Olous Archaeological Site
Ancient Cretan city-ruins near modern Elounda
Ancient city-kingdom on eastern Crete near Elounda; submerged walls and archaeological remains sit alongside boat trips to nearby islands, drawing visitors for coastal ruins and snorkeling.
Olous at a Glance#
Admission: Free to view from shore; boat trips to the site vary (local prices from nearby harbors)
How to Get to Olous#
Olous is visible off the coast near Plaka and Elounda on Crete’s northeast shore (east of Agios Nikolaos). The easiest access is by small boat from Plaka/Elounda harbors (many local operators run short trips and glass‑bottom boat tours). Driving from Agios Nikolaos is about 20-30 minutes.
Tips for Visiting Olous#
- Visit Olous from Elounda or Plaka (near Agios Nikolaos) by a short boat trip - glass‑bottom boats on calm days can show submerged ruins.
- Go at midday when sunlight penetrates the shallow bay, making the ruins easier to spot from the surface.
- Combine with a swim at a nearby cove and a walk through the small beach cafés of Plaka to experience the modern layer of life over the ruins.
Best Time to Visit Olous#
Summer for swimming and boat access; late spring and early autumn for fewer crowds and clear water.
Weather & Climate near Olous#
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 10°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (501 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 10° - 15° | 13° | 103 mm | overcast | 75% | 4.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Good | 10° - 15° | 13° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.6 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.8h |
| April | Excellent | 13° - 19° | 16° | 26 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 16° - 23° | 20° | 12 mm | some cloud | 75% | 3.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.9h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 28° | 24° | 3 mm | clear | 73% | 4.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.4h |
| July | Ideal | 23° - 30° | 27° | 1 mm | clear | 73% | 5.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.1h |
| August | Ideal | 23° - 30° | 27° | 1 mm | clear | 74% | 5.3 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.3h |
| September | Ideal | 21° - 27° | 24° | 15 mm | mostly sunny | 72% | 4.8 m/s | 1.5 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 45 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 14° - 20° | 17° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.1 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 92 mm | overcast | 75% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
