Elounda is the island of Crete. Elounda: the elite resort of Crete

Elounda resort is a fashionable holiday destination in Crete. Situated on the Mirabello Bay, Elounda offers unspoilt beaches, high quality hotels, a peaceful and relaxing environment and amazing surrounding landscapes. Thanks to natural features bay, the sea is warm and calm.

Elounda resort is located in the northeast of Crete. Sheltered in the western part of Mirabello Bay, Elounda looks spectacular and picturesque: a small bay with sapphire-colored water, and above it - hills overgrown with rare vegetation and a scattering of chic hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs and cafes

The small village of Elounda has only six hundred inhabitants, who until a few decades ago were mainly engaged in fishing and herding sheep. However, this place was lucky: famous for its warm and calm sea off the coast, Elounda quickly began to gain popularity with holidaymakers. With development tourism business almost all locals retrained and now work in fashionable hotels, cafes and shops.

How to get from the airport by bus/taxi

Elounda is located 80 km from the capital of Heraklion and 70 km from international airport Nikos Kazantzakis. Individual transfer from kiwi taxi(with a meeting in the arrival hall, help with luggage and other goodies) will cost from 6,000 to 7,500 rubles. depending on the class and size of the chosen car.

Order a transfer (or estimate prices):

Bus communication with the outside world is carried out in Elounda through neighboring resort Agios Nikolaos, located 10 km. To get to Elounda from the airport (Heraklion, Chania, Malia, etc.), you will have to make a transfer. Fare Heraklion - Agios Nikolaos— 5.5 euros, Agios Nikolaos - Elounda- 1.1 euros.

In the process of rest, you will probably decide more than once to hit the road to Agios Nikolaos and back, so the traffic intervals public transport from Elounda will be useful to you.

Bus schedule Elounda - Agios Nikolaos By weekdays: 07:30, 10:30, 12:20, 14:20, 15:20, 17:30, 19:20. Weekends: 08:20, 10:20, 12:20, 14:20, 17:20.

Bus schedule Agios Nikolaos - Elounda on weekdays: 06:00, 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 13:15, 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00. Weekends: 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00.

Buses from Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion (and back) leave every half an hour or an hour. Travel time: about one and a half hours.

Elounda hotels - where to stay

There are about 40 hotels and dozens of apartments and villas in Elounda and its surroundings. Prices range from 50 to 700 euros per night, and booking available options better in advance, because there are not so many of them. The resort's romantic aura made it famous great place for newlyweds, so many hotels in Elounda provide special services and rooms for weddings, honeymoon and just a romantic getaway.

The best beaches of Elounda - where to swim

The sandy beaches of Elounda are awarded the Blue Flags of the EU every year. The title of luxury resort Crete obliges to keep the coastline in perfect cleanliness, guests are provided with sunbeds, umbrellas, refreshing drinks and all kinds of water activities. The coast in the bay of Elounda is protected by the bend of the peninsula from wind and strong waves, and the shallow depth allows the sea to warm up more and retain heat until the very end of the velvet season.

For absolute lovers clear water along the rugged coastline several pebble beaches, with sun loungers and umbrellas.

Entertainment and attractions of Elounda

At the bottom of the Poros canal are the remains of the sunken ancient city of Olus. One of largest centers ancient Crete went under water in the 2nd century AD. e. after the earthquake. Long city ​​wall Olusa is a few centimeters under water, so it can be seen from land. There are remains of a floor mosaic near the canal, and to see other ruins, you need to make an underwater dive.

Spinalonga island in the vicinity of Elounda / Photobank Lori

A few kilometers from Elounda, in the middle of the sea is famous island Spinalonga, where lepers from all over Crete were taken. There are preserved houses and streets in which those who suffered from this terrible disease lived. The sad history of Spinalonga is compensated by the wonderful views of the remains of the old ghost town, whose history, fortunately, has remained in the past. A visit to Spinalonga is one of the most popular excursions on Crete. During the peak season, up to 2 thousand tourists arrive here daily!

So, tourists who have bought tours to Elunuda get a significant advantage - a boat leaves for the island approximately every half hour, so you can choose any convenient time for the tour.

In Elounda, you can make a kind of journey through time, walking along - Mauritius, Plaka, Skisma. Here, life flows measuredly, like hundreds of years ago, and simple houses, gardens with flowers and old ornate streets create a striking contrast with the chic hotel complexes located on the coast.

Elounda

Elounda Krini Hotel is located just 200 meters from Elounda Beach in Crete. 1. Elounda good area in Crete, and the location of the hotel itself is also excellent. The distance from Heraklion airport to the hotel is 70 km. I think you need to rent a car. There are a lot of companies near the airport different possibilities tourists. There is parking on site. 2. Hotel staff in literally is customer oriented. At the reception, cleaning, providing food at the proper level. 3. The food is excellent. Interesting breakfast serving: highlights in the form buffet, but if you want scrambled eggs, scrambled eggs, sausages, etc., then you order and they bring you; perhaps this is a really rational approach. Dinner is very good: a different menu, I thought in a week there would be a repetition in the main dishes, but no, it was new; I liked the quality, the portions are large. So in terms of food, this hotel can give odds to many cafes. 4. Although we don’t have our own beach (of course, we all want to get more for less), but there is a pool and sunbeds, and believe me, there are always a lot of vacationers there. 5. The place is quiet, only the roosters woke us up :), at five in the morning, apparently, they started the roll call.

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9.0 Superb 249 reviews

Elounda

Family-run Elounda Palm Hotel is located near the sea in the Elounda area. It features a restaurant and a lounge bar, as well as a large open pool with a bar. The villa had gorgeous view from the terrace! And you could park your car nearby. The staff is incredible! I was bitten by a wasp, they found an antihistamine cream for me, they changed beach towels, since they did not constantly intersect with the cleaners. They gave us an early breakfast (though very meager ((cake, coffee, juice and bread with butter and jam)

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8.8 Fabulous 109 reviews

Elounda

Built in the form of an amphitheatre, Selena Hotel is located on the gentle hillside of the resort village of Elounda, next to the beach, overlooking the bay of Elounda and the island of Spinalonga. Great staff, comfortable and bright rooms. The compliment from the hotel before departure was a pleasant surprise. Each room has a small balcony, a table, chairs, and simply stunning sea views!

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8.1 Very good 77 reviews

Lassithi is the eastern part of the island, the greenest in comparison with Heraklion, with a population of about 70 thousand people. The name Lassithi comes from the ancient Greek word "lastos" - densely overgrown. The main part of the population is engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. This area is home to the famous palm beach Vai, where the Bounty commercial was filmed. From historical monuments the following are interesting: Guria - one of the most remarkable excavations of the Minoan period; Kato Zakros - famous minoan palace; Lato or Etera - ruins ancient city, founded in the 7th century BC; Church of Our Lady of Kera with 14th-15th century murals; Toplou Monastery, where ancient frescoes of the 14th century and valuable icons have been preserved; small convent Bloom; ancient fortress on the island of Spinalonga, in the former serving as a fortification. In addition to historical and archaeological sites, you can visit a lot interesting places such as the Lassithi Plateau, famous for its many windmills, the cave of Dikteon Andron, in which Zeus was born; the city of Ierapetra is the southernmost, warmest of famous resorts islands. The Lassithi area is known for its magnificent beaches, beautiful bays, beautifully indented coastline, hospitable villages.

Elounda. The current name of Elounda comes from ancient Greek city Olus, which connected the peninsula with the main island. In ancient times, up to 11 types of coins were printed here, most of which depicted Artemis and Zeus. Nowadays, Elounda is an elite tourist resort the eastern part of Crete, where the fashionable hotels of the Helios, Sbokos, Iberostar, Mamidakis systems are located. It is in Elounda that the stars of Greek show business, politics and sports try to arrange their marriage.

Resort Elounda

Elounda - unique resort, located in the east of Crete in the prefecture of Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi district. Elounda is considered the most elite resort in Crete.

Here are the most expensive hotels in Crete with vast territories, golf courses, courts and even helipads.

Elounda resort is popular with famous politicians, sportsmen and representatives of show business. Elounda hotels are famous for their prices, which sometimes reach six figures in euros for one night's stay.

Geographic features of Elounda

What is so attractive about Elounda - a former fishing village? First, a favorable geographical location. The bay in which Elounda is located is formed by the coast of Mirabello Bay from the west and the peninsula that closes the bay from the east.

Thanks to this feature, the bay is protected from the waves of the sea, and the water retains its warmth longer than on other beaches of Crete, which allows you to swim here even in late autumn.

And during the migration of birds, Elounda and the Spinalonga peninsula become a favorite stopping place for birds. Second, the climate eastern Crete considered good for health. Average per year here large quantity sunny days and less rainfall than in the western part of the island.

Third, sandy beaches Elounda is considered one of the most the best beaches Crete, which annually win the "Blue Flag of Europe" for cleanliness and livability.

Elounda. Attractions...

But not only clean beaches and features geographical location known for Elounda. The main local attraction is the island of Spinalonga, located near Elounda.

island of Spinalonga

The fortress built by the Venetians on this island played an important role in the life of the island and is now one of the most visited fortresses in Crete.

Antique Olus (Olunt)

Modern Elounda is located next to the territory of the ancient city of Olus (Olunt), which played an important role in the life of the island of Crete and even printed its own coins. In total, about a dozen were found different types coins, among which were coins depicting Zeus and Artemis Britomartis. Archaeological research and, in particular, the texts found here make it possible to suggest that Olus could have been connected with the cities of Knossos and Lato, as well as with the island of Rhodes. Unfortunately, the nature of these connections has not yet been accurately established. The city was located on the site of the current isthmus connecting the island of Crete with the peninsula of Spinalonga. But as a result of the process of subsidence of eastern Crete, and, possibly, as a result of a powerful earthquake, Olous was almost completely submerged under water. According to one of the assumptions, the name of the modern village of Elounda could come from the name of the ancient city of Olunt (Olus), a city with such a glorious and at the same time sad history... Nowadays, you can see here only the remains of an early Christian basilica and a well-preserved fragment of the mosaic floor. ..

The road leading from Agios Nikolaos to Elounda runs along the coast, and in the area of ​​the village of Ellinika (Ellinika) passes on a hill, from where a stunning view of Mirabello Bay and the eastern tip of the island of Crete opens up. And going to mountain road in Neapoli, you can visit ancient city Dreros, where the remains of ancient buildings and market square. But the greatest value is the ruins of one of the first classical Greek temples, belonging to the Temple of Delphi Apollo, which dates from the 8th century BC. BC.

Oddly enough, Elounda is resort village, which seeks to visit not only the rich and famous tourists. Many come here to escape from the bustle of the city, to enjoy the tranquility of the town, where fishermen on the shore repair fishing tackle, where the sea is almost calm, and life flows measuredly.

Elounda attracts tourists with magnificent landscapes, always calm seas and good developed infrastructure. Divers will especially rejoice, because the ruins of an ancient city lie at the bottom of the sea, which went under water as a result of an earthquake more than 2000 years ago.

Elounda on the map of Crete

If you prefer maximum comfort and are ready to pay a lot of money for it, then you are here. The resort is popular with famous politicians, athletes, rich people and representatives of show business. In a word, Elounda is one of the most prestigious places holidays in Crete. However, anyone can settle here, as there are options with inexpensive housing.

Elounda began to develop since 1977 and all thanks to Hollywood. The Walt Disney Film Studio shot a film in the town, as a result of which tourists began to come here who wanted to see the beautiful landscapes and emerald bays shown in the movies with their own eyes. It is currently popular but calm resort where life flows slowly.

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Sea and beach

The beaches of Elounda are awarded for their cleanliness blue flag. All of them are well protected from strong winds so the water is always warm and there are no waves. The cost of renting a sun lounger is 2.5 euros, an umbrella - 2 euros.

The central city beach is sandy and fully equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, volleyball and playgrounds. Eat water activities and cafes nearby.

A little further north, next to the cool Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection, A Marriott Luxury & Lifestyle Hotel , is Driros Beach with tamarisk trees all the way to the water's edge. It also has everything you need for a beach holiday.

You can also relax on the beaches located nearby: sandy Khionase and Kolokitas, pebbly Plaka.

Attractions

There are no particularly interesting places in the resort itself, but from here you can go to, where in the 16th century the Venetians built a fortress.

There is also an interesting attraction in the vicinity of Elounda - this is Lake Vulizmeni, which is located in the city, a 15-minute drive. In general, this town is worth visiting and exploring. On the way to it there will be an observation deck.

And you can also go to the excavations.

In a word, you will have something to do in your free time from the beach.

How to get to Elounda

The resort is located about 60 km from, but you cannot directly get to Elounda by bus from there. First you need to get from the airport to the bus station of the city (travel time 1 hour), and then transfer to the bus to the resort.

Hotels

The resort is more designed for a wealthy audience, so Elounda hotels usually have 4 and 5 stars. Here are the most expensive hotels in Crete with vast areas, golf courses, tennis courts and even helipads.

However, you can also find inexpensive accommodation, just there are not as many options as in other resorts of Crete.

Many prefer to settle not in the city itself, but in the immediate vicinity. Rent a whole.