Let’s plan your visit to Spinalonga Island Crete, one of the most famous places on the island!
The small fortified islet is a classic excursions to admire the scenery and learn more about its long history.
Below is my guide to help you get organized: Where it is, how to get to Spinalonga Island, map, visit tips, things to see…
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Crete:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Crete: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Gramvousa island + Balos Lagoon
Fun activity: Quad excursion off the beaten path
My favorite places to stay:
- Chania: see best rated hotels – e.g. Casa Delfino
- Palaiochora: see best rated hotels – e.g. Blue Horizon Hotel
- Rethymno: see best rated hotels – e.g. Leo Hotel
Why visit Spinalonga Island in Crete – video
Top 4 Reasons to visit Spinalonga Island
Spinalonga is one of the most visited places in Crete because:
- the island is very close to the coast, so the crossing is not long and does not induce sea sickness
- it is covered with fortifications from the Venetians and Ottoman
- it is actually an islet, so you can explore it entirely in a short time
- it has a long tumultuous history under Venetian and Ottoman ruling. And it became a leper colony in the 20th century.
Reasons not to visit Spinalonga Island
- Well, it is one of the most visited places in Crete… so there are groups of tourists everywhere. It suffers from overtourism.
- There are other nice fortifications to visit in Crete that are not so crowded
Virtual tour – video
Now, to help you make a decision, have a look at my short video showing what it is like to visit the island:
Why is Spinalonga so famous? Is “The island” by Victoria Hislop a true story?
Spinalonga has always been one of the major archaeological sites in Crete; but in recent year, interest has increased because of the Novel “the Island” by Victoria Hislop. Her story takes place on and around Spinalonga. It is based on true facts and stories. But it is a fictional novel.
This could make a good book for your road trip around Crete.
Planning – How to get to Spinalonga Island – Map, Boat & Tours
Where is Spinalonga island?
- The official name of the islet is actually Kalydon (as it used to be attached to it, but the Venetians transformed it into an islet)
- It is located on the North shore, along the Spinalonga peninsula
- North of the main town of Agios Nikolaos
- Below is a map to help you get oriented:
This highlight (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) is included in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Crete:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
Opening hours of Spinalonga island – first departure?
People often wonder how early can you go to Spinalonga island? When it is first departure of the day?
Well, the information is not easy to get. I talked to a lot of people there, and nobody had a straight answer…
But what I can tell you is that:
- Once you are on the island, the doors of the archaeological sites are opened at least 9am to 5:45pm (what the signed on the door said) but it can be from 8am in Summer (according to the ministry’s official website) / It is closed in Winter (November to March), according to the official website. However it may open on weekends if the weather is good.
- The first boats to arrive are from Plaka as they take the workers in.
- The first boat from Elounda normally leaves at 9:30 although it may wait for the boat to be fuller and might only leave at 10am…
How to get to Spinalonga island? Boat options
Spinalonga from Plaka
- Shortest option (only 800m away)
- Only 10min by boat
- Different boats (several companies but one departure point) – generally smaller boats
- At least every 30min
- Free carparks by the dock
- 10 euros return trip
- No online booking options
- And check out accommodation options in Plaka
Spinalonga from Elounda
- Short direct option
- 25min by boat
- Different boats (several companies but one departure point) – my boat was large enough and stable
- Departure and return every 30min
- Mix of free and not free carparks around town
- 12 euros return trip
- And check out accommodation options in Elounda
Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos
- No regular ferries
- The trips to Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos are more organized tours including a lunch and the opportunity to swim at one of the beaches along the way
- For example you can start this tour from Agios Nikolaos, and it includes a swim – check out program and book
- And check out accommodation options in Agios Nikolaos
How to get to Spinalonga island from the main towns in Crete?
You can also find day trips from several of the main towns in Crete (Rethymno, Heraklion, Malia…). They include the bus and the boat, and often a tour guide on the island.
Check out the options on GetYourguide and book
or Check out the options on Viator and book (different departure cities)
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Arriving at Spinalonga by boat
I chose the boat from Elounda where we were staying.
The crossing was easy with nice views of the peninsula and of the large island of Kalydon.
The landscape is arid and the water turquoise.
The island is in view from Elounda. So you know where you are going.
It gets bigger and bigger as you approach. But it really is a small island.
Because the island is located in a well protected bay, the boat trips from Plaka and Elounda are very smooth on quiet waters.
From Agios Nikolaos it can be less calm because it sails on the other side of the island.
As you arrive, you can see many boats docked there.
To your right is a café and toilets. I did not see any inside the fortifications, so I recommend making good use of them
And the, big surprise for many people, you still have to pay to enter the archeological site.
The boat companies are independent of this national site. So you have to pay for the boat crossing + the entrance.
Adult entrance fee for Spinalonga is 8 euros.
The whole island is fortified, so there is nowhere to go to if you don’t pay to get inside.
Touring the fortifications of Spinalonga
Once inside there are many things you can do: tour the fortifications, climb to the top, explore the ghost town or visit the small museum.
My favorite part was touring the fortifications.
I love the mix of turquoise water, rocks and walls
Spinalonga Map
Everywhere you go around, you will see a map that indicates where you are standing, the name and the date of the construction.
Most of the tour group I saw started at the museum and toured the island counterclockwise. So I recommend doing the opposite if you are by yourselves 🙂
Tunnel
You first go through a tunnel which puts you in the state of mind right away. You are entering another world with a long history.
Bastions and fortification walls
Then you walk all around.
The path is generally even and quite flat. It takes 20min if you just walk around not exploring every platform and wall. Longer otherwise 🙂
From one side, you can enjoy views of Kalydon island (to which Spinalonga used to be attached before the Venetian separated it).
And on the other side, you can see mainland not far ways, with the peninsula of Spinalonga.
North of Plaka, it remains quite wild with only a track heading north.
Climb to the tower
If you feel fit, you can also climb to the top of the tower and enjoy the views.
I did not.
But in the picture below you can see some stairs heading in the right direction.
For the tour of the fortifications, all shoes would do. But if you want to climb, I recommend sports or hiking shoes.
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
Museum and history of Spinalonga (Venetians, Ottomans and Leper colony)
The museum of Spinalonga
Near the end of the tunnel, you will spot colorful doors. This is where the museum stands.
You can find boards outside and inside each houses to learn about the different eras of the island.
Olous, the ancient town of Elounda, was an important harbor.
History under Venetian and Ottoman rules
Actually the history date back to even earlier, as traces from Minoan and Hellenistic times have been found.
The building of fortifications on Spinalonga started in 1574. Venetians wanted to protect themselves from the Turks who invaded Cyprus and were looking to expand. when the Turks invaded Cyprus. It would also protect the salterns of Elounda. This version of the fort remains as such with only alteration until the Cretan war (1645 – 1669).
After the loss in 1669, Spinalonga still remained under the control of Venice who was hoping to be able to get Crete back.
But in 1715, the Turks took over the island. At the beginning, they used it as an exile location.
But later, a settlement established on the island, and in the 19th century it became a port. It is believed that the number of families grew from 80 in the 1830s to over 200 in the 1880s (you will see remains of 2-storey houses and shops from that period).
At the end of the 19th century, major political changes and the revolution happened and French military forces took over the island for a year.
The island was then abandoned…
The leper colony of Spinalonga
…but not for long!
In 1903, the Cretan State gathered all lepers who lived near major cities and brought them to Spinalonga.
It became a leper colony (with people even brought from the rest of Greece).
At the beginning conditions on the island were horrible. They had no medications, no care and it became a large cemetery.
But later came doctors, nurses, priest… The lepers lived in the houses from the Turkish settlement and other built more recently. The village of Plaka developed just across on the mainland so as to serve the colony.
The colony eneded up playing a significant roles during the 2nd World war as it was occupied by the Italian and Germans. They did not dare enter the island and were forced to take care of them, so that they stayed on the island. This way, they were left alone and were able to operate illegal radio.
in 1957, with the discovery of antibiotics and after all lepers were cured, the leper colony closed and the island was deserted.
The Games of Spinalonga
One of the interesting rooms not to miss in the museum is the one with the recovered games of Spinalonga.
Board games were incised on rock surfaces and floors. These were found all around the island.
81 games have been found during conservation work!
Some of them are strategy games others games of skills.
Some are explained in the museum.
Abandoned Village on the island of Spinalonga
And near the museum, you can visit the abandoned village and its many buildings :
- A cistern from the Venetian areas, an some more recent ones,
- Old houses,
- the hospital in and around the mosque of the Ottoman settlement,
- Garnison building later used as a desinfection area
- …
Map of Spinalonga settlement
In the settlement, you can find a big map listing all 47 buildings and things to see on the islet.
Spinalonga Beach
In the middle of the settlement you will see a gate near the Garnison buidling / desinfection area.
There you will find some tamarisk tree and the “spinalonga beach”.
Although the mainland is only 800m away, it is not recommended to swim through, as there are strong currents and frequent boats.
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
Churches of Spinalonga
According to the map, there are 3 churches on the island but I spotted only 2…
On the opposite side of the settlement is the small church of Saint George nearby the Ottoman cemetery.
In the middle of the settlement, you can find the church of Saint Panteleimon.
This is where the priest lived amongst the leper (although he was not one).
Every year, people to the island for the holy pilgrimage to Saint Panteleimon in order to commemorate their relatives who died on the island.
The village of Plaka, Crete
As I said earlier, just across the island, the village of Plaka developed to serve the leper colony.(Note: Plaka is a very common name for villages in Greece)
It has a perfect view of the settlement on the island, which change colors as the sun sets down.
You can find a few accommodations there, including a 5 star hotel. Check out accommodation options in Plaka
The seafront is full of restaurants with exquisite views and good seafood.
It is a very small village with one main street and its 2-storey houses.
It also has a small beach:
Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?
- 40 best landscapes in Crete (in pictures) – read article
- 20 best things to do in Crete – read article
- The 27 best beaches in Crete – read article
- The most beautiful archaeological sites – read article
- The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete – read article
- The best destinations in Crete, where to stay – read article
- Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary – read article
- Tips for driving around Crete – read article
- The most beautiful boat trips around Crete – read article
- Chania or Heraklion or Rethymno – where to go? – read article
Planning a trip to Crete?
Check out my travel guide eBook to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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I have never heard of this place before but it has a crazy name – Spinalonga!! Thanks for the photos and for sharing inspiration to maybe one day visit it. Safe travels. Jonny
Thank you for the lovely photographs and information.
I have read Victoria Hislop’s book The Island which made a lasting impression on me. I will love to travel to Spinalonga and Crete.
This is a very interesting place.
I wish you wonderful travels!