Spinalonga is a small island on the northeastern coast of Crete, right in front of the exclusive seaside resort of Elounda, and not far from the city of Agios Nikolaos.

However, there’s more to Spinalonga than that. The island’s tragic past and rich history fascinate everyone who visits. It even inspired author Victoria Hislop to write The Island, a best-seller since its publication.

If you’re planning a visit, keep these tips handy and get ready for a day trip to Spinalonga island.

Posts include affiliate links to products or services. I might earn a commission if you make a purchase.

Location of Spinalonga on the Map

About Spinalonga

The small islet of Spinalonga is one of Crete’s most popular touristic places, receiving a high quantity of visitors, especially during the summer months.

It’s a fortified island that you can visit in about one hour, and it’s mostly famous for its past as one of Greece’s leper colonies during the last century.

The island of Spinalonga, now open to the public for daily visits, has also been the subject of several books, a best-seller novel, and a famous Greek TV series.

Spinalonga was also featured in the lesser-known short film, Last Words (W. Herzog).

Can you Visit Spinalonga?

Of course, it’s quite simple to visit Spinalonga if you’re traveling around the Lasithi region, especially for those staying in Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, as well as for those based in the nearby villages of Neapolis or Mochlos, but also in the mountain villages of Kritsa and Kroustas.

Day Trip to Spinalonga Island

Day trips from Heraklion and Sitia are also a possibility, both by booking an organized tour or traveling on your own.

There are different options to reach Spinalonga. Boats depart from the nearby small village of Plaka, but also from the port of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Let’s see them in detail:

Boat from Plaka to Spinalonga

Departing from Plaka is probably the fastest and cheapest way to reach Spinalonga. The tiny village of Plaka is located right in front of the islet, less than a km away.

The boat trip from Plaka lasts 10 minutes or less. Remember, however, that this option is not available from October to March.

The price of the ticket from Plaka at the time of writing (November 2019) is €10 per person. It’s a good idea to talk with the boat owners of Plaka if you’re part of a big group to discuss a better price.

In that case, you can also arrange a pickup time if you’re interested in a longer visit. Check the Plaka Boat cooperation for more details and an official timetable.

Boat Trip to Spinalonga Island from Elounda

The most convenient way to reach Spinalonga is from Elounda. Get to the main square of the village, right in front of the port, and choose one of the many available Spinalonga boat operators on the shore.

If you travel to Elounda by car, you can find a parking spot near the harbor, however, it tends to get crowded in summer (to avoid crowds, the earlier you arrive, the better).

We booked our tour with this company and I was happy to see that the boat navigates close around Spinalonga.

This offers great photo opportunities and shows you a different perspective of the island which you would otherwise miss once on land. Check booking info and availability here.

The price of the ticket from Elounda at the time of writing (November 2019) is €12 per person.

When departing from Elounda, it’s fairly easy to discuss how much time you want to spend on the island since many are the boats covering this route. The trip lasts about 30 minutes.

Boat Trip to Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos

Bigger ships cover the route Agios Nikolaos – Spinalonga every day. This means that you’ll be traveling with more people, but also that you won’t find this trip available off-season.

Day Tour from Heraklion to Spinalonga

If you’re staying in Heraklion and don’t feel like driving to Elounda, you can choose a day tour in the area.

You won’t only tour Spinalonga with an official guide, but the itinerary also includes a visit to Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, and Elounda.

The History of Spinalonga

According to different sources, Spinalonga was an area protecting the port of the ancient city of Olous (today partly submerged) also known as Elounda (modern Elounda).

Different findings have been discovered in this ancient important city, the ruins can be visited in the Kolokitha peninsula.

Also occupied during the two Byzantine periods of the island (the second of which ended in 1204), Spinalonga was a remarkable and strategic place in Venetian times.

The Venetian Period of Spinalonga

Elounda was a strategic port for the Venetians who built saltworks in the shallow waters. It was an important commercial port for the Venetian merchants as well.

Due to Crete’s unique position in the Mediterranean, piracy was a common danger. The Ottoman Empire always represented a threat, so it was logical to fortify areas close to strategic ports.

This took place in the main cities, but also on the island of Gramvousa, Souda, and Spinalonga.

The Venetians built the bastion of Spinalonga in 1579. The high double walls and towers are still well-preserved in different areas.

Spinalonga was one of the longest-lasting Venetian outposts (1715) when the Ottoman Empire had already conquered Crete more than 45 years before.

The Ottoman Period of Spinalonga

The Venetians handed Spinalonga to the Ottomans in 1715, and both Christian and Turkish families settled on the island.

More Turkish hid and established on the island during the Cretan fights for independence. Finally, in 1903, the last Turkish families left Spinalonga.

The Leper Colony of Spinalonga

Maybe the most famous part of the history of Spinalonga is the one that starts with the establishment, in 1903, of a leper colony active until 1957.

Since a cure for leprosy had not been found, the affected ones were sent to live isolated on Spinalonga.

Without a cure for leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) the condition was regarded with horror. Those affected carried the burden of stigma and isolation.

The most common solution was isolation in a leprosarium or a dedicated hospital. Through the centuries and in many areas of the world, islands were usually devoted as a leprosarium as well.

And an island like Spinalonga was an ideal place: It was still close to Crete to allow for the transfer of patients and the delivery of supplies, but far enough from the coast.

Initially, patients arrived from Crete, but after the unification with Greece (1913), the island also received patients from the mainland. Later on, Spinalonga was classified as an International Hospital for Leprosy.

Life in the Leper Colony of Spinalonga

Despite the stigma and the first years of terrible conditions for the first inhabitants, as time went by, and mostly after the 1930s, residents of Spinalonga managed to lead a rather normal life.

Many had the privacy of a house, there were shops, and funds would arrive from the government.

Life was bearable, the residents organized their community and voted. They also established a school, an open market, a hospital, a cinema, and a kafenio.

They cultivated aloe and used the plant for treating their sore skin. On the island, there were also churches and a cemetery.

The island closed in 1957 when an antibiotic cure for leprosy was found. Every resident left while a priest remained, until 1962, to maintain the Greek Orthodox traditions in terms of mourning times.

Spinalonga Today

After 1957, the island remained abandoned until the beginning of the ’70s, when the local authorities started excavation and restoration works.

The area has been a protected archaeological area since the 1970s. Today, it’s possible to visit the colony but also the museum that exposes different artifacts from the different periods of the history of Spinalonga.

What to See on Spinalonga Island

When embarking on a visit, don’t miss these Spinalonga sights and places to see…

The Tunnel

Through the years this has been known as Dante’s Gate or the Tunnel of Tears, as a matter of fact, those going through this passage were certain they were destined to remain forever on the island.

As a consequence, this entrance was their last connection with the rest of the world. And the beginning of a completely new, and unknown life.

Spinalonga has two entrances, the main gate you will use as a visitor (Dante’s Gate) and a second one located close to the disinfection chamber and has access to a tiny pebbled beach.

From this gate the island received supplies.

The Museum and the Village

Right after the tunnel and once inside the colony, you will notice a line of some small colorful buildings, formerly shops.

These now host permanent exhibitions dedicated to showcasing findings from different eras (the board games found are impressive!) as well as some medical instruments related to the leper colony.

Once past the museum, you can take a closer look at the abandoned buildings in the old village. The most imposing building is the hospital (closed to the public), standing higher over the road.

You can also see the wood ovens in some of the houses, a Venetian cistern, and a garrison, later on, used as the disinfection chamber.

Next up, check also the small church of Agios Nikolaos and the Turkish mosque.

Pay attention to the maps along the road, they tell you where you’re standing, what route to follow, and what buildings you can see from that position.

The Churches on Spinalonga

The first church you will encounter as you follow the path is right in the middle of the village. This church is dedicated to Saint Panteleimon the Healer and there, the priest lived on the island.

Saint Panteleimon dates back to 1709. Every year, there is a pilgrimage to the church to commemorate those who suffered and died on the island.

High up the main road, and close to the hospital, stands the second church of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos.

Opposite the cemetery, there’s a church of Agios Giorgos. From here, there are spectacular views of the nearby peninsula, the sea, and the bastions of Spinalonga.

The Cemetery

One of the most significant places on the island is the small cemetery on the northeast bastion (Donato Bastion). I found that this moment during my Spinalonga tour was definitely the most touching.

There are a few graves bearing no names. A plaque stands in memory of all those who suffered, hoped, lived, and perished on the Greek island of Spinalonga.

Finally, don’t forget to look to the shore to understand what the people of the island might have felt being so close… And still, so far from the land.

Practical Tips to Get Ready for a Spinalonga Tour

Unless you visit in winter, Spinalonga is hot and arid because there’s very little shadow. There’s just one place where to get cold drinks (therefore rather expensive).

We visited in November, and it was about 30 degrees (86 °F).

First, carry plenty of water. On the other hand, sunscreen, and a hat are a must too.

Depending on your interest, an hour should be enough for a visit. I stopped for pictures and to see the museum in detail, but I also walked on different routes.

So, it took me two hours to see the island really well, but you can easily see it in less time. Maps are available and exposed all over the itinerary signposts on the island.

When you visit Spinalonga, please avoid leaving your name carved on the cactus!
Have you ever heard about the story of Spinalonga before?

Where to Stay Near Spinalonga

There are endless accommodation opportunities along the coast of Plaka and Elounda. In this area, you will find some of the most exclusive resorts and villas in Greece.

If you’re more on a budget, check prices and availability in the hotels and rooms in Agios Nikolaos.

Read more about Crete

• 52 Great Things to Do in Chania (Region) for an Unforgettable Holiday
• The Best Day Trips and Tours from Rethymnon, Crete
• The Prettiest and Most Convenient Airbnbs in Agios Nikolaos
• Most Stunning Beaches in East Crete: Complete Insider’s Guide
• The Most Amazing Things to Do in Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Pin it Now and Read it Later! Spinalonga Tour: The Best Tips to Visit Spinalonga Island For Your Crete Adventures!

---

---