Elounda Village

Elounda has become famous, BBC filmed the TV series “Who Pays the Ferryman” here in the ‘70s. Also there are many luxury resorts dotted about the area, and some high value properties. Elounda Beach, Elounda Bay Palace, Blue Palace and Elounda Mare resorts all nestle along the coastline.

As a result of the tourists, the shopping, tavernas and boutiques of Elounda are very stylish and Elounda does get very busy in summer. There are plenty of each range of hotels, accommodation, rooms and domatia to choose from.

Elounda sits on one of the prettiest, cleanest bays in Crete. Elounda is on a protected bay, sitting behind the Kolokytha Peninsular and Spinalonga Island.

See our page about Elounda Beach, an idyllic spot.

Cafés and Restaurants

The atmospheric Kalidon floating restaurant sits on the water, rocking gently and overlooking the bay.

If you are looking for good authentic Cretan food, seek out a paradosiakí traditional taverna such as To Paradosiakó in Elounda, and ask for fresh hórta wild greens. Pour on plenty of olive oil, squeese on fresh lemon juice and enjoy this simple but splendid dish with your other mesédes.

Elounda Accommodation

Surrounding Elounda are some of the finest luxury resorts in Crete, or in Greece for that matter. Both the Blue Palace Spa & Resort and the Elounda Beach Resort are featured on our luxury accommodation page as they offer exquisite services on the beautiful bay of Elounda, surrounded by all the natural beauty of the area.

Around and About Elounda

Nearby the ruins on the island of Spinalonga make a very interesting day tour. The Venetian fortezza from 1579 protected Mirabello Bay but fell into ruin during Turkish rule, after 1913 the island was used as a leper colony, the last of the lepers died in 1953. This area is breath taking for its scenery, let alone its unusual past.

Bird Island and Kri Kri Island are protected sanctuaries close by to Elounda village. There are day trips including Spinalonga, swimming, snorkelling and Olous.

The isthmus between Crete and Spinalonga sank many years ago during an earthquake and so sunk the ruined city of Olous, which is dated perhaps as far back as 3000 BC, today is one of the most interesting scuba dives in Kríti.

A little to the north is the smaller village of Plaka, once a lazy fishing village it has grown as a result of tourism but still keeps it charm. There is a good pebble beach and there are a handful of fish tavernas with fresh delights.

Inland is the village of Kritsá, at the foot of Kastella Mountain, which leads to the Plateau of Katharo. Kritsá is known for its proud Cretan traditions.

Famous also for its picture-postcard whitewashed village and mountain scenery, so much so Kritsá was a movie set for Italian-French production “He Who Must Die” 1957, based on the work of Kazantzakis.

Occupied since Minoan times, Kritsá has a fascinating history including the freedom fighting female leader Thriliki Kritsotopoula, who died in the Battle of Kritsá in 1823.

Inland is also the ancient city of Lato, named after the Goddess Lato, also spelt Leto, who was mother to Apollo and Artemis with the God Zeus. This Dorian city dates from 7th Century BC and Olous was its port.

Elounda village is certainly full of unexpected treasures…