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

Spinalonga Island guided tour with seaside villages and lunch

4.5/5
Excellent
Based on 255 reviews
from
$114.00
Free cancellation
Language: English
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
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Provider
tui-supplier+tui-hellas-ae@musement.com
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

4.5/5

Based on 255 reviews from verified customers

58%
35%
7%
0%
0%

Review categories

Safety

4.6/5

Service

4.6/5

Value for money

4.4/5

Staff

4.6/5

  • MEB

    From United States of America - June 2025

    Traveled with family

    Great

    Overall rated

    3/5

    Tour was great, lunch was below average with no offer of drinks and herded like cattle to your table to share with strangers. It would be good if you ...

  • Angela / Colchester, Essex

    From United States of America - June 2025

    Traveled with a group of friends

     

    55 - 64 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    4/5

    The tour was well organised coach driver and guide were really good; the guide providing very detailed knowledge of the history of the island and poi ...

  • Heather Horlock

    From United Kingdom - May 2025

    Traveled as a couple

     

    55 - 64 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Enjoyed visiting the island. I have read the book so I was fascinated to see it for real.

  • Peter

    From United States of America - May 2025

    Traveled as a couple

     

    35 - 44 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

  • Solo

    From United States of America - May 2025

    Solo traveler

     

    25 - 34 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Our guide, Rita, was fantastic very knowledgeable and kind. It was good to be first on island as it began to get very busy. Lunch was nice, staff were ...

  • Tomo63

    From United Kingdom - May 2025

    Traveled as a couple

     

    35 - 44 years old

    Excellent

    Overall rated

    5/5

    Transfer time was long due to the number of pickups and difficulty accessing their locations.

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