Spinalonga Island, Elounda & Agios Nikolaos

Spinalonga Island, Elounda & Agios Nikolaos - Thumbnail 3

Discover the island where history whispers

Itinerary

Pickup from your hotel in Sitia, Makrigialos, Ierapetra, Agios Nikolaos

Bus transfer to Elounda harbor

After completing the hotel pickups from Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, and Makrigialos, we travel by comfortable air-conditioned bus through the stunning landscapes of eastern Crete, heading toward the picturesque village of Elounda, renowned for its exceptional beauty and breathtaking sea views.

45m

Boat ride to Spinalonga island

From Elounda harbor, we board a traditional wooden boat for a scenic 15-minute journey across the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mirabello, arriving at the legendary island of Spinalonga.

15m

Guided tour on Spinalonga island

Step ashore and explore one of the most fascinating and historically layered islands in the Mediterranean. Your professional guide will take you through centuries of remarkable history — from its role as a natural fortress for the ancient city of Olous, a Saracen pirate hideout, and a Venetian stronghold, to its time as a Turkish settlement and its final chapter as one of Europe's last active leper colonies until 1957. Explore the atmospheric ruins, winding pathways, and striking architecture at your own pace during free time on the island.

Boat ride to Elounda harbor

We board our traditional wooden boat for the short 15-minute return journey to Elounda harbor, with beautiful views of the gulf along the way.

15m

Elounda visit & time for lunch

Back in Elounda, enjoy free time to relax and unwind. Take a refreshing swim in the calm, crystal-clear waters of Elounda's bay, browse the charming waterfront shops, or sit down for a traditional Cretan lunch at one of the lovely tavernas overlooking the sea.

1h 30m

Bus transfer to Agios Nikolaos

We board our comfortable bus for a short 20-minute drive to Agios Nikolaos, one of the most picturesque and vibrant towns in eastern Crete.

20m

Free time to explore Agios Nikolaos

Explore the charming streets of Agios Nikolaos at your own pace. Browse the local boutiques and shops, or relax with a coffee at one of the elegant cafés overlooking the town's famous lake — a perfect ending to a truly memorable day.

1h 30m

Return back to you hotel

45m

Transfer back to your hotel

What's Included

Inclusions

Hotel pick-up and drop-off with comfortable air-conditioned bus.
Experienced tour guide throughout the excursion.
Round-trip boat ticket from Elounda to Spinalonga Island.
Licensed professional guide for the guided tour at Spinalonga.

Exclusions

Entrance fee to Spιnalonga: 20€ pers person. EU Citizents under 25 y.o. are free.
Lunch and Gratuities are optional and not included.

Additional info

Bringing a swimsuit is highly recommended, as there is plenty of time to swim in the clean bay of Elounda. Guests may skip lunch in Elounda to enjoy swimming and have lunch later in Agios Nikolaos.
The boat ride from Elounda to Spinalonga is a scenic 15-minute journey each way, aboard a traditional wooden vessel.
We recommend wearing sunscreen and a hat, bringing comfortable shoes and a bottle of water.
Pets are not allowed.
Not recommended for people with heart conditions, mobility difficulties or serious health issues.
This excursion is not wheelchair accessible.

Full Description

This trip takes you to the famous Spinalonga Island, located at the east side of Crete. We will take you by our air-conditioned bus from Makrigialos and Ierapetra until Elounda, a famous village for its beauty and view. From there we will take the boat to visit the island of Spinalonga, where you will be offered a guided tour and have enough free time to explore the island.

This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it was used as a Leper Colony until 1957 and there is a great history for you to find out behind this. Spinalonga also served a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous, the history of the Saracens as a hide-out for their pirates, the history of Venetians as their fortress, the history of Turks as their settlement.

We return by boat to Elounda, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch, take a refreshing swim, or simply relax and soak up the sun on the beautiful beach of Elounda.

Our final stop is the charming coastal town of Agios Nikolaos. Stroll around the picturesque Lake Voulismeni, explore the lively streets and local shops, and relax at one of the waterfront cafés while enjoying the unique atmosphere of this beautiful seaside destination.

Booking Policy

Confirmation policy

The customer receives a confirmation voucher via email within 24 hours of successful booking.

In case the preferred slots are unavailable, an alternate schedule of the customer's preference will be arranged and a new confirmation voucher will be sent via email.

Alternatively, the customer may choose to cancel their booking before confirmation and a full refund will be processed.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before excursion's starting time.
25% payment for cancelling 12-24h before excursion's starting time.
Fully charged for no show, or cancelling less than 12h before excursions's starting time.

Refund policy

The applicable refund amount will be processed within 2-3 business days.