Spinalonga Island guided tour with seaside villages and lunch
Excursions & day trips

Spinalonga Island guided tour with seaside villages and lunch

4.1/5
Excellent
Based on 38 reviews
from
£87.00
Free cancellation
Language: Dutch
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: more than 8 hours
Why you’ll love this…
  • There's plenty to see on this tour to the islet of Spinalonga on the first ferry of the day
  • You'll visit the Venetian fortress and former leper colony on a guided walk
  • It's time to explore with free time in the seaside villages of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos
  • Sampling local flavours at a typical Cretan lunch in a local taverna is a tasty treat
  • Your expert local guide has an unrivalled knowledge of Crete and its people
What to expect

The tiny island of Spinalonga is just a short hop away from Crete, but a visit is like stepping back in time. Centuries of history are packed within the walls that encircle it. See it through the eyes of a local on this exclusive full day tour, which also takes in two coastal towns on Mirabello Bay. Veta, one of our guides, says, 'You'll visit the pretty fishing village of Elounda and the seaside town of Agios Nikolaos. You'll try some typical Cretan food in a taverna, too.'

Spinalonga has been many things throughout its existence, including a Venetian outpost and an Ottoman town. It was even a leper colony, which led to it being dubbed the ‘Isle of Tears'. You'll take a walk with our local guide, who'll lead you along narrow lanes of long-abandoned roofless dwellings and show you around the fortress and the colony, which closed in the 1950s. What's more, you'll beat the crowds by arriving early on the first ferry of the day.

Later, you'll sail back via the seaside village of Elounda. You'll have some free time to explore at your own pace. Swim, stretch out in the sunshine or watch the world go by at one of the many family-run bars on the waterfront. Then, it's onto a nearby taverna for a tasty Cretan lunch. Rounding off the day is a visit to Agios Nikolaos, a chic coastal town sheltered by two offshore islets. Many make a beeline for the bars overlooking the boat-fringed inshore lake.

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What's included
  • check Transport
  • check Guide
  • check Lunch
  • check Entrance fees
What to remember
  • Ferry trip is 25 minutes each way
  • Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
  • Bring bathing gear and sunblock
  • Bring your passport or official EU identification
Read more
Provider
TUI Hellas Travel, Tourism and Airlines SA, with Tax Number 094469778 and Travel License Number 0261Ε60000126100
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

Excellent

4.1/5

Based on 38 reviews from verified customers

29%
58%
13%
0%
0%

Review categories

Safety

4.2/5

Value for money

4/5

Staff

4.2/5

Service

4.2/5

  • Andremoni

    From United States of America - June 2025

    Travelled as a couple

     

    35 - 44 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Het was een mooie dag, bus kwam netjes op tijd en de gids wist erg veel te vertellen over Kreta en haar geschiedenis evenals alles over Spinalonga. De ...

  • Bianca

    From United States of America - June 2025

    Solo traveller

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Er mag wel duidelijk worden aangegeven dat drankjes bij de lunch eigen kosten zijn, zag nl wat verbaasde gezichten om me heen.

  • Edwin

    From United States of America - May 2025

    Travelled as a couple

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Great

    Overall rated

    4/5

    De gids was fantastisch, de aangeboden maaltijd minder. Verder was de dag op en top de moeite waard.

  • Natas

    From United States of America - August 2024

    Travelled with family

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Great

    Overall rated

    4/5

    Vond de tijd op het eiland wel wat kort. Misschien de tip om de lunch anders te doen. Wij vonden het eten echt niet lekker en er waren meer mensen die ...

  • Monique

    From United States of America - June 2024

    Travelled as a couple

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Great

    Overall rated

    4/5

    Ik had wat meer tijd in de stadjes willen hebben. Het was net te kort om bijvoorbeeld nog te zwemmen zoals geadverteerd werd. Maar ik heb me prima ver ...

  • Robertine en Peter

    From United States of America - June 2024

    Travelled as a couple

     

    35 - 44 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Een zeer kundige en bevlogen gids heerlijke lunch en ook nog voldoende tijd om zelf iets te ondernemen

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