Hotels in Elounda

Style in Crete

This page may contain affiliate links, see our disclaimer here.


Elounda Beach

Hotels in Elounda - in the north-east of Crete, Greece sits a beautiful bay surrounded by rocky peninsulas. The azure waters and hundreds of sunny days make this a perfect destination for a beach holiday.

Due to the sheer physical beauty of the location, many luxury resorts have sprung up, and the little sleepy village of Elounda has become one of the most cosmopolitan in Crete.

Just 70 km from the major Crete airport at Heraklion, this location can be reached in one and a half hours.

Located 11 km to the south is the region's capital, Agios Nikoloas, which is a vibrant and exciting town with galleries, great shopping and plenty of beauty of its own. Sitting overlooking the wide expanse of Mirabello Bay, its harbour and lakeside lend themselves to romantic tavernas and cafes, dotted by the shores.

To the north of Elounda is a small fishing village named Plaka, which is the departure point for many of the day trips to visit the island of Spinalonga. Now deserted, the island has an unusual history as a Venetian fortress and an isolation community for sufferers of leprosy, which continued as late as 1957. Nowadays the island welcomes day visitors interested in this unusual settlement and its story.


Elounda Bay with Spinalonga IslandElounda Bay with Spinalonga Island






Luxury Accommodation

Hotels in Elounda – Blue Palace Resort & Spa - massage by the sea

Near to Plaka is the Blue Palace Resort & Spa which is a large world class resort offering a variety of types of accommodation all close to the beach on which it is located.

With numerous dining options and a spa offering the very latest in beauty and relaxation indulgences, this is a place to relax and then relax again.

Thalassa meaning 'sea' in Greek, combined with 'therapia' for therapy, is a traditional therapy that became an alternative therapy, which is now becoming a welcome accepted therapy for stress reduction and wellbeing.

Sea Therapy includes salt water and the natural elements such as seaweed, thermal clay and plankton. Soothing mud wraps, stone therapies and a wide variety of face and body masks are offered, for complete rejuvenation of body mind and spirit. This spa ensures this is one of the best hotels in Elounda.

Blue Palace Resort & Spa room detail


Boutique Accommodation

Elounda Palm Boutique Hotel - pool bar
Elounda Palm Boutique Hotel - interior

The Elounda Palm Boutique Hotel is a small hotel offering standard rooms, family rooms, bungalows, suites and villas. The lush tropical gardens with large palms and salt-water swimming pool create a relaxing atmosphere.

Set a little back from the beach, with easy access to both Elounda Beach and surrounding beaches, the location offers lovely views over Elounda Bay to the mountains and peninsulas.

The elegant, simple architectural and decorative features of the hotel create a minimalist, stylish atmosphere. Elounda Palm is truly a distinctly unique hospitality experience, in one of the finest cosmopolitan villages of Crete.

In-room massage services are available, with soft and soothing pampering your visit will be complete.

Local highlights include daily guided tours to the Island of Spinalonga to see the Venetian ruins and hear the eerie stories of the island some say is haunted, and historic guided tours to the under water ruins of Ancient Olous, dated from 3000 BC.



Hotels in Elounda
Traditional Homes

The Traditional Homes of Crete - exterior
The Traditional Homes of Crete - interior

The Traditional Homes of Crete - a set of ten homes provided by locals who are bucking the trend of luxury resorts in the area to show the traditional architecture and simple stone construction of the island. Each home has been fitted with all the modern conveniences yet still maintains its original character.

Located less than 2 km from Elounda Village in an area known as Mavrikiano, visitors to these homes will be participating in the restoration and acknowledgement of the local customs. With reasonable rates and a central location, all the beauty of Elounda is at your doorstep.



Bayside Hotels In Elounda

Elounda Akti Olous - view from restaurant
Elounda Akti Olous - view from taverna across the by with fishing boat
Akti Olous Hotel at Night, Elounda Crete

Hotels In Elounda - the mid-priced hotel Elounda Akti Olous - is wonderfully close to the water of beautiful Elounda Bay. It is an affordable choice with a great location, being just 300 metres from Elounda Village. This hotel has a relaxed Mediterranean family atmosphere.

With its central location, private beach, rooftop pool and garden, this hotel is a wonderful choice to enjoy the beauty of Elounda with a reasonable price. Named from the sunken ancient town of Olous which is nearby and provides great snorkelling in the protected bay, the Blue Sea a la carte restaurant, floating on the bay, provides fresh local seafood.



Hotels In Elounda

Sunrise Apartments - pool and bay view
Isthmus and Ancient Olous on the bay

Elounda Sunrise Apartments are an affordable option in a great location. Right on the water’s edge a few steps from sandy beaches, the apartments have a lovely pool and views over the bay.

Only a short stroll from the centre of Elounda village, the local restaurants and bars can be visited on foot. This accommodation is also only a short stroll from the isthmus joining the mainland and the Kolikithia Peninsula, very close to clear swimming bays and snorkelling spots, such as the sunken ancient Olous.


Find a Great Location in Elounda

We have partnered with Booking.com and our visitors love it! Find details, location and reviews for hotels in Elounda below on the easy search. We suggest keeping close to the water near Elounda, and not too close to Agios Nikolaos. Stay on Elounda Bay north of the isthmus which leads across to Kalydon Island. Try not too far inland, as it gets steep very quickly, as you leave the seaside. Book ahead for Elounda as it gets reserved quite early in the season.

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!


Booking.com

Getting Here

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.


Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and an easy online booking procedure. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid or non-hybrid vehicles.

Green footprint logo
Go green hybrid logo
Book My Car


Anastasi & Apostoli - authors of We Love Crete


"We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the team at We Love Crete. Evíva!"

Contact us with further questions or feedback. We love to hear about your travels in Kríti and Greece. Let us know of any updates or additions, errors or omissions. Help us make this website the best it can be. Kaló Taxidí!



Crete Travel Guide
Travel to the Greek Islands
Travel to Athens
Crete to Santorini
Crete to Mykonos









We Love Crete Agapame tin Kriti Logo

Sea Turtles are our major charity in Crete