Elounda beach
The traditional fishing village of Elounda is situated in north-eastern Crete, in the Lassithi region, approximately 80 km from Heraklion Airport.
Elounda beach at a glance
The main beach in Elounda is a lovely 200 m long sand beach right north of the harbour. The fine-grained sand is golden. The water is relatively shallow and almost always calm as the beach is well protected inside a bay.
It is possible to rent sun lounges and sunshades at the beach and there is access to showers and toilets. It may be a challenge to find a parking space during the high season. Behind the beach there are several areas with palm trees and flowers. The view from the beach is also in a league of its own; partly of the mountains around Elounda and partly of the island of Spinalonga.
Elounda’s second-largest beach is right on the other side of the pier. The sand is coarser and mixed with pebblestones, but you can rent sunbeds and parasols, and it is usually a bit quieter here.
Child-friendliness
The main beach in Elounda is very child-friendly. Lovely soft sand and relatively shallow and calm water.
Water sports
There is a water sports centre at the beach offering a few types of water sports. It is also possible to rent water bikes.
Beach restaurants
There are several restaurants and tavernas close to the beach. By the harbour, just south of the beach, the selection is even bigger. A highly rated restaurant close to the beach is the Italian Olio Italiano Ristorante, which serves handmade pasta.
Elounda holiday resort
Elounda is one of the most exclusive holiday resorts in Crete. The town still has some of its Greek charm, but the shops and restaurants are more luxurious than usual in Crete. Generally, the hotels are also of a very high standard, in particular the 5-star luxury hotel Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas.
From the harbour in Elounda, you can take a boat to the island of Spinalonga, where the Venetians built a large fortress in the late 16th century. Today, the island is best known for the period from 1903 to 1957, when it served as a colony for people with leprosy from across Greece. The island has remained uninhabited ever since, but it is remarkably well preserved and well worth visiting. There are many daily departures, and the crossing takes only around 15 minutes.
Another popular excursion is to the town of Agios Nikolaos, known for the supposedly bottomless Lake Voulismeni and its many attractive beaches overlooking Mirabello Bay. The town has a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere, with plenty of cafés, restaurants and small shops to explore. Agios Nikolaos is around 10 km from Elounda and can easily be reached by taxi.
Our video from Elounda
Elounda map
Elounda’s largest beach can be seen in the middle of the map, while the second largest is on the other side of the northern pier. The tour boats to Spinalonga sail from this pier or from the harbour south of the beach. Spinalonga is located less than 1 km east of Plaka.
