🇬🇷 Discovering Crete’s Coastal Magic: Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga | CRETE DAY 2

🇬🇷 Discovering Crete’s Coastal Magic: Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga | CRETE DAY 2

Kalimera! Welcome back to my channel. So today we 
decided that we will go to the western part of the island. More precisely, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, 
and we will go to Spinolonga Island. Actually, Actually these weren’t scheduled, but when we went
yesterday to… I mean two days ago, actually, to rent a car, the guy from there showed us 
some new places on the map that I personally didn’t know that they were so nice. So, we 
ended up getting an extra day with the car. And today we will see these places and we are 
excited and happy for you to come along. Again, everything will be in my PDF down below. 
And well, we just had breakfast and we will hit the road soon. So without any 
further ado, let’s get going. Today we’re exploring the northeastern side of 
Crete, starting in Agios Nikolaos, often called the Saint Tropez of Greece. It’s got that laidback 
luxury vibe, you know, pretty cafes by the water, boutique shops, and the famous Voulismani Lake 
right in the middle of the town with all the pretty boats. We didn’t stay long here, 
but it’s definitely worth a stroll and the Fredo Capuccino by the harbor. Very chill, 
very photogenic, 100% postcard material. Guys, we’re in Agios Nikolaos. This is our first 
stop for today and we came to see this lake and I will show you.. and then we will go up 
on that hill. So, there will be a really nice view from above over the lake and the 
boats. Yeah, it’s really pretty. I absolutely love this cafe, Gioma Meze. We had a 
little coffee break while enjoying the view. And some stress relief. Not that I was 
stressed or anything, but he was too cute. And this is me struggling with my 
gear 85% of the time. I have to film, take photos, with my phone as well for 
reels. It’s not an easy life. Our next stop is Elounda. You know, someone 
said, actually the guy from the car rental, that okay, that was the ship behind us.. 
or the boat. Um so yeah, he said that Agios Nikolaos is like the Saint Tropez of 
Crete. And well, we’ve never been to Saint Tropez, but of course, we know from pictures, it 
does look like it. It’s really pretty. So if you’re in the area definitely 
check it out. It’s worth it. This place has a slower, calmer vibe. 
Once a picturesque fishing village in the lovely Mirabello Bay, nowadays is an 
ideal destination for people who want a seaside holiday in a place which is 
neither too busy nor too isolated. Welcome to Elounda! So, we’re 
gonna go on that part to take some photos and after that we 
will take a short ride to Plaka, from where we will take a boat that will
take us to Spinolonga Island. The view from the waterfront 
is amazing. Calm blue water, fishing boats, and right across the 
bay, our next destination. Chicken. Banana. Chicken. Banana. We 
don’t have chicken, but we have banana. From Elounda, we made our way to Plaka, a small 
fishing village with pretty white houses, traditional tavernas, with tasty cretan
food, and local shops with unique souvenirs. We bought our boat ticket to Spinalonga 
Island and still had about 20 minutes until the departure. So Mikey savored 
an espresso and I took a quick stroll. In not even 10 minutes, we arrived to Spinolonga. So to get here from Plaka, we took the little boat. 
It costs €12 per person to come and to go. So both ways, and there is an entry fee here
at Spinalonga as well. It’s €20 per person. Spinalonga might be small, but the moment you step 
off the boat, you can feel the weight of its past. At first glance, it looks like a peaceful little 
island with stunning sea views and ancient walls. But this place has lived through centuries 
of human struggle. Originally a Venetian fortress, it was built in the 
1500s to defend against pirate attacks and the Ottomans. The walls are still standing, massive 
and sunbleached, wrapped around the island like a protective shell. Later during Ottoman 
rule, Spinalonga became a settlement and then in the early 1900s it took a much darker turn. It 
became one of the last active leper colonies in Europe. People with leprosy were sent here 
completely isolated from the world, forced to leave behind their families, their names, 
their old lives. What’s haunting is how much of that life still lingers. You walk through these 
silent alleyways, past homes, a school, hospital, even a small church. It’s like time froze. It’s 
beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Despite everything, the people who lived 
here built a community. They cooked, sang, married, lived full lives even 
while the world shut them out. Thankfully, a cure for leprosy was finally 
discovered in 1948, and the last person left Spinolonga in 1957. It’s not just a tourist 
stop. It’s a place that makes you pause and think about resilience, about being human, about 
how beauty and suffering often share the same space. Overall, it was wonderful. We had 
lovely views and I honestly loved it there though it was a bit hot and windy and I didn’t know 
anything, absolutely anything about the island but now that I’m, I’ve researched and I’m 
also letting you guys know what’s actually on Spinalonga, it made me change my mind and I 
think it’s definitely worth a visit. Well guys, that was it for today, I have to 
say. So, let me tell you, what kind of vibes did Spinalonga give me.. kind of like, if 
you’ve seen my vlogs from Peloponnese, I feel like it’s a combination of Monemvasia because 
Monemvasia is also an island with a fortress, but also because there were more ruins, kind of like the 
Palamidi Fortress from Nafplio, not historically, but aesthetically and how everything looked. So I 
think, of course I will go home and read about it and I will tell you a little story about the 
island. If you want to visit it and if you’re a history lover, I kind of recommend to go with a 
guide or at least document yourself before going because it will be much more interesting. Also, 
it was so hot, but also so windy sometimes. So, make sure to pack water and have a hat. Um, 
yeah, it was it was nice overall. I liked it, but like it’s a once in a lifetime. I mean, Monemvasia was 
free to visit and I don’t know if it’s worth and I don’t know if it’s worth like €20 per 
person, but that’s, that this is my opinion. So, this was our experience, but overall, we checked 
it off our list. It was nice. And right now, we’re heading back to the hotel. This was it 
for today. Thank you so much for watching. Don’t forget to hit the Like button if you 
liked today’s adventures and we will see you tomorrow for new ones. So, make sure you 
Subscribe and stick with us. Bye.

Welcome to Part 2 of our unforgettable Crete adventure! 🌴 In this vlog, we explore the stunning seaside town of Agios Nikolaos, wander through the charming village of Elounda, and take a scenic boat ride from Plaka to the historic Spinalonga Island 🛥️🏝️ — a place full of history, beauty, and hidden stories.

From breathtaking sea views to authentic Greek culture, this journey captures the magic of eastern Crete. Join us as we discover crystal-clear waters, local life, and ancient ruins that tell the story of Crete’s rich past.

00:00 Intro – Welcome Back to Crete!
01:30 Agios Nikolaos Walkthrough & Lake views
05:50 Arriving in Elounda
07:35 Plaka parking & quick stroll
09:25 Boat Ride from Plaka to Spinalonga
10:35 Spinalonga Island Tour – History & Ruins
18:18 Reflections

📍 Locations visited in this vlog:

Agios Nikolaos
Elounda
Plaka Village
Spinalonga Island (Kalydon)

🇬🇷 Don’t forget to like, subscribe & hit the bell to follow the rest of our Crete travel series!

✈️ Watch Part 1 here ➡️https://youtu.be/ynFrIrr-p-M
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🇬🇷 CRETE ISLAND TRAVEL ITINERARY PDF👇: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b4gKSHSWKKGNAqqhgtpk_R3e5lcFrvk1/view?usp=sharing
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Love,
Andrea

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