
Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 20 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion worth booking?
Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion is a 10-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $57 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 20 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (20)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $57 per person
Originally, Spinalonga was not an island – it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation the island was carved out of the coast for defence purposes and a fort was built there. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island.The island has also been used as a leper colony. Spinalonga has appeared in novels, television series, and a short film. This excursion is a perfect option for those who want to combine land & sea tours. You will also have the opportunity to visit the eastern part of Crete, Agios Nikolaos, a small town with a picturesque harbour and the island of Spinalonga.
What you get
About this experience
Originally, Spinalonga was not an island – it was part of the island of Crete. During Venetian occupation the island was carved out of the coast for defence purposes and a fort was built there. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island.The island has also been used as a leper colony. Spinalonga has appeared in novels, television series, and a short film. This excursion is a perfect option for those who want to combine land & sea tours. You will also have the opportunity to visit the eastern part of Crete, Agios Nikolaos, a small town with a picturesque harbour and the island of Spinalonga.
What's included
Included
- Boat Ticket
- Drop Off
- Hotel Pick up
- Snack Box
- Guide
- Transportation
Not included
- Tips
- Personal Expenses
- Spinalonga Entrance: 20 euro per person
What you'll see and do
Malia
Our tour starts with a visit at the Olive Factory In Malia, there you can taste the famous Cretan Olive oil.
60 minutes here
Spinalonga (Kalydon)
By boat we visit the island of Spinalonga. This island was used as a Leper Colony until 1957. In the small village under the Venetian fortress the stigmatised lepers shared fates when exiled to the island. We make a stop to take a swim in the clean waters of Kolokitha beach in the area of the remains of the ancient sunken city of Olous.
300 minutes here
Agios Nikolaos
We visit the eastern part of the island. Passing through Heraklio, we reach Agios Nikolaos, a small town with a picturesque harbour. The hilly town is built around a former sweet water lake.
180 minutes here
Elounda
Elounda port, take the boat to Spinalonga
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion
Pickup included
French Tour
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MTM Experiences
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual
- Please note that hotel pick up/ drop off is included only for the preselected areas. You will receive a confirmation email with your pick up location and time. If you have not received it till 24 hours prior to your activity's date please do contact your local supplier.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 20 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
20 verified traveler reviews for Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very nice tour.
The tour and stops in the villages were very good. But we thought it would be English speaking guide only. The guide had to speak several languages for many guests and that took extra time away from the tour, especially in Spinalonga, for touring.
via Tripadvisor
A must for a visit
We had already read the book about Spinalonga and felt privileged to have visited the island. It was everything we hope it would be. The tool lady did talk for half an hour which was a needed arrival at the island
via Tripadvisor
Agios Nicolaus and Spinalonga
Fabulous and interesting day with Spiridon Tours where we visited the very pretty Nicolaus Agios and Spinalonga island. The tour was well organised, the ferry 20 minutes and the island really interesting. Well worth a day out! Take a tour and expect to start early! Spinalonga is not easily reached from Rethymnon.
via Tripadvisor
Might Be Better to Drive Yourself if Coming from Heraklion
I went on the Spinalonga- Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion Tour in early July 2022 with my bf. They picked us up in an Orange Travel bus with a "Spinalonga" sign in front. I booked the tour through TripAdvisor which states that the tour operator was MTM D.M.C Ltd so there was quite a bit of confusion and the bus drove off to park down the street from us. Thankfully, we chases after it and check again and found that our name was on the list, even though it was spelled incorrectly (which apparently is pretty normal in Greece). We were the 2nd group to be picked up out of a group of maybe 10 of other stops. It took us over an hour and a half to pick everyone else up for the tour to actually begin. Because of this, we were also the last ones off the bus after dropping everyone else off. I wish they included an optional section under the inclusion section of the tour descriptions for bringing a bathing suit for a potential dip in the water. Because I did not see an option to go swimming in the ticket booking in the TripAdvisor app, we didn't bring a swimsuit for the occasion. The lunch was a soulvaki pork sandwich that did not include any kind of drink at all. I would recommend either bringing money to buy one or bringing your own for the trip. The only bottle of water that was given to us was near the end of the tour when we got to the Agios Nikolaos Lake. The water was not cold, nor was there a restroom in the chartered bus the tour was in. The tour guide, Eva, was nice but it was difficult to understand her at times. I ended up falling asleep when she would give her lectures. All in all, you really get what you pay for. The whole experience wouldn't have been as bad if you were picked up towards the beginning of the tour around 9AM. My bf and I were picked up at 7:35AM at the Ligo krassi ligo thalassa restaurant.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent excursion
We were picked up right in front of the hotel just as specified when we booked this trip. The trip started kind slow as the bus picked up more people along the way to east coast but this also had its charm. Once we arrived at Elouda, the boat took us to one of the best small beaches Crete has to offer. While we had fun, lunch was prepared - steak, salad, cheese, bread, and a choice of a drink ; wine or orange juice-. Afterwards the boat took us to Spinaloga where the tour guide provided us with lots of information on Crete and the island's history. Once we landed back at Elouda, the bus proceeded to St Nicholas for time enough for a drink and to take pictures. It was a long trip from Herakleio but it was worth it. It was the best excursion of the ones I took during this trip. I highly recommend it.
Response from the operator: Dear Guest, We appreciate your comments regarding your recent trip. It is always a pleasure to receive such a positive feedback. Such comments are very encouraging for all of us and enhance even more our commitment for constant upgrade of our services. Looking forward to see you again in the near future to one of our tours and until then, we wish you all the best!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Fri
- Price range
- $57 to $72
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by MTM Experiences, who run 69 experiences we rank across 13 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.3.
See everything MTM Experiences runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion cost?
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Prices start at $57 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Heraklion usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Heraklion is not rushed.
Is Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 20 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Heraklion, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Heraklion can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Heraklion and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Heraklion within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Heraklion?
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On Outty we rank every Heraklion experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages-Olive Oil Factory, Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Zeus Cave, Villages, Olive Oil Tour, Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Heraklion?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Heraklion?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion?
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Included: Boat Ticket; Drop Off; Hotel Pick up; Snack Box; and Guide. Not included: Tips; Personal Expenses; and Spinalonga Entrance: 20 euro per person. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 47 listed pickup locations in and around Heraklion. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Heraklion. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion?
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Across 20 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos From Heraklion, French Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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