Spinalonga

Embark on a full-day guided trip to northeastern Crete and take a boat trip to Spinalonga Island. Visit Agios Nikolaos with its famous lake, and explore the picturesque village of Elounda. Begin the day with the visit to Agios Nikolaos, and see the shore of Mirabello Bay. Explore the town, famous for the lake at its center and its shopping and cafes. Take your time for a walk to enjoy the views, enjoy some shopping or have a drink in one of the numerous cafes around the lake. Explore an open-air market on Wednesdays. Move on to see Elounda village, a former fishing village on the northern coast of the island. Depart from Elounda for the cruise to Spinalonga Island. Learn about the island's vibrant history, from a home for the Venetians and Turks to a place of isolation for those suffering from leprosy. Experience the island, more popular after the 2005 historical novel “The Island” about how lepers lived in Spinalonga. Join the hundreds of people who come to the island every day to visit and learn its history.

Take a bus and boat tour from Heraklion, step back in time on a guided tour of Spinalonga, chill out on the beach in Kolokytha Bay, savor a delicious lunch, and have free time in Agios Nikolaos. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation in selected locations on Crete in the morning. Hop aboard a spacious and comfortable bus and sit back and relax on the drive to the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos and board a ship.  Feel the sea breeze as you cruise through Mirabello bay towards the island of Spinalonga. Take a guided tour Spinalonga which has a rich history from defending the area from sea raids to housing a leper colony. Have some free time to capture photos of the island.  Continue to Kolokytha Bay where you can unwind on the beach, go for a dip, and dig into a lunch of chicken, bread, and a salad. Vegetarians and vegans can enjoy a tortilla with vegetables, bread and salad. End your meal with fresh fruit and compliment it with a glass of wine or juice. Cruise to Agios Nikolaos and spend some free time exploring at your own pace. Sit at a cafe with lake or port views, do some shopping, or wander around this small Cretan town. Return to your accommodation in at the end of your tour. 

Enjoy a walking tour of the island of Spinalonga during a full-day excursion from Elounda to the island. Visit Agios Nikolaos and Elounda and swim in the crystal-clear waters of Kolokytha, where you can enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Leave from Heraklion, in a spacious, comfortable bus and travel to the designated locations, along the coast through the St. George Gorge to Elounda, a tranquil coastal resort. Board the boat around 10:00, and visit the bay and the beach of Kolokytha, a secluded haven that offers a respite from daily life. You can swim and eat a delicious BBQ on board. Take the boat to Spinalonga around 12:45, traveling across Mirabello Bay. Learn about Spinalonga's complex history guided by a professional tour guide as a natural barrier for Olous in Ancient Greek times, a Saracen pirate refuge, a Venetian fortification, and a Turkic settlement. Depart from Spinalonga at appr. 2:45 pm. As you head towards our last destination from Elounda by bus, you will have the opportunity for a quick olive oil tasting, before arriving at the capital town of Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos at around 3:45 pm. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni and enjoy your walk to the local shops. Return to Heraklion after the excursion, at approximately 6:30 pm.

Enjoy a walking tour of the island of Spinalonga during a full-day excursion from Elounda to the island. Visit Agios Nikolaos and Elounda and swim in the crystal-clear waters of Kolokytha, where you can enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Depart from Heraklion in a spacious, comfortable bus and be carried to the designated locations along the coast through the St. George Gorge to Elounda, a tranquil coastal resort. Board the bus to visit the bay and the beach of Kolokytha at around 10:30 a secluded haven that offers a respite from daily life. Swim and eat a delicious BBQ on board. Take the boat around 12:45 to Spinalonga, across Mirabello Bay. Learn more about Spinalonga's long and complex history as a natural barrier for Olous in Ancient Greek times, a Saracen pirate refuge, a Venetian fortification, and a Turkic settlement at 2:45 pm. Head towards our last destination from Elounda by bus, and take the opportunity for a quick olive oil tasting, before arriving at the capital town of Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos at around 3:45 pm. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni and enjoy your walk to the local shops and board the bus to return to Heraklion at approximately 6:30.

Embark on an unforgettable semi-private sailing adventure from Agios Nikolaos, exploring the serene Mirabello Bay and the iconic Spinalonga Island. Ideal for couples, families, and friends, this cruise offers relaxation, fun, and incredible memories. Your journey begins with a warm welcome from our friendly crew, who greet you with coffee, tea, and delicious pies. Sail through the calm waters of Mirabello Bay, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Cretan coastline and the historic island of Spinalonga. The unique perspective from the catamaran provides excellent photo opportunities and a chance to admire the beauty of this iconic island from the water. Unlimited refreshing drinks, including soft drinks, beer, and white wine, are served throughout the cruise, allowing you to relax, sunbathe on the spacious deck, and enjoy the delightful ambiance created by soft music. Free WiFi is available on board so you can share your experiences instantly. Upon arriving in the tranquil bay, dive into crystal-clear waters for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing with our provided gear. Try out stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) or unwind on our inflatable flamingo, perfect for fun and unforgettable vacation photos. Children and adults alike will find plenty of ways to enjoy the water, while our cozy cabins provide a quiet space for the smallest sailors to rest. Onboard, the Mediterranean lunch is freshly prepared using local ingredients. Savor a variety of dishes, including fresh salads, seafood, meat option, and a homemade dessert. For children, we offer a special menu to ensure everyone is delighted. As we sail back, take one last opportunity to relax, chat with fellow travelers, and enjoy the sunshine or shade on deck. This cruise is the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, leaving you with cherished memories of a day well spent on the Aegean Sea.

Embark on an unforgettable semi-private sunset cruise from Agios Nikolaos aboard a luxurious sailing catamaran. This relaxing and exclusive journey is perfect for couples, families, and friends seeking a memorable vacation escape. The adventure begins in the afternoon with a warm welcome from our friendly crew, offering coffee, tea, and pies to set the tone for a delightful experience. Relax on the spacious deck, bask in the sun, and savor unlimited drinks, including soft drinks, white wine, and beer, while enjoying music that enhances the serene atmosphere. Free onboard WiFi ensures you can stay connected and share your moments in real time. As we sail through the tranquil waters of Mirabello Gulf, take in the breathtaking scenery and snap stunning photos of Spinalonga Island from the deck of the catamaran. The cruise continues to a picturesque bay with crystal-clear waters, where you can swim, snorkel, fish, or try SUP surfing. Capture fun vacation moments with our inflatable flamingo or simply float and relax. Both adults and kids will have endless fun, while the youngest sailors can enjoy a cozy nap in the catamaran’s comfortable cabins. The culinary highlight of the cruise is a freshly prepared Mediterranean dinner, crafted with care by our professional crew. The menu includes a variety of delicious dishes such as fresh salads, seafood, meat, and a homemade summer dessert. Children will love their special meal tailored to their tastes. As we head back to the port, the magic of the Aegean sunset unfolds. Relax on the deck and immerse yourself in the golden light as the sun dips below the horizon. This is the perfect moment to connect with loved ones, share heartfelt thoughts, and capture breathtaking photos. This cruise blends relaxation, fun, and romance for an unforgettable journey that will become the highlight of your Greek vacation.

Discover the charming coastal town of Agios Nikolaos on this day trip from Rethymno. Step back in time as you view the archeological site of Olous from a boat. Go for a dip in Kolokythas bay and take a stroll on the uninhabited island of Spinaloga. Be picked up from the comfort of your accommodation, then sit back and relax aboard a comfortable and air-conditioned bus. Stop for a coffee break on the way to Agios Nikolaos.  Spend some free time discovering the beauty of Agios Nikolaos where you can see the picturesque Lake Voulismeni, visit the marina, admire neoclassical buildings, and walk along the pedestrian roads. Have some time to purchase lunch at a local establishment before boarding the boat to Spinaloga. View the partially submerged archeological site of Olous from the ship. Soak up some sun on board or go for a dip in the crystal waters of Kolokythas bay. Reach the island of Spinaloga where you will have a 1.5-hour visit to the leper colony and the surrounding pebble beaches and shallow waters. Return to Agios Nikolaos where your bus will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation.

Discover the highlights of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka on this multi-stop trip from Heraklion. Take in the sights from onboard a ferry and savor a BBQ or tavern lunch. See Spinalonga Island, the Lake of Voulismeni, and more. Meet your local guide, and make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello. This place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own or relax at a cafe. After that, drive to the harbor of Elounda where you'll get on a ferry to visit the Island of Spinalonga. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous. Choose to join a guided tour or explore the island by yourself. If you don't want to visit the archaeological site, you can join a 1-hour boat trip to a secret location and dive into the crystal-clear water (cost not included). After visiting Spinalonga, depart for one of the nearby bays. Get plenty of time for swimming and enjoying BBQ served on board. The menu includes pork BBQ, greek salad, feta cheese, bread, seasonal fruit, wine, and Fanta. If your trip is on a Sunday, you'll get to enjoy dinner in a tavern instead of having BBQ on board. After a short drive, reach Plaka, a small fishing village. Plaka was the ferry port of the leper colony, whose history was documented in a book and a Greek television series. The last stop of the day is the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni or explore the local shops. Enjoy a refreshing swim before heading back to your accommodation. 10:30 Departure from Elounda with the boat 11:10 Arrival Kolokytha 12:45 Departure from Kolokytha 13:10 Arrival Spinalonga 14:45 Departure from Spinalonga to Elounda 15:00 Arrival Elounda 15:45 Olive oil tasting - Arrival Agios Nikolaos 16:45 Departure Agios Nikolaos – back to the hotels 18:30 Arrival Heraklion. Route:128 km Duration:app. 11 hours Stay in Spinalonga:1 ½ hours Stay in Kolokytha Bay-Beach:1 ½ hours Stay in Agios Nikolaos:app.1 hour ESSENTIALS: •shoes for the sea •sun protection •hat * Remarks:Please notify us in advance, if you are vegetarian or if you do not eat pork at all, as we have to preorder another lunch for you.

Before heading to Spinalonga the first visit is an olive oil park where you can experience first-hand the standardization of extra virgin olive oil, table olives, and olive paste. You will be able to taste the authentic Greek product, which is famous worldwide for its great taste and nutritional value, as well as other authentic Cretan products like “raki” and honey. After your first stop, you reach the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. You can discover the pretty city on your own, stroll through the shops, or relax in one of the countless cafes next to the picturesque bottomless lake of Voulismeni. You continue your journey to Plaka, a small fishing village directly opposite Spinalonga. Here you will have plenty of free time to enjoy lunch or a refreshing swim. Moreover, from there you can take a 15-minute boat ride that takes you to the well-known island of Spinalonga. The history and the culture of the island of Spinalonga became one with human tragedy over time. It has been an important place throughout history for the ancient Greeks, as a natural protection for the city of Olous, for the Saracens as a hiding place for their pirates, for the Venetians as a fortress, for the Turks as a settlement and for a long time the island served as a leper colony. After your self-guided tour at Spinalonga, approximately 90 minutes, you'll return to Plaka. There you have plenty of time to enjoy a coffee or your lunch, before going back to the hotels. An amazing trip with many destinations that you definitely should not miss! Additional important information about the pickup and drop-off handling: Pickup areas and times are as follows: Ammoudara Beach road at 8 a.m. Heraklion center 8:05 a.m. Karteros 8:20 a.m. Kokkini Chani, Gournes 8:25 a.m. Kato Gouves 8:30 a.m. Analipsi 8:40 a.m. Anissaras 8:50 - 8:55 a.m. Hersonissos, Piskopiano, Koutouloufari 9 - 9:05 a.m Stalida, Stalis 9-9:10 a.m. Malia 9:25 a.m. Sissi 9:40 a.m.

Join us on a relaxing boat trip to the coastal areas of Elounda and Spinalonga Island. Swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing are some of the activities on this trip. You will be able to take a boat ride around the famous leper's island Spinalonga and admire its beauty from another point of view. Next with our boat, we will have the chance to stop at the famous pirate’s Barbarossa Cave where he searched for refuge and then he managed to conquer the island. Then we make a stop at Kolokytha Beach a place well known for its natural beauty. At the main time boat crew prepares delicious hot dogs (Whith Chicken Sausages )to enjoy when we are on Kolokytha beach accompanied by music and dance. On board is also served local raki, fresh fruits, and orange juice. Lastly, we stop at “Skistra” beach where you will be able to swim in crystal clear water, dive, and enjoy the sun in a place that very few people visit. Our friendly crew promises you an unforgettable mini cruise which we hope will make one of the highlights of your holidays.