Spinalonga & Lasithi Plateau tour: Private guide

Spinalonga fortress tour, olive oil tasting, and Lasithi village exploration at your own pace

A private full-day tour from Agios Nikolaos combining Spinalonga Island, the Lasithi Plateau, and authentic Cretan stops with a dedicated local guide in a luxury SUV or minivan. You choose the pace and which stops matter most. The guide adjusts the route to fit your interests. Includes hotel pickup, transport, olive oil tasting at a traditional producer, lunch at a local taverna, and a boat trip to Spinalonga (entrance fees and boat tickets paid separately).

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Spinalonga2h
2. Agios Nikolaos1h

Explore Eastern Crete and Spinalonga

• Visit traditional village Mochos
• Enjoy lunch at local taverna
• Tour olive oil production facility
• Stop at Agios Georgios Selinari monastery
• Explore Elounda and Plaka fishing villages
• Boat trip to Spinalonga Island
• Visit Agios Nikolaos town and lake
• See the old plane tree in Krasi

The experience

How much of Crete can you actually see in one day without rushing between stops? This tour builds around flexibility instead of a fixed schedule. You travel in a private luxury SUV or minivan with a local guide who speaks English, German, or Dutch, and the route adapts to what interests you most. The day typically runs eight to nine hours, but the guide controls the rhythm: longer at Spinalonga if the Venetian fortress and former leper colony hold your attention, or more time in the Lasithi villages if the plateau's traditional life is what you came for.

The stops themselves anchor the day: Mochos village overlooks the North Coast from its square; a traditional olive oil producer (four generations, still family-run) walks you through harvesting and pressing, then you taste their oils; Agios Georgios Selinari monastery sits on the route; Plaka fishing village and the Merabelo Bay lead to the boat for Spinalonga Island, where you explore the fortress and the settlement's history; Agios Nikolaos itself wraps the afternoon with Lake Voulismeni and the winding streets; the old plane tree in Krasi closes the loop. Lunch happens at a local taverna on the plateau: traditional Cretan food, fresh ingredients, your choice whether to eat or skip it.

The vehicle includes air conditioning, WiFi, bottled water, coffee, and traditional snacks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are part of the booking. Spinalonga entrance (20 euros per person) and the boat ticket (12 euros per adult, children under 13 travel free) are separate. The guide handles the logistics. You decide what matters.

What’s included

• Private knowledgeable local guide.
• luxury air-conditioned minivan or SUV for up to three people.
• hotel or meeting-point pickup and drop-off.
• WiFi on board.
• bottled water, coffee, and traditional snacks.
• boat trip to Spinalonga Island.
• olive oil tasting at a four-generation family producer.
• lunch at a local taverna on the Lasithi Plateau (optional).
• liability insurance.

Options for this experience

3 options

Up to 3 per booking · Guide in English or Dutch08:00 and 08:30

Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Dutch08:00 and 08:30

Up to 7 per booking · Guide in English, German or Dutch08:00 and 08:30

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Unique Crete Tours

Is this one for you?Book the SUV if you're traveling as a couple or solo and want the most intimate experience. Choose the minivan if your group is three people and prefers more space. Either way, the private format means the guide shapes the day around your pace and interests instead of keeping to a group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, German and Dutch.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Spinalonga Island and what will I actually see there?

Spinalonga is a small fortified island in the Merabelo Bay with a Venetian fortress and the remains of a former leper colony settlement. You'll board a boat from Plaka village and spend time exploring the fortress structure and the historical buildings where the colony once stood, learning about both the Venetian occupation and the island's later use as a medical isolation site.

How does the olive oil tasting work, and is it a sales pitch?

You visit a traditional, family-run olive oil producer that has operated for four generations. The experience includes a walk through the history of the olive, harvesting techniques from ancient times to today, and the production process, followed by a tasting of their premium oils. It's an educational stop centered on the craft, not a shop.

Can I choose which stops to skip or spend more time at?

Yes. The guide adjusts the route based on your interests and pace. If you want to linger at Spinalonga or spend more time in the Lasithi villages, the itinerary shifts. If a stop doesn't appeal to you, the guide can skip it and use that time elsewhere.

Is lunch included, and what if I don't want to eat at a taverna?

Lunch at a local taverna on the Lasithi Plateau is optional. You can choose to eat there or skip it. The guide will accommodate either choice. The taverna serves traditional Cretan dishes made from local ingredients.

Do I need to pay anything extra on the day besides what's in the booking?

Yes. Spinalonga Island entrance costs 20 euros per person, and the boat ticket is 12 euros per adult (children under 13 are free). These are paid separately and not included in the tour price. Lunch is optional and paid separately if you choose to eat.