Olous
This city was once considered the most important towns in Crete. It was built on the peninsula that once connected Crete and Spinalonga, by the ancient Greeks. The statue of Vritimartis once stood here, and on a day when the waters are clear the city can still be seen on the sea bed. Archaeologists have done little excavating here, because of the nature of the site. However, they have discovered inscriptions which relate to the importance of this big city, as well as rock tombs and funerary objects which are on display in the Museum of Agios Nikolaos, around 4km away.

First Byzantine Period Basilica
These ruins of a basilica are set on the east side of where Olous once stood. The floor is stunning, with black and white mosaic tiles, which display pictures of animals and plants. Built into the wall of the ancient church is an inscription in the ancient dialect of the region that notes an alliance between Olous and Rhodes.

Plaka
If you want a day trip out of Elounda, continue north along the coastline and you will reach a small village at the end of the peninsula called Plaka. It has many high quality fish restaurants as well local tavernas. The beaches here are small, but they are less crowded than Elouda, and so provide the perfect place to relax. Spinalonga, the small islet, is directly across the water from Plaka, and there are many willing fishermen who will take you across to the ruins. However, there are also many companies who take boats to the ruins from both Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.