Spinalonga island: the Venetian fortress, the leprosy colony and the boat from Plaka

Spinalonga island is a small fortified islet at the mouth of Elounda Bay in eastern Crete: a Venetian sea fort from 1579, later an Ottoman trading village, and from 1903 until 1957 the place where people with leprosy in Crete were sent to live. Shuttle boats cross at fixed times from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, and the site opens every day from April to the end of October.

Crete Discovery, a hosted Spice Escapes week for people who travel on their own, stops at Plaka on its second day, and you can take the short boat ride across if you wish. Below: the island's story, what is left to see, the boats and how long to allow, then the week itself.

A Venetian fort that stayed Venetian until 1715

There was a fortress here in antiquity, and on its ruins the Venetians built a bastion fort, its first phase between 1579 and 1586. The Region of Crete's tourism site counts it among the most important sea forts in the Mediterranean.

Crete fell to the Ottomans in 1669, but Spinalonga stayed in Venetian hands until 1715. By the mid 19th century it was a village of merchants and sailors, until the revolts of the century's last years drove most of its Ottoman families away.

1903 to 1957: the years of the leprosy colony

In 1903 the Cretan government made the island the place where people with leprosy, or Hansen's disease, would live. Conditions were harsh, and people lived there until 1957.

The last person to live there was a priest, who stayed on until 1962 to commemorate those who had died. Victoria Hislop set her novel The Island here, and the Crete Discovery itinerary picks out the courage of the island's last inhabitants.

What survives: the walls, a ruined village, two churches and the cemetery

The fortress and its old castle town are still in very good condition. On the way round you pass:

• the Venetian walls, built of stone quarried on the island and the peninsula beside it
• the old settlement in the middle of the islet, with its ruined houses
• the church of Agios Nikolaos, older than the fortress, next to the Venetian powder magazine
• the theatre on the north coast, and the small church of Agios Georgios
• the cemetery, with a plaque naming those buried there

Getting across: boats from Plaka at fixed times, April to October

Plaka sits opposite the island, and boats leave Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos daily at fixed times. The Ministry of Culture gives the site's hours as 8am to 8pm daily from April to the end of October, with visits depending on the weather and the boats. It is closed through the winter, and entry carries its own fee.

No official source gives a visiting time. Your time ashore is set by the fixed sailings, so note the return boats before you cross. On Crete Discovery the island fits into the morning, before lunch by the sea in Elounda.

Crete Discovery: Spinalonga on day two, Agios Nikolaos as home

Crete Discovery is 7 nights in two bases, hosted by Lauren Fawkes. The first three are at the Miramare Hotel and Spa in Agios Nikolaos, or a similar hotel, looking over Mirabello Bay, then the week moves west to Rethymno. Both hotels have two pools and a spa, with breakfast and dinner included throughout.

On day two the group drives round the bay to Plaka after breakfast, and anyone who wishes can cross to the island. After lunch the afternoon is free in Agios Nikolaos for a cool drink by the lake. The boat ride is not included in the holiday price.

Groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty. Most people book on their own. A room to yourself carries a supplement, set out on our single supplement page, and our guide for first-time solo travellers covers arriving not knowing anyone.

See the dates and book online on the Crete Discovery page: 5 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027, from £1,499.

If that week does not suit: an Adriatic island or Athens

Croatian Chillout is a spring week on the island of Lošinj with Jackie Whyte, half board at Hotel Punta and a boat day offered round the archipelago, with a chance of dolphins. Dates: 1 May 2027 – 8 May 2027.

Ancient Athens is 4 nights with Jackie Whyte, starting with dinner together. The Acropolis with a licensed guide, a food tour and Cape Sounion are offered as options. Dates: 10 Mar 2027 – 14 Mar 2027.

More are under culture and discovery holidays and Greece.

Questions people ask

How do you get from Plaka to Spinalonga?

By shuttle boat. Boats leave Plaka, which sits opposite the island, daily at fixed times, and also run from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.

Can you visit Spinalonga in winter?

Not as a rule. The Ministry of Culture lists the site as closed from November to March, open then only to groups by arrangement.

Is the boat to Spinalonga included on Crete Discovery?

No. The short boat ride from Plaka is there for anyone who wants it, and the site charges its own entry fee.

Can you get round Spinalonga with limited mobility?

The Ministry of Culture lists the main ring road round the island as accessible to visitors with limited mobility. Visits depend on the weather and the boats, so plans can change on the day.

See the dates and book Crete Discovery online

If Spinalonga is why you want eastern Crete, see the dates and book online on the Crete Discovery page. Right now: 12 places left.

Questions first? Ask Rosie, the chat on the holiday page, or ask for Lauren Fawkes, who hosts the week, through our contact page. More hosted trips are on our over-50s solo holidays page.