Why You Will Love to Visit Spinalonga Island, Lasithi
How to visit Spinalonga, boat trips and guided visits, why to explore Spinalonga island in Crete. Find out everything about Spinalonga.
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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 Agios Nikolaos. However, there’s more to Spinalonga than that. The island’s tragic past and rich history fascinate everyone who visits.
They even inspired author Victoria Hislop to write The Island, a best-seller since its publication. If you plan to visit, keep these tips handy for a day trip to Spinalonga Island.
Important Information About Spinalonga
The small islet of Spinalonga is one of Crete’s most popular tourist destinations, receiving many visitors, especially during the summer months. It’s a fortified island that you can visit in about one hour. 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).
LOCATION
The Island of Spinalonga, also officially known as Kalydon, is on the Gulf of Elounda, along the coast of the Spinalonga peninsula (also known locally as Big Spinalonga, Kalydon, or Kolokitha). It’s in the regional unit of Lasithi, eastern Crete, very close to Agios Nikolaos, the region’s capital city.
DISTANCES
- 67 km (41 mi) from Heraklion.
- 15,5 km (9.6 mi) from Agios Nikolaos.
- 4,8 km (3 mi) from Elounda.
- 800 m (0.5 mi) from Plaka.
OPENING HOURS
- From April 1st until October 31st, 8.30 a.m. – 8.30 p.m., daily
- According to the official website, Spinalonga is closed in winter (Nov – Mar) but opens on weekends with good weather conditions. Call +30 28410 22462 / 28361 for more accurate information, or check this site.
ENTRANCE FEE
Full ticket โฌ20, This fee is paid on the island.
The boat ticket is paid separately.
Boats: The first boats of the day depart from Plaka at around 9 a.m. The first departures from Elounda are from 9.30 to 10 in the morning.
Important Notice on Entrance Fees (2025 Update)
Visitor fees at many archaeological sites in Crete have increased sharply in 2025. For example:
- Knossos: from โฌ15 to โฌ20 (+33.3%)
- Spinalonga: from โฌ8 to โฌ20 (+150%)
These changes have caught many travelers by surprise, so itโs best to verify ticket prices before your visit.
While supporting conservation is essential, the scale of these increases has raised understandable concerns among visitors and culture lovers alike.
Although I strive to keep this blog up to date, itโs not always possible to track fee changes for every site across the island. Always double-check prices through official channels or on-site.
Maps
These maps will help you understand the position of Spinalonga on the Mirabello Gulf and the size of the island.
Visiting Spinalonga
It’s quite simple to visit Spinalonga if you’re traveling around the Lasithi region, especially for those staying in Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and the nearby villages of Neapolis or Mochlos, or the mountain villages of Kritsa and Kroustas.
Day Trip to Spinalonga Island
You can book a day trip or organized tour from Heraklion and Sitia. Or you can also get to nearby Plaka or Elounda by car. Check out how to get from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos here.
Suppose you want to travel to Spinalonga from Rethymno or Chania. In that case, I recommend spending the night in Agios Nikolaos and using the extra day to explore the area.
There are different boat trips available to reach Spinalonga. Boats depart from the nearby small village of Plaka and the ports of Elounda and Ormos (in Agios Nikolaos). Let’s see them in detail:
Boat from Plaka to Spinalonga
Departing from Plaka is the fastest and cheapest way to reach Spinalonga. The tiny village of Plaka is located right in front of the islet, less than half a mile away (under one km). The boat trip from Plaka lasts 10 minutes or less. Remember, however, that this option is unavailable from October to March.
The ticket from Plaka is โฌ12 per person. If you travel in a big group, it’s a good idea to talk with the private association Boat Owners of Plaka to agree on a better price. Check with Plaka Boat Coop for more details and an official timetable.
Boat Trip to Spinalonga Island from Elounda
The most convenient way to reach Spinalonga is from Elounda. Head to the port, opposite the village’s main square, and choose one of the many 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. Arriving early will help you beat the crowds.
We booked our tour with this company, and it was a great surprise to see that the boat circles around Spinalonga before docking at the islet’s jetty. This offers great photo opportunities and a different perspective of the island you would otherwise miss. Check booking info and availability here.
The ticket from Elounda is โฌ15 per person. When departing from Elounda, it’s fairly easy to agree on how much time you want to spend on the island since many boats cover 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. This trip is not available off-season.
>> Click here for the day cruise from Agios to Spinalonga.
>> This day trip from Agios departs at midday and is perfect for combining the visit with a swim in the Gulf of Mirabello. It’s also very affordable in the area.
These organized trips normally last several hours. They are a little expensive, but they include a swim and BBQ on the beautiful beach of Kolokitha (Spinalonga peninsula).
Day Tour from Heraklion to Spinalonga
If you stay in Heraklion, you can choose a day tour and drive to Elounda. You will explore Spinalonga with an official guide (perfect for asking as many questions as possible). After the visit, the itinerary also includes stops in Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, and Elounda.
Viator is an international tour aggregator that offers convenient day trips to Spinalonga. Always check the reviews and available dates (and languages) before booking!
The History of Spinalonga
According to different sources, Spinalonga was an area protecting the port of the ancient city of Olous, today partly submerged and known as Elounda.
Different findings have been discovered in this ancient, important city, for instance, ruins can still be observed on the Kolokitha Peninsula, a few minutes from modern-day Elounda.
Spinalonga, a place of remarkable strategic importance, was also occupied during the two Byzantine periods. Crete was under the rule of the Byzantine Empire from the late antique period (3rd century) to the Andalusian exiles’ conquest in the late 820s. The second Byzantine Period extends from the island’s reconquest in 961 to its capture by the competing forces of Genoa and Venice (1204).
During the Venetian times (1205โ1669), when Crete became the Kingdom of Candia, Spinalonga’s grandeur was further enhanced.
The Venetian Period of Spinalonga
With its saltworks and strategic location, Elounda was a crucial port for the Venetians. It facilitated their salt production and was a bustling commercial hub for Venetian merchants.
Due to its unique position in the Mediterranean, Crete was constantly threatened by piracy. The looming presence of the Ottoman Empire further necessitated the fortification of areas near strategic ports, a measure implemented in the main cities and on the islands off the northern coast, such as 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 conquered Crete more than 45 years before.
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 conquered Crete more than 45 years before.
The Ottoman Period of Spinalonga
Following a siege, the Venetians surrendered Spinalonga to the Ottomans in 1715. The Venetian garrison left. The remaining 600 inhabitants were taken as prisoners.
From 1715 onwards, Spinalonga was settled by Muslims, who built mosques and their houses on the foundations of older Venetian buildings.
Many Turks 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 Spinalonga’s history starts with the establishment, in 1903, of a leper colony that remained active until 1957. Since a cure for leprosy had not been found, the affected people were sent to live isolated on Spinalonga.
Despite its long and turbulent history, today, Spinalonga is mainly known as the Leper Island or (sadly enough) the Island of the Living Dead.
DID YOU KNOW? The word leprosy comes from the Greek word ฮปฮญฯฮฟฯ (lรฉpos) โ skin and ฮปฮตฯฮตฯฯฯ (leperรณs) โ scaly man (source: >> Wikipedia).
Without a cure, leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) 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 world areas, islands were also usually devoted as a leprosarium.
An island like Spinalonga was ideal: It was close to Crete, allowing 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 passed, 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 to treat 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, but a priest remained until 1962 to maintain the Greek Orthodox traditions 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 site since the 1970s. Today, you can visit the colony and the museum, which exhibits artifacts from different periods of Spinalonga’s history.
The Book About Spinalonga
Although there is more than one book about Spinalonga, I prefer Spinalongaโthe True Story, a documentary by the local author Anna Giakoumaki. It was written after over 10 years of research and is mostly based on true documents.
However, The Island was the book that put Spinalonga in front of a massive audience. It was written by Victoria Hislop. It’s mostly a fictional novel based on the history of the leper colony. One of Greece’s most famous TV series, To Nisi, was based on this book. You can watch the series online here.
What to See on Spinalonga Island
Before deciding what to see on Spinalonga, it is important to understand that different historical periods lived together on the same island. This is paramount to comprehending its significance, not just as a leper colony. The chart below can help differentiate what to see and its historical relevance.
| VENETIAN PERIOD | – Venetian Fortress: fortification walls, gates, demi-lines, bastions, and semi-bastions. – Venetian Camp: garrison (disinfection chamber), vaulted cisterns, gunpowder magazines. |
| OTTOMAN PERIOD | – Ottoman shops, the marketplace, and different buildings. – Residences from the period were typically two-story buildings with a courtyard and high stone walls. **(See the 3D reconstruction below). – Remains of the Ottoman cemetery can be seen in the museum. |
| CHURCHES | – Agios Panteleimon – Agios Nikolaos – Agios Giorgos |
| LEPER COLONY PERIOD | – Hospital – Dormitories – Cemetery and ossuary – Disinfection chamber |
| MUSEUM | – Located inside the shops from the Ottoman period. The exhibitions display objects from all eras. |
** Check out the 3D reconstruction in this video published on YouTube by the Spinalonga Island website:
These are some Spinalonga sights and places you cannot overlook on the island:
The Tunnel
Over the years, this has been known as Dante’s Gate or the Tunnel of Tears; in fact, those going through this passage were certain they were destined to remain forever on the island. Consequently, this entrance was their last connection with the rest of the world and the beginning of a completely new and unknown life.
Spinalonga had three entrances:
- The main gate that lepers used to enter the island is the same gate you will use as a visitor. It is known as Dante’s Gate.
- A second entrance is close to the disinfection chamber and gives access to a tiny pebbled shore. The supplies that arrived on the island entered Spinalonga through this gate. This western gate is also known as Porta Maestra.
- The Carbonara Gate (or Portello del Piano) dates from 1586 and was the main entrance to the second fortification zone.
The Turkish Marketplace and the Museum
Right after the tunnel and inside the colony, you will notice a line of small buildings painted in different colors that were once part of the Turkish marketplace.
These shops and cafes feature large doors and an additional upper floor that may have been used for storage. Historical records from the period immediately before the Leper Colony show that the island had over 100 merchants, including grocers, butchers, coffee sellers, shoemakers, and tobacco sellers, that settled on this main street and probably along the dock.
The restored shops now host permanent exhibitions showcasing findings from different eras (the board games found are impressive!) and some medical instruments related to the leper colony.
The Settlement and the Hospital
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 (now closed to the public), standing higher over the road.
You can also see wood ovens in some houses, a Venetian cistern, and the Venetian garrison that, during the Leper Colony, was used as a disinfection chamber.
>> 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.
THE HOSPITAL
The Leper Colony had a hospital in an abandoned Ottoman mosque (built over a former Catholic church). The building featured a reception area, a kitchen, and a storage room, while certain rooms served as nursing wards.
THE DISINFECTION CHAMBER
Located immediately close to the western main gate stands one of the best-preserved Venetian buildings, dating from 1580.
The building features a barrel vault on its roof with an opening that served as a ventilator to the chamber. In Venetian times, the garrison was used as an accommodation room for soldiers on duty but served as a disinfection chamber in the Leper Colony period (1904-1957). The chamber features a furnace used to disinfect objects transferred outside the island.
The Churches on Spinalonga
SAINT PANTELEIMON
You will encounter the first church as you follow the main road in the middle of the settlement on the island’s western side. It is dedicated to Saint Panteleimon, the Healer, and to a priest who lived on the island.
This three-naved Orthodox church was founded in 1709, only six years before the Ottoman conquest of Spinalonga. However, additions and renovations were made during the Leper Colony period (early 150s) with donations from the patients living on the island.
Saint Panteleimon was the patron saint of the leper patients, and even today, every year, a pilgrimage is made to the church to commemorate those who suffered and died on the island.
SAINT NICHOLAS
High up the main road and close to the hospital stands the second church of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos. Often overlooked by tourists because it is a bit off the trail, this is the only building on Spinalonga from the early Venetian period, even before the fortification walls were built by the Venetians.
The remains of the building include traces of frescoes dating back to the 14th century depicting the Supplication and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. This was the first church in the fortress used by the Venetians. At times, it is used as a powder magazine.
SAINT GEORGE
Opposite the cemetery, on the eastern side of Spinalonga, is a small Orthodox church dedicated to Agios Giorgos (Saint George). This church dates from the Cretan War period (1645-1669) and was probably inaugurated in 1661.
The church functioned as a residence during the Ottoman era, while during the Leper Colony period, it was renovated and dedicated to Saint George. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of the nearby peninsula, the sea, and the bastions of Spinalonga.
The Cemetery
Located on the northeastern bastion (known as Donato Bastion), this part of the island was made into a cemetery during the first years of the Leper Colony. This is one of the most touching places on the island, with a few graves bearing no names and a plaque in memory of all those who suffered, hoped, lived, and perished on the Greek island of Spinalonga. There’s also a small ossuary on the bastion.
During your visit, it is particularly significant to look to the shore to understand what the island’s people might have felt being so close to and yet so far from the land.
Practical Tips to Visit Spinalonga
Unless you visit in winter, Spinalonga is hot and arid because there’s little shade. There’s just one place to get cold drinks (therefore rather expensive). We visited on a sunny November day, and the temperatures were about 30 ยฐC (86 ยฐF).
- Carry plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
- Depending on your interest, an hour should be enough for a visit.
I took plenty of time to take pictures and see the museum in detail. And then, I also walked the different routes. For that reason, it took me two hours to see the island, but you can easily see it in less time. Maps and signposts are available and are exposed all over the island’s itineraries.
Since it’s an archaeological site, alcohol and smoking are forbidden from the main gate until you exit via the cemetery door. Visiting with pets, wearing a swimsuit, using tripods, or flying drones over the island is also forbidden.
>> In Winter, the island closes at 2.30 p.m., and the entrance ticket price is reduced.
Where to Stay Near Spinalonga
Along the coast of Plaka and Elounda, there are endless accommodation opportunities. You will find some of Greece’s most exclusive resorts and villas in this area. However, Agios Nikolaos seems to be the most sensible place to stay since the city offers plenty to do, many restaurants, and more affordable prices.
If you’re on a budget, check the prices and availability of these Agios Nikolaos hotels:
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Best Tips to Visit Spinalonga Island, Crete
Gabi, the Crete Insider
Hi, Iโm Gabi โ your go-to local expert in Crete! Iโve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and Iโve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion โ guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.
I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.
