Can you still visit Spinalonga?
Today thousands of tourists visit Spinalonga each summer by boat from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka, for a tour of its ruined buildings, which the Archaeological Service is laboriously trying to maintain.
Does anyone live on Spinalonga?
When was Spinalonga abandoned? After many years of research, in 1948 the first drug to treat leprosy was discovered in America. Thus, the patients began to be treated and Spinalonga was gradually emptied of patients until 1957 when the last one left and the leprosarium was permanently closed.
How do you get to Spinalonga island?
How do you get to Spinalonga island?
- Boats leave regularly from Plaka, just opposite Spinalonga, and every 30 minutes from Elounda, from around 9:00-10:00 until 17:00-18:00.
- Day trips also leave from Agios Nikolaos, with some including lunch and a swim off the beaches along Kolokytha.
How much does it cost to go to Spinalonga?
Boat price is 8 euros per person and boat leaves at least once every 30 minutes (boats go more frequently if more people are visiting the island). Beware that you will need to pay an additional 8 euros per person entrance fee to visit the historic site of Spinalonga!
When did the last person leave Spinalonga?
The island was subsequently used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957. The last inhabitant, a priest, did not leave the island till 1962, in order to maintain the Greek Orthodox tradition of commemorating a buried person 40 days, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years after their death.
How much is the boat to Spinalonga?
Boat price is 8 euros per person and boat leaves at least once every 30 minutes (boats go more frequently if more people are visiting the island). Beware that you will need to pay an additional 8 euros per person entrance fee to visit the historic site of Spinalonga! The island itself is really nice and historic.
How long do you need on Spinalonga?
The small islet of Spinalonga is one of Crete’s most popular touristic places, receiving a high quantity of visitors, especially during the summer months. It’s a fortified island which you can visit in about one hour, and it’s mostly famous for its past as one of Greece’s leper colonies during the last century.
Is Elounda pretty?
Hidden away on the eastern coast of Crete, Elounda is a pretty fishing village which is the perfect destination for a relaxing seaside getaway. You’ll love Elounda if you’re looking for a traditional Greek resort which isn’t too crowded or commercialized. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do here.
What was life like on Spinalonga?
As we walked through the abandoned village, Born continued to reveal details of life in the colony. Before the 1930s, Spinalongians “lived in a frantic state of selfishness, thinking only of survival,” he explained. “No-one looked after one another, the priest had difficulty finding people to help bury the dead.”
Is Elounda Crete expensive?
Elounda is located 10km north of Agios Nikolaos, near the northwest side of the Bay of Mirabello. It is famous for its expensive and luxurious hotels that host celebrities from all over the world. Apart from its glamorous character, Elounda has to offer visitors some of the most beautiful landscapes in Crete.
What is Elounda known for?
Elounda is a famous tourist attraction, heavily visited by VIPs for its seaside luxury resorts.
Is Elounda Lively?
Elounda is different from most resorts in Crete, we noticed that immediately! Much more relaxed, orderly and yet lively we felt the calming atmosphere.
Is Elounda Crete worth visiting?
Is Crete too touristy?
Re: Is Crete very touristy? It really depends on where you stay on the island, there are numerous tourist resorts, but also quiet village locations and small unspoilt sea size villages too.