Elounda is a city on Crete.The road into Elounda from Agios Nikolaos is approximately 12 km in length and follows the shore as it climbs to the top of a small mountain. The view from the top is incomparable; on a clear day it is possible to see the whole of Mirabello Bay and all the way to the eastern tip of Crete.
Elounda was used for the filming of the popular BBC television series Who Pays the Ferryman? in the late 1970s. The restaurant where this was filmed is the Ferryman's and is still owned by the same family, there are great photos available for viewing of the television series that popularised tourism in the area in the late 1970's and beautiful views of the area.
PLACE TO VISIT
Spinalonga Island - the setting for the bestseller "The Island" by Victoria Hislop. Spinalonga Island is easily accessed by boat from Elounda and the small village of Plaka.
The island of Spinalonga (Kalidon) - has captured the imagination of many throughout its long history. Since millenia past, artists, musicians and authors have romanticised and wrote about this island. It is pne of the most visited tourist attractions on Crete, and thousands of visitors walk along the narrow streets through the village on Spinalonga each year. Actually the name 'Spinalonga', which means 'Long Thorn', came from the Venitians after a small island near Venice. The official name is Kalidon, but so well known is its former name that even the sign posts and the boats that take you to the the island will call it only by its Venetian name.
Salt Pans - 15th century salt evaporation pans which were still in use until the early 1970's.
Canal - Built by French engineers to ease trade between Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.
Elounda Village - Visit the fishing village of Elounda. It is a cosmopolitan village with many shops and beautifully situated restaurant.
HOW TO REACH
By Air - Flights are available to Heraklion from many European countries and via Athens from U.S.A. Drive on E74 to Agios Nikolaos (70km) and then turn for Elounda. Elounda is 80 km from Heraklion Airport and the journey time to Elounda is 60 - 75 minutes by car or taxi.
By bus - A local bus service with modern air conditioned buses is available.. Take a bus to Agios Nikolaos and get connecting bus to Elounda.
By ferry - Major ferry lines operate to the port of Herakleion, connecting with bus services at the main bus station near to the port. Ferries run to the nearby town of Agios Nikolaos via LANE lines from Pireaus and Rhodes.
