Holidays to Elounda are ideally suited to families and couples wishing to relax amid beautiful scenery in Crete’s premier luxury resort.
Description
On Crete's eastern coast within striking distance of the resorts of Aghios Nikolaos, Hersonisos, Malia and Heraklion, Elounda holidays are the perfect holiday package all wrapped up: the high-quality accommodation is modern and comfortable; there's plenty going on and plenty to do; the beaches are good for swimming, snorkelling and diving, and the views are fabulous - just perfect for settling back and letting all life's stresses and strains drift away on the harbour breeze.
Fishing boats are still a feature of this pretty place, sailing in and out all day while, just across the bay, the hauntingly beautiful island of Spinalonga, beckons you to visit.
Elounda's heart beats in the main square, fringed by restaurants, shops, bars and traditional tavernas, where you can make like a local and just watch the world go by, and where, after dark the party mood picks up. A favourite among the Greek glitterati, Elounda was the setting for the film "Who Pays the Ferryman".
Accommodation in the area comes in the form of luxury hotels along the seafront and more laid back, equally enjoyable self-catering holiday resorts which are ideal for families and younger visitors to. With sandy beaches for sunbathing and watersports galore, as well as pretty pebbly coves ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving, Elounda is the perfect choice for a holiday that has a bit of everything, suitable for all tastes and pockets.
Lively in high season, the resort enjoys less frenetic, more relaxed times during spring and early autumn. Whenever you choose to visit, lovely Elounda will not disappoint.
Self Catering Holidays in Elounda
Cooking your own meals on holiday can be special and also saves money. Here are our recommendations for accommodations where you can create your own Greek meal and dine al fresco on those days you don't feel like going out to eat.
Elounda All Inclusive Holidays
Elounda is known for its beautiful beaches and for being a luxurious part of the island, but it doesn't have to have a huge price tag to enjoy it. For one great price, get your inbound and outbound flights, accommodation, and unlimited food and drink! Booking an all inclusive package makes budgeting easy, pay once and you can skip grocery shopping or hefty restaurant bills.
Things to See and Do in Elounda
Elounda has a huge variety of sights and activities for all types of holidaygoers.
Spinalonga: Before leaving Elounda you must see this island, it was once a leper colony and now has well preserved Venetian ruins. Many visitors take boat trips to Spinalonga from Elounda, you can walk around and see it all in a couple hours (and the boat trip is just a few minutes).
Sunken City of Olous: It's theorised that this ancient city became sunken either from a large earthquake around 780 AD or from a landslide. You can see some of the ruins of this fascinating sunken city from the surface or take a closer look by snorkelling or diving in the bay of Elounda.
Christian Basilica Poros Elounda: Dates back to the 5th century AD, this is thought to have been the cathedral of ancient Olous. The mosaic floor is one of the finest surviving examples on all of Crete. This site is sometimes busy during peak times with other visitors interested in history.
Best Beaches in Elounda
Elounda Beach: This beach is beautiful and calm, there are also options to rent sunbeds. Very central to the resort, clean and close to amenities.
Alymros Beach: This is a gorgeous beach with plenty of amenities for tourists such as sunbeds, showers and toilets.
Another great beach which is less than a 15 minute drive from Elounda is Plaka Beach. This pebble beach is also well known for its crystal clear waters and spectacular views of Spinalonga island.
Best Time to Visit Elounda
The best time to visit Elounda is between March and October, when the weather is warm and the days are sunny.
For swimming, the temperature starts to get nice and warm in May with an average temp of 22c.
You can expect very hot days from June to September with temps above 26c. At the end of September, the island begins to cool off and temps drop to 20c by the end of October.
If you're not interested in sunbathing and swimming but want to go sightseeing when there are no crowds of tourists, November is the perfect time. Costs on the island will be lower, the landmarks will be quieter, and temperatures are still more comfortable than in the UK. Daytime temps range between 17-22c.
April and May also experience less tourism than the rest of the summer.
We wouldn't recommend visiting Elounda in December and January, since these are the rainiest months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport do you fly to for Elounda?
The closest airport to Elounda is Heraklion International Airport (HER), about a one hour drive to the resort.
How long is the transfer from Crete airport to Elounda?
Approximately one hour by car.
Does Elounda have a harbour?
Elounda has a gorgeous harbour which features some of the loveliest views on the resort. It's known for its colourful buildings and is a popular place for visitors to take a stroll or dine out.
Is there a sandy beach in Elounda?
Yes, Elounda is home to some of the nicest sandy beaches on the entire island!
Elounda beach in particular has very fine sand.
How do I get to Elounda from Heraklion Airport?
You can take a taxi, rent a car, book a private transfer, or use public transportation. The quickest route is one hour by car.
Is Elounda suitable for families with children?
Yes, Elounda is a beautiful resort with so much to offer the entire family. It is also safe for small children with many beaches featuring clear, calm shallow waters.
Elounda has a waterpark, watersports and a variety of other activities.
Can you visit Spinalonga from Elounda?
Yes, Spinalonga can be easily reached by boat from Elounda. The boat ride from Elounda to Spinalonga is only around ten minutes.
There are various boat tours and ferries operating on the island to choose from for your journey.
Spinalonga is definitely worth visiting if you're interested in learning about the history of this curious little island.
Is Elounda good for couples?
Yes, Elounda is an extremely beautiful and romantic destination. The resort is a lovely place to wine and dine together, with plenty of activities to discover.
Can I get around Elounda without a car?
Yes, it is possible to get around Elounda without a car. It is relatively small, making it easy to navigate on foot.
If you want to see more of the area and explore a lot of Crete, you may enjoy booking a car for your holiday.
All hotels in Elounda
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