The village of Elounda and the beach of Elounda in Crete, Greece

Elounda is a coastal village and luxury resort close to Agios Nikolaos (distance 11 kilometers). It is set the a picturesque Bay of Mirabello and overlooks the (now connected to the mainland) island of Spinalonga, that shelters it from the sea. It is a pretty and touristic place, and it has a touch of chique.

There are two islands opposite Elounda, and both are called Spinalonga. One beholds a Venetian fortres, and the other is nowadays connected to the mainland. There you find windmills, a church, and the remains of an early Christian basilica, with well preserved mosaics of dolphins, fish and flowers. This old church used to be a part of the ancient town of Olous. In Elounda you can also see the walls from the old Venetian saltlakes just before the beach. The larger part of the old town of Olous has been claimed by the sea and has disappeared into the water. If you dive into the sea there are still remains to be seen.

Most of the people that book a luxury hotel end up in or around Elounda. There are also quite some tourists that visit from nearby Agios Nikolaos to make use of the beaches, because there is a lack of good beaches inside Agios Nikolaos town. The picturesque setting of Elounda in the Bay of Mirabello was probably one of the reasons for the BBC to choose the village as a setting for their series "Who Pays the Ferryman" in the seventies. There are many shops, kafenions and restaurants in Elounda and a lot of the people come to the village to make the boat trip to the island of Spinalonga to take a look at this former leper colony with its Venetian fortress.

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Michalakis Restaurant - Elounda

A restaurant situated in the harbour of Elounda, close to the bus station square for the excursion busses. They serve many different kinds of salads (with shrimps or tuna for instance), many ommelettes, and there is a wide variety in main courses. There are special menu's for children. The coffee is a very good, very large cup of Illy coffee, the ommelettes special are super, and the french fries crispy.

Our verdict: a 9 out of 10

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Elounda Traditional Homes of Crete - Affordable luxury private holiday homes - more pictures

Situated in the peaceful village of Mavrikiano, just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Elounda, these traditionally built houses combine rustic features with luxurious features. Traditional Homes of Crete offer you spacious properties with private gardens and Jacuzzi bathtubs. Most of these charming properties also feature private swimming pools or shared facilities with another house. Clean linens and cooking utensils are provided at the house or villa. Benefit from free wired internet access and free private parking. The interior of the Traditional Homes features exposed brickwork, wooden beams and elegant furniture, creating a warm and homely environment. Enjoy a beautiful countryside setting close to Elounda Village.

Check availability and prices & book one of the Traditional Homes in Elounda CLICK HERE

For more hotels, apartments and studios in and around Elounda CLICK HERE

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Elounda Akti Olous Hotel - Elounda - right at the beach of Elounda & well priced

Akti Olous is recently renovated, a family-run hotel ideal for those of all ages, looking for comfortable accommodation in a cosy environment. The hotel is located directly on the thick sandy beach in the bay of Elounda, only 300 m from the village of Elounda, its small harbour and shopping area. The location of the hotel provides a relaxed holiday, with stunning panoramic view from the roof top pool.

The hotel Akti Olous in Elounda has 70 twin rooms and some of them can take an additional bed. Their comfortable furniture is brand new and most of the rooms have a superb view of the Bay of Elounda. Every room has independent air conditioning / heating (at extra charge), a fridge, satelite tv, music, hairdryer and a private bathroom. There are single rooms, doubles, triples and there are suites to choose from.

� Distance to the village of Elounda: approx. 300 meters.
� Distance to next bus stop: approx. 70 meters.
� Distance to the town of Agios Nikolaos: approx. 12 km.
� Distance to Heraklion Airport: approx. 70 km.

Check availability and prices & book the Akti Olous Hotel in Elounda CLICK HERE

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Hans Huisman, http://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2007 2008 <XMP></body></xmp>