Made famous by Victoria Hislop’s novel The Island, Spinalonga is also known as Kalydon. This tiny island on the north coast of Crete, opposite the town of Elounda and not far from Agios Nikolaos, was for many years a refuge and isolation zone for lepers.
Today, a visit to the island of Spinalonga is a must on any trip to Crete, as the island is not only beautiful but also steeped in history.
In this article you will find :
- the island’s history
- practical tips and information for visiting Spinalonga: how to get there, prices, opening hours, guided tours, etc.
- what to do in Spinalonga.
Spinalonga, the island of the forgotten by Victoria Hislop
The island of Spinalonga has been one of Crete’s most visited archaeological sites since the late 1970s. In recent years, however, it has enjoyed even greater success, having been made popular by Victoria Hislop’s novel The Island.
This novel is set mainly on the island of Spinalonga. The plot is fictionalized and imaginary. But the writer has done her homework, drawing on true stories and historical facts to set the scene for her book.
An island with a tumultuous history
The island of Spinalonga is rich in history. In ancient times, a fortress was built to protect the town of Elounda. Under Venetian rule, a new fortress was built on the ruins of the ancient fortress, again to protect the port of Elounda. It was an important stronghold in Crete. The remains can still be seen today.
The fortress withstood the Ottoman invasion for a long time, before finally giving way in 1715 after half a century.
In the early 20th century, from 1904 to 1957, the island was transformed into a leper colony. Indeed, a law was passed in July 1901 providing for the arrest of all lepers on Crete and their deportation to Spinalonga. The aim was to keep lepers away for sanitary reasons, in order to protect healthy people.
For some fifty years, several hundred people were sent to Spinalonga, stripped of their citizenship and struck off their birth registers. They were not really cared for and living conditions were very harsh.
The island ceased to function as a leprosy colony in April 1957, and the patients were transferred near Athens. Since then, the island has been uninhabited.
Visiting the island of Spinalonga: information and practical tips
How to get to Spinalonga
The island of Spinalonga is very easy to visit as it is close to the Cretan coast. The boat trip is fast and accessible even to those who are usually seasick.
Shuttles run continuously throughout the day from Agios Nikoalas, Elounda and Plaka. It’s a 5-minute crossing from Plaka, 15 minutes from Elounda and a good hour from Agios Nikolaos.
If you’re in another town on Crete, there are organized day excursions from Rethymnon (excursion link) or Heraklion (excursion link), for example, including bus and boat transport.
Alternatively, you can rent a boat and make your own way to Spinalonga.
Spinalonga site opening hours
Spinalonga fortress is closed in winter (November 1 to March 31).
In summer, the Spinalonga site is generally open from April 1 to October 31, every day from 8.30am to 6pm. The site may be closed in the event of adverse weather conditions and the feasibility of boat connections to Spinalonga.
Please check the official website before you come.
How much does it cost to visit Spinalonga?
Price: :
- 8€ Full price
- €4 reduced
- Free for under-25s from EU member states
- + the cost of the boat trip (around ten euros from Plaka, Pila or Elounda).
Contact the Spinalonga site
- Tel archaeological site: +30 28410 22462
- Email archaeological site: efalas@culture.gr
- Greek Ministry of Culture website
Take a guided tour of Spinalonga
We highly recommend hiring a guide, as it’s a real plus.
Several day trips are organized to visit the island of Spinalonga. This gives an insight into the living conditions of lepers in the early 20th century.
In particular, we spotted :
- this low-cost day trip from Agios Nikolaos, cancelable and refundable with good reviews
- a day trip to Spinalonga from Heraklion, transport included, cancelable and refundable (in English)
- a day at Spinalonga with barbecue and swimming in turquoise waters (100% cancellable up to 24 hours before departure)
- very complete, this day trip on an air-conditioned bus to visit Agios Nikolaos and the Elounda lagoon, the fishing village of Plaka, the island and the ancient leprosarium of Spinalonga (also cancelable and refundable)
Practical tips for visiting the island of Spinalonga
When visiting the island of Spinalonga, remember to protect yourself from the sun (sun cream, hat, sunglasses).
And, if you want to get off the beaten track and/or climb to the top of the tower, don a pair of sneakers.
What to do in Spinalonga
The islet of Spinalonga is small and relatively easy to visit. Nevertheless, there are many things to see and do on site:
- explore the fortifications, of course
- but also climb to the top of the tower, where the view is superb.
- visit the abandoned village
- or visit the museum. You’ll easily spot it by its colorful doors
- and finally relax on Spinalonga beach. Beware, however, that swimming can be dangerous due to strong currents and the frequent shuttling of boats.
Laure M.
Updated February 1, 2024
For more ideas on what to do in the region, you can browse our article for ideas on visiting the Elounda, Milatos or Heraklion areas or even south-east Crete.
