Eleonas, meaning 'olive grove' in Greek, is a collection of pastel-painted cottages, sprinkled amongst a wonderful fruit and olive estate in southern Crete. Set in a stunning location, against a backdrop of dramatic rocky peaks at the foot of Crete’s highest mountain, Psiloritis, it's close to the sleepy village of Zaros but still feels wonderfully remote.
The 23 stone cottages are centred around a taverna serving authentic Cretan home cooking, the adjoining main and kids' pools, plus an adults-only pool (for over 16s) in a 'quiet zone'. Popular with local Greeks, Eleonas is also a working farm. They grow their own fruit and vegetables, produce olive oil, and keep goats and chickens. Guests are welcome to help feed the animals, and can also take cooking lessons or learn how to milk the goats and make cheese. It’s a great choice for those searching to escape commercial tourist resorts and urban chaos, and a fantastic set-up for families, who are as warmly welcomed as everyone else. One of our favourite finds in Crete.
Highs
- Within walking distance of a lovely lake and a dramatic gorge for picturesque hikes
- Ideal for families: cots, and sofabeds in the cottages; a kids' pool; a safe environment for older kids to run free; farm animals to feed and bikes
- We love the newer stylish stone cottages - each with a private plunge pool or hot tub
- A good base for visiting the archaeological sites of Phaestos and Gortys, and the unspoilt beaches of Crete’s glorious south coast
- Exceptionally good value for money
Lows
- Not a lot going on in Zaros, so Eleonas could feel rather isolated and sleepy (a high for some)
- Unless you want to go into Zaros, you'll eat all meals at the 2 tavernas (they are very good but could get repetitive)
- You really need a car to explore the surrounding area, unless you’re a mountain bike fanatic
- The nearest beach is a 30-minute drive away
- Minimum stays vary from 3-6 nights depending on type of room
Best time to go
To avoid the crowds, try to visit in shoulder season (May-June or September-October) when the days are sunny but not too hot and the sea still warm enough to swim. During high-season (July-August), the island swarms with visitors, while in low season (November-March) most tourist facilities close down.
Our top tips
A 30-minute drive away, you can swim and sunbathe at beaches on Crete’s stunning south coast, which gives onto the Libyan Sea. Choose from Matala (known for its red cliffs with caves), Kokkinos Pirgos (made up of fine sand) or Kalamaki (rockier). Or head for Agia Galini (32km), then take a local boat to the lovely unspoilt beach of Agios Pavlos.
Location
Eleonas lies on the southern slopes of Mt Psiloritis, 1.5km outside the peaceful village of Zaros, and 42km southwest of Crete’s capital, Heraklion.
By Air:
Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis (45km) lies northeast of Zaros. It is served by daily flights from Athens the year through, and by charter flights from most European capitals in summer. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.
From the Airport
You could catch a taxi, but we'd recommend hiring a car (see below).
By Sea:
Heraklion port lies 42km northeast of Zaros and is served by daily overnight ferries from Athens’ port, Piraeus, on the Greek mainland.
By Car:
To explore the region better, you really need to hire a car - see our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Greece and getting around
Airports:
- Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis 45.0 km HER
Other:
- Beach 25.0 km
- Shops 1.5 km
- Restaurant 1.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 25 independent reviews from i-escape guests
My husband, toddler and I had a fantastic 5 nights at Eleonas. It is one of the most welcoming, family friendly places we've stayed at and it also managed to feel relaxing for adults too which is a hard thing to achieve. Manolis and his team have created a really special place up in the mountains that offers the privacy and convenience of small holiday villas alongside the amenities of a boutique hotel. The taverna is beautiful and the food was consistently great - we ate there everyday and there was always a variety of options on offer so it never got repetitive. The soft play and playground kept our son entertained for hours and its location tucked away next to the taverna meant that he could play in between courses and we were able to enjoy lovely 3 course meals every evening together - no small feat with a wriggly toddler. We're sure we'll be back again in the near future!
Absolutely first rate hotel. If there was a competition for the best boutique hotel in the world and which included value for money as a criteria, then this would be a contender. I can't comment on the other rooms, but our cottage which had its own pool was fabulous. Well furnished, comfortable bed, adequate kitchen area for snack preparation, lovely pool and patio areas with shady or sunny spots as needed, super views down to the nearby village of Zaros (worth a visit, interesting artisan shops including cobbler and handloom weaver). All the staff were really friendly and efficient, particularly Mano, the hotel manager. Unfortunately as it turned out, we'd brought a bug with us from England so were laid up for a while - they couldn't have been more considerate and helpful. This meant we couldn't test the restaurant as much as we would have liked, but very good breakfasts and a broad a la carte menu with good fish options. The good views from the cottage were paid for by a steep walk down to the restaurant, but we (70's) managed this OK. People with walking difficulties might find this an issue and need to check out this aspect before booking, though there is a free electric buggy service available on request.
Highly recommended.
What a place! It was so lovely to be away from the touristy part of the island and experience an authentic part of Crete. It's a beautiful place with stunning views and a real calm feel about it. The service is amazing - you're made to feel at home from the moment you arrive. The facilities are beautiful and I was surprised at how much you can still do on site - we had the best massages at the pool, a great vineyard tour, outstanding breakfasts, as well as lunches and beautiful dinners. The wine selection is great too, and the waiters are very knowledgeable on recommending them too. The only thing to realise is that you are quite far away from any coasts, the nearest cute coastal village is about 40 minutes drive. As the road is really windy and hilly, we did end up going out for lunch during the day and have all the dinners at Eleonas, as it felt too dark and too much of an effort to get out in the evening. There are different specials every night and the food was some of the best we've had during our trip!
The welcome and service by Manolis and his team at Eleonas is full of Greek charm and warmth. We absolutely loved the location in the mountains and the serene atmosphere, and practically stayed put for the whole of our stay. We stayed in a suite cottage with private pool and it was fabulous. The adult only pool is also a gift for those who like peace and quiet and actually like to swim. The food is fresh and good quality and value.
The only slight downside was that Zaros and the lake were a bit disappointing and it's a long way from the nearest hospital!
Our room had a private pool and was gorgeous. The breakfasts were delicious and there are great children’s play areas. Including a soft play next to the restaurant which is was great in the evenings or for a longer breakfast.
We hired a car and explored beaches too which we would recommend. The manager was so helpful and friendly.
The owner and staff at Elounas are truly experts in making you feel welcome and know exactly how make a memorable holiday. The accommodation and food quality is first class, but the staff make it a stand out destination .
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