Elounda is located in east Crete, north of Agios Nikolaos and south of the seaside resort of Plaka. Elounda was once a picturesque fishing village in the lovely Mirabello Bay. The inhabitants lived from farming, fishing, salt extraction from the Venetian salt-pans, and emery mining. Elounda is ideal for people who want a seaside holiday in a place which is neither too busy nor too isolated. In Elounda you will find small, pretty beaches, visit the island of Spinalonga, walk along the peninsula of Kolokytha (the word means “gourd” or “pumpkin”), and explore the many little villages far from the sea, offering a window into times gone by. Elounda is not for those looking for a hectic night-life, nor for those who prefer the isolated beaches of southern Crete. You might think that with so many luxury hotels, Elounda is the priciest place in Crete for a holiday. It’s a reasonable assumption, but not true. Prices in Elounda are much like those in the rest of Crete.