Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Spinalonga Island
by Altino Travel
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€84Overview
This day trip focuses on the northeastern coast of Crete, highlighting the town of Agios Nikolaos, the village of Elounda, and Spinalonga Island. Starting from Heraklion, the tour visits Agios Nikolaos, the capital of Lassithi prefecture, situated on Mirabello Bay. The town is known for its deep lake, Voulismeni, which connects to the sea beneath a small blue bridge. Visitors have about 90 minutes here to walk around the lake, shop, or relax at local cafes. The tour then proceeds to Elounda, a former fishing village now famous for its luxury hotels and villas along the bay. This stop also lasts about 90 minutes and includes time to enjoy the coastal views and the village atmosphere before boarding a private boat. The boat cruise crosses Mirabello Bay to Spinalonga Island, located close to Elounda on Crete’s eastern shore. Spinalonga served as a Venetian fortress and later as a leper colony until 1957. The island’s history also includes periods under Turkish rule. Visitors spend around 90 minutes exploring the island to learn about its past inhabitants and the conditions of the colony, inspired in part by the British novel “The Island.” On the return trip, the boat anchors near Elounda for a swim in the sea. The whole tour lasts about 8 to 9 hours, including pickup and drop-off from hotels or designated meeting points. Transport is provided by an air-conditioned coach or minivan, and a guide accompanies the group throughout. Food, drinks, and admission fees are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the Lassithi prefecture on Crete’s east coast, located on Mirabello Bay. The town features the lake of Voulismeni at its center, which is connected to the sea by a small blue bridge. This lake is notable for its depth and geological significance. Around the lake are numerous cafes and shops, and on Wednesdays there is an open-air market. Visitors have about 90 minutes to stroll, shop, or enjoy refreshments by the lake.
90 min
Elounda
Elounda is a coastal village on Crete’s northern shore, formerly a fishing settlement. It is now known for luxury hotels and villas along Mirabello Bay. The stop lasts about 90 minutes and offers views of the bay and opportunities to swim in clear waters. The boat cruise to Spinalonga departs from Elounda’s port.
90 min
Spinalonga (Kalydon)
Spinalonga is a small island near Elounda on Crete’s eastern side. It served as a fortress under Venetian and Turkish control. From 1903 until 1957, it was a leper colony where people with lepra were isolated. Visitors spend approximately 90 minutes exploring the island’s ruins and learning about its role in local history, especially after the publication of the British novel “The Island” in 2005.
90 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Spinalonga Island
by Altino Travel
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€84Overview
This day trip focuses on the northeastern coast of Crete, highlighting the town of Agios Nikolaos, the village of Elounda, and Spinalonga Island. Starting from Heraklion, the tour visits Agios Nikolaos, the capital of Lassithi prefecture, situated on Mirabello Bay. The town is known for its deep lake, Voulismeni, which connects to the sea beneath a small blue bridge. Visitors have about 90 minutes here to walk around the lake, shop, or relax at local cafes. The tour then proceeds to Elounda, a former fishing village now famous for its luxury hotels and villas along the bay. This stop also lasts about 90 minutes and includes time to enjoy the coastal views and the village atmosphere before boarding a private boat. The boat cruise crosses Mirabello Bay to Spinalonga Island, located close to Elounda on Crete’s eastern shore. Spinalonga served as a Venetian fortress and later as a leper colony until 1957. The island’s history also includes periods under Turkish rule. Visitors spend around 90 minutes exploring the island to learn about its past inhabitants and the conditions of the colony, inspired in part by the British novel “The Island.” On the return trip, the boat anchors near Elounda for a swim in the sea. The whole tour lasts about 8 to 9 hours, including pickup and drop-off from hotels or designated meeting points. Transport is provided by an air-conditioned coach or minivan, and a guide accompanies the group throughout. Food, drinks, and admission fees are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the Lassithi prefecture on Crete’s east coast, located on Mirabello Bay. The town features the lake of Voulismeni at its center, which is connected to the sea by a small blue bridge. This lake is notable for its depth and geological significance. Around the lake are numerous cafes and shops, and on Wednesdays there is an open-air market. Visitors have about 90 minutes to stroll, shop, or enjoy refreshments by the lake.
90 min
Elounda
Elounda is a coastal village on Crete’s northern shore, formerly a fishing settlement. It is now known for luxury hotels and villas along Mirabello Bay. The stop lasts about 90 minutes and offers views of the bay and opportunities to swim in clear waters. The boat cruise to Spinalonga departs from Elounda’s port.
90 min
Spinalonga (Kalydon)
Spinalonga is a small island near Elounda on Crete’s eastern side. It served as a fortress under Venetian and Turkish control. From 1903 until 1957, it was a leper colony where people with lepra were isolated. Visitors spend approximately 90 minutes exploring the island’s ruins and learning about its role in local history, especially after the publication of the British novel “The Island” in 2005.
90 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.