Where to eat, stay and play in Elounda, Crete
EAT
Sea meets sushi Swapping blue-and-white taverna clichés for boutique beach-club vibes, Bluesea (eloundabluesea.gr) sits right on the water’s edge, serving the freshest seafood with a Japanese twist. If you’re only visiting once, the sushi is a must – order the shrimp tempura (above) and elderflower gravlax salmon rolls. Make a return visit (as we did), for the lobster pasta.
Worth the detour Overlooking the old port of Agios Nikolaos, just a 15-minute drive from Elounda, is Gioma Meze (giomameze.com). Run by brothers Giorgos and Manos, the restaurant celebrates the very best of Cretan produce, from Greek cheeses to the freshest fish. Don’t miss the fried, filo-wrapped graviera cheese, catch of the day ceviche and kakavia (fish soup) risotto.
STAY
Affordable luxury Scattered across a hillside, Innside by Meliá Crete Elounda offers 86 stylish rooms and suites (from £114 a night, melia.com). Our sea-view loft had a king-size bed, rain shower, Chromecast TV, yoga mat and private terrace complete with chic sunloungers and a plunge pool. The food is seriously good but not eye-wateringly pricey, and the real star of the show is the five-star hotel’s infinity pool (above) overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean.
Splash out Across the bay, Domes of Elounda (from £250, domesresorts.com) features distinctive domed ceilings that help keep its 175 rooms, suites and villas cool in the Cretan heat. With four restaurants and bars, five pools and a private beach, you could happily stay for a week without leaving the resort.
LOVE
Off the beaten track A stone bow bridge on the southeast side of town takes you to the uninhabited Spinalonga Peninsula. A landscape of rugged cliffs, dusty hiking trails and ancient ruins, it’s also home to Kolokitha beach, a secluded cove with white sand and clear turquoise water. Don’t forget to pack a towel and a picnic – there’s nothing here but nature.
History lesson Just opposite lies Spinalonga, one of Crete’s most visited landmarks. Famed for its 16th-century Venetian fortress (above), which was later used as a leper colony until 1957, the island is now an open-air museum.
Retail therapy Head to Kallos Boutique (kallosboutique.gr) for a carefully curated mix of embroidered linen dresses, handmade leather sandals and contemporary ceramics.
