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Things to do in Plaka, Crete

Our most recommended things to do in Plaka, Crete

Heraklion: Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda & Plaka Tour

1. Heraklion: Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda & Plaka Tour

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.

Chania: Mirabello, Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos Private Tour

2. Chania: Mirabello, Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos Private Tour

Discover the beauty of Mirabello that majestically captures the soul of Crete. Take a boat ride to Spinalonga, stroll through Agios Nikolaos, and visit a local family-run olive oil farm on this private guided day tour. Start with pickup from your accommodation by luxury chauffeured vehicle. Meet your private guide who will escort you throughout the day and provide historical and cultural insight into the sights you will see. After a short journey, hop on a private boat to discover the island of Spinalonga. Bask in azure waters of secluded sandy coves tucked under cave-studded mountains. Hop off in the village of Plaka to indulge in the seafood tastes of delicious tavernas on the waterfront. On the way to Agios Nikolaos, revel in luxurious panoramic scenes of Elounda's elite haven. Stroll through the iconic town that oozes a chic vibe and soak up the splendor of the mythical lake as you unwind at the eclectic wine-cocktail bars. By the end of the day, visit a family olive oil production estate and discover their techniques for producing delectable olive oil, a key product of Greek cuisine. Afterward, relax on your journey back to the starting point.

Heraklion: Palace of Minoa & Spinaloga/Elounda Village Tour

3. Heraklion: Palace of Minoa & Spinaloga/Elounda Village Tour

Experience a private day tour in the Heraklion area and visit the third-largest Minoan Palace in Crete, stop at the Island of Spinalonga, and explore Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. Learn more about the history and culture of the Heraklion area on this private tour. Start the tour with pickup from your designated pickup point, and first go to the Archaeological site of Malia, dating back to the Middle Bronze Age. See this majestic site, the third-largest Minoan Palace in all of Crete, built close to a beautiful beach. Move on to Kritsa Village, one of the oldest and most picturesque villages in the area, built atmospherically on a rocky hill called Kastellos, and surrounded by olive groves. Explore the local village with narrow winding lanes, renowned for the skill of its weavers, and see their craftsmanship Visit the Church of Panagia Kera, one of the most important monuments in Crete because of its well-preserved wall paintings representing various periods of Byzantine Art. See the original church, dedicated to the Dormition of Theotokos, built in the middle of the thirteenth century. Make a stop in Agios Nikolaos, one of the first cities in Crete where tourist development began. Admire the picturesque harbor and see two of the sweet water lakes of Crete. Pass by the fishing village of Elounda on the northern coast, and enjoy the traditional and idyllic scenery. Reach the marina of Plaka and from there travel to the Island of Spinalonga, famous as it was a former Venetian Fortress and Leper Colony. Learn more about the site's history and its significance as it left an unfading mark on Crete's history.

From Heraklion: Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Private Tour

4. From Heraklion: Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Private Tour

Dive into the extraordinary coastal landscape of Crete on a private tour from Heraklion. Visit the imposing neighboring island of Spinalonga, then explore the quiet village of Plaka, known for its seafood. Discover the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos, with a gorgeous lake and chic bars. Enjoy a transfer from your accommodation in Heraklion aboard your private vehicle for the day. Hop on a boat for the ride over to Spinalonga. Take in the deep blue water and sandy coves of this uninhabited island with a striking 16th-century Venetian fortress. Disembark in the village of Plaka to indulge in the fresh seafood of the waterfront taverns at your own expense. Continue on to Agios Nikolaos and revel in the gorgeous streets of the iconic town, oozing a chic vibe. Soak up the splendor of the lake as you unwind at the eclectic cocktail bars. Toward the end of the day, visit a family olive oil production estate and allow them to teach you about their techniques for producing delectable olive oil. Ride back to your accommodation in Heraklion to finish off your adventure.

Other Sightseeing Options in Plaka, Crete

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What people are saying about Plaka, Crete

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 120 reviews

A great trip and a wonderful guide - Dagmara, who has great knowledge and you can see that she loves what she does. A cruise on a wooden boat has its own unique atmosphere. The Island itself is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Thanks to Mrs. Dagmara, we got to know her stories in depth. She also made sure that we did not stand too long in the queue for admission tickets, sunbathing while waiting for dinner also had its charm. Very good quality food. A visit to the oil factory combined with a tasting and another portion of interesting facts. Not much time in Agios Nicolaos, which is the only downside of the whole trip, but it is enough for a cursory tour. Everything was very well organized! I heartily recommend!

The visit to the oil factory was not indicated and made us waste time on the next visit to Ágios Nikólaos at a run, otherwise the spot was great for swimming at the top!!! Great BBQ!!! Remember to provide a second bin on the boat for food waste in order to differentiate it from plastics and to replace plastic straws with cardboard straws. Have a nice day thanks again

A really fun experience, got to learn lots about the different cities and islands through historical talks. Lunch was included in the cost of the trip. The tour guide was friendly and informative. Would go again.

Well organized tour! Really beautiful and characteristic spinalonga island. The only flaw was the cove where we stopped for a swim and to eat which did not have very clean water. For the rest all very nice.

the trip was amazing everything was perfect the trip the place the guide and very good organized with platanos tours.thank you