Elounda holidays

Holidays to Elounda take you to a thriving harbour lined with cheerful waterfront pubs and traditional Greek tavernas. You're also very near to the artists' paradise of Aghios Nikolaos. The old Venetian-era island of Spinalonga boasts a small pebble beach and shallow waters.

Picturesque town

Elounda is one of the best-loved seaside towns in Crete, thanks to its airy seaside and great views. These can extend all the way to Mirabella Bay on clear days. You may even recognise the town from the British TV series 'Who Pays the Ferryman?'. It’s a favourite retreat for golfers and movie stars, with a colourful harbour and a weekly market on the main square. You can take a seat in the authentic Greek tavernas, or sample international cuisine and order a drink at the stylish cocktail bars.

Beaches

The main beach at Elounda is a 200-metre stretch just north of the harbour. Its clean sands have been awarded a Blue Flag for their quality, and the same goes for the quieter Driros Beach. You'll find this by walking south for 15 minutes along the coastal path. If you walk this scenic path north from Elounda you'll get to Plaka in an hour, though you can also drive it in just five minutes. There is a pebble beach here, together with bars, restaurants and a promenade lined with tamarisk trees.

Sightseeing

Past Driros Beach you'll see an old causeway at Olous connecting Elounda to the island opposite. Olous is known for its Venetian salt flats and five old stone windmills, which are open to the public. The best sightseeing from Elounda is the boat trip from Plaka across to the island of Spinalonga. This was once a leper colony set in massive Venetian fortifications.