Spinalonga Island guided tour with seaside villages and lunch

History & Heritage

Spinalonga Island guided tour with seaside villages and lunch

from

$110.00

Free cancellation

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

Duration: more than 8 hours

Entrance Fees Included

Fast track

Guided Tour

Instant confirmation

Meal Included

Tour with Audioguide

e-Voucher

Based on our commitment to sustainable tourism, all National Geographic Day Tours meet the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria, and a portion of the proceeds from these tours goes back to the National Geographic Society to fund research and sustainable programs around the world.

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

Transport
Guide
Lunch
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 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

4.5 /5

Based on 277 reviews from verified customers

Review categories

Value for money

4.4/5

Service

4.6/5

Safety

4.6/5

Staff

4.6/5

K
KEN
Verified booking
5
October 8, 2025
Solo traveler
All I can say is there wasn’t anything I didn’t enjoy
J
Jayne and Sue
Verified booking
4.2
October 8, 2025
Traveled with family
Maria our guide was absolutely wonderful, she told us so much about the island & was very friendly. She really brought history to life. 20 mins by boat, Spinalonga is walkable but definitely not for wheelchairs. Lunch & free time at Elounda - set menu - 5 dishes to share for starters, then moussaka or veggie option of stuffed tomatoes and potato (which we had) all very tasty. Then on to agio nikolias another beautiful harbour town for shopping and relaxing with a quick ice cream. Fabulous day
C
Chris & Lauren
Verified booking
5
October 6, 2025
Traveled as a couple
It was a well organised and informative trip. Just the right amount of time in each location. Our guide Athena was very friendly and informative. We enjoyed it very much and would very much recommend it.
B
Bernard.
Verified booking
2.6
September 29, 2025
Solo traveler
The boat crew and guide were fine. The Island itself was ok. The travelling took too long as widespread hotels were included in the run. The stops at seaside villages were just there to encourage shopping and were of no interest to me. The reminder email from TUI stated that I should bring swimming gear, but there was no opportunity on the trip to use it, so carrying it all day was a waste of effort. The food at the lunch stop was good.
S
Stephen
Verified booking
4.2
September 27, 2025
Traveled with family
The guided tour was brilliant. Could have done with another hour in Ag Nikolaos though. By the time we walked from the parking place it was a 10 minute walk each way so we barely had time to see anything.
L
Lindi
Verified booking
5
September 27, 2025
Tour guide was excellent!!! Tour itself was very interesting and lunch was good!

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