Crete to Agios Nikolaos

In olden times, people with leprosy were forced to live on Spinalonga, a fortress island in Mirabello Bay. Discover its long history from your guide on this fascinating day trip from the Heraklion area. You'll see Elounda, a resort that's popular with VIPs, visit Agios Nikolaos, known for its deep lake, and enjoy a barbecue lunch on Kolokithia Beach. Entrance fees and boat ticket (with barbecue) are at your expense.

Go beyond Heraklion to visit the island of Spinalonga on a day trip by coach and boat. Offering an easy way to get from the city to the scenic Elounda Gulf area, this excursion covers transport direct from your hotel, a boat ride, and a barbecue lunch, along with ample free time to explore the island (entrance fee not included), Kolokitha Bay, Elounda, and postcard-perfect Agios Nikolaos.

Enjoy a walking tour of the island of Spinalonga during a full-day excursion from Elounda to the island. Visit Agios Nikolaos and Elounda and swim in the crystal-clear waters of Kolokytha, where you can enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Along the coast through the St. George Gorge to Elounda, a tranquil coastal resort At around 10:30, you will get on board to visit the bay and the beach of Kolokytha, a secluded haven that offers a respite from daily life. You can swim and eat a delicious BBQ on board. Then, you take the boat at around 12:45 to Spinalonga, across Mirabello bay. Spinalonga's history is complex. It was a natural barrier for Olous in Ancient Greek times, a Saracen pirate refuge, a Venetian fortification, and a Turkic settlement. You depart from Spinalonga at appr. 14:45 p.m. Transfer from/to port is not included.Clients go with get your guide code to the boat they don't need to have confirmation

The ancient harbor town of Falasarna lies within easy reach of Rethymno, but organizing transportation to reach it independently can be a challenge. On this tour, enjoy round-trip travel from your hotel in Rethymno or surrounds, and reach Falasarna with ease by air-conditioned coach. Enjoy four hours of free time to swim in the crystal-clear waters, explore the ancient sites, and soak up the rays at your leisure.

Start your winter day trip in the fishing village of Plaka, one of the most beautiful places in Eastern Crete. From here, you can admire Spinalonga Island, standing quietly in the calm waters of Mirabello Bay. If the weather allows, take a short boat trip to Spinalonga.Walk through the old Venetian fortress and discover the stories of the people who once lived there. The atmosphere is peaceful full of history. After your visit, continue to Agios Nikolaos, the charming capital of Lassithi. In winter,the town is calm and welcoming.Walk around Voulismeni Lake, explore local shops. Returning we stopped at a traditional olive oil park. See how locals produce extra virgin olive oil and taste other Cretan products made from olives. This visit offers a warm genuine experience of local life and flavors. This half-day tour combines history, culture,things to do and see, and authentic Cretan taste for travelers who wish to discover the real Crete in a simple,comfortable and friendly way.

Absorb Minoan treasures and breathtaking views, hidden among olive groves on this self-guided driving tour. Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive drive from Malia to Agios Nikolaos. The northwest part of Crete’s Lassithi Province is known for its unique landscape, bordering one of Europe’s most beautiful bays, Mirabello Bay. On this scenic driving tour, you’ll discover Spinalonga island and the village of Milatos, parts of Crete that were heavily influenced by years of Ottoman occupation. This four-hour tour departs from Malia Palace Archaeological Site, where I’ll tell you about its history, dating back to the Bronze Age. From there, you’ll drive through several traditional Cretan villages while gaining insight into local customs. I’ll tell you how the Cretan government banished Mesquinis (lepers) to Spinalonga island, transforming it into a leper colony. In Agios Nikolaos, you can enjoy a delicious drink at Lake Voulismeni in the centre of the city.

Cruise out from Agios Nikolaos on a catamaran and enjoy a fun afternoon out on the water with this small-group tour. Soak up the scenery as you sail around the Gulf of Mirabello and Spinalonga. Swim, snorkel, SUP, or fish with provided equipment, then enjoy the sunset with dinner and drinks.

Travelers interested in nature and ancient history and mythology will enjoy this small-group day tour of Crete’s Dikti mountain range. Enjoy sweeping views and discover hidden attractions. Look out for mountain wildlife, including eagles, on the Katharo and Lassithi Plateaus. Visit traditional villages with picturesque churches, and head underground to the Cave of Diktaion Andron, said to be Zeus’ birthplace.

It's all about Crete's wild side on this tour. You'll come face-to-face with monkeys, meerkats, lemurs, and more at Amazonas Park Nature Reserve and see a world below the waves with a glass-bottom boat trip. And in between, there's free time to chill out in Agios Nikolaos. Your destination for the morning is Amazonas Park, an animal refuge where you'll get up close to some of the world's most unusual, beautiful, and endangered animals. You'll also find out about their rainforest environments and how we can help with conservation efforts. At Agios Nikolaos town, you'll have a couple of hours to shop or grab lunch overlooking Mirabello Bay. Next, hop on a glass-bottom boat for a trip in the bay. You'll glide out into the bay aboard a semi-submarine, which features windows beneath the surface. Kids and adults will have a great time spotting the likes of loggerhead sea turtles and multicolored fish darting around the rocks.

Discover the essence of Crete with our immersive tour, where every moment is a new adventure waiting to unfold. Start your day at Amazonas Park, where exotic wildlife awaits amidst lush surroundings. Then, wander through Kritsa Village's charming streets, sampling local delights and soaking in the culture. Relax on the pristine sands of Voulisma Beach before exploring the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos. Dive into the azure waters of Elounda Beach, and unwind at Plaka Beach's scenic shores. Round off your journey with a visit to Spinalonga's historic island, steeped in fascinating tales. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of Crete's beauty and history. Book your experience now!

Particularly during the summer peak, parking in Crete can be hell on wheels. Skip the stress and enjoy a relaxing journey east from Heraklion to four highlights of the Lasithi area on this private door-to-door tour. Visit the historic village of Kritsa, the regional capital, Agios Nikolaos, Spinalonga, an island fortress that was once a leprosy colony, and Elounda, renowned for luxe living and sweeping landscapes.

Combine several landmarks in one sightseeing itinerary in Crete with this full-day boat and coach tour. After hotel pickup, cruise to the island of Spinalonga, home to a Venetian fortress. Learn about its history before returning to Elounda for lunch. Head to the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos, where you enjoy free time for shopping or relaxing in local cafes, ending with a visit to an olive oil factory.

With a minibus your Eye Travel guide shows you the Spinalonga island and other interesting places. Our first stop is in Agios Nikolaos where we have a fantastic view over the "Bottomless lake". You have some free time for a coffee, shopping and a stroll along the most eastern main city of Crete. After passing Elounda it is time for SPINALONGA, the last leper colony of Europe. A typical Cretan fishing boat brings you to the island, this takes no more than 10 minutes. On the island you make a tour. After finishing the trip on Spinalonga, a fishing boat brings you back to the small village of Plaka. Plaka is a tiny harbor, so the unique opportunity to eat fresh fish. After our lunch we are heading to an olive oil factory. You get a guided tour through the factory. All facts about olive oil, the pressing methods and grades of olive oil are explained. At the end of the tour you can taste different olive oils and other local products.

Skip the usual restaurant scene for this private cooking class in Hersonissos. Tour an olive oil factory, visit an authentic Cretan mountain village, and learn the secrets of the local cuisine and cooking methods in your host's garden. Then, learn to cook local specialties such as Greek salad, dolmades, tzatziki, loukoumades, and more in a restaurant with noteworthy views.

Discover villages, monasteries, panoramic views and timeless traditions of Crete on a guided tour. If you want to explore Agios Nik. area, learn about the way of living, historical facts & meet a local, the tour is ideal for you! Visit Kritsa & Neapoli village, remote villages and monasteries. Guests joining the tour will gain immersive cultural experiences, insider knowledge, and memorable encounters with local traditions. During tour i will present a PDF with information about Crete and we will talk about the places we visit and their way of living(presentation will be sent to guests after tour). Ideal for people that they would like to know about other cultures and the local area. During tour i will present and we will talk about the places we visit and their way of living. We can stop and walk in villages that we pass if you want. Driving time is about 1 hour & 30 min.

Discover the eastern portion of Crete as you explore the region with a private guide. Explore the quaint seaside village of Elounda before boarding a boat for the island of Spinalonga. Visit the archaeological site, which was once a leper colony, and end your day with a walk around the town of Agios Nikolaos.

Experience Crete from the sea with ease on this group boat tour. Cruise around Kolokytha Bay and the Bay of Mirabello and visit the island of Spinalonga. Take time to explore the island independently. Enjoy a midday break for a barbecue lunch with a glass of wine on board your boat.

The Tour starts by driving along the Northern coast of the island were we will visit the 12th century Byzantine church of Panagia Kera, 1km from the village of Kritsa. We continue our tour driving through the beautiful coastal road and village of Elounda. One of them is the sea-front village of Plaka where we will board the boat to take us on the now deserted island of Spinalonga. Our guide will guide us through the ruins of what used to be a leper colony from 1903 to 1957 where lepers could have a better life, medical help and economic support. After our visit to Spinalonga, you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters of Plaka and optional lunch. After we will visit Agios Nikolaos town, the capital town of Lassithi. Here, the bottomless salt lake Voulismeni dominates the area. The city boasts interesting Archaeological, Folklore, and Natural History museums, Byzantine churches, a well-organised marina and traditional squares with buzzing cafés and restaurants.

Through this unique route we will explore the most famous destinations of Eastern Crete, in one day. Lassithi Plateau taking in the beautiful view of the North Cretan Sea. We then head to the Cave of Zeus (Diktaion Andron) where we can explore the many ancient parts of Greek mythology. In the traditional village of Psychro, we can enjoy some traditional Cretan flavors. We then make our descent through an awe-inspiring route, eventually reaching the serene town of Agios Nikolaos, the cosmopolitan capital of the prefecture of Lasithi. Here we can take in the beauty of the lake and take a stroll through the enchanting city market. We can also enjoy a meal next to the sea before heading for our next destination, the majestic Elounda, known to be the most beautiful part of Crete. Finally, we will end our day in the fishing village of Plaka, with a visit to Spinalonga, the UNESCO Heritage Site, located just 500 meters away.

Get a little wild on Crete thanks to this full-day excursion exploring the island’s unpopulated mountains, small villages, legendary caves, and forgotten paths. Travel off road by 4x4 as you traverse the rugged mountain terrain, stopping to visit a shepard’s ‘mitato’ (inn), tasting local cheese, and exploring the agrarian ways of life on the isolated Lassithi Plateau. Round-trip hotel transport and 3-course lunch are included.

Visit Spinalonga Island and Elounda on this day tour. Your driver will pick you up and take you to Elounda Port, where you'll catch a boat out to Spinalonga for a guided tour. You'll then sail back to Elounda, where you'll sit down to an included Cretan lunch and have a bit of time to swim before returning to your hotel via the village of Agios Nikolaos.

Start your day with a comfortable hotel pick-up and a scenic drive through picturesque villages and mountains of Crete, with stops for photos along the way. Visit the elegant town of Agios Nikolaos to stroll along the lake and marina or relax with sea views, continue with stunning sights of Elounda Bay and the Mirabello Gulf, and arrive in the village of Plaka to board a traditional boat to the historic island of Spinalonga, where you can explore the Venetian fortress and learn about its past as a leper colony. Conclude the day with a mountain drive through Fourni, enjoying panoramic views and authentic Cretan life and cuisine, before returning to your hotel with lasting memories of Crete’s history, landscapes, and hospitality.

This tour starts with a drive along the north coast of Crete towards the east of the island. Your first visit will be to the small and lively town Agios Nikolaos where you can spend some free time at the lake, the harbor or the numerous little shops and bars. After that we drive to the village Elounda. From there we continue by boat to sail over to the island Spina Longa. There you can travel through the Venetian and Turkish periods, roam through the old houses and alleys and explore the fortress to arrive at a more recent and moving part of history: The first half of the 20th century when Spina Longa was the last Leper Colony of Europe. After your visit to Spina Longa you have 2 hours of free time to stroll through the small seaside village Elounda, have a refreshing swim or enjoy the local cuisine.