They say a visit to Crete island in Greece is incomplete without a trip to Elafonisi beach. In fact, it is rumored to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world because of its beautiful pink sand. We had the opportunity to visit Elafonisi beach on our recent trip to Crete and I must say I was very impressed with its natural beauty.
With its dreamy location, turquoise blue lagoons, and mysterious pink sand beaches, Elafonisi beach will take your breath away. As a matter of fact, we were very excited even on the bus trip to the beach. Before that, we had only seen a few drool-worthy photographs of the beach and were looking forward to a pleasant surprise.
Elafonisi island is located on the southwestern part of the Greek island of Crete. In fact, you could literally walk through the lagoons to reach this mysterious island. In this blog, I will walk you through our day trip to Elafonisi beach from Chania and elaborate on the aspects that I loved as well as some of the things that I did not like from our experience. To sum up, I am sure, after reading this blog you will be able to make a clear decision.
Best time to visit Elafonisi Beach
The months from April to October are best to make a trip to Elafonisi beach. However, the months of July and August are really hot and therefore, I would not recommend a trip to the beach during this period. In addition, it gets super crowded during this time. For instance, we visited Elafonisi beach in mid-September and it was still too warm to stay out in the sun all day. So, do check the weather forecast in advance before making a trip to Elafonisi beach.
Getting to Elafonisi Beach
We had the opportunity to go for a day trip to Elafonisi beach from Chania. We did not have a car so we decided to do it by public transport. However, we could not find much information about the timings of the public transport on the internet. Subsequently, we were glad to get all the information we needed at the main bus station at Chania. Most importantly, we booked the tickets in advance and were really surprised to see the efficiency and timeliness of the bus service in Chania and Crete in general.
There was a bus from Chania to Elafonisi beach at 9 am and the same bus was returning later that day at 4 pm in the evening. It took us around 2 hours to reach. Therefore, we had 5 hours on our hands to explore the place. It was the perfect amount of time to explore Elafonisi beach. To sum up, here are some details you might need to reach Elafonisi beach from Chania.
By Bus- Return bus trip to Elafonisi beach from Chania by KTEL AC bus- 20 Euros per person
By Car- Alternatively, you can also drive to Elafonisi beach. However, I would not recommend it if you are a new driver because the roads are pretty narrow through a lot of mountainous terrains. In addition, it is a long drive and you might want to enjoy a few beers at the beach so the bus option is more convenient and relaxing.
Tip: There was a place to store your luggage on the bus if you wanted but it’s better if you discuss it before boarding.
What to do at Elafonisi beach
Elafonisi beach is a treat to the eyes from afar as you get down from the bus and make your way to it. As a matter of fact, there are a host of activities that you can enjoy on your trip to Elafonisi beach. Here is a list of some of the basics as you will be able to decide how to divide your time at the beach on your own.
Pick up some food
There are a couple of taverns on the way to the beach from the bus stop or the parking area. Therefore, this is your chance to pick up some snacks before a relaxing beach day. It might be tedious to walk to and from the beach if you are hungry later. Also, there are a few small canteens serving drinks at the beach but it might be difficult to find the food.
Tip: I would highly recommend you carry a picnic and snacks on your trip to Elafonisi beach especially if you are traveling with kids. Also, carry plenty of water.
RENT AN UMBRELLa
A short walk from the bus stop will take you to the main part of the beach where you could rent umbrellas for as cheap as 5 Euros a day. However, it may vary depending on the demand.
Tip: Don’t leave expensive gear like cameras or mobile phones in the umbrella bed.
Explore the pink sand beaches
After keeping your stuff near the umbrella, you could explore the beach (or should I say beaches) on your own. In fact, I would recommend you explore the whole area before choosing a spot for the entire day.
There are shallow lagoons with turquoise blue waters that you can laze around in and don’t forget to admire the fishes in the crystal clear waters. You could also cross the lagoon just by walking across and reach the island area with better beaches and more of the signature pink sand.
Swim in the turquoise blue waters
There are plenty of swimming opportunities in the lagoons as well as the beaches. Above all, it is truly bliss to just float in the crystal clear waters in the hot weather. In addition, there are also cliff jumping opportunities from the rocks surrounding the area if you seek adventure.
Explore the unique flora and fauna
Elafonisi is known for its unique vegetation. As a matter of fact, there are different kinds of Lilies and other unique plants spread across the area. Elafonisi beach is a Natura 2000 protected area because of an endangered palm tree called Phoenix theofrasti unique to the area.
Tip: There are beaches that you can only access after crossing one or two of the shallow lagoons. So, if you are more of an adventure seeker, I would recommend you to just cross these lagoons with your backpacks and find yourself a more private and relaxing space on the beach. Most importantly, these beaches are more untouched and truly define the beauty of the pink sand of the Elafonisi beach. Just remember, there is no food or drink stalls after you cross one of the lagoons. So stock up before you go.
Is a trip to Elafonisi beach worth it?
I do not want to discourage you but the main point of this blog was to make you aware of all the aspects of going for a trip to Elafonisi beach before making your decision to visit it.
Too Commercial?
At the first glimpse of Elafonisi beach, I remember thinking it was way too commercialized. As a result, the natural beauty of the place was somehow compromised. Every inch of the first part of the beach was covered with umbrellas and the straws from the umbrellas were everywhere on the beach as well as in the water.
Also, it was super crowded even in shoulder season. For instance, I also visited Balos lagoon and other beaches in Crete on the same trip and never felt it was too crowded. It was probably because it was a much smaller area than the other places.
Too much sun?
I am a fan of the sun and to say the least, I literally thrive on sunny days because I live in a cold country like Germany. To elaborate, in the afternoon, the sun becomes too strong and the lack of shade from natural vegetation or restaurants becomes a problem. Umbrellas do help up to a point but it is not a solution.
Too much commute?
The trip to Elafonisi beach was through mountainous terrain and it was quite a tedious ride of around 2 hours. To sum up, you would probably find better beaches much nearer to Chania.
Is it really pink sand beach?
I was extremely excited to visit Elafonisi because of its pink sand but the sand was really not that pink. It might have been at some point in time but the fact is over tourism has really spoilt the color of the sand. So, if you are on the hunt for some pink sand beaches, I recommend visiting Balos lagoon or any of the innumerable untouched beaches at Crete.
Also, don’t go by the Instagram pictures, they are mostly filtered.
What about basic amenities?
We were exhausted, to say the least, to find a decent restaurant to have lunch. In fact, there were only a couple of restaurants that we found on Google. The walk to the restaurants was around 1 km. In addition, it was an uphill walk all the way and the first restaurant we found was closed. Therefore, we ended up walking further and finally finding a decent place to eat. By the time we finished, we were drained from the walk and the heat.
On the other hand, finding a toilet was a problem. We found one at the beach but we could not use it at all, so we freshened up later at the restaurant.
Is it good for staying?
There is literally nothing to do after the sun sets at Elafonisi. It is a very quiet town with a number of houses and hotels. Even though I wonder how the place would look without its regular crowds.
In addition, there is no easy way to reach the beach from the hotels. For instance, there are no hotels near the beach and the uphill walk of merely 1 km is really hard if you are not a regular hiker.
Too much hype?
Elafonisi is definitely a beauty but I feel like there are so many other beaches in Crete that are underestimated. Because of its fame as a pink sand beach, it has become a must-visit spot for many tourists. But trust me, you can have a much more peaceful experience at any other beach in Crete.
Is it worth it?
If you are on the hunt for some insta-worthy pictures and don’t mind some struggle for a beach day, you should definitely visit Elafonisi beach. However, if you want to enjoy some untouched nature with a pink sand beach and a peaceful beach day, then you might want to look at some other options. I would not recommend visiting Elafonisi beach with kids if you don’t have a car.
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you want to visit this beach or not. I hope my insights would help you plan your trip to Elafonisi beach better.
Packing List for a trip to elafonisi beach
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Sturdy shoes
- A picnic
- Water
- Camera
- Towels
- Swim suits
- Flip-flops
- Scarf
- Umbrella
What to eat
You could have a delicious lunch at one of the restaurants in the town. I would certainly recommend having any local delicacy like fresh fish or shrimp along with some hearty desserts and some local wine. We had our lunch at Taverna Kalomirakis Family restaurant at Elafonisi resort and it was one of the finest meals we had during our trip.
Where to stay at Elafonisi Beach
I would not recommend staying at Elafonisi overnight to make a day trip from Chania or Rethymnon. To clarify, there is not much to do after the sun sets and also not many options for a good dinner.
Activities and Budget to visit Elafonisi Beach
Must Do
- Explore the beaches at the island area of Elafonisi beach.
- Take a dip with the fishes in the crystal clear water of the lagoons.
Unique Experience
- Take a picture with the beautiful flora at the beach.
- Do try the signature cocktails at the beach taverns and try some local delicacies at the nearby taverns.
Budget
- Bus tickets- 20 Euros
- Food and drinks- 30-40 Euros for 2 people with drinks
One Response
Thx.