Dont stress about figuring out bus timetables and hunting down local boats, instead enjoy a guided tour from Heraklion to Spinalonga in a private vehicle and boat. You will need to pay for all other costs like entrance fees, boat tickets and lunch, among others. A cistern from the Venetian areas, an some more recent ones. The village flourished after the mid-19 th century, until by 1881 it housed a population of 1,112 and was the If weather is good, it is open on weekends. However, the islet is only 170 metres from Kolokytha and the water is shallow, so perhaps the Venetians did indeed carry out this project to form an impregnable island fortress. The strategic position of the rocky islet for the control and defence of Elounda harbour could not but mark Spinalonga with a turbulent history of fierce battles and much human suffering. A boat ride is a no-go if its storming or rough out at sea. As a result, people with leprosy were often sent to live in leper colonies like Spinalonga in order to prevent the spread of the disease and to isolate those affected from the rest of society. Spinalonga Adult ticket 8 , reduced ticket 4 . Tourist boats depart from all three towns on a daily basis (every 30 minutes from Elounda). However, boats from Plaka to the island usually run every 30 minutes, and it takes just five minutes to get to Spingalonga. The same applies to the islands of Chacachacare (Trinidad and Tobago), Sorok (South Korea), Fantome (Australia), Quail (New Zealand) and Culion (Philippines). WebSpinalonga (Kalydon) 4.5 9,829 reviews #1 of 22 things to do in Elounda Historic Sites Islands Closed now 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Visit website Call Email Write a review About Suggested duration 2-3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. From the 8th century till the Venetian Period, the city does not appear to have had any significant evolution. [citation needed], Olous, and accordingly the wider region, were depopulated at the middle of the 7th century because of the raids of the Arab pirates in the Mediterranean. Olounda had an important harbor and sanctuary. Entrance Fee: Adults 8.00, concession 4.00 How to get to Spinalonga From Agios Nikolaos bus station, transfer to a bus that goes to Plaka. In winter, the facility opens only on request for groups. The tours typically include round-trip boat transportation to and from Spinalonga, as well as guided tours of the island. Check out where to stay in Crete and book an accommodation of your choice. By 1881 Spinalonga was home to more than 1,000 people making it the largest Muslim trading centre of Mirabello. [4], At the end of the Ottoman occupation the island, together with the fort at Ierapetra, was the refuge of many Ottoman families that feared Christian reprisals. WebSpinalonga discounts - what to see at Elounda - check out 5 reviews and 19 photos for Spinalonga - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Spinalonga Spinalonga attraction reviews - Spinalonga tickets - Spinalonga discounts - Spinalonga transportation, address, opening hours - attractions, hotels, and food near Spinalonga - Trip.com Time Required: 04:00 Hrs. WebFrom April 1st until October 31th Opening hours 08:30-18:00 daily Tuesday: open. It is very beautiful. The island is open from 8 AM to 6 PM for some public holidays. WebSpinalonga (Greek: ) is an island located in the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete, in Lasithi, next to the town of Plaka.The island is further assigned to the area of Kalydon.It is near the Spinalonga peninsula ("large Spinalonga") which often causes confusion as the same name is used for both.. During Venetian rule, salt was harvested Spend eight to nine hours adventuring through Cretes coastal landscapes and oceanic scenes. WebWhat are the opening times? Ever since I read the bestseller, The Island by Victoria Hislop (aka one of the best books set in Greece), I knew I wanted to visit Crete and Spinalonga island. Ticket Price: 20 EUR. Some popular towns to visit on a day trip from Heraklion to Spinalonga include Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Plaka and Kritsa. The fortification architecture that was implemented and evolved on Spinalonga is an innovative application by the human mind of theory in practice. Tags: Island, Castle, Historical Site, Family And Kids. If weather is good, it is open on weekends. The archaeological site remains closed between November 1st and March 31st, it opens only on request for groups. [5] After the revolution of 1866 other Ottoman families came to the island from all the region of Mirabello. Winter: The site is closed. Despite these challenges, the lepers who lived on Spinalonga were able to form a community and support each other. The last inhabitant, a priest, left the island in 1962. Discover its long history from your guide on this fascinating day trip from the Heraklion area. The island also has several cafes and souvenir shops for visitors to enjoy. Spinalonga is open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM during the summer season. In winter, the facility opens only on request for groups. There are several options when it comes to how to get to Spinalonga and this covers all of them. Spinalonga is open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM during the summer season. Boats depart from Agios Nikolaos in the morning. Entrance Fee (): 8, Reduced 4 Website: odysseus.culture.gr e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. Start the day right in Heraklion with a hotel pickup and travel from nearby towns like Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga on the waters. The restoration work carried out in recent years is under the Ministrys control and has helped preserve and promote the archaeological and architectural riches of Spinalonga. A day trip to Spinalonga costs between 39 and 146 per person. No regular ferries; The trips to Spinlaonga from Agios Nikolaos are more organized tours including a lunch and the opportunity to swim at one of the beaches along the way; For example you can start this tour from Agios Nikolaos, and it includes lunch and wine tasting - check out program and book Spinalonga is also known as the Leper Island, as that is where lepers from Crete and the rest of Greece were quarantined until 1957. It is interesting to see a monument from a period which Greece isnt essentially famous for in Greece. It symbolizes the concept of incarceration and is synonymous with torment. Entrance Fee (): 8, Reduced 4 Website: odysseus.culture.gr e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. The rocky islet of Spinalonga is located in the Gulf of Elounda, directly opposite the village of Plaka in North-Eastern Crete. After booking my 4-day trip to Crete, it took me about a minute to also book a Spinalonga tour from Heraklion.. It takes one hour from Heraklion to Elounda, but almost two hours to reach Plaka. Discover a fortress and wander through abandoned homes, hospitals and buildings your knowledgeable guide shares stories of its history along the way. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed Unguided trips from Heraklion to Spinalonga are 44 per person and include transfers only. From structural and architectural point of view and from an aesthetic view of the whole landscape, the island still retains an unsurpassed beauty. [1] The Venetians were inspired for this expression by the name of an island near Venice called by the same name and which is known today as the island of Giudecca. The Venetians could not understand the expression, so they familiarized it using their own language, and called it spina "thorn" longa "long", an expression that was also maintained by the locals. Spinalonga is open Monday to Sunday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM during the summer season.