Crete by boat: Spinalonga and the Gulf of Mirabello

You’re going to love Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands. On its north-east coast the Gulf of Mirabello opens around the village of Elounda and the town of Agios Nikolaos, and the island of Spinalonga, with its Venetian fortress, stands at the mouth of the bay.

Our experience here is a private day, and it is fair to say what it is: a short crossing of about 20 minutes on a traditional wooden boat from Elounda to Spinalonga, and the rest of the day by road, with time in Agios Nikolaos. The sea is the way in to the best sight of the day.

The 5 best reasons to visit this corner of Crete

1. 1

   A fortress islandSpinalonga has a Venetian fortress begun in 1579, and you arrive by boat, with the walls coming closer across the water.

2. 2

   A story you can walk throughThe island was a leper colony until 1957. Its narrow streets still have abandoned houses, the hospital and the old marketplace.

3. 3

   The Gulf of MirabelloA wide bay of eastern Crete that you cross on a traditional wooden boat, between Elounda and the island.

4. 4

   A town on the waterAgios Nikolaos has a port lined with shops, cafés and tavernas, and a small round lake right in the middle of town.

5. 5

   An easy private dayHotel pick-up and drop-off, a private vehicle with a driver and bottled water: you only worry about enjoying it.

What to do around Elounda and Agios Nikolaos

• Cross to Spinalonga by wooden boatThe boat leaves from Elounda and the crossing takes about 20 minutes.
• Walk around the islandNarrow streets, abandoned houses, the hospital, the old marketplace and the Venetian fortifications. The entrance is paid on site.
• Stroll through the port of Agios NikolaosSmall shops, cafés and traditional tavernas where you can try local dishes.
• See Lake VoulismeniA small round lake in the middle of the town, joined to the harbour by a channel. Legend says it is bottomless; the soundings say otherwise, but the story is still told.
• Look for the sunken city of OlousElounda stands where the ancient city of Olous was, and part of it lies under the water of the bay.