Welcome to Elounda
Although surrounded by some of Crete's most luxurious resorts, Elounda retains a charming down-to-earth feel. Salty fishing craft bob in its little harbour, where you can board a boat to Spinalonga, a former leper colony and the area's biggest tourist attraction. Attractive shops, bars and tavernas wrap around the harbour and continue north along the sandy municipal beach and south along a paved waterfront promenade. Offshore lies the rugged Spinalonga Peninsula, linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway and home to ancient ruins, beaches and hiking trails.
Top experiences in Elounda
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Elounda activities
Spinalonga - Agios Nikolaos
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos, Agios Nikolaos, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteWe visit the eastern part of the island. Passing through Heraklio, we reach Agios Nikolaos, a small town with a picturesque harbor. The hilly town is built around a former sweet water lake.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Spinalonga (Kalydon), Elounda, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteBy boat we visit the island of Spinalonga. This island was used as a Leper Colony until 1957. In the small village under the Venetian fortress the stigmatized lepers shared fates when exiled to the island. We make a stop to take a swim in the clean waters of Kolokitha beach in the area of the remains of the ancient sunken city of Olous.Duration: 5 hours
Crete Mainland 4x4 Self-Drive Safari with Lunch in Kastelli
Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Kokkini Hani, Malia, Sissi, Milatos, Agia Nikolaos or Elounda. Greet your two local guides, then hop inside an air-conditioned vehicle and travel to Hersonissos.On arrival, receive a full safety briefing, and then hop inside your 4-seater 4x4 vehicle. Get comfortable in the driving seat, or sit in one of the passenger seats, then set off in a convoy.With your tour guides leading the way, soak up the sun and scenic sights as you rumble down dusty dirt tracks. Gaze out over endless fields of olive trees, and pass by quaint villages with sugar cube houses, stopping every now and then to take photos and learn more about the island.Pull up in Gonies, a beautiful village nestled at the foot of the Lassithiotika Mountains. Admire the luscious vegetation and vibrant flowers that abound here, then recharge with a coffee at a local cafe (own expense).Next, marvel at the majestic mountain vistas as you head for Kastelli, a historical village built on the site of an ancient Venetian castle. Be enchanted by the little harbor and seafront shops and eateries, and then head inside a local tavern for lunch.Savor delicious Greek delicacies such as chicken served with potatoes, Greek salad and tzatziki (cucumber and yoghurt dip), all washed down with a glass of wine or, if you’re driving, a soft drink.With your appetite sated, make your way off-road for an exhilarating ride to the north of the island. Look out over the vineyards and villages, and then see the beautiful beach of Gournes come into view. Find yourself a spot on the golden sands and spend the next hour (approx.) at your leisure. Perhaps cool off in the Cretan Sea, or enjoy a calming stroll along the shoreline.After, return to Hersonissos, where you’ll swap your 4x4 for your air-conditioned transfer vehicle. Your tour then concludes with a drop-off back at your hotel.
Flowers of Crete Day Trips
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Elounda Beach, Elounda, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteWe will start from your pick up point and travel into the mountains to search for rare and beautiful flowers, spot birds of prey and others, and have lunch in a traditional tavernaDuration: 3 hours
Discovering Thripti
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Pachia Ammos Beach, Pachia Ammos, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteHaving driven east along the north coast from Elounda/Aghios Nikolaos, we will arrive in the small village of Pachia Ammos, where we will photograph maritime plants and drink coffee at a friend's beach side taverna, while sampling her amazing spinach piesDuration: 1 hourPass By: Strand von Ierapetra, Ierapetra, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteFrom Pachia Ammos we will drive the short distance from the north coast to the south coast, taking in the mouth of the Ha Gorge and the interesting scenery en route.Stop At: Thripti Mountain-Afentis Stavromenos, Ierapetra, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteAfter turning into the mountains, we make our way up to the scenic Thripti village and plateau, stopping en route to photograph rare and exciting flowers. There will also be an opportunity for some bird watching, Eleanora's falcons, Golden orioles and even cuckoos can be seen here amongst the ancient pine forests. After a few detours to find some beautiful endemic flowers, we will finally reach the plateau, where we will take lunch in a fabulous, traditional taverna, where the food is locally sourced and seasonal and the ambience very Cretan. The food and the views are wonderful, the family warm and welcoming and fellow guests are eager to share a few words and maybe a raki or two.Duration: 3 hoursPass By: Elounda Beach, Elounda, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteAfter a short walk on the plateau, we will make our way back to sea level and along the coast to Aghios Nikolas and Elounda.
Ancient ruins, olive trees and spring flowers
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Pachia Ammos Beach, Pachia Ammos, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteFrom Elounda we will drive east on the north coast towards Siteia, stopping at Pachia Ammos beach to search for pieces of pumice remaining from the Santorini eruptions that destroyed the Minoan civilisation. We will also photograph the lovely maritime flowers that grow here in abundance.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Tholos Beach, Kavousi, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteHaving driven further east to the delightful village of Kavousi, we will take a short detour to visit the picturesque Tholos beach for a chance for a gentle stroll along the water's edge before returning to the car to continue our journeyDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Late Minoan Settlement of Azorias, Kavousi, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteFrom Kavousi village, we will turn into the mountains for some off roading up to the Medieval church of Aghia Paraskevi to admire the remains of the frescoes which remain partially uncovered. The views here are magnificent and we will spend a short time admiring the scenery and searching for some interesting endemic flowers.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Late Minoan Settlement of Azorias, Kavousi, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteFrom the Olive tree, we will re trace our steps, turning off to the left to once again follow a dirt road to the ruins of a Late Minoan settlement, with its shrine devoted to The Goddess with the Upraised Hands. A scramble up the bank will also reveal an ancient Tholos tomb. Continuing on until the track finishes, there will be a chance to walk a Minoan pack route, which leads eventually to a Peak Sanctuary. Once again the views are magnificent and, with no-one around, it is possible to imagine life for the Minoans in the mountain refuge.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Pachia Ammos Beach, Pachia Ammos, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteFrom the ruins of Azorias, we will descend the mountain and return to Pachia Ammos for a late lunch of traditional mezes, before continuing on to Elounda.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Elounda Beach, Elounda, Lasithi Prefecture, CreteAfter lunch we will travel back along the north coast to Elounda, where the day will finishDuration: 10 minutes
Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga Island Tour from Rethymno
Start your trip with a bus ride along the north coast of Crete towards the east end of the island. Visit the attractive and lively town of Agios Nikolaos and spend some free time at the lake, port or the town's shops and bars.From there, take the bus to the seaside village of Elounda. Board a boat and travel to Spinalonga or Kalydon. While there walk the winding alleys and see the traces of the islands' Venetian and Turkish history. Pass rustic houses and the ancient Venetian fortress, then learn about Spinalonga's past as the last leper colony in Europe.Enjoy 2 hours of free time in the seaside village of Elounda. Take the chance to have a refreshing swim in the sea or enjoy the local cuisine at one of the traditional taverns. In the evening take the bus back to your hotel in Rethymno.