Spinalonga Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Spinalonga. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island

• Spinalonga Regular Trip - Daily at 12:30 From Agios Nikolaos

• Private Full-Day East Crete Tour From Heraklion

• Crete Yacht Cruises 7-Hours Private Guided Cruise in Ag. Nikolaos

• Cruise to Spinalonga, Kolokytha Bay & Agios Nikolaos With Lunch

Tickets for Spinalonga cost €20 for general admission. Under-18s go for free, as do travelers from the European Union aged up to 25. Between October and May, EU citizens aged 65 and up pay a discounted rate of €10. Guided boat trips from Agios Nikolaos cost from around US$30, excluding island entry fees.

Yes, Spinalonga is well worth visiting: The Venetian fortress is spectacular and the island has a rugged beauty. But it's the tragic stories of its heartbreaking past as a colony for people suffering from leprosy that bring travelers flocking here. It's well worth joining a tour, not only to streamline transportation, but to gain insights into the island's past and present—and maybe explore other area attractions.

Per one customer who booked the Island Spinalonga, Milatos Cave, Private Speedboat, Olive Oil Tasting, "This is a jam packed day out full of experiences, fun, and learning. We sampled the local oil and olives, travelled to Spinalonga on a speed boat, walked the streets of those trapped on the island in the early 1900s, climbed and explored Milatos Cave and then finished with a local taverna meal of high quality. All of this was fantastic and our thanks goes out to Petra. Not only did she guide us with expertise, she also was happy to share with us her own Grecian knowledge and wisdom which was both interesting and insightful."

Since Spinalonga is a tiny island off the coast of mainland Crete, you’ll need to travel by boat to get there. While you can charter your own, most visitors book a boat tour out of Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, or Elounda. Boats take around 20–30 minutes to reach Spinalonga.

The Venetians claimed Spinalonga in the 1500s and turned it into a fortress, which you can still see today. The island fell into Ottoman hands in the 18th century, but by the 20th century was back in Cretan control and turned into a leper colony. It operated until 1957, making it the last operating leper colony in Europe.

Yes, there are guided tours of Spinalonga, though you’ll want to book them well in advance. Tours typically include a boat ride from Agios Nikolaos or Elounda, followed by a 1–2 hour stop on the island. If you’d like more time, your best bet is chartering a boat. Note that tours don’t include entry fees for the Spinalonga archaeological site and fortress.

Most tours spend around 1–2 hours on Spinalonga. For some, that’s plenty of time—the island is small and can be circumnavigated in around 30 minutes—while others might want longer to explore. A chartered boat is an option for those seeking a more leisurely trip.

Yes, you can visit Spinalonga independently, though the vast majority of visitors come via a guided tour. If you choose to travel independently, you’ll need to arrange a boat charter from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or the small town of Plaka.

Yes, there is a restroom on Spinalonga, near the boat docks. There’s also a kiosk, which sells a small variety of drinks, snacks, and souvenirs. Facilities are open from April to October.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Spinalonga. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Agios Nikolaos:

• Ammoudi Beach

• Mirabello Bay

• Panagia Kera Church

• Katharo Plateau

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Agios Nikolaos.