With the Aegean sea sparkling at its shores and a backdrop of arid mountain crags, picked over by daredevil goats with clinking bells, this sleepy town is a little gem. The high-fliers of Greece and those in the know like to get away from it all in the luxurious surroundings of little-known Elounda, which sits on a coastline peppered with hidden coves and a light dusting of swanky hotels.
Elounda is a seaside resort in the Lassithi region of Crete, popular for its beautiful little harbour and caramel-coloured beach. The resort has a friendly, traditional feel to it with bustling weekly markets and a tempting variety of Greek tavernas, waterfront restaurants and bars. Elounda is a short sail away from the islet of Spinalonga, and an hour’s drive from the superb Acqua Plus water park.
The main town, a 20-minute walk away or five minutes by car, is a quaint port decorated with palm trees, old stone and white buildings and churches. Small fishing boats still bob in and out of the harbour with their daily catch and it’s a perfect place to stop and sip a glass of ouzo on the front, people-watching. By night Elounda looks more inviting, the harbour aglitter with the lights of tavernas and bars. The pleasant but unremarkable town beach, to the north of the port, can get very crowded.
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