Elounda Holidays

Elounda is a very pretty village on the eastern side of Crete, north of the popular resort of Agios Nikolaos. It is located in the Mirabello Bay, and the region around Elounda is known for the unique mineral found here called `akonopetra`. From a sleepy fishing village a few decades ago Elounda has developed into a very famous and popular resort, known for the fantastic scenery and large hotels. Today Elounda is a center for spending a luxurious holiday on the island of Crete. Many famous politicians, Arab sheikhs and princes, music and movie stars, as well as tycoons often come to Elounda to spend their vacations. That is one of the reasons why it attracts so many people, and if you are a bit lucky you can swim or sunbathe with some of the VIPs in Elounda.

Quaint and Quiet Elounda

Elounda is a perfect place for spending a holiday because it is not very noisy and busy, but at the same time it is not quiet or isolated. There is a good balance of both, but the nightlife here is not very rich as in other places. However, there is a fair share of bars, cafés and plenty of tavernas where you can enjoy good meals. Elounda is mainly for those that want a nice relaxing holiday in a warm place. The average summer temperatures here are in the upper 20s C, and spring months are also pleasant for sunbathing and swimming.

Elounda's Coastline

Elounda has an amazing coastline, the sea water is clean and clear and there are plenty of beaches where you can sunbathe and swim. There are also lots of archaeological spots for those that want to learn more about the history and culture of the region. The harbor in Elounda is a very attractive spot to visit. It is a very nice blue lagoon bordered by peninsulas. From Elounda you can go visit the Spinalonga Island or the Kolokitha peninsula. In the area there are some very nice, picturesque villages like Epano Elounda, Mavrikiano or Skisma. The monastery of Aretiou is another place well worth visiting, as one of the oldest and largest monasteries on the Island of Crete.

Elounda Culture

Elounda has many places where you will see the relics of old Greek, Minoan, Roman, Venetian and Byzantine cultures. The Venetian fortress located on the Spinaloga Island and the ancient city of Olous are a couple of very important archeological spots in Elounda. In the past Olous was one of the major trading spots on Crete. Now you can see the ruins of Olous laying below the waters of Spinaloga, which is about one kilometer away from the Skisma harbor. This is a great place for scuba divers and snorkelers. Spinaloga Island is a very busy place in the peak of the summer season, but it is a definitely a place to visit. The locals are always willing to help and show you around the place. Take some time to fully explore it and admire to everything it has to offer.