Deep Crete · Town guide

Elounda

On the Gulf of Mirabello, a turquoise bay closed off by Spinalonga. Behind its big resorts, Elounda is also a real fishing town — lively and affordable, to be enjoyed by day and in the evening, right by the water.

Lassithi · Gulf of Mirabello

Where

≈ 11 km · 15 min

From Agios Nikolaos

Spinalonga & Kolokytha

Across the bay

Living fishing port

The vibe

Elounda on video

A short cinematic video of Elounda, filmed from the air and on the ground: an aerial descent toward the bay, the harbour, the beach and the streets by day, then the evening mood and the calm of the waterfront after dark.

The angle

The real town of Elounda, not just its palaces

Elounda is first associated with its five-star resorts strung along the bay — and they made its international name. But behind the palaces there's a real little seaside town, lively and affordable: a shaded square by the port, brightly painted fishing boats, tavernas at the water's edge, a domed church and a white bell tower. You can spend a day in Elounda — or even stay here — without ever setting foot in a luxury hotel, and taste authentic Crete facing the Gulf of Mirabello.

From the air

The bay, the harbour and the beach

From the air, Elounda nestles at the head of a perfectly sheltered bay, closed off by the Kolokytha peninsula and the island of Spinalonga: calm, turquoise water, ideal for swimming and water sports. The small fishing harbour is the town's beating heart; around it, a managed beach, a few coves and a promenade that follows the shore. It's one of the rare spots in Crete where the sea stays glassy even when the meltemi blows elsewhere — hence, too, the bay's distinctive calm.

In the evening

Evenings on the waterfront

As night falls, Elounda changes face. Terraces light up along the waterfront, tables spill onto the seaside promenade, and you dine on grilled fish facing the lights reflected in the bay. The mood stays gentle and family-friendly, far from the bustle of the big resorts: a quiet stroll after dinner, water lapping against the boats, and the outline of Spinalonga fading into the night. It's that peaceful mid-evening our video captures.

Around

Spinalonga, Kolokytha and the sunken city of Olous

Elounda is the best base for exploring the whole eastern side of the Gulf of Mirabello. Across the water, the fortress island of Spinalonga is visited by boat — but the cheapest crossing leaves from Plaka, the village a few minutes north. The wild Kolokytha peninsula is reached on foot or by boat for its deserted coves. And beneath your feet, in the shallow water by the causeway, lie the remains of Olous, the sunken ancient city — you can still make out walls under the surface. Agios Nikolaos and the village of Kritsa are less than twenty minutes away.

💡 Doing it right

Park once near the harbour and do Elounda on foot: everything is right there, around the bay.
For Spinalonga, compare: from Elounda the crossing runs about €20 per adult (summer 2026, indicative); as a family, going to Plaka a few minutes north cuts the cost noticeably.
Cross the little causeway to the Kolokytha peninsula and look for the sunken walls of Olous in the clear water.
Book a waterside table for sunset: it's the best moment on the waterfront.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Elounda and how do you get there?

On the east coast of Crete, on the Gulf of Mirabello (Lassithi), about 11 km north of Agios Nikolaos — 15 minutes by road. The nearest airport is Heraklion (≈ 1h15 by car). A car is the most convenient option; KTEL buses also link Agios Nikolaos to Elounda.

Is Elounda only for luxury hotels?

No. Elounda is world-famous for its five-star resorts, but above all it's a real seaside town, with its fishing harbour, affordable tavernas and promenade. You can enjoy it fully — for a day or a stay — without sleeping in a palace.

Can you visit Spinalonga from Elounda?

Yes, boats leave Elounda's harbour for Spinalonga, often as a half-day excursion — expect around €20 per adult (summer 2026, indicative, check before you go). It's a little longer and a little pricier: as a family, you can drive to Plaka, a few minutes north, where the equivalent but shortest and cheapest crossing departs (≈ €12), to cut the cost noticeably.

What is there to see around Elounda?

The fortress island of Spinalonga, the wild Kolokytha peninsula, the sunken remains of the ancient city of Olous by the causeway, Agios Nikolaos and its lake, and the mountain village of Kritsa — all less than twenty minutes away.

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