Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion

Heraklion, Greece

10 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Visit the former leper colony and Venetian fortress on Spinalonga Island during this private tour. Sail to this rocky island, and explore the streets, houses, and ruined Venetian fortifications where lepers were confined from 1903 to 1957. Then, relax with a swim stop and barbecue lunch before cruising back to port. Return coach transport, the boat ride to Spinalonga, and select hotel pickup and drop-off in north-coast resorts included.

Full-day private trip to Spinalonga Island from north Crete
Ride a boat to Spinalonga, formerly a Venetian fortress and leper colony
Tour the crumbled fortifications, streets, churches, and houses
Learn why the lepers were confined here and how they lived
Coach transport, Spinalonga boat ride, and pickup and drop-off at select north-coast hotels included

What's Included

Transportation
Hotel Pick up
Drop Off
Guide
Snack Box
Boat Ticket

Tips
Personal Expenses
Spinalonga Entrance: 20 euro per person

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Hotel pick up and drop off is included only for the preselected areas at indicated hotel or nearby appointed area of our pick up routing. In case of outside proximity property (hotel, AIRBNB, villas) you have to reach meeting point by your own transportation means. We do offer pickup from: Ammoudara, Heraklion, Karteros, Kokkini Hani, Gournes, Gouves, Analipsi, Hersonissos, Stalida, Malia, Sissi, Aghios Nikolaos

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

After pickup from your hotel on Crete’s north coast, including hotels in Hersonnissos, Malia, and Agios Nikolaos; travel by air-conditioned coach to the harborside at Elounda, where your boat awaits.

On route, hear about Spinalonga, the island facing Elounda in the Gulf of Mirabello. Once joined to the mainland, this now-uninhabited island houses a ruined 16th-century Venetian fortress, originally built to defend the bay. After the Venetians left, it was used as an Ottoman settlement and then a leper colony from 1903 to 1957.

Go ashore and tour the one-time colony buildings (own expense). Enter through the main gate as the arriving lepers did a century ago, and explore the market street, churches, hospital, houses, and Venetian fortifications. Learn about the lives of those confined here, and hear how Spinalonga has featured in recent books, movies, and various TV series.

Then, sail to nearby Kolokytha Island (additional cost). Enjoy an optional swim in the crystal-clear seas and savor a delicious barbecue lunch. Finally, sail back to Elounda, and enjoy a sightseeing drive around nearby Agios Nikolaos, admiring its harbor and Lake Voulismeni, known as the ‘bottomless lake.’

Your trip finishes back at the original starting point.

Malia

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Spinalonga (Kalydon)

5 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Agios Nikolaos

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Elounda

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate

Dress code is smart casual
Please note that hotel pick up/ drop off is included only for the preselected areas. You will receive a confirmation email with your pick up location and time. If you have not received it till 24 hours prior to your activity's date please do contact your local supplier.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.1

based on 17 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

I loved the whole day, so nice, wel...

G_D, Jun 2018

I loved the whole day, so nice, wel done, the BBQ too!. Spinalonga, very, very interesting, you have to listen to the story of this island, super profesional lady. You have free time to walk around of Island, back to the boat. Beautiful vieuws over the sea!. Higly recommended.

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Dear Guest, We appreciate your comments regarding your recent tour. It is always a pleasure to receive such a positive feedback. Such comments are very encouraging for all of us and enhance even more our commitment for constant upgrade of our services. Looking forward to see you again in the near future to one of our tours. Best regards

Continued from previous submission...

Jane F, Oct 2016

Continued from previous submission Spar supermarket. That is not the name of the supermarket anymore. Fortunately, our concierge knew this. Also, we had no idea which bus we were to go on, as the tour guide did not come out of the bus with her list. The trip to Spinalonga island was great though!

Response from Host, Jan 2020

Dear Guest, Thank you for posting your feedback of your recent tour. Your detailed review helps us to see our product through your eyes. Have in mind that you have selected a shared tour option and since you visit this great island in the peak season r/t collection of customers is taken longer than expected to serve all customers. As far as it concerns your pick up time and place specific instructions were given out the day prior service which you failed to comply with. We hope to have the opportunity of welcoming you back for another tour. Best Regards

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