of Voulismeni which is situated only a few minutes on foot from the center.
– Then, we will head to Elounda through Mirabello Bay, Elounda, and its famous sceneries. Mirabello bay is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea.
– Elounda is a beautiful small traditional fishing village resort in Elounda. Although it is a small village, it is also the location of some of the most expensive hotels and resorts in the world. Year after year Billionaires, famous athletes, and actors visit the area. You might get lucky and meet one.
– At Elounda village we will board our boat and head to Spinalonga. A small barren island of 85 acres, it carries a long and sad history and holds a special place in the Cretan hearts.
– It was built by the Venetians to stop the Ottomans from entering the port of ancient Olous. So the first thing you will see is the tall fortified walls. It is also known for being the leper colony of Crete. We promise to tell you many stories of horror and hope about the island. Today is a monument of Greek Heritage and supports its old building inside a museum. Spinalonga also is under consideration to become a World Heritage Site. Entrance to Spinalonga is optional and it is not included in the price.
– During the boat trip from Elounda to Spinalonga or on the way back you will have time to swim on one of the beaches.
Is Spinalonga Tour right for you?
– Part of what makes this excursion so popular is the very warm weather, so don’t be surprised Spinalonga island can be extremely hot and humid. It’s also important to note that sometimes the winds can be a problem.
– You will have plenty of free time to go swimming and explore.
– Come prepared. Athletic shoes, a pair of flip-flops, sun lotion, a hat, a beach umbrella, and plenty of water. Sunbeds can be expensive and are offered by a private company, since they are not included in the price make sure you have a good long beach towel with you.
– Buy a large plastic bottle of water and ask your hotel to position it in the freezer a day before departure. The ice will melt slowly during your trip and the water will always be cold.
– If you enjoy snorkeling or other sports, bring your equipment.
– This day trip is designed for all ages. full of fun, flexibility, and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace
07:30-09:00: Departure from Ammoudara/Heraklion/Gouves/Analipsi/ Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia.
Stop at: Agios Nikolaos – free time for 1 hour & 30 minutes to admire the beautiful town, do shopping or enjoy a coffee by the beautiful lake.
Pass by: Plaka – boarding the boat to Spinalonga, where we will have a guided trip around the island.
Stop at: Arrival in Spinalonga – 40 minutes of free time on the island
Stop at: Plaka – 1 hour 30 min for lunch and swimming.
Stop at: Elounda – for 40 min for coffee and then we take our bus back to Hersonissos
17:00-18:30: Approx return time back to Ammoudara/Heraklion/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia.
Different time tables apply for pickups in different areas like Heraklion, Ammoudara, Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Analipsi, Anissaras, Stalida and Malia. Our team will provide you with the correct times. If you have difficulty in finding your pickup point, please contact us
Click below for more info regarding each area pick-up service:
For the availability for Last Minute Bookings (less than A WEEK before the starting hour of the tour) must first be checked by phone (+30) Greece 2897033678 or (+30) Greece 6977371826
Spinalonga is a small island located off the coast of Crete, Greece. It was originally a fortress built by the Venetians in the 16th century to protect the island of Crete from Ottoman invasion. In 1903, the island was converted into a leper colony, and it remained in operation until 1957. Today, Spinalonga is a popular tourist destination, known for its well-preserved buildings and its history as a leper colony. Visitors can take boat tours to the island and explore its ruins and buildings, including the church of St. Nikolas, the hospital, and the houses of the lepers. The island also has a museum dedicated to the history of leprosy and the life of the lepers on the island.
Spinalonga was used as a leper colony for over 50 years, during which time it was home to thousands of people suffering from leprosy. The island was isolated from the mainland, and the residents were cut off from society, living in a state of isolation and segregation. They were not allowed to leave the island, and the only way to get there was by boat.
Life on the island was difficult for the lepers, who were forced to live in poor conditions and were denied basic medical treatments. Despite this, the island developed its own community and culture, with shops, a school, and even a theater.
The island’s leper colony was closed in 1957, after the development of effective treatments for leprosy. The island was abandoned, and its buildings fell into disrepair. In the late 20th century, the island was rediscovered by tourists, and it has since become a popular destination for history buffs and those interested in the island’s unique past.
The island is also the setting for Victoria Hislop’s novel “The Island” which narrates the lives of the lepers in the island and how the island affected the lives of the people living there and their families.
Spinalonga today
Today, Spinalonga is a popular tourist destination in Greece. Visitors can take boat tours from the nearby towns of Elounda and Plaka to the island, where they can explore the well-preserved ruins and buildings. The island is also a popular destination for history buffs and those interested in the island’s past as a leper colony.
Visitors can explore the island’s ruins and buildings, including the church of St. Nikolas, the hospital, and the houses of the lepers. The island also has a museum dedicated to the history of leprosy and the life of the lepers on the island.
The island is also a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing. There are no permanent residents on the island today, but during the peak tourist season, there are local vendors selling souvenirs, snacks, and refreshments.
The island has been designated as an archaeological site, and conservation efforts are underway to preserve the island’s historical buildings and ruins. The island is also subject to strict rules to protect it from over-tourism, which includes limiting the number of visitors allowed on the island at one time and prohibiting certain activities such as swimming in certain areas.
