The fortress island
Spinalonga: the island of the fortress and the leper colony
A short boat from the eastern resorts to one of the most atmospheric places in Greece.
See Crete day trips on GetYourGuide ↗ Why Spinalonga stays with you
Spinalonga is a small fortified island in the Gulf of Mirabello, off the eastern resorts of Elounda and Plaka. The Venetians built a formidable sea fortress here in the 16th century, and its walls still ring the island. But what gives Spinalonga its particular weight is its last chapter: from 1903 to 1957 it was a leper colony — one of the last in Europe — and you walk through the actual streets, houses, church and hospital of the people who were sent to live out their lives here. It is beautiful and sombre at once, and the story lingers long after the boat back.
The story, and why so many visitors know it
Many people arrive already knowing Spinalonga through Victoria Hislop's novel The Island, which is set here and made the colony's history famous to a wide readership. You do not need to have read it, but it explains why the island draws such crowds and why a good guide adds so much: the ruins are quiet, and the human history — how the community organised itself, kept a shop and a café, married and buried its own — is what turns a walk round some old walls into something you remember. Give yourself time to walk the full loop rather than rushing the first few houses.
How you get there
Spinalonga is reached only by boat, and the crossings are short. The nearest departure is from the little harbour at Plaka, almost opposite the island; there are also regular boats from Elounda and longer, more scenic sailings from Agios Nikolaos that make a half-day of it. That makes the eastern towns — Agios Nikolaos and Elounda — the natural base for this trip. From the western resorts around Chania it is a long drive across the island, which is why Spinalonga usually pairs with an eastern stay rather than a west-coast one.
Practicalities on the island
There is an entrance fee to the island itself, sometimes separate from your boat fare, so check what your ticket covers. Wear proper shoes — the paths are stone, uneven and can be slippery — and bring a hat, water and sun cover, because shade is limited and the fortress bakes in summer. Allow around an hour and a half to two hours on the island to do the full circuit justice. There are no shops to speak of once you are there, so carry what you need, and factor the return boat times into your plan so you are not rushing the last stretch.
Tour or do it yourself
This one works well either way, and the right choice depends on where you are staying. If you are based in the east near Elounda or Agios Nikolaos, you can simply take a local boat and explore independently, ideally hiring a guide on the island for the history. If you are further west, or you want the story told well without arranging the pieces, an organised trip that bundles the transfer, the boat and a guide is the easier route. Booking through this site compares those Spinalonga trips on GetYourGuide, with free cancellation and the price shown in your currency.
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