Agios Nikolaos, Elounda & Spinalonga island day tour

Spinalonga was a leper colony until 1957, and you walk its ruins on the island itself.

A private day tour from Agios Nikolaos takes you east across Crete to Elounda, then by boat to Spinalonga island: an archaeological site that once quarantined patients from across Greece. You visit the lake town of Agios Nikolaos, explore Elounda's beaches and port, and tour Spinalonga's preserved buildings before returning. The pace is yours to set throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Elounda, Spinalonga, and Agios Nikolaos

• Visit Elounda Village and beaches
• Take boat to Spinalonga island
• Tour Spinalonga archaeological site
• Explore Agios Nikolaos town and lake

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your accommodation and heads toward Elounda, a seaside village with small beaches and clear water. From Elounda's port, you board a boat to Spinalonga island, where the Archaeological Service maintains the ruins of buildings that date back centuries. The site draws 1,200 to 1,500 visitors daily in summer, but you move through it at your own pace with time to absorb the history: the island operated as a quarantine station for patients until 1957, and that story sits in every stone. After Spinalonga, the boat returns you to Elounda's port.

The final stop is Agios Nikolaos itself, a town built around a deep freshwater lake connected to the sea by a narrow inlet. The lake sits at the center of town life, ringed by cafes and restaurants where locals and visitors gather. You have time to walk the waterfront, cross the small bridge that joins the lake to the sea, and take in the Marina and port. The whole day runs six to eight hours, and because it is private, you decide how long to linger at each stop.

Your driver speaks English and the vehicle is air-conditioned. You get a bottle of water for each passenger. Pickup is included from your hotel or accommodation. Note that tickets to Spinalonga and any on-board purchases are separate, and the tour does not include a guide at the archaeological site itself. You explore the island on your own or with a guide you arrange separately.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your accommodation.
• English-speaking driver.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottle of water for each passenger.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by CRETE LUXURIOUS TOURS & TRANSFERS

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so you control the pace and timing at each stop: ideal if you want to linger on Spinalonga or spend more time in Agios Nikolaos without waiting for a group. If you prefer a guide who walks you through Spinalonga's history on the island itself, you'll want to arrange one separately or choose a shared tour that includes that service.

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Top questions

What is Spinalonga island and why do so many people visit it?

Spinalonga is an archaeological site off the coast of Elounda that once served as a quarantine station for patients from Crete and the rest of Greece until 1957. Today visitors tour its preserved buildings and ruins, which the Archaeological Service maintains. The island draws thousands of tourists each summer by boat from Elounda.

How do we get to Spinalonga from Elounda?

You take a boat from Elounda's port directly to the island. The boat trip is part of the itinerary, though the boat fare itself is a separate ticket.

What is special about the lake in Agios Nikolaos?

The lake is a deep freshwater body connected to the sea by a narrow inlet that runs under a small road bridge. It sits at the heart of town and is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, making it a gathering place for both locals and visitors.

Can I set my own pace, or is the schedule fixed?

Because this is a private tour, you move at your own pace throughout the day. You decide how long to spend at Elounda, on Spinalonga, and in Agios Nikolaos itself.

Do I need to book tickets to Spinalonga in advance?

Tickets to Spinalonga and any purchases on board the boat are not included in the tour price and must be arranged separately. Your driver can advise on the process when you arrive at Elounda's port.