Elounda Beach

From Agios Nikolaos, it's a 15-minute drive or a 20-minute frequent bus ride to Elounda village — both options are straightforward and run daily. The beach itself is easy to reach on foot once you're in the village. Free public parking is available near the main beach, though it fills up during peak summer hours, so arrive early in July and August. There's no entry fee — this is a free public beach sitting within a luxury resort zone.

The headline act is Spinalonga Island, just 2km away — ferries run from Elounda to this extraordinary Venetian fortress that served as Europe's last active leper colony until 1957. Minos Boats, operating 2.5km from the beach, can get you out on the water for island excursions. Back on shore, snorkellers head toward the Elounda causeway to drift above the Sunken City of Olous, a submerged Minoan and Roman settlement visible in the clear turquoise shallows. If you want more archaeological context, the Agios Nikolaos Archaeological Museum is 11km away and houses Minoan artefacts including the celebrated Goddess of Myrtos.

The Poulis, Kalidon, Megaro, Olondi, and Alyggos are all within 100 metres of the beach, so you're never far from a meal. The cluster of restaurants near the harbour means you can eat with a view of the fishing boats without wandering far from your towel. Pick any of them for a post-swim lunch — the proximity to the water is the real draw.

Elounda Orama is the closest option at just 200 metres from the beach, ideal if you want to roll out of bed and onto the sand. Elounda Sunrise Apartments, Apartments Poros, Alikes Apts, and Hiona Apartments are all within 600 metres — close enough to walk to the water in minutes. Staying in the village rather than the resort strip keeps you near the harbour atmosphere and the public beach.

Shoot from the harbour's edge at golden hour for the classic frame: fishing boats in the foreground, Spinalonga fortress glowing in the distance across turquoise water. Early morning is best for the Olous causeway area, where the low light catches the shallow water and you can sometimes see the submerged ruins below the surface without any glare.

Respect the private resort boundaries south of the village beach — the public stretch is clearly the northern section near the harbour, and straying into resort territory isn't welcome. Arrive before 10am in peak season to secure both parking and a good spot on the golden sand. November through February, most facilities close and the water is too cold for swimming — plan your visit between June and September for the best experience. The beach is flat with promenade access and some sections are accessible for wheelchair users, making it one of the more inclusive options on this stretch of coast.