"It may have plenty of life, but fun-packed Elounda is still not a million miles from the small fishing village it once was."
When it comes to 'wow' factor, the location of Elounda's harbour is right at the top of the scale. Set on a bay facing the dramatic Spinalonga Peninsula, joined to the mainland by a stick-thin causeway, it's pretty breathtaking stuff. It's fair to say that Elounda doesn't score the creme de la creme of marks for its beaches, but you'll find a shimmering sandy stretch to kick-back on. And with plenty of watersports facilities and seaside tavernas here, you don't have to move far for activities and eating. The swimming is good, and it perfect for snorkelling or scuba diving fans. If you're into people watching rather than underwater exploration, a good place to while away a couple of hours is Elounda's stylish harbour. Laced with lively bars and cafes, pull up a chair at whichever takes your fancy and enjoy the yin and yang of a sticky 'baklava' cake and Greek coffee. You're in a prime spot here to simply watch the world go by and watch the colourful fishing boats sailing into the marina. After dark, the harbour is a hive of activity, with oodles of places to eat and some pulsating discos where you can bop 'til you drop. Once you've been here, we're sure you'll agree, Elounda is the perfect recipe for the perfect holiday.
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Our hotels and apartments in Elounda include Alykes, Blue Palace Resort And Spa, Elounda Pelagos, Elounda Village, Giorgios Villa, Hotel Elounda Bay Palace, Hotel Elounda Beach and Manos Apartments.
Looking for holidays in Crete? Our Crete holiday destinations include Aghia Marina, Crete, Agios Nikolaos, Akrotiri, Almeritha, Apokaronas, Chania, Elounda, Gerani, Gouves, Gulf Of Mirabello, Hersonissos, Horafakia, Istron And Kalo Chorio, Kalives, Kamilari, Kamisiana, Kolymbari, Koutouloufari, Livadia, Lyttos Beach, Maheri, Maleme, Malia, Nea Kydonia, Palekastro, Panos Stalos, Platanias, Prina, Rethymnon, Stalis, Veni and Vrouchas.
There's a man-made sandy beach in Elounda, perfect for serious sunbathing. The coves which dot the rocky coastline are great for snorkelling. You can also uncover hidden talents with the many water sports on offer.
There are a variety of local-style tavernas to choose from which serve traditional cuisine, and several other restaurants in the town offering variations of international and continental foods.
In the evening, relax and watch the world go by from one of the many tavernas and cafes around the boat-filled harbour, before heading to a local disco for a night of Greek entertainment.
The local shops are good for food and holiday essentials, as well as plenty of craft and jewellery shops. The larger hotels also contain one or two boutiques.
The sunken city of Olous and the remains of a Byzantine basilica are both nearby and worth a visit. There are also numerous boat trips available to Spinalonga Island and a regular bus service to the fishing village of Plaka where you can relax in one of the many traditional fish tavernas.
10km north of Aghios Nikolaos
2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes
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