tui tour elafonisi

Elafonisi tickets and tours

• Lowest price
• Highest price

Elafonisi Island Tour with Monastery and Agia Sophia Cave

The uninhabited island of Elafonisi may be tiny but it's bursting with personality. This journey to this islet off southwestern Crete is steeped in myths and legends and boasts historic buildings and amazing natural scenery – making it an ideal excursion for all the family.

Elafonisi Island Tour

An excursion that gets better and better as the day goes on. Enjoy some sightseeing before an afternoon relaxing in Elafonisi, an idyllic island off southwest Crete. You'll also visit the village of Voulgaro and the Agia Sophia cave.

Private tour of Elafonissi beach from Heraklion, Rethymno and Chania

Enjoy a private tour of Elafonissi beach with pick-up and discover in one day all the best spots of the Western part of Crete.

en,  fr,  de,  ru,  nl 

Private tour of Elafonissi beach from Lassithi Elounda and Agios Nikolaos

Enjoy a private tour of Elafonissi beach with pick-up from Lassithi and discover in one day all the best spots of the Western part of Crete.

Guided tour of Elafonisi from Rethymno

Discover Elafonisi beach during this guided tour from Rethymno. Relax on the beach and explore every corner of this amazing spot.

Elafonisi beach guided tour from Chania

Discover Elafonisi beach during an amazing guided tour from Chania and rest assure to remain speechless in front of the beauty of this pink beach.

Top attractions in Chania

You might also like

Milia mountain retreat semi private tour with tastings and Lunch

Discover mainland Crete during this semi-private tour with wine and olive oil tastings followed by a typical Cretan lunch!

White Mountains small group tour with tastings and lunch

Visit an olive mill and winery, explore Crete inland in a 4wd vehicle, visit a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, enjoy the biodiversity of the island.

Private tour to Elafonisi and Falasarna from Chania

Ob this tour you'll visit Elafonisi and Falasarna and enjoy swimming in the crystal waters of the Cretan sea and admire the unique Cretan landscapes.

Chania self-guided audio tour on your smartphone

Leisurely stroll through the old town of Chania with an audio guide on your phone. Listen to fascinating stories and discover the highlights of the city.

Tour of Knossos Palace and Heraklion museum from Chania

Enjoy a tour of the Knossos Palace and Heraklion museum from Chania onboard of a premium-class vehicle and relax during a traditional Cretan wine tasting.

Guided tour of Gramvousa and Balos lagoon from Chania

Discover the castle of Gramvousa and Balos lagoon from Chania. Enjoy a relaxing swim and a wonderful day learning more about ancient civilizations.

Chania's old town food and wine walking tour with lunch

Taste 3 local wines from indigenous grape varieties, enjoy local products at a traditional Greek restaurant, meet with locals and visit the most famous sights.

Small group tour with lunch to Elafonisi and Milia Mountain Retreat

Swim in the crystal clear waters, sunbathe on the reserved sunbeds, enjoy lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat, learn about Cretan culture and history.

Private tour of the Cave of Zeus and Knossos palace from Chania and Rethymno

Discover Knossos Palace and the Cave of Zeus from Chania and Rethymno during this tailored-made private tour.

Easy guided tour of Samaria gorge from Chania

Discover Samaria gorge during this guided. Explore the beauty of nature of this amazing place and visit some small villages of the island.

Day trip of Chania from Rethymno

Discover Chania from Rethymno during this day-tour with pick-up and immerse yourself in the amazing atmosphere of this city.

Private tour of Knossos Palace and Cretan villages from Chania

Discover Knossos Palace and the Cretan villages privately during this VIP tour with pick-up from Chania.

Chania and Kournas lake tour from Rethymno

Visit Chania and Kournas lake during this private tour from Rethymno. Enjoy the peace of the lake and the active life of the city.

Day trip to 7 Traditional Cretan Villages from Chania

Kickstart your adventure in Crete and discover 7 of Crete's traditional villages! Get ready to be amazed by picturesque scenery and local vibes.

The inside story

The idyllic and uninhabited islet of Elafonisi could hardly be more beautiful. Floating just off southwest Crete – they’re separated by a narrow channel you can wade across – it’s famed for its blissful beaches, among the most picturesque in all Greece. Virgin strands of pink and white sands washed by translucent waters await you. Nirvana for sunbathers and swimmers. While the beaches are its calling card, Elafonisi offers a tiny bit of heritage. There’s the dinky Agia Irini chapel perched on a small hill next to a lighthouse at the western tip of the island.

How to get there

A Visitor's Guide to Elafonisi Beach in Crete

Paolo Cordelli / Getty Images

• Best Things to Do

What to Expect From the Beach

Where to eat and drink, the best places to stay, the best time to visit, how to get there, elafonisi lagoon.

Not long ago, Elafonisi Beach was a well-kept secret known to very few locals on Crete . Or at least it was until 2014 when it was named one of the world's top beaches. Now more than seven years later, this beautiful sandy beach​ is the target destination for everyone from young backpackers and svelte sun worshippers to families with buckets and spades.

Go in the high season and you'll find this once empty beach, connected by a sandbar to an island nature reserve, crowded and covered with beach loungers. But, if you go very early in the season you can still enjoy the remarkable pink sands, the wildflowers, and strange rock formations in relative peace. 

Things to Do on Elafonisi

While most are familiar with the famous beach on Crete (spelled Elafonissi), Elafonisi is actually an entire island, separated from the southwest coast of Crete by a shallow, warm lagoon and a sandbar that is submerged under about one meter of water at most during high tide. The beach on mainland Crete and a portion of the sandbar that always stays above water populated by hundreds of beach chairs and umbrellas and thousands of tourists in the high season. 

Walk Across the Ocean: Visitors looking to dodge crowds and see some stunning scenery can leave the crowded shores of Elafonissi and wade out to sea. Thanks to the low water level, travelers can walk along the sandbar all the way to the island of Elafonisi. The small island is an internationally classified nature reserve and is like another world with its gorgeous pink sand, clear water, and lush vegetation. There's little to no shade on the island and because beach chairs and umbrellas are prohibited, fewer people make their way to it. Even in the busiest season, it is possible to find quiet little coves and pockets of sandy beach occasionally popular with nude bathers. 

View Rare Flora on a Hike: The island is a mile long, ending in a rocky outcrop and weird, freestanding towers of rock formed over centuries by the wind and water. It's home to more than 100 rare plants including summer sea daffodils that look like white cups surrounded by spiky white petals and bloom in the summer. Even rarer is the winter-flowering bulb  Androcymbium rechingeri . This bloom is so rare it doesn't even have a common name and is found nowhere else in the world. To protect its rare plants, specific walks are laid out on the island, and, of course, removing any plants or animals from the island is forbidden and punishable by big fines.  

Watch for Sea Turtles: The wide, shallow lagoon is a shelter for rare loggerhead sea turtles . You'll be lucky to spot one because they are very shy. But if you do, give them a wide berth as they are a protected species.

Enjoy a Fabulous Sunset: If rare wildflowers and wildlife aren't enough to get you to visit Elafonisi, then maybe a picture-perfect sunset will. The views from the island as the sun sets in the western sea are truly spectacular and visitors would be remiss to skip a sunset here. Just bring a layer to protect you from the evening chill after the sun sets.

The island is a nature lover's paradise but there must be something about the mainland beach itself that draws so many visitors to itself every year. There are four reasons, actually:

• Pink sand:  Most of the time the sand here is composed of the remains of tiny pink shells that line the sea floor. When Elafonisi is pink, it is very pink, especially around the lagoon and along the sandbar to the island. But be warned: not everyone finds the beach pink when they arrive. Wind, the motion of tides, the season and the microbes the shelled creatures eat influence how pink the sands will be during your visit.
• Sand as soft as dust:  In a part of the world where shingle or pebble beaches are the norm Elafonisi stands out for its incredibly soft, powdery sand.
• Warm, shallow waters:  The water to the right of the sandbar is calm, warm, and shallow. Those conditionares are ideal for children, making this part of Elafonisi popular with families.
• Steady winds ideal for windsurfing:  The prevailing winds blow pretty steadily making this a great beach for windsurfing. Windsurfers populate the waters to the left of the sandbar, away from all the families and toddlers splashing in the shallows.

What to Expect From the Facilities

Considering how remote Elafonisi is, 75 kilometers (47 miles) southwest of Chania, Crete over difficult and occasionally hair-raising roads, it has surprising well-organized amenities. There are sunbeds and beach umbrellas, two small beach bars, toilets, and even lifeguards in season. There's also a hut where you can rent a kitesurfing kit.

Don't get complacent about finding everything you need, though. Visitors have report that the toilets are dirty to the point of abysmal. The beach bars, one on the beach and the other in one of the free parking areas, are small and basic. In fact, they are too small to serve the hundreds of tourists disgorged from the tourist buses that arrive throughout the day.

​If you don't arrive early, you may have difficulty finding beach umbrellas or sources of shade. Bring cover-ups and sunhats, just in case. And if this is a family visit with children who require an endless supply of drinks and snacks, plan on bringing a good supply of those as well.

There are two basic beach bars near the beach. Canteen Kukurakis on the edge of the eastern parking area has snacks, ice creams, toilet facilities, and cold drinks. Further up the unpaved road away from the beach is Panorama . It's a simple bar with a similar offerings as Canten Kukurakis, plus alcoholic beverages.

When the beach is crowded, you will have to wait a long time to be served at either of these bars. Few recommend the very average food at Panorama, but this bar is worth a daytime visit because of its terrific panoramic views. Stop here for a drink on the terrace and take in a wide-angle view of the beach, the lagoon, and the island beyond.

If you are looking for more substantial food (and cleaner restrooms), head to the Taverna Kalomirakis Family . It is part of the Elafonisi Resort  and is popular for its seafood and traditional Greek food. It's a bit further afield, located around a half a mile from the beach, or roughly a 10-minute walk. Travelers also recommend Innachorion , a restaurant with rooms about a kilometer (2/3 mile) from the beach for a traditional Cretan meal. 

A mini-market just across the road from Innachorion is a good place to pick up snacks, drinks, basic groceries, suntan lotion, and beach toys on your way to the sand.

Because Elafonisi is quite remote—the town of Chania is at least an hour and a half or more by car—you might want to stay overnight instead of just visiting for the day. After the last crowds from the tour buses leave, it's actually a rather quiet destination, ideal for a family vacation.  

The Elafonisi Resort by the Kalomirakis Family caters well to family groups. It has rooms above their taverna and in several other buildings scattered around an olive grove and among their citrus trees. The rooms have kitchenettes and air conditioning.

The ideal time is the early autumn. In September and October, both the weather and the waters of the lagoon are likely to be gentle and warm. Exploring the nature reserve on the island is still possible in November, but you may have to wade through cold, knee-deep water to get there. The beach is exposed to strong winds in the spring, so if you go early in April and May, you'll likely have powder-fine sand blowing in your face which can be unpleasant. No matter when you visit the beach will likely be crowded but during the height of the summer season, the beach is packed until the day trippers and coach tours leave.

• By Car:  The routes from Crete's bigger towns on the north coast are narrow and winding. They alternate between mountain roads passing along some of Crete's scenic gorges and gentler stretches that go through olive groves. In some places, there are no safety barriers on the road so drive with extreme caution. If you have a head for heights, don't mind blind hairpin turns, and are willing to take the extra time (90 minutes to two hours from Chania), the roads that pass over Crete's central mountain ridge to the beaches on the southwest coast are incredibly scenic. But if you do go by car, either stay overnight in Elafonisi or leave the beach well before sunset. These are not roads you want to tackle at night.
• By Bus:  Supraregional public buses serve Elafonisi and other West Cretan villages from Chania. You can find the timetable for Elafonisi buses at Reythmons official website. Keep in mind that the buses only run during the high season. If it's the off-season nothing will appear among the variously complicated timetables. So there's little use searching out of season. 
• By Coach Tour:  Several companies run frequent coach tours of the western villages that include Elafonisi along with other sightseeing spots. Organized tours from Chania or Rethymno are operated by Elafonissos Travel  and Odeon Travel.
• By Boat:  Boats from Palaiochora and along the coast to the east run beach excursions. They leave around 10 a.m. and depart from Elafonisi at about 4 p.m. Because the waters around Elafonisi are shallow, boats will drop you off at a landing stage, about a 10-minute walk from Elafonisi beach itself. Like a lot of travel suppliers on the Greek Islands, the boatmen of Palaiochora are mostly independent businessmen and schedules tend to be informal and changeable. The best way to arrange a boat trip is through one of the travel agencies in the bigger towns of Western Crete. Palaiochora, by the way, is the only place with boat excursions to Elafonisi. Since Palaiochora is pretty much as hard to reach as Elafonisi itself, these boat trips are only worthwhile if you happen to be staying nearby.

The 15 Best Beaches in Greece

The Best Beaches on St. Barths

Top 20 Beaches in the Caribbean

Crete Maps and Travel Guide

Snorkeling in Buck Island, St. Croix

The 17 Best Islands in Thailand

A Guide to 10 Beaches on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

The Top 5 Things to Do on Crete

13 Best Beaches in Santa Barbara, California

Malibu: Planning Your Trip

The 13 Best Day Trips From Miami

Things to Do with Kids on Catalina Island

The Ultimate East Coast Beach Road Trip

The Best Things to Do in Venice, Italy

13 Best Beaches in Bermuda

15 Los Angeles-Area Road Trips and Getaways

Witamy ponownie

Zaloguj się i odkryj świat pełen podróży

Zapoznaj się z najnowszymi ofertami, zarządzaj rezerwacjami i korzystaj z biletów, gdziekolwiek jesteś.

Elafonisi Island Tour with Monastery and Agia Sophia Cave

Główne atrakcje.

• Soak up the sun on the pink sands of Elafonisi beach, one of Crete's top beaches
• Discover popular myths and beliefs at the coastal Chrissoskalitissa Monastery
• Admire the impressive stalactites and stalagmites at the cave of Agia Sophia
• Enjoy a drive through the jaw-dropping scenery of the rugged Topolia Gorge
• Expert local guide with an unrivalled knowledge of Crete and its countryside

Dlaczego wybrać TUI Collection

Nasze atrakcje zostały zaplanowane ze szczególną starannością, dzięki czemu w pełni wykorzystasz każdą podróż.

Niepowtarzalne atrakcje

• Zaprojektowane przez nas - zaufanego lidera w branży turystycznej
• Prowadzone przez naszych sympatycznych przewodników-ekspertów i załogę
• Wysoko oceniane przez klientów

Dopracowane szczegóły

• Zgodność z globalnymi standardami zrównoważonego rozwoju
• Wsparcie dla lokalnych społeczności
• Organizatorzy przestrzegający naszych wysokich standardów

Gwarancja najniższej ceny

• Bezkonkurencyjna cena i brak ukrytych kosztów
• Gwarancja najlepszego stosunku ceny do jakości
• Bezpłatne anulowanie rezerwacji do 24 godzin wcześniej

Ta atrakcja spełnia kryteria Światowej Rady Turystyki Zrównoważonej. Wybierając ją, chronisz miejsca, które kochasz, dbasz o środowisko i wspierasz lokalną społeczność

Opis wycieczki

The uninhabited islet of Elafonisi in southwestern Crete is bursting with natural beauty and cultural riches. Topolia Gorge, Agia Sophia Cave, Chrissoskalitissa Monastery and a beach many consider the best on the island are among the star turns of this day trip. Rena, one of our local guides, says, ‘This tour combines the best of the Cretan highlands with the idyllic pink-sand beach of Elafonisi on the south coast.'

It's a laidback start to the day, with a pit stop for coffee in a family-run taverna in the farming hamlet of Voulgaro. From here, a dramatic drive south through the Topolia Gorge awaits. The views on the deep ravine to your left are epic. We'll then visit the cave of Agia Sophia, which is famed for its stalactites. Linked to a variety of legends, it's said that the hoof print of St George's horse can be found here. And if you look hard enough, you'll find what looks like a horseshoe print in a rock.

Next up is the Chrissoskalitissa Monastery. Built on a hill overlooking the coastline, this 1,000-year-old retreat offers timeless charm. Its name means ‘golden steps' and it's steeped in myth. According to some, one of the steps is golden – but is only visible to the religious. The last port of call is nothing short of postcard-perfect. Rena says: ‘You can reach Elafonisi islet walking through a shallow stretch of water from Elafonisi beach.' Spend the afternoon swimming, relaxing and taking in the top-tier views, then we'll finish the day at Paleochora fishing village.

Ważne informacje

• Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
• Food and drinks not included
• Admissions not included
• Bring bathing gear and sunblock
• Bring a hat
• Bring a towel

Wliczone w cenę

Coffee stop and local snack

Polityka anulowania

Odbierz zwrot w wysokości 100%, jeżeli anulujesz rezerwację najpóźniej na 1 dzień przed rozpoczęciem aktywności.

Opłata za rezerwację

Dobra wiadomość! Ta rezerwacja nie wymaga żadnych dodatkowych opłat.

Lokalizacja

[email protected]

Co inni mówią o tej atrakcji

Potrzebujesz pomocy.

Potrzebujesz pomocy w dokonaniu rezerwacji? A może po prostu chcesz zadać kilka pytań? Niezależnie od powodu skontaktuj się z nami bez wahania.

Godziny pracy: Nasz zespół jest dostępny od 10:00 do 18:00

Numer telefonu : +48 22 152 14 69

Może zainteresuje Cię również

Nat Geo Day Tour: odkrywanie życia na kreteńskiej farmie

Produkty z małych, rodzinnych gospodarstw stanowią integralną część diety śródziemnomorskiej, z której słynie Kreta. Lokalna rodzina powita Cię w swoim mitato, małym domu, gdzie spotkasz się z prawdziwym ciepłem kreteńskiej gościnności. Posłuchaj, jak miejscowy rolnik opowiada intrygującą historię o królu Minosie, który spoglądał na okolicę ze swojego obserwatorium i ostrzegał mieszkańców przed nadciągającymi piratami. Po powitaniu przyjdzie czas na praktyczną lekcję wypieku chleba, podczas której dowiesz się, jak powstaje typowy kreteński chleb z mąki pszennej i jęczmiennej. Zobaczysz także proces warzenia sera z koziego mleka pochodzącego z farmy i spróbujesz swoich sił w codziennych zadaniach w gospodarstwie, takich jak karmienie kóz, świń, kurczaków i królików oraz pielęgnacja ogrodów. Dalszy ciąg przygody to polowanie na ślimaki na zboczu góry, dostępne wyłącznie dla podróżników National Geographic. Będziesz zaglądać pod skały oraz między krzewy i kwiaty. W miarę upływu czasu zebrane skarby, w tym ślimaki, jajka, owoce i warzywa, staną się bazą obiadu. Wraz z miejscową rodziną przygotujesz ucztę z lokalnych przysmaków, które zostały zebrane lub wykonane przy Twojej pomocy. Na koniec dnia skosztujesz lokalnego destylatu, raki, i zaśpiewasz tradycyjne kreteńskie mantinades, czyli kuplety, które wyrażają uczucia związane z codziennym życiem Kreteńczyków.

Nat Geo Day Tour: historia oliwy licząca tysiące lat

Nic dziwnego, że mieszkańcy Krety dostarczają jedne z najlepszych oliwek na świecie, mając za sobą tysiące lat praktyki. Śledząc długie dziedzictwo uprawy drzew oliwnych na wyspie, docenisz ponadczasową więź między Kreteńczykami a szanowanymi przez nich drzewami oliwnymi. Tuż za wioską Kritsa, na wzgórzach wschodniej Krety, Nikos Plevritakis zabierze Cię na krótki spacer do swoich gajów oliwnych. Niektóre z rosnących tam drzew mają od 600 do 800 lat. Prawdziwy specjalista opowie Ci więcej o uprawie drzew oliwnych. W cieniu drzew oliwnych spróbujesz lokalnej raki, znanej jako tsikoudia, z oliwkami do skubania podczas dyskusji na temat kulturowego i społecznego znaczenia uprawy oliwek na Krecie. Później przyjdzie czas na wizytę w lokalnej fabryce spółdzielczej, aby zobaczyć z bliska, jak z oliwek powstaje światowej klasy oliwa. Wracając na Ścieżkę Oliwną, skorzystaj z okazji, aby spróbować świeżych fig, migdałów i winogron, zobaczyć, co uprawiają miejscowi i dowiedzieć się wszystkiego o kreteńskim stylu życia oraz diecie. Następnie, na farmie oliwnej, możesz spróbować oliwek, świeżych pomidorów i raki przed rozpoczęciem sesji degustacji oliwy. To świetna okazja, aby nauczyć się smakować oliwę jak profesjonalista i porównać profile smakowe różnych odmian. Dzień zakończy się lekcją gotowania na temat różnych sposobów wykorzystania oliwy w kuchni kreteńskiej. Zobaczysz, jak powstają autentyczne potrawy, takie jak tzatziki i sałatka grecka, a także dowiesz się, dlaczego tradycyjna dieta kreteńska jest korzystna dla zdrowia i sprzyja długowieczności.

Wycieczka do Knossos i teatru minojskiego z wizytą w Heraklionie

Jeśli jest coś, co trzeba zobaczyć na Krecie, to jest to pałac w Knossos – najpopularniejsza atrakcja wyspy. Edyta, jedna z naszych lokalnych przewodniczek, mówi: „Knossos to miejsce, w którym 4000 lat temu rozwinęła się pierwsza cywilizacja Europy. Warto zobaczyć różne pomieszczenia z okresu minojskiego, a także akwedukt i gliniane dzbany wykonane przez Minojczyków”. W planie jest również występ taneczny na żywo, a także spacer z przewodnikiem po tętniącej życiem stolicy Krety, Heraklionie.Wycieczka rozpoczyna się w pałacu w Knossos, gdzie Twój przewodnik opowie Ci o starożytnych mitach i królach. Odkryjesz salę tronową i apartamenty królewskie. Co więcej, Twoja wizyta przyczynia się do utrzymania pałacu, a dzięki priorytetowemu wstępowi nie musisz czekać w kolejkach. Następnie odbędzie się pokaz minojski wraz z typowymi kreteńskimi przekąskami. Edyta dodaje: „Minojczycy kochali taniec, dlatego zobaczysz tradycyjne tańce podczas pokazu”. Następnie cofniesz się do czasów minojskich dzięki filmowi 3D, który pokazuje pałac, dając Ci przedsmak tego, jak wyglądał on w przeszłości. Po południu wybierzesz się na spacer z przewodnikiem po Heraklionie i odkryjesz najważniejsze zabytki miasta. Zobacz fontannę z weneckim lwem, XVII-wieczny zabytek i ważne miejsce dla mieszkańców. Wykorzystaj czas wolny na zakupy na targu na świeżym powietrzu, gdzie możesz spotkać się z mieszkańcami i skosztować świeżych produktów. Jeśli nie masz ochoty na zakupy, warto zakończyć dzień relaksującym spacerem po weneckim porcie.

Wycieczka z przewodnikiem po wyspie Spinalonga i lunch

Niewielka wyspa Spinalonga znajduje się w pobliżu Krety, ale wizyta na niej jest jak podróż w czasie. Otaczające ją mury były przez wieki świadkami wielu wydarzeń. Oprócz Spinalongi, zjesz lunch w tawernie w Elundzie i zwiedzisz eleganckie nadmorskie miasto Ajos Nikolaos.

Wycieczka po zachodniej Krecie z winiarnią i tłocznią oliwy z oliwek

Zachodnia Kreta może poszczycić się wspaniałymi lokalnymi produktami i spektakularnymi plażami. Ta całodniowa wycieczka obejmuje najlepsze atrakcje tego regionu, z degustacją wina w winiarni Karavitakis, degustacją organicznej oliwy w posiadłości Biolea i odrobiną relaksu na białych piaskach plaży w osadzie Falassarna. Vasso, nasz lokalny przewodnik, mówi: „To jedna z moich ulubionych wycieczek, ponieważ pozwala poznać wiele aspektów kreteńskiej scenerii, stylu życia i zabytków. Odwiedzisz tłocznię oliwy z oliwek i winiarnię, która produkuje jedne z najlepszych win na Krecie”.Zacznij dzień od wizyty z przewodnikiem w lokalnej winiarni Karavitakis. W nowoczesnym centrum dla zwiedzających czeka Cię uczta dla kubków smakowych podczas degustacji wina, której towarzyszyć będą lokalne przekąski. Następnie kierowca zabierze Cię do posiadłości Biolea, rodzinnej wytwórni oliwy z oliwek, która specjalizuje się w rzemieślniczej produkcji organicznej oliwy. Dowiesz się wszystkiego, co musisz wiedzieć o produkcji oliwy, od sposobu uprawy oliwek po tłoczenie i butelkowanie. Co więcej, Twoja wizyta przyczynia się do rozwoju lokalnego biznesu i pomaga w rozwoju gospodarki wyspy.Później udasz się na lunch do tradycyjnej restauracji nad morzem, gdzie jedzenie jest przygotowywane z lokalnych produktów. Resztę popołudnia spędzisz relaksując się na jaasnym piasku błogiej plaży w osadzie Falassarna, która, jak mówi Vasso, „została kilkakrotnie uznana za jedną z najlepszych plaż w Europie”.

Pałac w Knossos, Retimno i Heraklion

Wpisany na listę UNESCO pałac w Knossos jest jednym z najważniejszych starożytnych zabytków na Krecie i to tam rozwinęła się pierwsza cywilizacja w Europie. Przewodnik opowie Ci historię tego miejsca podczas zwiedzania najcenniejszego stanowiska archeologicznego na wyspie. Wycieczka obejmuje również czas wolny w Retimno i zwiedzanie stolicy Krety, Heraklionu.Poranek rozpoczniesz od spaceru po labiryncie uliczek w Retimno, wśród straganów na lokalnym targu lub w porcie, gdzie można podziwiać wenecką twierdzę. Następnie udasz się do Heraklionu, stolicy Krety. Zobacz wraz z przewodnikiem symbol Republiki Weneckiej – fontannę ozdobioną lwami oraz loggię, następnie będzie czas wolny na zwiedzanie. Później przyjdzie pora na wizytę w pałacu w Knossos. Podziwiaj wspaniałe miejsca, takie jak sala tronowa, apartamenty królewskie i niezwykłe freski. Ponadto zobaczysz labirynt, gdzie według legendy czaił się przerażający stwór, człowiek z głową byka, znany jako Minotaur.

Kreteńska Przygoda Pojazdem z Napędem 4x4 z Chanii

Ta całodniowa wycieczka terenowa jest przeznaczona specjalnie dla poszukiwaczy przygód. Pojedziesz gruntowym drogami przez górskie przełęcze i urocze kreteńskie wioski, odkrywając ukryte skarby i panoramiczną scenerię wyspy.Zaczniemy od przejazdu samochodem terenowym przez skaliste wzgórza Lefka Ori na zachodzie Krety, gdzie kręte górskie drogi wiją się przez głębokie wąwozy, płaskowyże, szemrzące rzeki i senne wioski. Zatrzymasz się w typowym wiejskim kafenio - kawiarni - żeby posmakować lokalnego życia.Następnie przyjdzie pora na lunch. Przez całą podróż będziesz poznawać prawdziwe oblicze Krety, jadąc gruntowymi drogami i skalistymi ścieżkami. Zrobimy też postoje na zdjęcia w miejscach, które oferują najlepsze widoki na wyspę - to będzie dzień prawdziwej eksploracji.

Wycieczka z przewodnikiem i transportem do pałacu w Knossos i Heraklionu

„Pałac w Knossos jest jednym z najważniejszych stanowisk archeologicznych na Krecie, ponieważ to stamtąd wywodzi się cywilizacja europejska” – mówi Veta, jedna z naszych przewodniczek. Urodziła się i wychowała tutaj, wie więc co nieco o legendach i mitach otaczających najpopularniejszą atrakcję wyspy. Spędzisz dzień, poznając historię, która ożywa podczas zwiedzania pałacu, a następnie udasz się do Heraklionu i spędzisz trochę wolnego czasu w stolicy. Pałac w Knossos, będący niegdyś centrum cywilizacji minojskiej na Krecie, znajduje się w sercu najstarszej osady w Europie. Będziesz cieszyć się wycieczką z przewodnikiem po jego skarbach, zatrzymując się przy sali tronowej, apartamentach królewskich, freskach i innych pozostałościach. Ponadto zobaczysz labirynt, w którym podobno czaił się przerażający pół-człowiek, pół-byk, znany jako Minotaur. A dzięki szybszemu dostępowi do atrakcji nie trzeba będzie stać w kolejkach. Następnie będzie czas, aby udać się do Heraklionu, stolicy wyspy. Podczas spaceru z przewodnikiem po mieście zobaczysz XVII-wieczną fontannę Morozini z lwami i 400-letni gmach ratusza nazywany wenecką loggią. Dzień zakończymy czasem wolnym na rynku. Rozejrzysz się po straganach obładowanych ręcznie robionymi drobiazgami i lokalnymi świeżymi produktami lub zatrzymaj się na kawę w lokalnej kawiarni. Inne warte uwagi miejsca to forteca Koule i kościół św. Tytusa.

Wycieczka do miejscowości Lutro i typowy kreteński lunch

Lutro, do którego można dotrzeć tylko łodzią, to idylliczna nadmorska miejscowość, w której można się całkowicie odciąć od świata. Podróż ze Sfakii do Lutro odbędziesz łodzią, aby cieszyć się dniem zwiedzania we własnym tempie, lunchem w lokalnej tawernie i czasem na odpoczynek pod jasnym kreteńskim słońcem. Rena, jedna z naszych lokalnych przewodniczek, mówi: „Lutro to ukryty klejnot południowej Krety, magiczne miejsce z niewiarygodnie niebieską, jasnoniebieską, prawie zieloną, krystalicznie czystą wodą – i bez śladów samochodów i ruchu ulicznego”.Ta wyjątkowa wycieczka rozpocznie się od malowniczej przejażdżki do Sfakii, z przystankiem po drodze na płaskowyżu Askifou na grecką kawę z widokiem na majestatyczne Białe Góry. Następnie wskoczysz na łódź, aby w ciągu 20 minut dopłynąć do Lutro – malowniczej miejscowości rybackiej z pięknym górskim tłem. Tutaj będziesz mieć dużo wolnego czasu na spacer wzdłuż brukowanych uliczek, podziwiając bielone domy jak z pocztówki. To także świetna okazja, by kupić pamiątkę i wspomóc lokalną gospodarkę.W planie jest również lunch w tradycyjnej rodzinnej tawernie nad brzegiem morza z widokiem na zatokę. Będziesz delektować się tym, co Rena nazywa „smakami południa”. Będziesz cieszyć się degustacją specjałów z regionu, takich jak placek serowy, smażona cukinia, sałatka kreteńska i wiele innych. Dp tego zostanie podane lokalne wino. Potem możesz wylegiwać się na plaży, kąpać się w Morzu Libijskim i obserwować świat w oddali. Brak ruchu ulicznego oznacza czysty relaks.

Górska przygoda autem z napędem 4x4 na Krecie i lunch w tawernie

Przygotuj się na wycieczkę samochodem z napędem 4x4, która zabierze Cię w podróż poza utarte szlaki. Poznaj wiejskie zakątki Krety i zanurz się w naturze, przemierzając góry po polnych drogach. Poznaj serce Krety – jej bogatą mitologię, zróżnicowaną florę i faunę oraz fascynujące życie lokalne. Katerina, nasza lokalna przewodniczka, mówi: „Od pofalowanych górskich szczytów Krety odbijają się echem historie z greckiej mitologii – Zeus, grecki bóg, którego atrybutem były pioruny, urodził się w jaskini w górach na Krecie i właśnie na tej wyspie Tezeusz pokonał Minotaura”.Zaczynamy od przejażdżki malowniczymi ścieżkami przez gaje oliwne, mijając starożytne relikty i jadąc pod górę. Następnie zatrzymamy się w małej wiosce, gdzie zachwyci Cię smak raki i oliwy, których skosztujesz w towarzystwie mieszkańców. Kreteńska oliwa jest ceniona za czystość i smak, a także wysoką zawartość polifenoli i niską kwasowość, co czyni ją bardzo zdrową.Stąd rozpocznie się prawdziwa przygoda po bezdrożach, gdy będziemy wspinać się wysoko w góry starożytnym szlakiem używanym przez pasterzy, aby dotrzeć do stad wysoko na letnich pastwiskach. W prostych chatach pasterskich świeże kozie mleko jest wykorzystywane do produkcji smacznego domowego sera. Następnie odwiedzimy rodzinną tawernę, gdzie podany zostanie typowy lokalny lunch (dostępna jest również opcja wegetariańska) z nielimitowanym winem. Odkryjesz inne oblicze Krety dzięki profesjonalnym i merytorycznym kierowcom, którzy opowiedzą Ci o swojej wyspie, wspominając o lokalnym życiu i historii, a także o dzikiej przyrodzie i kuchni.

de,  en,  fr,  nl 

Visiting Elafonissi Beach, Crete – Everything you need to know

Elafonissi Beach is a world-famous beach that’s known for its unique land formations and spectacular scenery. It’s also popular for its uniquely coloured sand, which has a pink appearance under direct sunlight and is an amazing site to see. It sits to the south-west corner of the island of Crete and is a must-see for any visit.

If you’re thinking of visiting Elafonossi and it’s high up on your day-trip list, you’ve came to the right place. After spending time exploring this beautiful corner of Crete, we’ve assembled a complete guide so that you can do the same.

Browse our Elafonissi Beach guide for tips on getting there, the top things to see, beach amenity information and our top tips for visiting.

Why should I visit Elafonissi Beach?

As one of the top things to do in Crete according to any guide you’ll read, Elafonissi Beach is a must-see for any visit. Here are the top reasons to travel here, and why this area of the island is so unique and captivating.

• Pink sand – around the shore of the beach and edge of the lagoon, you’ll find a line of coral pink sand. The colour is created from the shells in the sand and is a truly unique sight to behold. The intensity of the pink sand colour can change depending on weather conditions and the angle at which the sun shines.
• A beautiful warm lagoon – The hot Greek sun warms the water, creating a bath-like area to relax.
• Powdery white sand with a tropical feel – It’s soft to walk on and amazing to look at! It looks much unlike the rest of the Mediterranean.
• Spectacular scenery – From the beaches to the lagoon and sand dune viewpoints, the scenery here is amazing. It can be appreciated by those who don’t usually like visiting the beach.

How to get to Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi Beach sits in a fairly remote location compared to the main tourist areas of Crete. It’s nestled along a small cove to the southern-west most tip of the island and involves a drive through the mountains to get there. The Chania area is one of the best place to stay if you’d like to visit Elafonissi. It is of course reachable from other city to the east; however, you may find that the drive is quite a distance.

The main route from Kissamos and Chania in the north (which is what most tour buses will follow) is one of the most scenic drives you’ll have during your time on the island. Winding mountain-side roads, cave tunnels and small local villages make up the drive. We were amazed by the scenery! Roads can be quite hazardous so drive slowly, especially around corners, and keep lane discipline.

Here are your main options for how to get to Elafonissi Beach:

Our preferred route and the quickest and most convenient option is to rent a car. Small cars are inexpensive to rent, either for the day or the full duration of your stay. You can find local car hire offices in most cities, and the island’s main airports also have plenty of options.

We recommend the following car hire companies. They all have excellent reviews and are reasonably priced. 😊 Try to avoid the large international car hire companies as they have a notorious reputation for trying to rip you off.

• Athens Car Hire
• The Best Cars Crete
• Autorentals Crete

Here are the drive times to Elafonissi from popular tourist destinations:

From Kissamos – 1hr

From Chania – 1hr 25mins

From Rethymon – 2hr 15mins

From Bali – 2hr 35mins

From Heraklion – 3hr 15mins

From Elounda – 4hr 9mins

From Agios Nikolaus – 4hrs

Free parking is available a 2-minute walk from the beach. Spaces are plentiful but they fill up fast after 10am so we recommend arriving earlier, otherwise you might have to park on a side street.

Private Tour/Transfer

If you don’t fancy renting a car and driving in Crete, hiring a private tour guide or transfer is a great option. You’ll get to explore the Cretan mountains from the passenger seat and can relax whilst someone else does the driving. As Elafonissi Beach is a place where you probably won’t need a guide, most people opt for private transfers. A driver will drop you off at the beach and then pick you up at an agreed time. We personally recommend checking out Cretan Taxi Service for private transfers.

View the top-rated private transfers companies in Crete on Tripadvisor here .

Group tour / tour bus

A very affordable way to reach Elafonissi Beach is by booking a group tour in the local town you’re staying in, or via your hotel reception. As Elafonissi is such a popular tourist attraction in Crete, most hotels and tourism operators offer their own tour options. You’ll be picked up at your hotel at a specific time and then dropped off at Elafonissi. You’ll then need to be at the agreed bus stop at the end of the day for your return journey back to your hotel.

Group tours generally start early morning and last the full day, so expect to be out between 8am – 6pm. If you’d like to book an Elafonissi group tour in advance, check out the options available on Viator here .

If you’d like to see a different side of Elafonissi Beach, away from the shore, you can take a boat trip from the nearby town of Palaiochora. Due to the remote location of Elafonissi, this is the only port for boat trips, so you’ll first need to travel to the town on the south coast. Boats depart daily, with several different independent operators available to choose from. Either book a trip at a tour agency where you’re staying, or venture to the south coast, stay overnight in Palaiochora and speak to one of the boat trip organisers at the port area.

Boat tours to Elafonissi Beach vary in itinerary, but expect to tour the entire south-west coastline in a day trip. Whilst visiting Elafonissi Beach, the boat will drop you off a 10-minute walk away from the main beach.

What time should I visit Elafonissi Beach? How long should I spend there?

If you love beaches, you’ll want to spend the full day here. You’ll catch the hot sun and glimmering pink sand during the day, eagerly awaiting the beauty of sunset early evening. Equally, if you’re not a huge fan of the beach but still want to experience the beauty of Elafonissi, a few hours/half a day is perfect. You can walk around the beaches and lagoon in a couple of hours, but you’ll also want time to relax and grab a drink.

The best things to do at Elafonissi Beach:

Elafonissi lagoon.

The highlight and very best thing to do in Elafonissi Beach in our opinion, is the vast Elafonissi Lagoon. Transparent water and a depth of less than 1 metre make the lagoon an idyllic place to relax. Wade in the pool, take some scenic photos or lie back and catch some rays. As the lagoon is shallow, it quickly starts to warm up and has the temperature of a warm bath as the afternoon arrives. It’s quite a large lagoon that has formed and you’ll find sand banks, rock formations and powdery sand beaches surrounding it.

Relax on one of the many beaches

As its name suggests, Elafonissi Beach is exactly that, a beach. In fact, it’s an accumulation of multiple beaches. The first beach is where you’ll arrive, directly facing the car park and with plenty of sun loungers and food and drink facilities.

The second beach is just along from the main beach, on the other side of the lagoon. This is a much quieter spot that also has loungers. It’s is the best place to relax in our opinion.

Along from the above beach, you then have a walking trail through the sand dunes and onward to Elafonissi South Beach. This is a much longer stretch of sand, with the far end being a clothing optional beach. No sun loungers are on this beach, so you’ll need a towel to lie down.

It costs 10 euros for two sun loungers and the accompanying palm umbrella, and you’ll get to use them for the full day. If you’d like to rent a sun lounger, simply park up on an empty set of loungers, then place your towels and bags over them. A member of the beach staff will pass by and take payment.

Walking routes

Part of the adventure at Elafonissi Beach is simply walking across the lagoon, hiking the sand dunes and uncovering the hidden beauty spots of the area. We found a beach hut, quiet rocky region and some amazing viewpoints as we trekked past the lagoon. Put on some water shoes and have fun exploring!

Water sports

Rent a paddleboard, bring along your own water toys or join a wind surfing tour. The waves here are brisk due to Elafonissi’s location, so you’ll find that it’s a great place to surf. We recommend checking out Aquaholics for all your water sport’s needs.

Beach facilities

Food and drink.

If you get hungry or just want to enjoy a refreshing drink on the beach, Elafonissi has some very good food and drink options, especially as the beach is so remote. During our visit we found two or three large beach shacks on the main beach, right near the entrance.

Drinks included soft drinks, water, coffee, juices, beer, mixers, coffee, tea and any other cold beverage you could think of. Food-wise, expect cold sandwiches, hotdogs, crisps, ice cream, chocolate and other sweet treats. You won’t find any restaurant food, but the snacks sold are sufficient to keep you going on busy beach day. We found the prices to be quite reasonable.

You’ll find a block of 5 or so toilets at the entrance of the beach, right next to the car park. They cost 50 cents to use, and we found them to be well maintained and clean.

Changing facilities

Small individual changing booths are located across the beach, near both the toilets and food and drink cabins. They’re free to use.

Umbrella and sun lounger rental

It costs 10 euros for two sun loungers and the accompanying palm umbrella, and you’ll get to use them for the full day. If you’d like to rent a sun lounger, simply park up on an empty set of loungers, place your towels and bags over them. A member of the beach staff will pass by and take payment.

Things to do near Elafonissi Beach – Make a daytrip of it!

If you plan on visiting Elafonissi Beach for half a day and arrive early, you may wish to make a day-trip out of your visit. It is quite a long drive after all! Here are some excellent nearby attractions that are worth checking out.

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery – View on map

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery is a 17th-century Orthodox Christian monastery that’s perched on the edge of the mountain side. It’s a great stop off point on your way back from Elafonissi, especially if you manage to catch the stunning sunset views. Walk around the old monastery and admire the scenery at your leisure.

White Lake beach – View on map

Another untouched cove with golden sand is White Lake Beach. This scenic location has a turquoise cove where you can swim and relax in the hot Crete sun. Jagged rock pools and formations are scattered at the cove entrance and the surrounding natural scenery is gorgeous. Stop by for an hour of swimming.

Voulolimni Cove – View on map

Go for a swim in a peaceful, turquoise lagoon and marvel at the beautiful scenery. Boulólimnē is a hidden gem in Crete’s south-west and is a spot that many tourists don’t know about. If Elafonissi Beach is crowded during your visit, end your day early and check out this place.

Kedrodasos Beach – View on map

Kedrodasos is a short drive east of Elafonissi and is a much less frequented beach location. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and the turquoise ocean to yourself, with very few tourists in sight. It’s remote, untouched and displays Crete nature at its best. Parking is available right next to the beach.

Can I stay overnight at/near Elafonissi Beach?

Whilst there aren’t any accommodation options at Elafonissi Beach itself and camping isn’t allowed, there are few accommodation within a short walk or drive. Most people visit on a day trip and stay to the north of the island, but the south coast is well worth checking out. Here are the best places to stay in the south of Crete, all of which are close to Elafonissi Beach.

Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family – View on Booking.com

Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family – The best accomodation option in the area and a 10-minute walk from the beach. This 4-star hotel is family-run and has excellent Tripadvisor reviews.

Lafo Rooms – View on Booking.com

Lafo Rooms – A small hotel with a unique modern architecture façade. Rooms are nicely decorated and have plenty of amenities.

Elafonissi Paradise Apartments – View on Booking.com

Elafonissi Paradise – The Elafonissi Paradise self catering apartments are basic, but they’re well equipped and very affordable. Use them as a base to explore Elafonissi Beach for a longer period.

Our top tips for visiting Elafonissi Beach

• Arrive early (before 10am) to get the best sun lounger spots. They fill up very quickly after 10am and it’ll be tough to find a place. You’ll also find it easier to secure a parking spot in the car park if you arrive earlier.
• As tempting as it is to grab a sun lounger right by the beach entrance (where the food and drink stands are), we recommend walking further across the beach and past the lagoon. Here you’ll find more secluded sun loungers with less people and more scenic views.
• Bring along plenty of snacks and drinks in a cooler bag. It’ll save you buying them at the beach.
• Bring water shoes if you have them as some areas of the lagoon and beach are rocky. You’ll find it a lot more comfortable to get around in water shoes, especially if you want an adventurous walk along the beaches.
• Bring cash with you. You’ll need it to pay for toilet access and if you want to rent a sun lounger.
• As tempting as it is to relax on a sun lounger all day, make sure you go for a walk and explore the other beaches, lagoon and walking trails.

Now that you’ve read our complete guide to Elafonissi Beach, all that’s left to do is visit for yourself! Don’t let the long drive put you off, it’s well worth the trip to the south of Crete if you’re staying in the north. Have fun exploring one of the best beaches that Crete has to offer and enjoy a relaxing day in the sun. If you have any questions about Elafonissi Beach, or Crete in general, let us know in the comment section below. 😊

An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.

THANKS FOR READING! IF YOU LIKED OUR ARTICLE, SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS OR PRINT IT OUT FOR YOUR TRIP. FEEL FREE TO  CONTACT US  WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE…

Related posts.

Welcome to our ultimate Crete travel guide, where we share the very best places to visit in Crete. Being such a huge island with aspects of many of the other…

Visiting Crete in September – Everything you need to know If you’re wondering what it’s like to visit Crete in September, you’ve came to the right place. After exploring all…

Welcome to our detailed Crete itinerary, destined to give you an action packed taste of what Crete is all about within a short amount of time. After exploring this charming…

Hello, and welcome to our ultimate guide on visiting two of the most stunning locations on the island of Crete, Balos Beach and Gramvousa island. In this guide, we’ll be…

Welcome to our guide on where to stay in Crete! After spending time exploring this diverse Greek island and researching some of the best towns, cities, beach resorts and rural…

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Elafonisi Island Tour with Monastery and Agia Sophia Cave

Ocena: dobrze

Na podstawie 35 recenzji

The uninhabited islet of Elafonisi in southwestern Crete is bursting with natural beauty and cultural riches. Topolia Gorge, Agia Sophia Cave, Chrissoskalitissa Monastery and a beach many consider the best on the island are among the star turns of this day trip. Rena, one of our local guides, says, ‘This tour combines the best of the Cretan highlands with the idyllic pink-sand beach of Elafonisi on the south coast.'It's a laidback start to the day, with a pit stop for coffee in a family-run taverna in the farming hamlet of Voulgaro. From here, a dramatic drive south through the Topolia Gorge awaits. The views on the deep ravine to your left are epic. We'll then visit the cave of Agia Sophia, which is famed for its stalactites. Linked to a variety of legends, it's said that the hoof print of St George's horse can be found here. And if you look hard enough, you'll find what looks like a horseshoe print in a rock.Next up is the Chrissoskalitissa Monastery. Built on a hill overlooking the coastline, this 1,000-year-old retreat offers timeless charm. Its name means ‘golden steps' and it's steeped in myth. According to some, one of the steps is golden – but is only visible to the religious. The last port of call is nothing short of postcard-perfect. Rena says: ‘You can reach Elafonisi islet walking through a shallow stretch of water from Elafonisi beach.' Spend the afternoon swimming, relaxing and taking in the top-tier views, then we'll finish the day at Paleochora fishing village.

• Not suitable for guests with reduced mobility
• Food and drinks not included
• Admissions not included
• Bring bathing gear and sunblock
• Bring a hat
• Bring a towel

Potrzebujesz pomocy w dokonaniu rezerwacji lub chcesz o coś zapytać? Skontaktuj się z nami.

Telefoniczne Centrum Rezerwacji: 22 270 31 20

•   Szybkie wyszukiwanie i przeglądanie ofert
•   Lista ulubionych ofert i możliwość ich udostępniania
•   Historia wyszukiwań i ostatnio oglądanych ofert
•   Kontakt z TUI i wszystkie informacje o Twojej rezerwacji w myTUI
• Gwarancja ubezpieczeniowa
• Digital Service
• Dane osobowe
• Podróż z TUI
• Wakacje samolotem
• Incentive Travel
• Ubezpieczenia
• Hotele przy lotniskach
• Regulamin strony
• Polityka prywatności
• Polityka cookies
• Bilety czarterowe
• Warunki imprez turystycznych

Prezentowane na stronie internetowej tui.pl ogłoszenia, reklamy, cenniki i informacje nie stanowią oferty w rozumieniu przepisów Kodeksu Cywilnego.

Copyright Biuro podróży TUI 2024

Elafonissi Beach in Crete – How to get there and more info

By: Author Swedish Nomad

Posted on Last updated: August 11, 2019

Categories Greece

Home / Europe / Greece / Elafonissi Beach in Crete – How to get there and more info

Elafonissi beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete and a popular day trip from Chania and Rethymnon. The beach is located at the southwestern part of the island, and you can easily get here on your own, or via a guided tour.

And it sure is beautiful, the shimmering pink sand and crystal clear turquoise water is absolutely magical, and will definitely make your vacation even more special. 

Photo: Shutterstock

More information about Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi, also known as Elafonisi or Elafonissi beach is actually a small uninhabited island in the southwestern part of Crete, about 60 kilometers from Chania. The beach is particularly known for its pink shimmering sand and crystal clear turquoise water. 

It has consistently been ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, and it’s a popular place for families, thanks to the shallow water. Elafonissi Beach is full of finely ground shells which have colored the sand into pink. That’s also the reason why it shimmers as the sun is shining. 

How pink the sand actually depends on various things such as winds, tide, and the microbes that the gastropods are eating. Nonetheless, it’s always beautiful here, and you could easily forget that you’re in Europe, and mistaken yourself for being in the Maldives. 

Visiting Elafonissi Beach is definitely one of the best things to do in Crete . 

Sunbeds and umbrellas are available and cost 8 Euro per day. It’s recommended to get here early in the morning to get a sunbed since there are often more tourists coming here than there are sunbeds available.

There is also a restaurant and a small shop where you can buy snacks and beverages.

There is free parking available at Elafonissi Beach.

How to get to Elafonissi Beach

The easiest way to get to Elafonissi Beach is to rent a car and drive on your own. The journey takes about 1.5 hours from Chania and free parking is available. Another option is to join a guided tour or take the Elafonissi Express Bus, which arrive in the morning and goes back at 4.30 pm. 

Express bus

The price for the express bus from Chania is 24 Euro roundtrip per adult, and 12 Euro for children between 4-12 years old. If you’re staying in Chania, then I personally think that the express bus is the best choice unless you rent a car.

The only downside of taking the bus to Elafonissi Beach is that you can’t choose when you want to go back. 

If you rather come here by boat, there are daily boat trips from Paleochora, which is located in the south of Crete. Unfortunately, there are no boat trips from Chania or Rethymnon, so if you’re staying there and want to go, you either have to rent a car or take the bus to Elafonissi.

Guided tours

As mentioned, you can book guided tours who will pick you up at the hotel. From there you will go by a transfer bus to Elafonissi and then back to your hotel at a set time. 

The road to the Elafonissi Beach goes via picturesque serpentine roads which offer some incredible views.

Book a guided tour to Elafonissi Beach

If you don’t plan on renting a car in Crete and want to make sure to get to this beautiful pink beach, then you can book a guided tour from Chania or Rethymnon. It’s better to book online before you travel because they can get sold out due to its popularity. 

• Day trip from Chania
• Day trip from Rethymnon

Best time of the year to visit Elafonissi

I recommend coming here in May or September because the weather will be good and warm, but not too warm, and there will be a lot less crowded. The most popular time of the year to visit Elafonissi is during high-season in July and August.

And while it’s still worth going here during that time period, you should expect a lot of other tourists making their way here as well. It’s a big beach though, so there’s plenty of room. 

Snorkeling at Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi Beach offers great conditions for snorkeling, and it’s teeming with fishes and marine life. The calm and crystal clear water also provide great visibility, so don’t forget to bring your snorkel gear and explore the life below the surface. 

The surrounding nature

Elafonissi is a protected Natura 2000-area, and every year turtles come here to lay their eggs. There are also many seabirds living in the area as well as protected plants. The surrounding nature is beautiful and it’s lovely to go for a stroll here since it’s so untouched and wild. 

Also, remember that the sun is very strong in Crete, so be careful and protect yourself from harmful UV rays.

A protected area for turtles

There is also a roped off area which is designated the turtles who come here to lay their eggs. Please respect this area, and if you see a turtle, make sure to stay away at a safe distance.

Where to eat and stay overnight

If you want to eat a real dinner or something more hearty than the snack bar and mini-market has to offer, then I recommend you to eat at Taverna Kalomirakis, which is a family-owned restaurant, which is part of the Elafonisi Resort. It’s quite simple, but they serve delicious seafood and traditional Greek food .

For those who want to book a hotel close to Elafonissi Beach, or just stay overnight, and enjoy the quiet atmosphere when the daytrippers have gone home, then you should book a stay at the Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family . 

Do you have more questions about visiting Elafonissi Beach in Crete island? Leave a comment below!

Welcome back

Sign in and connect to a world of travel experiences

Discover the latest deals, manage your booking and access your tickets wherever you go..

Price (per adult)

Pickup at hotel.

• Cretan Dream Royal
• Pilot Beach Resort
• Eko gas station chissi akti
• Platanias square
• PEPPER SEA CLUB HOTEL
• Mikes Studios & Apartments
• Magia Apartments
• Caldera Beach by Atlantica TUI FAMILY LIFE
• Santa Marina Plaza
• Stefan Village
• N. Kazantzakis Airport
• Main road kastalia hotel
• Avra Imperial Beach Resort & Spa
• Oscar Suites & Village
• Mikes hotel
• Fereniki Resort & Spa
• Porto del Colombo
• Christina 1 & 2
• Main road louis creta princess
• Selini Suites
• SuneoClub Althea Village
• Atrion Resort Hotel
• Eko Suites Apartments
• Paleokastro Beach
• Tarra apartments
• Anemos Luxury Grand Resort
• Main road euphoria hotel
• Main road santa marina hotel
• Agrimia Apartments
• Bmw store main road
• Nefeli (CHANIA)
• Golden Sand
• Mythos Palace
• Geraniotis Beach
• Kalliston Resort & Spa by Atlantica TUI SENSIMAR
• Coffee shop grigoris, main road
• Caldera Villas
• Apelia Hotel
• Delfina beach
• Iolida Star
• Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa
• Airis Boutique & Suites
• Elia Boutique Beach
• Vantaris Palace
• Corinna Mare
• HAPPY DAYS HOTEL
• Main road tui sensimar kalliston hotel
• Pegasus Hotel
• DOMES NORUZ CHANIA
• Michalis studios
• Kriti Hotel Chania
• Iliana - Agia Marina
• Atlantica Ocean Beach Resort
• Proimos Maisonnettes
• Euphoria Resort
• Iolida Beach
• Amalthia Beach Resort
• Main road creta palm hotel
• Eliros Mare
• Porto Platanias
• Hydramis Palace Beach Resort
• Lia Apartments
• Antilia Apts
• Atlantica Caldera Village
• Kydon, The Heart City Hotel
• Atlantica Caldera Bay
• Helios Apartments
• FOLIA Studios Apts
• Annas House
• Bus stop vandaris beach
• Thalassa Beach Resort
• Main road minoa palace
• Grand Bay Beach Resort
• Almyrida Beach
• Nireas Hotel
• Asterion Beach Hotel & Suites
• Iolida Village
• Ledra Maleme
• Papadakis Apartments
• Atlantica Yakinthos
• Athena Hotel Apartments
• Vardis Olive Garden Hotel
• Sirios Village
• Vantaris Beach
• Mythos Platanias
• Minos Village
• Matzi Studios & Apartments
• Varouxakis Hotel
• Evagelina Hotel
• Kostakis Beach
• Corissia Beach
• Castle Suites
• STAR DARATSO
• Blue Star Isida Village
• Corissia Princess
• Gerona Mare
• SOLIMAR AQUA MARINA
• Coral Beach
• Marika Suites
• Santa Marina Beach hotel
• Delfina Boutique
• Elia Portou Studios
• TUI BLUE Atlantica Creta Paradise
• Georgioupolis Beach Hotel
• Main road christina hotel chania
• Chrispy World
• Zeus Village
• Kastalia Village
• Minoa Palace Resort & Spa
• Sun Nicolas Hotel
• PORTO PLATANIAS VILLAGE RESORT
• Ilianthos Village
• Porto Kalamaki
• Atlantis Beach
• Dimitrios Village Beach
• Maroulas Villas
• Sunrise Hotels Studios
• Elounda Gulf Villas
• Cretan Malia Park
• DIAS HOTEL GEORGIOUPOLIS
• Kolymbari Beach
• Arina Beach Resort
• Rethymno Mare Royal
• Aquila Rithymna Beach best FAMILY
• ARCHIPELAGOS
• Atrium Ambiance Hotel
• Evelin Apartments
• Melrose Hotel
• Astali Hotel
• Antica Dimora Suites
• Kriti Beach
• Maravel Land
• Aloe Apartments & Studios
• Bali Beach Hotel & Village
• Santa Marina Hotel Crete
• Aqua Marina
• Milatos Village Cretan Agrotourism Hotel
• Candia Park Village
• Kiani Beach Resort
• Main road, rithymna beach hotel
• Palazzino Di Corina
• Malia Bay Beach Hotel & Bungalows
• Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort
• MARAVEL CLUB MARMARA
• Julia apartments
• Royal Blue Resort & Spa TUI SENSIMAR
• Aldemar Luxury Knossos Villas
• Creta Maris Beach Resort
• White Palace Grecotel Luxury Resort
• Elounda Solfez Villas
• Rethymnon Bay Hotel
• Lyttos Beach Hotel
• Ag. Apostoli
• Elina Hotel
• Aquila Rithymna Beach Hotel
• Edem Beach Hotel
• Birais Beach Studios
• Marin Dream Hotel
• Grecotel Plaza Beach House
• Theartemis Palace
• Golden Beach Crete
• Paradise Hotel
• GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel
• Atrium ambiance hotel
• Knossos Beach Bungalows & Suites
• Atermono Boutique Hotel
• Leonidas Studios & Apartments
• Omiros Boutique Hotel
• Mantenia Hotel
• Rethymno Palace
• Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
• Bali Paradise Hotel
• Domes Zee Chania
• Ibiscos Garden
• Mary Hotels Apartments
• Lefkoniko Beach
• Stella Palace Resort & Spa
• MARAVEL STAR ART HOTEL
• Ilian Beach
• White Olive Elite Rethymno
• Rethymno Village
• Aquila Porto Rethymno
• Anita Beach
• Hersonissos Maris Hotel and Suites
• lti AKS Minoa Palace
• Aristea Hotel
• Rimondi Grand Resort & Spa
• Istron Collection Villas
• Dedalos Beach Hotel
• Hersonissos Village Hotel
• Georgioupolis Resort & Aqua Park
• Kournas Village
• Radisson Blu Beach Resort
• Elounda Orama Boutique Hotel
• Outside the reception creta palace
• Palazzo Vecchio
• Iberostar Creta Marine
• Zorbas Apartments
• Grecotel Club Marine Palace & Suites
• CHC Athina Palace Resort & Spa
• Scaleta Beach
• Bella Casita
• Istron Luxury Villas
• Iperion Beach
• Nefeli (RETHYMNON)
• Bmw main road
• Grecotel Creta Palace Hotel
• Metropol Sea Golden Bay
• Sentido Aegean Pearl
• Creta Residence
• The Syntopia by Orion
• Rethymno Residence
• Jo An Palace
• Outside astali hotel
• Adele Beach
• Elotis Suites
• La Mer Resort & Spa
• Chania Palace
• Smartline Rethymno Residence
• Aldemar Cretan Village
• VANTARIS BLUE HOTEL (adults only over 16 y.o.)
• Grecotel Meli Palace
• Nana Beach Hotel
• Trefon Hotel Apartments
• Ag. Marina Chania
• Sensimar Elounda Village Resort & Spa by Aquila
• Avli Lounge Apartments
• SOLIMAR EMERALD
• Amirandes, Grecotel Exclusive Resort
• Istron Bay Hotel
• Grecotel Club Marine Palace
• Radamanthys Apartments
• Swell Boutique Hotel
• Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel
• Ilios Beach
• Olive Green Hotel
• Petradi Beach Lounge hotel
• Minos Beach Art hotel
• Bali Mare Hotel and Villas
• Galeana Beach Aparthotel
• Lefkoniko Bay
• Mare Monte Beach
• Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel
• Spilia Village
• Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas
• White Palace Luxury Resort
• Kavros Resort
• Summer Dream
• Rethymno Mare
• Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Crete
• Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa
• Kalyves Beach
• Galaxy Hotel Iraklio
• Main road thalassa hotel
• Ikones Seafront Luxury Suites
• Marine palace, outside reception
• Steris Elegant Beach Hotel
• AQUILA Atlantis Hotel
• Pleiades Luxurious Villas
• Sentido Pearl Beach
• GRECOTEL GRAND LEONIKI RESIDENCE
• Chania Town
• Elounda Bay Palace
• Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay
• Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort
• Souda Airport
• Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort
• Fodele Beach & Water Park Holiday Resort
• Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
• Harmony Rethymno Beach
• Grecotel Creta Palace
• Grecotel Plaza Spa Apartments
• Hersonissos Palace Hotel
• Nana Princess
• Vantaris Garden and Vantaris Corner
• Gouves Sea and Mare Hotel & Suites
• Amira Luxury Resort & Spa
• Aphea Village
• Greco Fodele Villas
• Nicolas Hotel
• SOLIMAR DIAS
• Bali Star Hotel
• Kathrin Beach
• Elounda Pearls Villas
• Olympic II Hotel Apartments
• Achillion Palace
• Bio Suites Hotel
• Fileas Art Hotel
• Gouves Park Holiday Resort
• Bali Blue Bay
• Minos Mare Royal
• Europa Resort
• Gerani Chania
• Flamingos Hotel
• GRECOTEL CARAMEL BOUTIQUE RESORT
• Ideon Hotel
• Rethymno christina hotel
• Hotel Castle Agios Nikolaos
• Ibis Styles Heraklion Central
• Odyssia Beach Hotel
• Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare
• Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection
• Casa Moazzo
• Jo-An Palace Hotel
• St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas
• Elounda Mare Relais & Chateaux hotel
• MARVA STUDIOS
• Castello Bianco
• Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa
• smartline Dimitrios Beach
• Halepa Area
• Kiani Beach Resort Family All Inclusive
• Marilyn Apartments
• Aldemar Knossos Royal
• Family life caldera beach hotel entrance
• Aldemar Royal Mare
• Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection
• Lato Boutique Hotel
• Jason Hotel
• Creta Royal
• Galeana Mare Aparthotel
• Jo-An Beach Hotel
• Marinos Beach
• Bali Diamond
• Elounda Garden Suites
• Elysium Boutique Hotel
• Jo An Beach

Tickets option

Activity languages, our recommendations in  elafonisi.

Elafonisi Island Tour with Monastery and Agia Sophia Cave

The uninhabited island of Elafonisi may be tiny but it's bursting with personality. This journey to this islet off southwestern Crete is steeped in myths and legends and boasts historic buildings and amazing natural scenery – making it an ideal excursion for all the family.

Elafonisi Island Tour

An excursion that gets better and better as the day goes on. Enjoy some sightseeing before an afternoon relaxing in Elafonisi, an idyllic island off southwest Crete. You'll also visit the village of Voulgaro and the Agia Sophia cave.

Private tour of Elafonissi beach from Heraklion, Rethymno and Chania

Enjoy a private tour of Elafonissi beach with pick-up and discover in one day all the best spots of the Western part of Crete.

en,  fr,  de,  ru,  nl 

Private tour of Elafonissi beach from Lassithi Elounda and Agios Nikolaos

Enjoy a private tour of Elafonissi beach with pick-up from Lassithi and discover in one day all the best spots of the Western part of Crete.

Elafonisi tickets and tours

Guided tour of Elafonisi from Rethymno

Discover Elafonisi beach during this guided tour from Rethymno. Relax on the beach and explore every corner of this amazing spot.

Elafonisi beach guided tour from Chania

Discover Elafonisi beach during an amazing guided tour from Chania and rest assure to remain speechless in front of the beauty of this pink beach.

How to get there

Reviews  elafonisi.

We enjoyed the location. The thing we didn't enjoy was the time on the coach, out if nearly 10 hours we spent 5 of this on the coach. The coach was ex ...

The day was very long 11 hours. We were picking up people for over an hour. All entrance fees were on top of the trip price. I have a condition that m ...

An interesting trip, some parts were great - the monastery, the cave in the mountain, the town visit. More time at all of these would have been great. ...

The beach and lagoon were beautiful. However, pricing for the trip was high and our 16 year old was classed as an adult (not the same as other TUI tri ...

Press release

• Press releases
• TUI Stories
• FY24 Q1 Results
• TUI returns to the Prime Standard
• Finance Communication
• Interviews, speeches & presentations

TUI Musement powering loveholidays Tours & Activities offering as OTA launches thousands of experiences for holidaymakers

• New Offering: Thousands of excursions, activities and attraction tickets now directly available to loveholidays customers
• Original & Unique Experiences: TUI Collection excursions and National Geographic Day Tours included in offering
• Strong Growth: Partnership with loveholidays continues TUI’s strong global growth in Tours & Activities
• Popular Partner: loveholidays joins growing portfolio of leading travel brands partnering with TUI Musement for Tours & Activities

TUI Musement, a global Tours & Activities business and part of TUI Group, is the new Tours & Activities partner for online travel agent (OTA) loveholidays. TUI Musement is powering a digital platform with a curated portfolio of thousands of excursions, activities and attraction tickets, which customers of the OTA can now directly access.

The wide-ranging catalogue of experiences includes museum visits, city tours, food and wine tastings and adventure activities, with options available to holidaymakers across the short haul beach, city break and long-haul destinations loveholidays sells. Experiences can be booked by customers prior to departing for their holiday and while in-resort.

“We’re delighted to partner with TUI Musement to roll out excursions, activities and, attraction tickets to our customers, helping them to have great experiences on their well- deserved holidays.” Said Laurence Stock, VP Commercial at loveholidays. “We pride ourselves on offering an unrivalled choice of great value package holidays, and the rollout of experiences makes it even easier to book and manage all aspects of a holiday with us.“

The offering to loveholidays customers includes options from the TUI Collection range of exceptional, responsible and great value excursions developed by the TUI team. Furthermore, loveholidays customers can book National Geographic Day Tours, which have been created by TUI in collaboration with National Geographic Expeditions based on National Geographic’s incredible legacy of exploration.

“loveholidays wants to give their customers great experiences and we are proud to partner with them, providing a terrific selection of the best and most relevant things to do in-destination. I am very excited that this includes the TUI Collection range of exceptional, responsible and great value excursions, and the selection of unique and immersive National Geographic Day Tours.” Added Nishank Gopalkrishnan, Chief Commercial Officer at TUI Musement, the Tours & Activities division of TUI Group. “Our collaboration with loveholidays reinforces TUI Musement’s position as the B2B partner of choice for Tours & Activities.”

The partnership with loveholidays continues TUI’s strong global growth in Tours & Activities, which has seen international airlines, hotels and travel technology companies all launch experiences offerings in collaboration with TUI Musement during 2024.

The launch follows the news that loveholidays has increased its ATOL licence to cover four million passengers this year, up 39% versus 2023 and 191% versus the last licence it submitted pre-pandemic. The OTA has strong growth ambitions, with product and market expansion at the heart of its growth strategy.

About TUI Musement

TUI Musement is a global Tours & Activities business that combines scalable digital platforms with personalised in-destination service by local teams, to deliver products in three main business lines:

Experiences: Excursions, activities & tickets

Transfers: Between airports, hotels and ports

• Tours: Multi-day itineraries encompassing flights, hotels, experiences and transfers

Available in all major city and sun & beach destinations, products are developed in-house or sourced from leading travel businesses. They are distributed to customers, including the 20+ million TUI customers, through the TUI websites and apps, in-destination local teams and B2B partners, including some of the world's leading OTAs, tour operators, airlines, hotels, travel agencies and cruise lines. TUI Musement is one of the major growth areas of the TUI Group.

Magnus Hüttenberend

More information.

• Press release (PDF)

We use cookies to provide you with an optimized website experience. They include cookies for the operation and optimization of the website as well as cookies for analyses, retargeting and to provide personalised content on websites by third party providers. By clicking on Accept you are agreeing to the use of non-essential cookies. If you don't want that, you can Decline All the use of cookies or change your Settings at any time. For more information, including the processing of data by third party providers, see our Cookie Notice . You can find further information on the use of cookies at any time in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy policy . You will find the Imprint here.

Choose which cookies are permitted by using the “Status”-Switch. Save your settings with the button “I Agree”.

You can find further information on the use of cookies at any time in our Cookie Notice and our Privacy policy . You will find the Imprint here.

THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Water Sports
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
• Submarine Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Diving Center Crocodile

21. Mosparokhodstvo

22. Dive-Project

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. FLOW Moscow

28. Moswake

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

What travelers are saying

• CheapRussia Tours
• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium