
Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 47 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region worth booking?
Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region is a 8-hour experience in Heraklion, Greece, from $71 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 47 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (47)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $71 per person
• An exciting journey along the north-eastern coast of Crete with a boat trip along the picturesque Mirabello bay. • Accompanied by a professional guide, you will stroll through the streets of the Venetian castle and learn about the interesting history of the fortified island of Spinalonga. • Continuing your voyage, the ship will moor in Colokita Bay, where you will have free time for lunch and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Mirabello Bay. • A walk through the snow-white town of AGIOS NIKOLAOS, with many souvenir shops and boutiques around the bottomless lake Vouliazmeni.
What you get
About this experience
• An exciting journey along the north-eastern coast of Crete with a boat trip along the picturesque Mirabello bay. • Accompanied by a professional guide, you will stroll through the streets of the Venetian castle and learn about the interesting history of the fortified island of Spinalonga. • Continuing your voyage, the ship will moor in Colokita Bay, where you will have free time for lunch and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Mirabello Bay. • A walk through the snow-white town of AGIOS NIKOLAOS, with many souvenir shops and boutiques around the bottomless lake Vouliazmeni.
What's included
Included
- Pick-up from your hotel (at the specific tourist bus stop, outside of the hotel. No more than 800 m)
- Information about the route and Agios Nikolaos during the bus ride, excursion on Spinalona island.
- Boat ticket and lunch - Child (4-12) EUR 7.50 per person
- Transfer with air-conditioned bus
- Boat ticket and Lunch citizens over 12 years old EUR 15.00 per person
Not included
- Ticket entrance to Spinalonga (discounts apply for some age groups)
What you'll see and do
Spinalonga (Kalydon)
The island of Spinalonga (Greek: Σπιναλόγκα) is located in the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete. 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. In addition to the abandoned leper colony and the fortress, Spinalonga is known for its small pebble beaches and shallow waters.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Enjoy your swim in the crystal clear waters of Kolokytha bay. Enjoy together with your kids!
90 minutes here
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a medium-size town with a small-town feel, one that has lots to offer. It faces the sea at three points: The Lake and port, Kitroplatia beach and the Marina. Lake Voulismeni at Agios Nikolaos is definitely movie-making material. Locals still recall how the Germans sunk their weapons during their retreat from Crete in the Second World War. Another local legend claims that the lake is bottomless. Whatever you believe, you will lose yourself in the lake’s mystical beauty. It is surrounded and overlooked by cafes and restaurants - a busy gathering place for local residents and visitors.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Pick-up Area 2/ Italian
From Heraklion West region:: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Pick-up Area 2
From Heraklion West region:: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Pick-up Area 1/ English, Dutch
From Heraklion West region:: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Pick-up Area 1/Russian
From Heraklion East region:: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi Pickup included
Pick-up Area 2 /Russian
From Heraklion West region:: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Pick-up Area 2/Polish language
From Heraklion West region:: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi Pickup included
Area 1/English, Dutch
Pickup included
Pick-up Area 1/Italian
From Heraklion East region:: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi Pickup included
Pick-up Area 1/Polish language
From Heraklion East region: Pickup included
Pick-up Area 1
From Heraklion East region:: Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, en, it, pl, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Status MLB Travel Agency
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket.
- After booking we will contact you to arrange the pick-up. Please, note, if you do not provide your pick-up details up to 24 hours before the tour, we do not guarantee the pick-up. For pick-up from different location, please, contact us.
- Pick-up from the specific bus stops next to the hotels. From Area 1: all the villages between Amudara/Heraklion/Karteros/Amnissos/Kokkini Hani/Gournes/Gouves/Analipsi/Anissaras/Hersonissos/Stalida/Malia/Sissi
- Area 2: Sises/Fodele/Agia Pelagia/Ligaria/Achlada/Mades/Ammoudi/Rodia/Palaiokastro/Pantanassa /Linoperamata/Gazi
- Monday: English, German, French, Polish
- Tuesday: English, Polish, Russian
- Wednesday: English, German, French, Polish
- Thursday: English, French, Polish, Russian, Italian
- Friday: English, German, French, Polish
- Saturday: English, German, Dutch
- Sunday: English, French, German, Polish
Photos




What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 47 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 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
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
47 verified traveler reviews for Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The guide excellent. She...
The guide excellent. She was very knowledgeable and spoke fluent English, French, and German. The tour met my expectations.
via Viator
The worst tour I did in Greece
Sadly, this tour was my only regret when visiting Greece, and my friends and I all agree that it should be avoided. The tour guide was nice, and Spinalonga island itself is pretty interesting. But the way the tour is set up was just an absolute nightmare and huge waste of time. Since I'm the one who booked it, I had to apologize profusely to my friends who got stuck along for the ride. We got picked up in Heraklion, so we were the first ones to get on (and off) a completely full double-decker bus that we would be stuck on for the next 12+ hours. The bus is advertised as being air-conditioned, but it was very hot and everyone was dripping with sweat, pressed up against the people next to them. I watched the clock, and we spent over two hours JUST driving through crowded side streets picking different people up all over Heraklion and Malia. That's not even counting the time it took to get from destination to destination - JUST the pickups. Then we did it AGAIN dropping everyone off on the way back. The tour ran way over schedule, which ruined plans we had for later in the day. TLDR; We spent 8+ hours on an oppressively hot bus for a few hours of sightseeing and a swim. 12+ hours total made us miss out on other plans we had made. It's the only excursion my friends and I regret in Greece. Suggestion: This could be fixed by charging a little bit more money for the tour and having ONE pickup in Heraklion, ONE pickup in Malia, etc. Think about how awful the exerience is for the people who get on the bus FIRST when there are so many scattered stops.
via Tripadvisor
What a lovely day!
Such a fun trip. Our tour guide gave us great information. The stops were fun and interesting. The swimming was beautiful and refreshing, and the food was delicious. Thank-you!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your review!!
via Tripadvisor
Use a Different Company. Not Worth the Money
If you want to visit Spinalonga, use a different tour company. 1) The air conditioner on the bus didnt work on a 41C/105F day. 2) Instead of 1 central pickup locations, there were 10 separate pick-up/drop off areas that added 2 hours each way for travel with no direct pick up or drop off. 3) The “lunch” was not served until after 3:30pm even though the first pickups started at 7am. 4) The food was mediocre at best. There was uncooked veggie patties for vegetarians and dry/heavily salted pork. 5) The pick up from the boat was a 10 minute walk even though buses were allowed to pick you up at the port. 6) The Spinalonga tours are separated by language which is nice. However, there are no announcements about which language is which tour.
via Viator
Great day out
Such an interesting area with an amazing tour leader who moved between 3 languages to ensure all her guests were catered for.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for uour review!!!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Status MLB Travel Agency, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.0.
See everything Status MLB Travel Agency runsWhy this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Heraklion.
How much does Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region cost?
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Prices start at $71 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 region take?
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Plan for about 8 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 region worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 47 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 region?
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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 region suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region?
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Around 16 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region 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 region?
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Included: Pick-up from your hotel (at the specific tourist bus stop, outside of the hotel. No more t; Information about the route and Agios Nikolaos during the bus ride, excursion on Spinalona; Boat ticket and lunch - Child (4-12) EUR 7.50 per person; Transfer with air-conditioned bus; and Boat ticket and Lunch citizens over 12 years old EUR 15.00 per person. Not included: Ticket entrance to Spinalonga (discounts apply for some age groups). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 1031 listed pickup locations in and around Heraklion. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region offered in?
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It is offered in German, Russian, English, Italian, Polish and French. 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 region?
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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.
Is Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and If an infant does not sit on lap in the bus, It is necessary to pay a child ticket. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region?
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Across 47 reviews averaging 4.3 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. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos from Heraklion region?
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There are 10 options to choose from, including Pick-up Area 2/ Italian, Pick-up Area 2, Pick-up Area 1/ English, Dutch, Pick-up Area 1/Russian. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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