Visit this Island with so much history. We stayed in the hamlet of Plaka and caught the little colourful boat over, taking 10 minutes or so. Fee €8 return leaving every 30 - 40 minutes. Entry through the old fortification tunnel way costs €2. There are toilets there and in peak season a little coffee/drinks pavilion . We read the novel "The Island" before we arrived which is SE when this island was the former leper colony of Greece from 1903 till 1957. Very poignant . Prior t hat the fortifications were built largely from the 14/15 the centuries b he Venetians and after by the Turks .
It's a pretty island as you approach but knowing some of the history enhances the feelings and enjoyment of this special place.
I'm sure it gets very busy in peak time and when the boats arrive from Eloundra and Agios Nikelaous. Take water and a hat.

Went passed Elounda to Plaka to get a boat across to the island as recommended as it's cheaper than from Elounda. €16 on a converted fishing boat for two. Can't remember entrance fee but was free for young son. Spent about an hour walking round. It takes little imagination to visualise the island when it was a leper colony.
Interesting half day.

originally a venetian fortress at the entrance to the bay it became a leper colony. Victoria Hislop's book, based at least in part on the reminiscences of an old inhabitant of the island, made the island and the area immediately famous. Up to 3,000 visitors come by boat daily from Agios Nikolaos so it is often packed and is extremely hot - use suncream, wear a good hat and take lots of water! - Our enthusiastic guide went to great lengths to tell us the island's history, and show us the stone houses built mainly on the landward side of the hill - the island can only be 1/4 mile across and is a rocky outcrop about 1/3 mile offshore, opposite Plaka. It is easy to imagine the isolation and misery of the island's inhabitants, some of whom were later even found not have leprosy at all - but still remained there for life; it was a genuine life sentence to be sent to Spinalonga -.
I'm glad we went, but because my imagination ran wild, I'm not sure I would go again!
Most boats later went from the island to a bay with some small sandy beaches and set up barbeques while some adventurous souls went swimming (good idea to have flip flop type shoes to wear in the water)