Travel Eye on Elounda (Crete)

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Overview:

Once a small fishing village, Elounda still retains a certain charm, offering an appealing mixture of old and new. It has an attractive harbour surrounded by cafes and bars where you can sit and watch the world go by, and a somewhat crowded, noisy town square with a busy car park catering to the many day visitors. Demand for ever more lively nightlife has led to an increase in discos, disco pubs and other venues playing loud music into the small hours.

Locality:

Elounda is located in E Crete, in the N of the Prefecture of Lassithi, 6 mls N of Aghios Nikolaos and 42 mls E of Heraklion and its airport. It faces E/NE on the Elounda Bay, opposite Spinalonga Peninsula, with an island of the same name off the N tip; the peninsula is linked to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty which sustained tourist development has failed to spoil.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

There is something here for everyone, including walkers and snorkellers. Suits a wide range of budgets.

Accommodation ranges from the finest of de luxe hotels and fully equipped complexes to basic self-catering establishments and B&Bs, all found within 1 to 2 mls of the centre.

The beach here is small, man-made, coarse sandy beach on the edge of town and a small central patch, but beaches are not one of the resort's strong points. Other small areas can be found along the coast, but it is mainly a pebbly, rocky coastline. Nevertheless, bathing is good and most water sports are available. The nearby sunken Greco-Roman city of Olous is a regular pull for snorkelling enthusiasts. The peninsula provides some attractive, secluded coves with crystal-clear water.

Shopping consists of a number of local shops that sell everyday provisions such as food and toiletries; plenty of souvenir shops and a smattering of smart jewellery outlets. 1 or 2 expensive boutiques at the larger hotels but Aghios Nikolaos is a better bet for a wider choice.

Entertainment consists of a variety of water sports and sunbathing; local boat trips; archaeological sites; good walking trails. Nightlife is fairly sophisticated evening dining and dancing at the luxury hotels; number of discos, bars and abundance of tavernas hosting Greek music and dancing evenings; other establishments catering for more Western tastes.

Any number of local-style tavernas are present for a relaxing and satisfying evening out; hotels provide menus for a more international palate. Also a supply of eateries providing more basic food for the less adventurous.

Public transport consists of hourly buses to Aghios Nikolaos; local taxis and many car- or bike-hire outlets.

Excursions consist of boat cruises and fishing trips; Venetian fortress on Spinalonga Island, a former leper colony; Aghios Nikolaos. Full day: Minoan palace of Knossos and Heraklion archaeological museum; coastal town of Sitia and nearby Vai Beach, famous for its palm forest; mountain village of Fiesta; Samaria Gorge (long day).