What is included in this tour?

The tour includes minivan/bus transport from Heraklion, guided stops at an olive oil park with tasting, free time in Agios Nikolaos and Plaka, a 15-minute boat transfer to Spinalonga Island, and leisure time in Elounda. Lunch, drinks, and the Spinalonga boat ticket may be extra — confirm with your operator.

Is the Spinalonga Island boat ride included?

A 15-minute boat transfer to Spinalonga is part of the itinerary, though it's worth confirming whether the boat ticket and any guided tour of the island are included in your package price or cost additional euros.

How much free time do I get for swimming and lunch?

You'll have substantial free time in Plaka (typically 2–3 hours) to swim, eat lunch at local tavernas, or relax. Elounda also offers 1–2 hours for harbour exploration and a final meal or drink before return to Heraklion.

What's the history of Spinalonga Island?

Spinalonga served multiple civilisations: ancient Greeks used it for defence, Venetians built a fortress, Ottomans occupied it as a settlement, and from the early 1900s until the 1950s it functioned as a leper colony. Today it's an open-air museum with restored fortifications and historical remnants.

What should I bring on this tour?

Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), swimwear, comfortable walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, and cash for lunch and local purchases. A light jacket or sweater is useful for boat rides and evening in Elounda.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

Yes — the mix of tasting, easy town walking, boat rides, and beach time appeals to families. Children enjoy the Spinalonga boat trip and Plaka swimming. Ensure young kids are supervised on the boat and have sun protection. The itinerary is not strenuous.

Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, Elounda Tour from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 1

Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, Elounda Tour from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 2

Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, Elounda Tour from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 3

Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, Elounda Tour from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 4

Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, Elounda Tour from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 5

Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, Elounda Tour from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 6

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Agios Nikolaos, Plaka, Spinalonga, Elounda Tour from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas

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Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Bus & Minivan ToursDay Trips & ExcursionsSun & BeachCity BreaksSightseeing Tours

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About this activity

A comprehensive 10-hour loop through eastern Crete's most scenic coastal destinations, combining cultural heritage, island history, and seaside leisure. Start with authentic olive oil tasting in a working park, explore the lakeside charm of Agios Nikolaos, visit the historically layered Spinalonga Island, and finish in the upscale harbour town of Elounda.

We start our trip with a visit to an olive oil park where you can experience first-hand the standardization of extra virgin olive oil, table olives and olive paste. Here you will be able to taste the authentic Greek product, which is famous worldwide for its great taste and its nutritional value, as well as, other authentic Cretan products like “raki” and honey.

After our first stop, we reach the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. You can discover the pretty city on your own, stroll through the shops or relax in one of the countless cafes next to the picturesque bottomless lake of Voulismeni.

We continue our journey to Plaka, a small fishing village directly opposite of Spinalonga. Here you will have plenty of free time to enjoy lunch or a refreshing swimming. Moreover, from there you can take a 15- minute boat ride that takes you to the well-known island of Spinalonga.

The history and the culture of the island of Spinalonga became one with human tragedy in the course of time. It has been an important place throughout history for the ancient Greeks, as natural protection for the city of Olous, for the Saracens as a hiding place for their pirates, for the Venetians as a fortress, for the Turks as a settlement and for a long time the island served as a leper colony.

The last stop of the day is Elounda, a former fishing village but today a famous holiday resort with the most 5-stars hotels in Greece. Take plenty of time to stroll through the picturesque harbor and have a cup of coffee before heading back to your accommodation.

An amazing trip with many destinations that you should definitely not miss!

*The timing of the program will be approximate, depending on the traffic and weather conditions as well as the unexpected overcrowding.

Highlights

✓Olive oil and Cretan product tasting at a functioning production facility
✓Agios Nikolaos lakeside town — boutique shopping and waterfront cafés overlooking Lake Voulismeni
✓Spinalonga Island boat excursion (15 minutes) with centuries of Venetian, Ottoman, and medical history
✓Plaka fishing village with swimming and lunch opportunities
✓Elounda harbour promenade — luxury resort town with upscale dining and sunset views

Insider tips

★Wear swimwear under your clothes if you plan to swim in Plaka or bring it in a day bag; the water is clearest mid-morning
★At the olive oil park, ask staff to explain the difference between early-harvest and late-harvest oils — the tasting experience is richer with context
★Book Spinalonga boat tickets early in the day; departures can fill, especially in peak summer
★Elounda's harbour is best explored in late afternoon when tour groups thin out and golden-hour light is ideal for photos

Good to know

•Total duration is 10 hours; departure from Heraklion area with return expected by late afternoon/early evening
•Spinalonga Island ferry is a separate 15-minute boat ride (usually included or minimal extra cost); confirm with operator
•Sun protection essential — limited shade on boat and island; bring hat, sunscreen, and water
•Comfortable walking shoes recommended for uneven terrain on Spinalonga and cobbled streets in Elounda and Agios Nikolaos
•Lunch is self-catered in Plaka village; local tavernas serve fresh fish and Greek meze at moderate prices

Who it's for

Culture enthusiasts interested in Venetian and Ottoman heritage, and leper colony historyBeach and water lovers seeking swimming, boat trips, and coastal village explorationFood and wine tourists wanting authentic olive oil and local Cretan product tastingsPhotography-focused travellers — lakeside towns and island ruins offer strong visual narratives

Best time to visit

Late April through early June or September through October offer warm water, manageable crowds, and clear skies. Avoid July–August peak heat and August crowds; winter (November–March) has shorter daylight and rougher sea conditions affecting Spinalonga boat access.