Full Day Agios Nikolaos Tour: Spinalonga, Kritsa & Lagoon

See six stops across Crete's coast and mountains in one day without driving yourself

A full-day tour of Agios Nikolaos and the surrounding region takes you from the coastal resort town through Byzantine churches, mountain villages and the historic Spinalonga islet, with a guide, private transport, and time to swim. The tour covers Elounda, Spinalonga, Plaka, Agios Nikolaos, Kritsa and the Panagia Kera Church, moving between sea level and the Katharo Plateau. Boat tickets to Spinalonga and entry fees to archaeological sites are separate. A professional guide for the monuments is not included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Spinalonga1h
2. Katharo Plateau1h
3. Panagia Kera Church30m

Explore Agios Nikolaos and surroundings

• Visit Elounda landscapes and resort
• Explore Spinalonga islet history
• Relax and swim at Plaka beach
• Discover Agios Nikolaos lagoon
• Visit Kritsa village and traditions
• See Panagia Kera church iconography

The experience

The day starts in Elounda, a resort town on the north coast known for its beaches and harbor views. From there you cross to Spinalonga, a small islet with a turbulent history. It served as a quarantine station for people with leprosy until 1957, and before that saw fierce battles under Venetian and Ottoman rule. The boat trip itself is short, and you spend time on the island exploring its past before returning to the mainland at Plaka, a quiet village across the water where you can swim off a pebbly beach.

The afternoon moves inland and upward. Agios Nikolaos, the regional capital, sits on the largest natural bay on Crete and centers on the Voulismeni lagoon: the most photographed spot in the area, ringed by waterfront cafes and restaurants. From there the route climbs to Kritsa, one of Crete's oldest villages, built semicircularly on a mountainside with views across olive groves to the Mirabello Bay. The village is still known for its weaving traditions and the way it preserves older customs. The final stop is the Panagia Kera Church in Kritsa, a 13th- to 14th-century Byzantine monument with rich iconography and different architectural styles that make it the most important religious building in the region.

The tour runs for 10 hours with a driver and English-speaking guide, private air-conditioned transport, bottled water, snacks and WiFi on board. You'll need to buy a separate boat ticket to visit Spinalonga and pay entry fees if you want to enter any archaeological sites or museums along the way.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
• English-speaking guide.
• bottled water and snacks.
• WiFi on board.
• all fees and taxes for the tour itself.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by CreteCab

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to cover coast, islands, villages and mountains in one day with a private guide handling all driving and routing decisions.

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Top questions

What is Spinalonga and why is it part of this tour?

Spinalonga is a small islet near Elounda with a complex history spanning Venetian and Ottoman rule, and later used as a quarantine station for people with leprosy until 1957. It's included because the island's fortifications and human story are central to understanding the region's past, and the boat crossing itself is part of the day's experience.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes, you have time to swim at Plaka, a village on the mainland across from Spinalonga with a pebbly beach. The itinerary includes a stop there for this purpose.

Does the tour include entry to Spinalonga and the Panagia Kera Church?

Entry fees and boat tickets are not included in the tour price. You pay separately for the boat ticket to Spinalonga and for any archaeological sites or monuments you want to enter, including the Panagia Kera Church.

What is the Voulismeni lagoon and where is it?

The Voulismeni lagoon is the trademark of Agios Nikolaos, the cosmopolitan capital of the Lasithi region. It's a natural lagoon set on the largest bay on Crete, surrounded by the town built amphitheatrically on a slope, and it's the most photographed landmark in the area.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and specialized infant seats and prams are available. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the day involves moving between multiple stops and some walking at each location.