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Spinalonga Tour Crete – An island of historical importance and epic views

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Have you ever heard of Spinalonga Island on Crete? Well, I didn’t until I went to do some research on possible activities in Crete. The recommendations about taking a Spinalonga Tour as a day trip sounded very promising, so this little gem found its way onto our bucket list. Little did we know that it would turn into one of our favorite day trips we took on Crete. Now let me give you a little insight into what you can expect and tips that best prepare you for your visit.

So… what actually is Spinalonga?

Spinalonga is a small island in the Lasithi province in Crete, Greece. If you think this place is just another island – you’re about to be proven wrong. Spinalonga is mainly known for once being the last active European leper colony and combines unique beauty with a rather dark history. (More on that in the next paragraph.)

Today, the island is a well-known tourist destination and is even considered to become a World Heritage Site.

PS: There is also a novel called “The Island” by Victoria Hislop covering Spinalongas history.

Even though Spinalonga is mainly known as the leper community, its history is much more profound.

It all started in 1526 when the Venetians used the island as a fortress to protect the harbor of Olous when it gained commercial value. Over the years, Spinalonga became one of the most powerful sea fortresses and safeguarded Olous from pirates and the Turkish threat. Talking about the threat – the Ottomans seized Spinalonga in 1715 and banned the Venetian presence.

The leper colony

Fast forward to 1903, the Ottomans left, and Spinalonga was back in the hands of Greece. This event also dated the start of the leper colony, and infected persons were sent to isolate on the island. The living conditions in Spinalonga during the first years as a leper community were horrific. Without running water, people mostly awaited their death, and the island became the topic of the region’s horror stories.

The situation eventually changed with Remountakis, a 21-year-old man, being sent to isolate Spinalonga. He dedicated his life to improving the conditions and developing the island into a much better place. He grew a community and established public places and services like a church, a theater, and a coffee shop.

With the development of medical care and the invention of the first drug, the last patient left the island in 1962. From there on, the island remained uninhabited.

A few years passed, and the island was revived and became a famous tourist destination in Crete.

A visitors guide for your Spinalonga trip

Where is Spinalonga, and how can you get there?

Spinalonga is located in the northeast part of Crete. The island is found just in front of a town called “Plaka” and is only accessible by boat. The Spinalonga ferry leaves from Plaka, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos.

  • Plaka to Spinalonga | 10€ return / 5-10min ride / running every 30 minutes*
  • Elounda to Spinalonga | 12€ return / 20-30min ride / running every 30 minutes*
  • Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga | mostly guided tours with limited time on the island but including lunch and other stops, e.g., driving past the sunken city of Olous. Tours differ in length and price with around 15-30€ and trips up to 6-8 hours.

*summer schedule

Spinalonga can be explored daily during summer (usually Apr.-Oct. from 9-19). In the wintertime, they’re open for groups and during some weekends. Please note that Spinalonga closes on some national holidays.

We started our Spinalonga tour from Plaka and purchased our boat tickets at one of the many vendors along the main street. Plaka is relatively small but offers enough parking and many restaurants to visit before or after your trip.

From Heraklion to Spinalonga

You can reach Plaka after around 1h10min and Elounda after 1h. There is an incredibly scenic route leading you through the mountains if you’re coming from that direction. We stopped for a quick snack in one of the mountain towns and highly recommend you check them out! (Coordinates on maps: 35.2594338, 25.6493908)

A few tour operators offer day trips from Heraklion to Spinalonga in combination with Agios Nikolaos or other cities/sites. These are great if you don’t want to drive by yourself or don’t have access to a car:

Make sure to stop in one of the mountain villages during your drive to Plaka or Elounda!
The ferry ride to Spinalonga is already amazing
Plaka offers many restaurants with a view to Spinalonga!
Plaka also has some cute little shops

What can you do during your Spinalonga tour?

  • You will need to pay another 8€ entry fee to visit the ruins of Spinalonga after being dropped off by the boat.

The main thing to do in Spinalonga is to tour the ruins. After arriving at the south gate, you’ll follow the trails leading you through the old residences, along with the church ruins and ancient arrival gates. You can circumnavigate the island on the main path or take further detours up the hill. These are marked on the displayed maps and along the way. However, the waymarks sometimes guide you to nowhere, and you need to climb some ruins.

The detours aren’t well accessible at some points, so you walk them at your own risk. They are not suitable for children or visitors with difficulties walking.

Everything is kept in order
Make sure to climb to the top for an amazing view
On the main path
You can access all the ruins

Facilities on Spinalonga Island

There is a public toilet located at the ferry drop-off. (These are the only toilets on the island.) Besides that, you’ll also find a kiosk with snacks and drinks on this corner. This is, again, the only possibility to purchase snacks along your walk.

How much time should you plan for your visit?

It’s a little hard to recommend a certain amount of time since it depends on your route and the detours you might or might not take. We spent approx. 2hrs on Spinalonga, took all the detours we could find and spent some time taking pictures along the way. However, we usually walk very fast, so I guess 2 hours is a reasonable estimate.

As with many other destinations: the earlier you arrive, the fewer people you’ll find. If you find yourself in between many guided tours, take a detour to the top. Guided tours only circumnavigate the island on the main path, so you’ll have the rest to yourself and others walking without a guided tour.

General tips and things to pack

  • There are no signs on the boats that arrive in Spinalonga. They will usually scream their destination, so listen carefully to get onto the right ferry.
  • The kiosk on Spinalonga is quite expensive. I’d highly recommend you bring your own snacks and drinks.
  • Elounda would be a fantastic city to combine with your Spinalonga tour if you’re up for a day trip in the area. The ferry ride from there isn’t much longer than from Plaka, but the city is much bigger and offers many things to do.
  • Check your ferry schedules for your ride back to the main island to avoid seeing your boat departing the minute you finish your tour. The last ferries to Plaka and/or Elounda usually leave between 17:00/18:00!
  • Wear proper shoes, especially when you’re about to climb the ruins. The paths you’d take to get to the top are mostly grass, gravel, and stones. There are even signs that point out the necessity of proper footwear.
  • Sun protection: Many parts of the island don’t offer shade, especially on the top. Therefore, it’s an absolute MUST to wear proper sunscreen, drink enough water, and maybe also wear a hat. Don’t underestimate the sun in the summer months!
  • A hair tie and a brush: If you have long hair like me, you might want to bring these utensils. After the boat ride and the wind on the top viewpoint, It took me ages to detangle my hair. Throw a hair tie in your bag and save you some time and hair!
That’s how the detour paths look. Make sure to wear proper shoes
The ferry tickets from Plaka cost 10€ return
Sneak into the ruins for some epic viewpoints
You will find information boards along your route
simple button with "read next" on it for decorative purposes

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If you ask me, no Crete itinerary is complete without a Spinalonga tour – especially when combined with one of the coastal cities like Elounda. The island is such a unique sight full of history and carefully restored for visitors. So I’m curious: have you already been there? If not, is Spinalonga on your bucket list from now on?

As always, stay happy and healthy!

See you soon,

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Hi there, I'm Julia. I am a german native travel blogger and content creator showing you the world through my eyes. Welcome to the page!

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