Elounda Windmills

In the coastal town of Elounda, you’ll find three circular windmills, each designed to pivot with the wind’s direction. Contrasting the mountain-set windmills of Seli Ampelou, Elounda’s trio stands majestically by the sea, overseeing an engineered canal. These windmills don’t just offer architectural beauty; they serve as iconic markers, nestled close to the submerged ancient city of Olous.

Interest fact: Eastern Crete is characterised by droughts and robust winds, while the west is known for its generous downpours. This climate divide explains why a majority of Crete’s windmills stand tall in Lassithi, with fewer in Heraklion and Rethymno, and scarcely any in Chania.