Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
When staying at Olive Green Hotel in the heart of Heraklion, Crete, you’re perfectly placed to explore not only the city’s vibrant culture and cuisine but also embark on unforgettable day trips to Crete’s iconic landmarks. One of the most fascinating among them is the mysterious island of Spinalonga—an abandoned isle steeped in history, waiting for you to discover its secrets.
Getting to Spinalonga from Heraklion
Our concierge at Olive Green Hotel arranged an incredible boat trip from Agios Nikolaos, just over an hour’s scenic drive from Heraklion. This full-day excursion included lunch on board and a longer cruise around the Bay of Mirabello with a refreshing swim at Kolokytha Bay. Alternatively, you can start from Plaka for a slightly shorter trip, taking in the charms of Plaka village and Selinary Monastery.
Tours to Spinalonga start from April 1st for the summer season (winter trips available on request).
Learn more about Crete’s rich history: A Visit to Knossos Right Before the Heat of Summer
Discovering the mysterious Island
As our boat approached Spinalonga, the old Venetian fortress loomed ahead. Entering through “Dante’s Gate,” we were transported back in time, imagining how life must have been on this isolated outpost once known as the ‘Isle of Tears’. Originally fortified by the Venetians in 1579, Spinalonga became Europe’s last active leper colony in the 20th century. Walking through its abandoned streets, churches, and hospital, you can almost hear whispers of its haunting past.
Victoria Hislop’s novel ‘The Island’ made this historic site famous worldwide, bringing its secrets and stories to life for readers and travelers alike.
Cruising the Gulf of Mirabello
After exploring Spinalonga, we enjoyed a relaxing cruise around the Mirabello Gulf. Highlights included:
The cave of pirate Barbarossa
The sunken ancient city of Olous (perfect for scuba diving enthusiasts!)
A refreshing swim in the turquoise waters of Kolokytha Bay
We visited the cave of the legendary Pirate Barbarosa who pillaged his way into Grecian history. Then we sailed over to witness the sunken ancient city of Olous. Which was in a word, breathtaking! We vowed to get our scuba diving skills up to scratch and return to Greece someday just to swim among those ethereal ruins. Once we could pull ourselves together from practically feeling like we’d stumbled upon the ancient city of Atlantis, the next stop had us laughing like school kids. We briefly dropped by to see the adorable Cretan Kri Kri goats. They were just going about their lives, eating, lounging and playing, but they were ever so funny.
After all the excitement, we had reached Kolokytha Bay and were more than ready for a dip in the crystal waters. The sun had been relentless all day and I was fast on my way to an awkward t-shirt tan. The water felt crisp and cool as I dived in. So clear I could see the tiny shells on the bottom and the rocks of the island in the distance. Before long, the sun had moved across the horizon and we were ready to pull ourselves back onto the boat to dry off and tuck into a hearty lunch and the final part of our journey back to the village of Agios Nikolaos.
Staying at Olive Green Hotel or Lato Boutique Hotel allows you to return from your day trips to modern comfort in central Heraklion.
Exploring Agios Nikolaos, Plaka & Elounda
Agios Nikolaos is a small town bursting with colour, charm, and bustling life, yet still manages to somehow bestow a relaxing vibe as you walk here and there around the many waterfronts. The picturesque port town is built atop three hills on top of ancient remains from a bygone era. The main attractions in Agios Nikolaos are all its three water-based wonders – The port, the beach, and the lake. It was the lake that piqued our interest. A unique feature of the quirky Cretan village named “Voulismeni.”. It is said to be bottomless and was once investigated by the celebrated ocean researcher Jacques Cousteau. It is also legend that the goddess Athena once bathed in the lake, and every Orthodox Christian Easter day at midnight, the townspeople celebrate with fireworks. It’s a great time to witness this spectacle if you’re traveling around Easter, but it was a blisteringly hot summer afternoon and we rather fancied a refreshing frappe in one of the open-air cafes on the serene lakefront. The perfect end to our day of exploration.
At 18:00, our taxi returned and we headed back to Heraklion. The ideal chance for a nap in the car before spending the evening tasting some more of the delights in the city.
Plaka
If you’re looking for a quieter resort that still packs an alluring draw. Plaka is the place. Thanks to its stunning setting along the Mirabello bay and fantastic seafood. Close to Elounda with 2 or 3 buses leaving every day, the charming fishing village has wonderful views of Spinalonga Island and the surrounding Mediterranean. There is a wonderful fish tavern directly next to the seashore that serves some of the freshest and most delicious seafood dishes on the island.
Elounda
Just over an hour from our hotel Olive Green in Heraklion, Elounda is home to some of Crete’s most luxurious resorts. But it still holds its charm as a quaint little fishing village. It’s worth a few days of relaxation to take in the sparkling waters of the Mirabello Bay and basque on the sandy municipal beach. It’s the perfect base to explore the surrounding islands and villages of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, and Plaka. Whilst the pull of this sweet small town is the beckon of luxury and the mystery of Spinalonga Island, Elounda and its surroundings also has some of the best food in all of Crete, perhaps even the whole of Greece! If you’re a foodie, be sure to add Elounda on your list of hotspots.
Related Articles You May Also Like
A 5 day tour of Lassithi Crete
A day in the highlands exploring the Lassithi Plateau
You might also like
Leave A Reply