Originally, Spinalonga was not an island – it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation the island was carved out of the coast for defence purposes and a fort was built there. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island.The island has also been used as a leper colony. Spinalonga has appeared in novels, television series, and a short film. This excursion is a perfect option for those who want to combine land & sea tours. You will also have the opportunity to visit the eastern part of Crete, Agios Nikolaos, a small town with a picturesque harbour and the island of Spinalonga.
Posted By : Getaway784373
We had already read the book about Spinalonga and felt privileged to have visited the island. It was everything we hope it would be. The tool lady did talk for half an hour which was a needed arrival at the island
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-06-26 06:48:21 
Posted By : sharonjS1058TC
Fabulous and interesting day with Spiridon Tours where we visited the very pretty Nicolaus Agios and Spinalonga island. The tour was well organised, the ferry 20 minutes and the island really interesting. Well worth a day out! Take a tour and expect to start early! Spinalonga is not easily reached from Rethymnon.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-05-17 05:03:34
Posted By : osulan
I went on the Spinalonga- Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion Tour in early July 2022 with my bf. They picked us up in an Orange Travel bus with a "Spinalonga" sign in front. I booked the tour through TripAdvisor which states that the tour operator was MTM D.M.C Ltd so there was quite a bit of confusion and the bus drove off to park down the street from us. Thankfully, we chases after it and check again and found that our name was on the list, even though it was spelled incorrectly (which apparently is pretty normal in Greece).
We were the 2nd group to be picked up out of a group of maybe 10 of other stops. It took us over an hour and a half to pick everyone else up for the tour to actually begin. Because of this, we were also the last ones off the bus after dropping everyone else off.
I wish they included an optional section under the inclusion section of the tour descriptions for bringing a bathing suit for a potential dip in the water. Because I did not see an option to go swimming in the ticket booking in the TripAdvisor app, we didn't bring a swimsuit for the occasion. The lunch was a soulvaki pork sandwich that did not include any kind of drink at all. I would recommend either bringing money to buy one or bringing your own for the trip.
The only bottle of water that was given to us was near the end of the tour when we got to the Agios Nikolaos Lake. The water was not cold, nor was there a restroom in the chartered bus the tour was in. The tour guide, Eva, was nice but it was difficult to understand her at times. I ended up falling asleep when she would give her lectures.
All in all, you really get what you pay for. The whole experience wouldn't have been as bad if you were picked up towards the beginning of the tour around 9AM. My bf and I were picked up at 7:35AM at the Ligo krassi ligo thalassa restaurant.
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-07-05 15:58:59
Posted By : Ariana S
We were picked up right in front of the hotel just as specified when we booked this trip. The trip started kind slow as the bus picked up more people along the way to east coast but this also had its charm. Once we arrived at Elouda, the boat took us to one of the best small beaches Crete has to offer. While we had fun, lunch was prepared - steak, salad, cheese, bread, and a choice of a drink ; wine or orange juice-. Afterwards the boat took us to Spinaloga where the tour guide provided us with lots of information on Crete and the island's history. Once we landed back at Elouda, the bus proceeded to St Nicholas for time enough for a drink and to take pictures.
It was a long trip from Herakleio but it was worth it. It was the best excursion of the ones I took during this trip. I highly recommend it.
Rating :
Posted On : 2019-10-01 20:56:24
Posted By : amymarie110
Crete is a large island, and it takes time to get from Heraklion to Spinalonga. Our guide rattled off a few surface-level facts about Spinalonga along the way, but most of the time the bus was quiet and so people were sleeping. When we arrived at Spinalonga, we were just turned loose to explore the island on our own. Rather than learning anything about the island, we just climbed around in the intense sun and wind for about an hour before being corralled back together. We assumed our guide would take us around and teach us about the island, but we assumed incorrectly.
After exploring the island, we went to a little bay and people swam a bit and then we had a BBQ lunch on board the boat. Vegetarians need not apply; it's just lamb and a few veggies. After that, we were dropped off at a nearby town (Agios Nikolaos) to again explore on our own. The town is tiny, but we were thankful to find a decent meal--or at least, we tried to. We went to a restaurant our guide recommended and were disappointed again. And no, we're not picky eaters.
Another long ride back with a crying baby on board the bus rounded off our less-than-informative tour. By the time we arrived back at our drop-off point, we were tired and irritated with the whole thing, and the extra hour it took to drop off everyone at the various pick-up locations didn't help.
All in all, we didn't learn much and were left wanting more... but the crying baby, long bus rides, and disappointing food made us wish we had spent our day elsewhere. We don't recommend this tour.
Rating :
Posted On : 2019-08-22 22:40:13
Posted By : peganimal
Enjoyed trip to Spinalonga and seeing Elounda and Aghios Nickolas. There was a barbecue with pork chop and salad(veg option available) Very nice and value for money. Our day trip seemed cheaper than others available. We booked in little tourist shop in old Malia. Shade always available on boat. Wiser to buy drink on boat than on Island! Fanta was 4 euros on Island!
Rating :
Posted On : 2018-10-11 04:23:34
Posted By : Maria B
Our guide was really great, but we were herded around the island trying to keep out of other groups ways, and only a short window before you had to be back on the boat, your best bet is to do it yourself.
Rating :
Posted On : 2018-10-02 14:07:48
Posted By : G_D
I loved the whole day, so nice, wel done, the BBQ too!. Spinalonga, very, very interesting, you have to listen to the story of this island, super profesional lady. You have free time to walk around of Island, back to the boat. Beautiful vieuws over the sea!. Higly recommended.
Posted By : Bill B
We went on an excursion that cost €62 each that included bus transfer ferry ride entry to the Ireland and lunch at the floating restaurant.
The tour guide we had was called Maria she had an amazing Knowledge of the history of this very thought provoking Ireland and the local history.
Tips when you go take an umbrella for shelter with you and a drink and a towel in case you want to paddle your feet after walking around the site there is a small cafe and gift shop it cost me €4 each for a ice lolly.
Rating :
Posted On : 2018-06-07 12:36:25
Posted By : Jane F
Continued from previous submission Spar supermarket. That is not the name of the supermarket anymore. Fortunately, our concierge knew this. Also, we had no idea which bus we were to go on, as the tour guide did not come out of the bus with her list. The trip to Spinalonga island was great though!
