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

Spinalonga Island guided tour with seaside villages and lunch

4.4/5
Excellent
Based on 1177 reviews
from
£87.00
Free cancellation
Language: German, English, French, Dutch, Polish
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

4.4/5

Based on 1177 reviews from verified customers

55%
37%
8%
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  • Suesie26

    From United States of America - July 2025

    Travelled as a couple

     

    45 - 54 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    4/5

    This was a very long day and although we enjoyed it we did think that maybe one of the visits to Elounda or aghios Nicholas should be dropped as there ...

  • Russel

    From United States of America - July 2025

    Travelled as a couple

     

    35 - 44 years old

    Average

    Overall rated

    3/5

    Guide attentif au voyageur Restaurant expéditif et très peu accueillant, boissons payantes Du tourisme en grande affluence

  • Ann J

    From United States of America - July 2025

    Travelled with family

     

    45 - 54 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Loved the tour on Spinalonga and the lunch but didn’t see the point of the stop at Agios as there wasn’t much time to spend there.

  • Julie

    From United States of America - July 2025

    Travelled with family

     

    35 - 44 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Super guide qui nous a très bien accompagné tout au long. Superbe journée. Merci pour tout

  • Arena

    From United States of America - July 2025

    Travelled with family

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Average

    Overall rated

    3/5

    Le trajet trop long du au arrêt, 3h de bus pour arrivé, On nous a vendu un repas grec qui n'était vraiment pas de qualité et je trouve pas très gre ...

  • faucon laurent

    From United States of America - July 2025

    Travelled as a couple

     

    35 - 44 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    seul bemol, trajet un peu long depuis rethymnon

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