Elounda is a city in the eastern part of the Greek periphery of Crete, one of the most fashionable resorts on the island.

Located on the picturesque coast of Mirabello Bay, it is always popular with vacationers, among whom you can often see famous athletes, politicians and artists - during the season, the town with a local population of only four thousand inhabitants annually receives about half a million tourists from all over the world.

In Elounda, you can find everything you could wish for a great holiday: small cozy apart-hotels and luxury resorts such as Elounda Bay Palace or Blue Palace, fine restaurants, beautiful nature and, most importantly, the unique atmosphere of a city with a long history.

Elounda Crete

Elounda on the map of Crete. City `s history

Once upon a time, on the site of modern Elounda, there was the port of Olus, which belonged to the Greeks, a little later - to the Romans. As a result of a devastating earthquake in the 4th century, the port, along with part of the adjacent land, sank under water, thereby forming the Calydon peninsula, separated from the main territory of Crete by a bay.

The abandoned peninsula for a long time became a haven for pirates who hunted in the Mediterranean waters, from the 9th century it was under the rule of the Arabs, in the 10th century. was conquered by the Byzantines.

Already in the 13th century, crusaders appeared in Crete, who soon sold their rights to the island to the Venetian authorities. It was at this time that the settlement on the site of the former Olunda began to gradually revive and received the name Elounda, and the entire peninsula was renamed Spinalonga.

Note! Today, from a modest fishing village, Elounda has become one of the best resorts in Crete.

It belongs to the administrative unit of Lassithi and is located 80 km from Heraklion and 12 km from Agios Nikolaos.

  • by bus with a change in Agios Nikolaos;
  • on a rented car;
  • by taxi.

On a note! It is better to rent a car in advance, since economical small cars are sold out very quickly during the season.

Elounda on the map of Crete

Climate and weather in Elounda

The mild Mediterranean climate provides Elounda with a fairly long tourist season - from mid-May to mid-October.

The best time for a beach holiday is from mid-June to the end of September, when the water warms up to a comfortable temperature for swimming at + 24-26 ° C, and the air - up to + 27-32 ° C. Precipitation is practically non-existent.

On a note. The hottest months in the resort are July and August, when the thermometer rises to + 30-32 ° C during the day.

The rocks surrounding the bay provide it with reliable protection from strong winds, giving way to a pleasant refreshing breeze, so waves on the beaches of Elounda are extremely rare during the season.

Interesting. Many travelers note that the climate of the resort is more similar to the climate of Cyprus than to Crete.

Sights of Elounda on Crete

There are practically no sights in Elounda itself, apart from the ruins of the sunken Olus, which can still be seen through the water column, but in the vicinity of the resort there is something to see both on your own and with a tour.

Spinalonga

Spinalonga Island, which for a long time served as an impregnable military fort, is better known to modern tourists as a former leper colony - a clinic for patients with leprosy, which opened on the island in 1903 and existed for 54 years.

Many buildings are well preserved on the island, including the Venetian fortress, from the walls of which you can admire magnificent landscapes, and a small church.

Note! Entrance to the fortress is paid - 2 euros *.

You can get to the island for 10-15 euros * on one of the boats that depart from the port of Elounda every 20-30 minutes, and with an excursion.

Spinalonga

Milatos cave

Milatos Cave is located near the village of the same name and attracts tourists not only with ancient stalactites and stalagmites, but also with a church built right in the cave. It was built in memory of the dead inhabitants who once hid here in the hope of avoiding the massacre perpetrated by the Turks.

Interesting. The cave impresses with its size - its length exceeds 2 km, and the inner halls are separated by stone columns.

Church of Panagia Kera

This church, built in the 12th century, is an ancient architectural monument. Inside its walls are decorated with Byzantine frescoes on religious themes.

Tradition says that one of the icons kept in the church is miraculous.

Currently, services are not held here and the church functions as a museum.

To get to it, you first need to drive to Agios Nikolaos, then to the village of Kritsa, located a kilometer from the church. The rest of the way to do on foot.

Note! The church is open to the public only in the first half of the day and the entrance to it is paid - 2 euros *.

Areti Monastery

The monastery of the Holy Trinity Areti is located near the village of Karidi and is one of the most famous in Crete. Arriving travelers are surprised by the silence and peace reigning here.

Founded in the 17th century, it acted as a major educational center, but by the 19th century. fell into disrepair. In the 20th century and was completely closed. A few decades later, the monastery began to revive and is now active.

Other attractions

In addition to those mentioned, the following interesting places are worthy of the attention of tourists:

  • lake Vulizmeni;
  • the ruins of the city of Dreros;
  • observation deck next to Agios Nikolaos.

If you do not want to plunge into history, then you can diversify your vacation with walks in neighboring towns. So, on the waterfront of Agios Nikolaos there are many cafes and restaurants. The port is recognized as one of the most beautiful in Crete. Here you can arrange a chic photo session or choose any other entertainment to your liking: go for a walk on a yacht, take part in a tennis match, play golf.

Having a car at hand, you can go to explore the beaches of other resorts, such as Gouves, Malia or Stalida, see Ierapetra or Sitia.

Elounda Greece: attractions on the map

Elounda beaches

The beautiful beaches of Elounda are called a separate attraction of the resort:

  • Central Beach located near the harbor, equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. In addition to renting sun loungers, umbrellas and water sports equipment, it has a shower, changing cabins, and a variety of food outlets.
  • Driros- located north of the central beach, has the same excellent infrastructure and is notable for the abundance of olive trees.
  • Plaka- a pebbly beach with a view of the island. Spinalonga attracts tourists thanks to the sports center located here, which offers numerous water activities.
  • Chionas (Poros)- located 800 m from the eastern outskirts of Elounda. The service here is less developed than on the central beach and Driros, but this is fully compensated by great privacy and a cozy atmosphere.
  • Kolokitas- located near the church of Agios Loukas, on about. Spinagolin. The beach is a true paradise with white sand and emerald water surrounded by incredible scenery. The infrastructure is not developed, but you can count on renting a sunbed and an umbrella.

Kolokitas beach

Skisma is one of the most popular beaches in Elounda. The sea here is always calm, soft sand provides a comfortable entry into the water. This is the best beach resort for families with children.

  • Elounda is one of the most expensive resorts on the island, so if you have a limited budget, it makes sense to consider neighboring towns for relaxation;
  • to see the sights of Crete, it is best to rent a car, because, despite the beautiful description of excursions by travel agents, an independent trip always turns out to be richer and more enjoyable.

The authorities of Elounda carefully protect the comfort of vacationers, keeping the coastline clean and constantly developing infrastructure, so few travelers can remain indifferent to this beautiful atmospheric place, whose beaches are regularly marked with a blue flag.

*Prices are current as of August 2018.

Here is a detailed map of Elound with street names in Russian and house numbers. You can easily get directions by moving the map in all directions with the mouse or by clicking on the arrows in the upper left corner. You can change the scale using the scale with the "+" and "-" icons located on the right side of the map. The easiest way to adjust the image size is by rotating the mouse wheel.

What country is Elounda in?

Elounda is located in Greece. This is a wonderful, beautiful city, with its own history and traditions. Elounda coordinates: northern latitude and eastern longitude (show on a large map).

virtual walk

An interactive map of Elounda with sights and other tourist sites is an indispensable tool for independent travel. For example, in the "Map" mode, the icon of which is located in the upper left corner, you can see the city plan, as well as a detailed road map with route numbers. You can also see the railway stations and airports of the city marked on the map. Nearby you see the "Satellite" button. By turning on the satellite mode, you will see the terrain, and by zooming in, you can explore the city in great detail (thanks to satellite maps from Google Maps).

Move the "man" from the lower right corner of the map to any street in the city, and you can take a virtual walk through Elound. Adjust the direction of movement using the arrows that appear in the center of the screen. By turning the mouse wheel, you can zoom in or out on the image.

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And much more. Also, there are a lot of all kinds, which include discos, nightclubs, restaurants, water parks and so on. In addition to all this, Crete has excellent comfortable hotels where you can stay and relax with a wonderful view of the mountains, the sea or local attractions.

Elounda in Crete

Elounda- This is a unique fashionable resort, which is located in the eastern part of the island of Crete, in, not far from the city. This place is considered the most elite in Crete. Elounda is located 1 km from the city of Olous, 80 km from, and also 11 km from Agios Nikolaos. Today, this fishing village has gained fame as a world-famous resort. This resort town was able to absorb everything that a tourist wants to see, who goes on a long and exciting trip. On the one hand, this is a resort with a high-quality tourist infrastructure, as there are a lot of entertainment venues, all kinds of shops and expensive hotels with vast territories, golf courses, courts and even helipads. On the other hand, Elounda is lovely village where there are many historical sites. Elounda is very popular among representatives of show business, athletes and politicians. But do not forget about the prices, which can sometimes reach six figures.

Elounda was founded in 6th century Venetians where once was the port of Olus. 40 thousand inhabitants lived on the territory of the city, it had its own minted coin, its own fleet, thanks to which it actively flourished. But due to an earthquake that occurred in the 2nd century BC, the city went under water. And through the transparent and crystal clear waters of the local bay, you can see the remains of ancient buildings. This is a great place for diving enthusiasts who want to get in touch with the history of Greek civilization and fully immerse themselves in its atmosphere. World fame came to the resort only in 1977 when the film studio "Walt Disney" made a film about its inhabitants - "The Moon Spinners". In which the main roles were played by river actors, and local fishermen took part in the extras. This series was broadcast in many countries of the world, after which tourism began to develop actively here. Hotels began to grow on the local slopes, and Elounda became a favorite place for the presidents of Greece, France, numerous movie stars and other famous personalities.

Currently lives here 2200 inhabitants who are engaged in the field of tourism and. Modern Elounda consists of 7 districts, the most respectable and famous of them is Schism, where most of the population lives. In Epano Elounda or Upper Elounda you can see the traditional architecture and the Cretan way of life. At the very top of Elounda is Church of the Annunciation of the Mother of God s (Evangelistria), from its observation deck offers a delightful view of the bay. Today, tourist complexes have been built here, for the most part, these are luxury hotels of a high level. They have been on the list for many years. 100 best hotels in the world.

But what else Elounda attracts so many tourists from all over the world. First, this village is in a favorable geographical location. The bay in which the city is located is formed by the coast of Mirabello Bay from the west and the peninsula, which completely closes it from the east side. Thanks to all this, the bay is completely protected from the winds, so the water here retains heat much longer than on other beaches of Crete, so you can swim here until late autumn.

Secondly, this city is a favorite place for birds to stop during the flight of birds. The climate here is considered favorable for health. On average, for one year, there are more sunny days and less rainfall than in the western part of the island.

Thirdly, it is worth noting that the sandy beaches of the city are considered one of the best beaches in Crete, which every year receive the Blue Flag of Europe for cleanliness and livability.

Elounda is a world famous resort where you can meet tourists from all over the world. In addition to all this, they are attracted by the very picturesque and diverse landscape of the area, the mild and warm climate, as well as the excellent ecology and clear sea.

Attractions and entertainment of the resort

Elounda is pride tourism industry throughout Greece. This is a wonderful resort where you can not only unforgettably relax and have fun, but also get acquainted with the rich historical heritage of e

That country. The main attractions of the city of Elounda are the ruins of ancient Olous and the nearby peninsula of Spinalonga with its famous fortress built in the Venetian period. Once upon a time, this fortress was of strategic importance for all of Crete, but today, they are eager to unravel more mysteries of Greek culture. Also, while relaxing here, you must definitely see the ruins of the ancient city of Dreros, which are located nearby, and you can reach them along the mountain road leading to Neapoli. Only the facades of the walls remained there, along which you can imagine the silhouette of a beautiful city. Also, the area has preserved elements of the temple of Delphic Apollo, which was one of the first classical ancient temples, among those that were built in the eighth century BC. Also, it will be very interesting to go around the surroundings of Elounda, to see the original villages that keep the spirit of bygone eras. Elounda is the real pride of the Greek tourism industry, as such a level of services as here can only be achieved by applying modern technologies in the organization of the resort and resort management.

In addition to all this, the resort has a huge number of restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs. Here you can try local, Cretan, and Greek cuisine. Every evening, live music programs of various styles or entertainment shows are offered here. And one of the most popular local entertainments is a romantic dinner on a yacht in the open sea.

Also, there are many shops and shopping centers where you can buy tablecloths, handmade lace and excellent quality bed linen, traditionally excellent ceramics, fragrant spices, thyme honey, Feta cheese, excellent local wine and, of course, natural cosmetics based on olive oil. oils and more. Also, here you can buy copies of Byzantine icons and famous artifacts of the Minoan civilization.

Elounda beaches

There are a lot of indented sections on the coastline of the Elounda Bay, there are a huge number of various bays that are perfectly protected from strong winds, thanks to which the swimming season here lasts from early April to the very end of October. There are no violent winds and high waves. This is a calm place where you can safely come with children without any anxiety. The beaches of this area are absolutely safe, and in which case, lifeguards who have undergone thorough training will always be on duty there. On the territory of the Pigadakia area there are beaches that are classified as luxury hotels. Moreover, the hotels here are located near the harbor, where they leave their yachts. In this regard, the beaches offer beautiful views.

Municipal sandy beach. It is located near the port and every year receives the Blue European Flag award, which is responsible for the cleanliness and equipment of the beach. It is a large enough beach that is ideal for sea sports, with taverns and cafeterias next to it. There are sunbeds and soft sun loungers, sun umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, volleyball courts, playgrounds, water sports, as well as cafes and taverns.

Poros and Chionas. In the event that you go east, 800 meters from Skizm, you can get to the sandy beaches of Poros and Chionas, which are located near the road that leads to the island of Spinalonga. These beaches are also awarded the Blue Flag of Europe every year. On the territory of the beaches you can find sunbeds and soft sun loungers, sun umbrellas, for the rent of which you will have to pay 5 euros, showers, changing cabins, volleyball courts, playgrounds, water sports, as well as cafes and taverns. The path to these beaches is quite exciting, first you can admire the old saltworks, then - a spectacular bridge and water mills.

Dritos. Also, the beach, which is located near the village of Plaka, near the Dritos hotel, is also popular among tourists. The name of this beach was given by the ancient city, which was located near the village of Neapoli. There are incredibly beautiful landscapes here, because the olive trees descend to the very water, and mine is calm here. This beach is great for families with children. There are sunbeds and soft sun loungers, sun umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, volleyball courts, playgrounds, water sports, as well as cafes and taverns.

Kolokitas. This is a fairly small and incredibly beautiful beach with soft white sand and crystal clear emerald water, which is located right behind the church of Agios Loukas, which is also located in the coastal zone. You will have to pay 5 euros for renting an umbrella from the sun and a sunbed.

Resort weather

On the territory of the resort Elounda the Mediterranean climate prevails, which manifests itself from the very best side. Moreover, it is worth noting that in the northern part of the resort it is a little cooler, so this place is perfect for those who do not really like extreme heat. Although it is worth noting that even high temperatures here are tolerated very easily, without any threats to health and the body. The resort is completely protected from strong winds due to its convenient location. Elounda is located between the coast of the Mirabello Gulf and the peninsula that protects the sea from unrest. During the summer season, the average daily air temperature is

It flutters around 26-28 degrees, and at night the air cools down by three degrees. In the winter season, the air here cools down to 15-17 degrees Celsius. As for the sea, it is calm here, and the high water temperature remains here for a long time, so the swimming season in Elounda begins in May and lasts until November. The water temperature is around +26 degrees, but at high air temperatures, the sea can warm up to +28 degrees. In one year, Elounda has more sunny days and less rainfall than other parts of Crete.

Elounda Hotels

This is a wonderful beach hotel, which is comfortably located on the first coastline, right between the beautiful villages of Elounda and Plaka, offering stunning views of the island of Spinalonga. There are 100 comfortable rooms, each of which has a shower, bathroom, toilet, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, safe, air conditioning, balcony or terrace, comfortable and stylish furniture and much more. Also, the hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a terrace, a 24-hour front desk, a safe, air conditioning, parking, mini golf, water sports, darts, table tennis, an outdoor pool, children's furniture, a restaurant, a children's playground and much more. other. Not far from the hotel is the sandy beach of Elounda, on the territory of which there are sun loungers, deck chairs, sun umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, toilets, a cafe, a water entertainment rental center and much more. Also, it is worth noting that according to Greek law, it is strictly forbidden to live in the country's hotels with pets.

This is a wonderful beach hotel, which is located on the second coastline, right in the center of Elounda, not far from Heraklion Airport. There are 182 rooms of various categories, and regardless of them, each room has wireless internet, a balcony overlooking the sea or mountains, air conditioning, TV with cable and satellite channels, bathroom with hairdryer, comfortable and stylish furniture, direct dial telephone and much more. Also, the hotel has a restaurant, bar, garden, terrace, 24-hour front desk, elevator, safe, heating, air conditioning, luggage storage, conference room and banquet room, dry cleaning, ironing service, car rental, rental bicycles, currency exchange, tour desk, ticket service, parking, smoking areas, tennis court, karaoke, diving, water sports, darts, billiards, massage, table tennis, fitness center, outdoor pool, sauna, services childcare, playground, game room, restaurant and more. At 200 meters from the hotel is the sandy beach of Elounda, on the territory of which there are sun loungers, sun loungers, parasols, showers, changing cabins, toilets, a cafe, a water entertainment rental center and much more. Also, it is worth noting that according to Greek law, it is strictly forbidden to live in the country's hotels with pets.

This is a comfortable beach hotel, which is located on the second coastline in the city of Elounda, just 9 km from Agios Nikolaos. There are 38 comfortable rooms, including double rooms equipped with 2 single beds in the bedroom, as well as rooms overlooking the garden or the sea. Each of the rooms has wireless internet, a balcony overlooking the sea or mountains, air conditioning, TV with cable and satellite channels, bathroom with hairdryer, comfortable and stylish furniture, direct dial telephone and much more. Also, in Krini Hotel 3 * there is a car park, an information desk, bilingual staff, an outdoor seasonal swimming pool, beach and water sports, a sun terrace for relaxing and sunbathing, a restaurant, a bar, a buffet, a children's playground, a children's pool, a children's club and more. Not far from the hotel is the sandy beach of Elounda, on the territory of which there are sun loungers, deck chairs, sun umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, toilets, a cafe, a water entertainment rental center and much more. Also, it is worth noting that this is one of those few hotels where you can stay with pets, but only if their weight does not exceed 10 kg, and only on prior request.

This is a comfortable beach hotel located in the Elounda resort, 7 km from Agios Nikolaos and 65 km from Heraklion. Please note that children under 16 years of age are not allowed in accordance with the concept of a couples hotel. There are many rooms on the territory of the hotel, each of which has a bathroom with a shower, a kitchenette, satellite TV, air conditioning, a safe, a desk, comfortable and stylish furniture, a balcony or terrace with a beautiful view and much more. Also, the hotel has car rental, one conference room for 65 delegates, restaurants, cafes, bars, morning exercises, aerobics, water gymnastics, sirtaki lessons, hiking, Greek lessons, cooking classes, acquaintance with local culture, folklore performances and dance evenings, tour desk, fitness club, sauna and indoor saltwater pool, massage and beauty treatments, spa center, currency exchange, diving club, golf and much more. Not far from the hotel is the sandy beach of Elounda, on the territory of which there are sun loungers, deck chairs, sun umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, toilets, a cafe, a water entertainment rental center and much more. Also, it is worth noting that according to Greek law, it is strictly forbidden to live in the country's hotels with pets.

This is a wonderful beach hotel, which is located on the first coastline in the heart of the resort village of Elounda, 73 km from Heraklion Airport. The hotel has 33 comfortably furnished rooms, including double and triple options. Each of the rooms has a hair dryer, private bathroom, balcony, direct dial telephone, TV, air conditioning and a beautiful view of the Mirabello bay and the island of Spinalonga. Also, the hotel has an elevator, public parking, a safe, for a fee, a restaurant and a tavern with a beautiful view of the bay. Just a 3-minute walk from the hotel is the sandy municipal beach of Elounda, on the territory of which there are paid sunbeds, sun loungers, sun umbrellas, showers, changing cabins, toilets, a cafe, a water entertainment rental center and much more. Also, it is worth noting that according to Greek law, it is strictly forbidden to live in the country's hotels with pets.

How to get to the city

There are several ways to get to the resort.

Bus. In order to get to Elounda by bus from station "A" in Heraklion, which can be reached by bus number 1 or number 78 directly from the airport. Travel time will take 15-20 minutes. Also, it is worth noting that buses to Agios Nikolaos leave every 45 minutes, and the fare will cost 7-10 euros. Further, from Agios Nikolaos, buses run every 2 hours, a ticket will cost 1.7 euros.

Taxis can be taken right at the entrance to the airport or booked in advance. Approximately, the fare will cost 100 euros.

Rented car. The most convenient way to get here is by rented car.