Elounda Holidays

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Elounda Weather

Elounda enjoys an exceptional climate with very hot summers; the popular holiday months from June to September can see temperatures reaching 40° Celsius. Sheltered in Mirabello Bay, the water here is great for swimming and is pleasantly warm right through to October.

Spring is very pretty with bursts of wild flowers along the coast, and autumn is tranquil as the resorts wind down. The winter here is reasonably mild, but there can be periods of cold weather and rain.

Things To Do on Elounda Holidays

Blessed with alluring sandy beaches, Elounda has many other attractions to offer. In the centre of the town is a large seafront square with many cafes, restaurants and shops. To the east of the town the Spinalonga peninsula stretches away, separated from the mainland by a French-built canal. This was the site of the ancient Roman-Greco city Olous, which boasted temples of Zeus and Artemis, but was lost to the sea. Structural remains are still just visible under the waves.

North of the peninsula is the small island of Spinalonga. Boat trips run regularly from Elounda so you can visit the deserted fortress and a small museum that outlines the island's history. Inland, near the village of Fourni, is a cottage industry museum, and the church at the mountain village of Dories holds the island's oldest icon of the Virgin Mary, which dates from the fourteenth century.

Culture

Elounda has a history that stretches back into antiquity. The ancient city of Olous was an important harbour, but fell into the sea towards the end of the Ancient Greek period. During the sixteenth century the Venetians constructed a mighty fortress on Spinalonga. Despite repeated attacks from the Turks the defences were never breached.

During the first half of the twentieth century the island was home to Europe's last leper colony, which closed in the mid 1950s. Today Elounda is enjoying a period of peace and stability, and is firmly established as a popular and attractive holiday destination.

The central celebration in Crete's religious calendar is Holy Week, and festivals take place in Elounda and the neighbouring villages. During October Elounda hosts the Free Fish Night and various cultural events are held during the summer months. The nearby city of Agios Nikolaos holds a big festival each year on December 6th, well worth the short journey if you are in Elounda during the winter.

Book a Elounda Holiday now!

Elounda is the self-proclaimed most luxurious resort in Greece, with some of the country's finest hotels and beaches. On The Deal has amazing offers on flights and the best rooms, so book now for an idyllic Crete holiday!