Spinalonga Island Day Trip: History, Lunch & Boat from Elounda

Walk Spinalonga's history with a guide who knows the people behind it

A guided day trip to Spinalonga Island departing from the fishing village of Elounda, with private boat transport, entrance fee, lunch and hotel pickup included. The tour centers on the island's past as a leper colony, told through conversations with local residents and their personal accounts. The day runs eight hours and finishes in Agios Nikolaos with free time at the lake.

Step-by-step itinerary

Spinalonga Island day trip with lunch

• Travel through small villages
• Arrive at Elounda fishing village
• Boat ride to Spinalonga Island
• Learn about island history
• Tour Spinalonga with guide
• Visit Plaka for lunch
• Optional swim in the sea
• Visit Agios Nikolaos town
• Enjoy free time at bottomless lake

The experience

The trip starts in Elounda, a former fishing village on Crete's north coast, where a private fishing boat carries you across the blue sea to Spinalonga Island. Once there, a professional guide walks you through the island's history, not as dates on a plaque, but as the lived experience of the people who inhabited it when it functioned as a leper colony. The guide has spoken directly with residents of the region and brings their stories and fates into the tour, so you're learning from accounts rooted in real lives rather than a script.

After the guided tour of the island, the day moves to Plaka, a beautiful spot with a view back toward Spinalonga. Lunch happens in a tavern with a relaxed atmosphere. The default is fish, though you can request chicken when you book. The setting lets you sit with what you've learned and, if you want, take a swim in the sea. The boat ride and the meal are both included, so there's no hunting for a restaurant or calculating what to order.

The final stop is Agios Nikolaos, where you have free time to explore the town and its bottomless lake before the return to your hotel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected accommodations. The whole day runs eight hours, with a minimum group size of four people from the Ammoudara and Agia Pelagia areas. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller, or sit on an adult's lap.

What’s included

• The tour includes entrance to Spinalonga Island.
• a professional guide in French or German.
• a private fishing boat from Elounda.
• lunch in Plaka.
• and hotel pickup and drop-off from selected accommodations.

Options for this experience

2 options

FrenchAvailable from 7 May 2027Includes pickup

GermanAvailable from 14 Apr 2027Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 14 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (26 and older) · Youth (13 to 25 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 35

Live guideFrench and German

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cretan Holidays

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the island's history told through the people who lived it rather than as a historical summary: the guide's conversations with local residents are what set this version apart. The eight-hour day and included boat, lunch and hotel pickup mean you're not piecing together transport or meals between stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 25 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What was Spinalonga Island used for historically?

Spinalonga Island functioned as a leper colony, and the tour focuses on this period of its history through personal stories shared by local residents who have connections to the island's past.

Is the boat ride included in the price?

Yes, the private fishing boat from Elounda to Spinalonga and back is included, along with the entrance fee to the island and lunch in Plaka.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes, after lunch in Plaka there is an opportunity to take a small swim in the sea if you want to, though it's optional.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels. Confirm your accommodation is covered when you book.

What is lunch on this tour?

Lunch is served in a tavern in Plaka with a view of Spinalonga Island. The default is fish, but you can request chicken when you reserve.