Elounda
Crete’s most exclusive coastal retreat with luxury resorts, calm bays and elegant escapes for couples and discerning travellers
Deals from 354ppBest Deal of Elounda
Overview
Things To Do
Deals
Travel Guide
Holidays to Elounda offer one of the most refined and luxurious experiences in Crete. Located on the island’s north-east coast in the Lasithi region, Elounda is known for its calm waters, upscale resorts and serene atmosphere.
Unlike livelier destinations, Elounda focuses on relaxation, privacy and high-end hospitality. The coastline is dotted with exclusive hotels, many featuring private beaches, infinity pools and panoramic sea views. Its sheltered bay ensures consistently calm waters, ideal for swimming and boat trips.
Elounda is particularly popular with couples, honeymooners and luxury travellers seeking a peaceful escape while still having access to nearby towns like Agios Nikolaos for dining and nightlife.
✨ Why Visit Elounda
- One of Crete’s most luxurious and exclusive destinations
- Calm, sheltered waters perfect for swimming and boating
- High-end resorts with premium facilities and private beaches
- Easy access to Spinalonga Island and cultural sites
- Relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere compared to other resorts
- Ideal for romantic and boutique-style holidays
🌴 What Makes It Special
Elounda stands out for its understated elegance. It offers a level of tranquillity and exclusivity rarely found elsewhere in Crete. The combination of natural beauty, historical landmarks and world-class hospitality creates a destination that feels both intimate and sophisticated—perfect for travellers seeking quality over quantity.
📍 Key Areas to Explore
- Elounda Bay (Lasithi Region) – Calm waters and luxury beachfront resorts
- Plaka Village (Lasithi Region) – Traditional fishing village with views of Spinalonga
- Kolokytha Peninsula (Lasithi Region) – Secluded beaches and natural scenery
- Agios Nikolaos (Lasithi Region) – Lively nearby town with shops and nightlife
🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Walk scenic coastal trails around Elounda Bay
- Take a private boat trip to Spinalonga and hidden coves
- Explore the Kolokytha Peninsula
- Discover traditional villages inland
🏖️ Beaches
- Relax on Elounda’s calm, sheltered beaches
- Swim in Kolokytha’s turquoise lagoon
- Visit Plaka Beach for peaceful surroundings
- Enjoy sunset views along the bay
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Dine at seafront restaurants in Elounda
- Enjoy authentic Cretan cuisine in Plaka
- Taste fresh seafood with island views
- Sip cocktails at luxury resort bars
🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment
- Enjoy relaxed evenings with live music
- Experience elegant cocktail lounges
- Visit nearby Agios Nikolaos for livelier nightlife
- Attend cultural events and performances
📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots
- Views of Spinalonga Island from Plaka
- Sunset over Elounda Bay
- Kolokytha Beach lagoon
- Luxury resort infinity pools
- Coastal landscapes and hidden coves
Best Value Deals
🏨 All-Inclusive Holidays
Elounda's all-inclusive market is luxury-tilted rather than mass-market — the resort leans toward five-star half-board and premium AI rather than the budget formats found in Hersonissos or Malia. Blue Palace Elounda (a Marriott Luxury Collection resort), Royal Marmin Bay (adults-only) and Elounda Bay Palace lead the upper-tier all-inclusive rankings, with fine-dining restaurants, private beach access and spa inclusions. Shoulder-season weeks with UK flights typically open from £549pp in May or October, climbing to £1,399pp at August half-term.
👨👩👧👦 Family Holidays
Elounda leans more toward couples and honeymooners than families, but a handful of resorts run strong family facilities behind the luxury positioning. Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas and Candia Park Village (built as a Cretan village with shallow calm-water beaches and kids' clubs) lead the family inventory. The calm Mirabello Bay water suits younger swimmers well. Pair with the Spinalonga island boat trip and the Lasithi Plateau day trip for a varied family week.
💎 Luxury Holidays
Elounda is Crete's leading luxury destination, with the densest five-star inventory on the island. Blue Palace Elounda (Marriott Luxury Collection), Elounda Mare Hotel (a Relais & Châteaux property, Crete's first luxury resort, opened 1982), Domes of Elounda (Autograph Collection) and the new Daios Cove (5km south at Agios Nikolaos) are the headline addresses. Private-pool villas, dedicated butler service and bespoke yacht charters from Elounda harbour deliver the headline luxury experience.
⏰ Last-Minute Deals
Elounda's high-end positioning means late discounts are uncommon during the May-to-October peak, when the luxury-resort calendar drives full inventory at premium rates. The strongest savings appear in mid-May to early June and from late September into early October — discounts of 15–20% inside three weeks of departure are realistic on the larger resort properties. Almost every Elounda hotel closes from late October to late April; the resort effectively shuts down in winter.
Why Book with us:
💰 Low deposits from £49pp
📅 Flexible payment plans with balance due 6 weeks before travel
🛡️ ATOL Protected — your money and flights are fully safeguarded
✏️ Free amendment window on selected packages
📞 UK-based customer support, 8am–11pm every day
📅 Best Time to Visit Elounda
- May – June: Warm, peaceful and ideal for luxury escapes
- July – August: Hot and popular with peak demand
- September – October: Warm sea and quieter atmosphere
- Winter: Mild but many resorts close seasonally
🏨 Where to Stay
- Couples: Elounda Bay luxury resorts
- Honeymooners: Boutique hotels and private villas
- Luxury travellers: Exclusive beachfront resorts
- Families: Select resorts with calm beaches and facilities
🚗 Getting Around
- Car hire recommended for exploring the region
- Taxis available for short distances
- Boat transfers for coastal exploration
💡 Travel Tips
- Book luxury resorts early for peak season
- Visit Spinalonga early in the day to avoid crowds
- Choose Plaka for more authentic dining experiences
- Consider a boat trip to fully explore the coastline
Map Of Elounda
Top Experiences
Spinalonga Island Discovery (Plaka, Lasithi Region)
A historic Venetian fortress island with fascinating past and stunning coastal views.
Elounda Bay Relaxation (Elounda, Lasithi Region)
Sheltered, crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and luxury beach days.
Kolokytha Beach Escape (Kolokytha Peninsula, Lasithi Region)
A hidden lagoon with turquoise waters accessible by boat or scenic walk.
Plaka Seafront Dining (Plaka, Lasithi Region)
Traditional tavernas overlooking Spinalonga—perfect for sunset dinners.
Agios Nikolaos Day Trip (Agios Nikolaos, Lasithi Region)
Explore Lake Voulismeni, boutique shops and vibrant cafés just 15 minutes away.
Top Hotels In Elounda
Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel
Elounda Water Park Residence
Elounda Sunrise Apartments
Elounda Orama Boutique Hotel
Elounda Krini
Elounda Gulf Villas
Explore more of Crete
Travel Information
Everything You Need To Know Before You Jet Off To Elounda.