Hi Steve.
Welcome to HT.

The island of Spinalonga established as a leper colony in 1903 and until recent as 1957 is now one of Crete's main attractions.
The occupants of the island built a school,hospital,church and a small community village while they were habitants.

Spinalonga is being restored and is now been used for tourism.
Before the establishment of Spinalonga as a leper colony is was built by the Venetians, who built a fortress with surrounding walls to protect Crete's mainland from invading forces from the sea.

A trip to Spinalonga will cost you £28 approx and includes a barbeque, until recently admission was free to the site but now you are charged 2 euros.
The money raised through this is being used to restore Spinalonga.

It can be very difficult to walk around the island so wear sensible shoes and clothing to keep cool, do also take plenty of fluids.
Cheers Ken.

I will agree totaly with the historical points but i would like to correct the the price.
If you go for a trip without BBQ is 15 Euro (around 10 Pounds). if you go for the trip with BBQ it will be 20 Euro (around 14 Pounds).
The prices i gave are those that are now in the market for tourists that book directly with local companies and not reps.
there is also another company that does the tour but withoug a guide and it costs even less.

Thanks for the infomation

my friend told me a little bit about the island (nicknamed leprosy island), is it worth a visit? i have 2 teenagers with me, do you think it will be ok for them?

Its only a short boat trip out from Elounda...takes maybe a couple of hours at most to visit...hit it at the right time when not to many visitors around and its quite an affecting place...but really all it is on old fort and a collection of ruined buildings which offer a glimpse at what must have been a very harsh existence. Whether teenagers might enjoy it or not I don't know. I first went in my early twenties with a bunch of mates and we all felt it was worth the visit.

I've seen other visitors combine it as part of a longer boat trip from Ag Nick

We went to the Island on a boat trip from Ag Nick not arranged through the tour operator. I have to say we had a wonderful guide and it made the history of the island very interesting. If you do not have a guide then it is just a jumble of buildings.

I must agree with the previous comment, that a guide actually brings the Island story to life.

Book it yourself in Aga Nik. Its a lot cheaper than going through a holiday rep and easy enough to get to Aga Nik by public transport.

Thanks for your great advice everyone. liz x

i will agree with others about the trip and that the guide makes everything worth and interesting. one thing though is that if we are talking about the woman guide she will not be working there next year and to those i have said it they are all sad as she really does a good job.

Hi i am looking to go to Crete this year, staying in Stallis, i have been to Crete before and stayed in Malia. One thing i missed that i'd like to do is go to Spinalonga island. Just wondering how to get there from Stalis, is it easy enough?!

you can book in the resort and go with a guided tour or cheaper catch the bus to ag nik which is regular and book on to a boat at the harbour done it that way twice with no problem.
Rick.

hi we were in Stalis last year ,we caught the local bus to Ag Nik 5.60euros for the two of us return, then the trip to Spinalonga, what a fantastic trip it was, once you have done it, it will stay with you, it was one of the best trips we did whilst there. I am sure you will enjoy
Margaret(madmum)

If you have a car and can get to Elounda, then drive around the bay towards Plaka, a small fishing village, about 5-10 mins away there is a jetty where you can get a small boat to the Island. It costs hardly anything and we didnt have to wait or queue with loads of people if you would if you went on the coach etc.

will agree with everyone. really nice one and it gets better after they start renovations some years ago. from Agios Nikolaos for the 2006 season the best tourist quide Lana will no longer be there. she was fab!!! i have been to spinalonga and one day when i was talking to her she made me feel like i have to see it again.
From elounda also easy with boat, and from Plaka if you have a car. i prefere the plaka one even if the quide might not be the best of (always in comparison to Lana). just take a bottle of water with you and a hat as it does get hot there in the summer. its like sun trap....

Get the local bus from Stallis to Aga Nik is an experiance in itself, breakfast on the quayside and then on to Spinnalonga a really pleasent day out, but as stated before water and a hat are really a must, as there is very little shade there I seem to recall.

I've seen people on here rave about it? We have young boys - 4 and 2 - are they age appropriate? Would it take ages from Rethymnon?
What other good excurions are there for young kids??

Michaelsmum,I think Spinalonga will be about 4 hours drive from where you are staying and there is nothing of interest there for children.It is an island just off Elounda that was a leper colony years ago.We visited when we were staying in Elounda.I enjoyed walking around the island and looking at the ruins of the building but I wouldnt go from where you are staying,especially with children,Jay.

great trip - it is really fascinating and surprisingly beautiful but it really isn't for young children. If nothing else, there are times when there is just no shade.

Definately not for the kids.

If you are looking for a day out drive over to Hersonissos and visit Starbeach. You cannot miss it as is on main round to Ag Nik just after driving thru the town.

http://www.starbeach.gr

ian