Private Tour to Spinalonga Island
Crete, Greece
Trip Type: Private Sightseeing Tours
Duration: 5 hours
The small, picturesque island of Spinalonga has been occupied by Arabs and Italians, Turks and Cretans. And now you can occupy it for a few hours on this private half-day tour. Take a 20-minute cruise from Crete to the island and then explore the Venetian fortress. Enjoy a delicious barbeque back on the boat. Go swimming off the coast of the nearby island of Kolokytha. On the way, visit the charming village of Aghios Nicolaos. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
More About This Activity All Private Sightseeing Tours →
The small, picturesque island of Spinalonga has been occupied by Arabs and Italians, Turks and Cretans. And now you can occupy it for a few hours on this private half-day tour. Take a 20-minute cruise from Crete to the island and then explore the Venetian fortress. Enjoy a delicious barbeque back on the boat. Go swimming off the coast of the nearby island of Kolokytha. On the way, visit the charming village of Aghios Nicolaos. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off.The island of Spinalonga, which in the early 20th century was a leper colony, got its name from the Venetians, who occupied it for nearly 150 years, beginning in the late 16th century. They left quite a legacy, including some hefty fortifications and a castle. This private half-day tour explores Spinalonga and beyond.
After hotel pickup in Crete, transfer to the pretty fishing village of Elounda and board a shared boat for the 20-minute journey through the azure-colored sea to Spinalonga, which means “long thorn” in Italian. There was once an isthmus connecting Spinalonga to Crete, but the occupying Venetians turned into an island to further protect it from invaders.
Spend about 2 hours on Spinalonga (2 Euro entry fee not included in tour price). Enjoy a walking tour around the island, gasping at its Venetian-built fortifications and its castle. Then return to the boat and for a barbecue lunch. Take in the scenic blue waters and the island as you eat.
The next stop is the island of Kolokytha. Take about 2 hours to swim here, or just relax on the beach. Leave the beach by private car and travel to the pretty village of Agios Nicolaos, which you can explore on your own for about an hour. Visit Lake Voulismeni at the center of town — according to myth it’s bottomless, and Artemis and Athena are said to have bathed here. Leaving Agios Nicolaos, you’ll be driven back to your hotel.
After hotel pickup in Crete, transfer to the pretty fishing village of Elounda and board a shared boat for the 20-minute journey through the azure-colored sea to Spinalonga, which means “long thorn” in Italian. There was once an isthmus connecting Spinalonga to Crete, but the occupying Venetians turned into an island to further protect it from invaders.
Spend about 2 hours on Spinalonga (2 Euro entry fee not included in tour price). Enjoy a walking tour around the island, gasping at its Venetian-built fortifications and its castle. Then return to the boat and for a barbecue lunch. Take in the scenic blue waters and the island as you eat.
The next stop is the island of Kolokytha. Take about 2 hours to swim here, or just relax on the beach. Leave the beach by private car and travel to the pretty village of Agios Nicolaos, which you can explore on your own for about an hour. Visit Lake Voulismeni at the center of town — according to myth it’s bottomless, and Artemis and Athena are said to have bathed here. Leaving Agios Nicolaos, you’ll be driven back to your hotel.
« Go Back