Olous Archaeological Site

This is an amazing boat trip to the island of Spinalonga. Spinalonga is a magnificent island with fortresses dating from the Venetian period. It is an island of legends, a triumph to survival in the early 20th century from the scourge of leprosy, now a place of great archaeological and historical significance. The trip starts from the main harbour of Agios Nikolaos at 12:30pm and this is a fully guided trip. As you cruise through Mirabello bay you will feel the sea breeze and have memorable view of the land’s beauty. On board you have the opportunity to listen to information about the places you see (Kri-Kri island, Sunken city of Olous, the Cave of the pirate Barba-Rossa). The first stop is Spinalonga where you will stay for 1,5 hour in order to make the tour. You will enjoy a guided tour for 30 minutes by our guide who is fully educated in the history of this little island, giving you the time to listen to the historical facts of this famous island. Also, you will stay there for 1 more hour in order to make a tour by yourself and to photograph the landscape. Later the boat takes you on the other side of the Kolokytha , a breathtaking bay with crystal-clear turquoise waters, where you will have a 30 minute stop for swimming. The trip ends at 17:00pm with the arrival in the harbour of Agios Nikolaos. This trip will stay in your memory as one of the best days of your holiday in Crete!

Enjoy a walking tour of the island of Spinalonga during a full-day excursion from Elounda to the island. Visit Agios Nikolaos and Elounda and swim in the crystal-clear waters of Kolokytha, where you can enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch. Leave from Heraklion, in a spacious, comfortable bus and travel to the designated locations, along the coast through the St. George Gorge to Elounda, a tranquil coastal resort. Board the boat around 10:00, and visit the bay and the beach of Kolokytha, a secluded haven that offers a respite from daily life. You can swim and eat a delicious BBQ on board. Take the boat to Spinalonga around 12:45, traveling across Mirabello Bay. Learn about Spinalonga's complex history guided by a professional tour guide as a natural barrier for Olous in Ancient Greek times, a Saracen pirate refuge, a Venetian fortification, and a Turkic settlement. Depart from Spinalonga at appr. 2:45 pm. As you head towards our last destination from Elounda by bus, you will have the opportunity for a quick olive oil tasting, before arriving at the capital town of Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos at around 3:45 pm. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni and enjoy your walk to the local shops. Return to Heraklion after the excursion, at approximately 6:30 pm.

Discover the highlights of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka on this multi-stop trip from Heraklion. Take in the sights from onboard a ferry and savor a BBQ or tavern lunch. See Spinalonga Island, the Lake of Voulismeni, and more. Meet your local guide, and make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello. This place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own or relax at a cafe. After that, drive to the harbor of Elounda where you'll get on a ferry to visit the Island of Spinalonga. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous. Choose to join a guided tour or explore the island by yourself. If you don't want to visit the archaeological site, you can join a 1-hour boat trip to a secret location and dive into the crystal-clear water (cost not included). After visiting Spinalonga, depart for one of the nearby bays. Get plenty of time for swimming and enjoying BBQ served on board. The menu includes pork BBQ, greek salad, feta cheese, bread, seasonal fruit, wine, and Fanta. If your trip is on a Sunday, you'll get to enjoy dinner in a tavern instead of having BBQ on board. After a short drive, reach Plaka, a small fishing village. Plaka was the ferry port of the leper colony, whose history was documented in a book and a Greek television series. The last stop of the day is the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni or explore the local shops. Enjoy a refreshing swim before heading back to your accommodation. 10:30 Departure from Elounda with the boat 11:10 Arrival Kolokytha 12:45 Departure from Kolokytha 13:10 Arrival Spinalonga 14:45 Departure from Spinalonga to Elounda 15:00 Arrival Elounda 15:45 Olive oil tasting - Arrival Agios Nikolaos 16:45 Departure Agios Nikolaos – back to the hotels 18:30 Arrival Heraklion. Route:128 km Duration:app. 15 hours Stay in Spinalonga:1 ½ hours Stay in Kolokytha Bay-Beach:1 ½ hours Stay in Agios Nikolaos:app.1 hour ESSENTIALS: •shoes for the sea •sun protection •hat * Remarks:Please notify us in advance, if you are vegetarian or if you do not eat pork at all, as we have to preorder another lunch for you.

Start your tour with a visit to an olive oil park. Here, you can see how extra virgin olive oil, table olives, and olive paste are made. Taste the famous Greek olive oil, known worldwide for its great taste and health benefits. You can also try other Cretan products like "raki" and honey. Next, head to the capital town of Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos. Discover this pretty city at your own pace. Walk through the shops or relax in one of the many cafes by the beautiful bottomless lake of Voulismeni. Continue your journey to Plaka, a small fishing village near Spinalonga. Enjoy free time here for lunch or a refreshing swim. Take a short 15-minute boat ride from Plaka to the famous island of Spinalonga. Spinalonga has a rich and tragic history. It has served many purposes: a natural defense for the ancient city of Olous, a pirate hideout for the Saracens, a Venetian fortress, a Turkish settlement, and a leper colony. Spend about 90 minutes exploring the island and learning about its fascinating past. After your self-guided tour of Spinalonga, return to Plaka. Here, you can enjoy more coffee or lunch before returning to your hotel. An Unforgettable Trip: This tour offers a mix of culture, history, and relaxation. With many exciting destinations, it’s a trip you definitely should not miss. The day tour to West Crete includes round-trip transfers from the following areas: Sissi, Malia, Stalida, Hersonissos, Piskopiano, Koutouloufari, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Karteros, Heraklion Center, Ammoudara Beach, Agia Pelagia, and Lygaria.

Enjoy a walking tour of the island of Spinalonga during a full-day excursion from Elounda to the island. Visit Agios Nikolaos and Elounda and swim in the crystal-clear waters of Kolokytha, where you can enjoy a delicious bbq lunch. Travel along the coast through the St. George Gorge to Elounda, a tranquil coastal resort and visit the bay and the beach of Kolokytha, a secluded haven that offers a respite from daily life. Swim and eat a delicious bbq on board. Take the boat Spinalonga, across Mirabello Bay and learn about Spinalonga's complex history as a natural barrier for Olous in Ancient Greek times, a Saracen pirate refuge, a Venetian fortification, and a Turkic settlement.

Experience a coastal drive from Rethmyno, the unique atmosphere of Agios Nikolaos, and the ancient sites and architecture of Spinalonga and Knossos Palace. Drive along the north coast and enjoy the view of the dark blue waters as you head for Agios Nikolaos. Take in the beautiful bay, the colorful streets and the unique freshwater lake in the center of the town. Spend some time in a charming place which fuses the artsy and the bohemian with a bustling atmosphere. Next, head to the village of Elounda and board a boat for Spinalonga. This is an island full of ancient Greek history, a guard for the ancient city of Olous and used as a hide-out for Saracen pirates. Enjoy encountering period architecture and rustic houses, as well as the ancient Venetian fortress. After returning to Elounda, enjoy a refreshing swim or or some local cuisine before returning to Rethymno at 7:30 PM.

Discover the highlights of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda on this multi-stop trip from Rethymnon. See Spinalonga Island, the Lake of Voulismeni, and more. Meet your local guide, and make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello. This place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own or relax at a cafe. After that, drive to the harbor of Elounda where you'll get on a ferry to visit the Island of Spinalonga. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous. Choose to join a guided tour or explore the island by yourself. After visiting Spinalonga, depart for one of the nearby bays. ESSENTIALS: •shoes for the sea •sun protection •hat

Flexible Private Tour in Crete. Four choices of Tour/Daytrip directions .................. Have a unique experience, sightseeing and traveling in a Classic Mercedes without missing any of the comforts you need! Ice cold AC, plush leather seats, modern sound system ect, all while driving around in classic! Very experienced local driver, fluent in English and very knowledgable of the island and its hidden jewels ...................... East Crete: Ag. Nikolaos-Elounda-Plaka-Spinalonga: Made famous also by Victoria Hishop’s homonymous novel, Spinalonga (The island) bears way more history than its size would ever suggest. Being a Venetian Fortress overseeing the Bay – Port of Elounda as well as a later leper Colony, “The island” is basically a nutshell full of our past! Elounda being one of the most beautiful places / beaches of the north of Crete, and St. Nicolas with its famous narrow walking streets will definitely complete the experience of a nice day’s trip. ...................... East Crete: Kera-Lasithi Plateau-Cave of Zeus: One of Pithagoras’s favorite meditation sights, the “Cave of Zeus” has been the subject of myths and stories alike, for millennia… Today you’ll probably not find Zeus himself in the cave, but you’ll certainly be awarded with spectacular views, both on the way, and on top of the Cave’s mount. Through traditional Villages, mountain trails and the Plateau of Lasithi, you’ll probably find yourself on a trip worth remembering. ..................... South Crete: Faistos Palace-Gortyna-Matala: The second of the four Minoan Palaces to have been found on the island, Festos makes a good fit for the connoisseur’s kind of choice… Lacking the famous red pillars of Knossos, it nevertheless offers a more authentic bare-bones experience, due to the simple fact that it has not been reconstructed! Also the original home of the famous Festos’s Disk! Gortyn. Home of most major civilizations to ever pass from Crete, also served as the Praetorium for the Roman Governor of Crete! Matala! The beach of the hippies! A tripping and relaxing way to complete a nice day trip, enjoy the beach, the caves and the hippie vibes. .................... Heraklion: Knossos Palace-Spilia-Arc. Museum-Heraklion City: Experience Heraklion, one of the most intimidating “star – fortress” cities of its time, that managed to endure 21 years of Ottoman siege! Now a modern city, with all the positives and negatives of such… Knossos Palace, basically the headquarter of Europe’s first, known, advanced civilization, along with the Archeological Museum of Heraklion, will definitely paint a vivid picture of how and where the “West” started! St. Irene of Spilia, one of the many hidden Jewels of Crete just three minutes from Knossos, an imposing Roman aqueduct and an overall stunning place to spend some time and enjoy nature.

Journey back in time and explore the ancient civilizations of Crete on a private full-day tour to Spinalonga. Drive along the north coast of the island and get an amazing view of the Selinari gorge on the way to the small fishing village of Elounda, known for its gorgeous beach. Board a boat to the small island of Spinalonga, and learn the local history dating back to Ancient Greece. Take a guided tour of the island to explore how it served as a natural defense for the ancient city of Olous and was later used by the Saracens as a hide-out for their pirates. Discover the remains of the Venetian fortifications and learn more about the period of Ottoman rule. Proceed to the sandy Bay of Kolokitha where the boat will be anchored. Enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters and feast from a BBQ lunch. Return to Elounda to take the bus to the pretty town of Agios Nikolaos, where you can browse the shops and visit the bottomless lake.

Relax in the comfort of our air-conditioned bus as we take you on a scenic journey from Makrigialos and Ierapetra to the charming coastal town of Elounda, famous for its stunning vistas and natural beauty. From there, set sail on a thrilling boat ride to the island of Spinalonga, where you'll be captivated by a fascinating guided tour and have plenty of free time to discover this hidden gem. Immerse yourself in the rich history of this small island, which was once home to a leper colony until 1957, and has witnessed its share of human tragedy throughout the ages. Discover the secrets of Spinalonga, which provided a natural defense for the ancient city of Olous, and played a pivotal role in the history of Saracens, Venetians, and Turks as a sanctuary, stronghold, and settlement. But the adventure doesn't end there! Take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters of the coast, as we make a stop for swimming, snorkeling, and fun. Recharge your batteries with a delicious lunch, and explore the quaint streets of Elounda at your leisure. Our final destination is the vibrant town of Agios Nikolaos, where you can shop till you drop and soak up the local ambiance over a cup of coffee. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the best of Crete, combining history, culture, and adventure in a single tour. Book your spot now and join us for an unforgettable journey to Spinalonga!