Are you wondering how to get from Chania to Elafonisi Beach in Crete? Or maybe you’re staying close to Falassarna?
Chania is a charming town and I loved spending time there. And Falassarna is my favorite beach for swimming, a must on any Cretan itinerary. However, Elafonsi Beach is something truly special. It makes the journey down to the southwestern corner of Crete worth it!
In this guide, I’ll cover hiring a car, taking the public bus, joining a day tour and including everything you need to know before visiting Elafonisi Beach from Chania or Falassarna.
✅ DON’T FORGET TRAVEL INSURANCE!
SafetyWing is an affordable subscription travel insurance that you can purchase without knowing your itinerary in advance and even after departure.
Article overview
Best time to visit Elafonisi Beach
Before I get into the transportation options, I wanted to quickly touch on the best time to visit Elafonisi.
The shoulder seasons of May/June and September/October are my favorite times to visit. Then the crowds are smaller but the weather is still warm.
The main tourist season runs from July to August when it gets extremely hot and crowded. If you can, try to avoid these two months.
Chania to Elafonisi Beach
Elafonisi Beach is known for its pink sand and shallow crystal-clear waters. It is up there with the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. I usually stay away from crowded places like this, but I still think that Elafonisi is a must while in Crete.
Chania is a picturesque port city on the northwest coast of Crete, known for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, narrow streets, and waterfront restaurants. I am so happy we decided not to only stay in Chania, but to move around.
Of our 12 days in Crete, we spent four nights at Elafonisi Beach. And it was incredible because we got to experience it in the mornings without the crowds. Be sure to also check out my complete guide to visiting Elafonisi Beach.
In the map below you can see the route we took from Chania Airport to Falassarna and then to Elafonisi. We drove back up to Chania Airport and from there took a taxi into Chainia town for our last few days.
By car
Renting a car and driving from Chania to Elafonisi Beach is the most flexible option. As someone who does not like to drive in unfamiliar places, it went surprisingly well.
There are only a few main roads in this area and no big confusing intersections. Some of the roads are, however, very narrow, but nothing I couldn’t handle with my little Fiat Panda.
The distance is about 75 kilometers (47 miles), and the drive usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and the exact starting point in Chania.
We rented a car at the airport which is usually the best option to avoid the busy and narrow streets of Chania town. I always use DiscoverCars, a comparison site covering more than 10,000 destinations worldwide.
Originally I booked a higher-end car, but since I forgot the credit card I used to pay for the deposit, they could not complete my rental once I got there.
To help out, the lovely lady behind the counter called someone she knew who came with a Fiat Panda to our rescue. Not the cute vacation car I had imagined, but at least we got one. So I guess the moral of the story is to remember the card you used to book with.
🚘 Check price and availability here >> Rental cars in Crete
Driving to Elafonisi
I relied on Google Maps on the drive from Chania, and it was super easy. Basically, you just follow one road and then turn right and follow that road.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I actually enjoyed the drive. I loved having the freedom to stop in the quaint villages and the Agia Sofia cave on the way. The cave features a chapel and is filled with incredible stalactites and stalagmites.
If you’re visiting during the high season and are only doing a day trip to Elafonisi, I recommend leaving Chania around 7:00 am to beat the buses. Since we were staying there, which I highly recommend, we slowed down and made the most of the drive.
Here are some quick directions:
- From Chania, take the E65 national road heading west.
- Follow the signs for Kissamos (Kastelli).
- Before reaching Kissamos, turn right onto the road to Topolia/Elafonisi.
- Drive through the Topolia Tunnel and continue on the winding mountain road.
- Follow the signs to Elafonisi, passing through villages like Elos and Vathi.
- As you get closer, the road will descend towards the coast, leading you to the parking area on top of the hill leading to Elafonisi Beach.
Parking at Elafonisi Beach
Once you reach Elafonisi, continue as far as the road goes where you’ll then see a mega parking on your right. This is now the closest parking to the beach. It cost €5 for the day when I was last there during the high season.
By bus
During the tourist season, a daily bus operated by KTEL runs from Chania’s main bus station (open in Google Maps) to Elafonisi. It takes around 2 hours.
It leaves at 9:00 am and follows the same scenic route you would take if you were driving yourself. The bus departs Elafonissi at 4:00 pm, so you’ll have around 5 hours on the beach.
Unless you’re in a hurry to get back to Chania, stay and watch the sunset at Elafonissi, and spend a night (or two) in a hotel. You’ll thank me later!
- Check the KTEL website or at the bus station for the latest schedule, as times can vary depending on the season.
- Buses typically leave from the Chania Central Bus Station (KTEL Chania-Rethymno).
- The journey by bus can take as little as 1 hour and 45 minutes, or up to three hours depending on traffic.
- Once you arrive, the bus will drop you off at a parking area about 650 meters from the beach.
Organized tours
If you don’t feel like doing any planning, you can’t go wrong with a guided tour. This day trip to Elafonisi includes 4 hours on the beach, a stop for coffee on the way and a lunch stop in Elos Chestnut village on the way back to Chania.
Or if you want to include a stop at Falassarna, my favorite beach in Crete with fun waves, check out this highly-rated full-day tour. Along with 5.5 hours of beach time, you will also make a stop in a local village called Ano Vouves, home to the world’s oldest olive tree.
Taxis and private transfers
You can also take a taxi from Chania to Elafonisi Beach. The price is around €150-220 each way making it the most expensive option. So I would much rather spend that money on a hotel close to Elafonisi.
You can often get a better price if you book a transfer in advance through a company like Holiday Taxis. It is a great option if you’re traveling in a group or don’t mind spending a little more on convenience.
Can I take a boat from Chania to Elafonisi?
Yes, you can. For those seeking a more luxurious experience, skip the crowds and charter a private boat for the day. On this 11-hour tour, you will also stop by Balos, Gramvousa, Falassarna and Kedrodasos.
Falassarna to Elafonisi Beach
Traveling from Falassarna Beach to Elafonisi Beach in Crete involves a scenic journey along the western coast. Since there is no direct public transportation between the two beaches, you will need to consider alternative means of transportation.
By car
As from Chania, renting a car is the most convenient way to travel between Falassarna and Elafonisi, offering the flexibility to explore at your own pace. You can choose to head back towards Chania and the main highway, or the slightly longer coastal route.
The coastal road is so beautiful and with very little traffic. We stopped at several places along the way to marvel at the incredible views.
🚘 Check price and availability here >> Rental cars in Crete
Driving from Falassarna to Elafonsi
Just over halfway, we made a stop at Meltemi Restaurant to stretch our legs and get some lunch. Driving an old Fiat Panda up those steep and narrow roads made my leg cramp from all the clutching. Haha.
It was the perfect place to stop, just look at the view from our table. The food was delicious, I love me some Greek salad and zucchini balls, and we also picked up some of their olive oil.
Again, rely on Google Maps and you’ll get there without problems. Here are some quick directions just in case:
- The distance between Falassarna and Elafonisi is approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles), and the drive typically takes about 1.5 hours.
- From Falassarna, head east towards the village of Platanos and follow the signs for Elafonisi.
- Pass through the village of Sfinari, staying on the main road as it begins to wind along the coast. You will be driving along the cliffs with the sea to your right.
- You will need to take a series of local roads that wind through the mountainous terrain and small villages. Road conditions can vary, with some sections being narrow and possibly requiring drivers to pull over to let oncoming traffic pass.
We had to stop and take some photos of the beautiful mountain pass before we went through the narrow tunnel. Several stalls along the road sold local olive oil, so I bought two more bottles. These were flavored with Rosemary and lemon. Yum!
Organized tour
As mentioned above, this highly-rated full-day tour includes both Falassarna Beach and Elafonisi. You get 5.5 hours of beach time along with a few stops in local villages.
Top things to do at Elafonisi Beach
So, you have finally made it to Elafonisi Beach, here’s a quick overview of how you can spend your day.
- Swimming: The crystal-clear waters of Elafonisi Beach are ideal for swimming. It is shallow in the lagoon, with some deeper parts, making it safe and enjoyable for all ages. I especially appreciated that the bottom is mostly soft sand with very little seaweed.
- Snorkeling: Vibrant marine life can be observed just beneath the surface. I had fun spotting many different fishes of all sizes without any snorkeling gear.
- Sunbathing: The beach’s unique pink sand is a result of crushed seashells and coral. With plenty of sunshine, it’s a perfect place to relax and get a tan.
- Beachcombing: Walking along the shore, you can find seashells and interesting rocks. Have fun finding them and then put them back. The beach’s unique pink sand is a result of crushed seashells and coral.
- Photography: The scenic landscape, including the turquoise water and green islets, presents numerous opportunities for photography enthusiasts. Sunset and sunrise are particularly stunning. I used my GoPro Hero 11 more here than any other place we visited in Crete.
- Kite & windsurfing: Elafonisi’s regular winds open lagoon attracts both kite- and windsurfers. The beach provides good conditions for every skill level, you can rent equipment and book lessons when you get there. Remember to check if your travel insurance covers action sports.
- Environmental education: The area is known for its biodiversity and unique ecosystem. You can learn about the local flora and fauna and the importance of preserving this natural habitat. For instance, the loggerhead sea turtle sometimes nests on the beach, adding to the ecological importance of this stunning location.
Is a day trip to Elafonisi worth it?
Yes, if you only have time for a day trip to Elafonisi, it is better than nothing. However, I recommend you stay a few nights in the area.
If you only stay in Chania and do day trips from there, you will spend way too much time on the road. You will also miss experiencing the beach without the crowds. So break up your holiday in at least two if not three places as we did.
As the day-trippers leave in the late afternoon, the beach transforms into a peaceful haven, perfect for long, undisturbed walks along the shore or watching the sunset in a much quieter setting.
Moreover, staying close to the beach allows for early morning access before the buses start rolling in. We got to the beach at 7:30 every day and had first choice of sunbeds.
We stayed at the newly refurbished Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family set in an olive grove, surrounded by palms and citrus trees. It is the most beautiful place I’ve stayed in a long time. You’ll also find the best restaurant in the area at the resort.
Is Elafonisi better than Balos?
I see this question a lot, and the quick answer is that it depends. While Elafonisi and Balos are the two most beautiful beaches in Chania, they cater to different preferences.
Elafonisi is better suited for those looking for easier access and family-friendly facilities such as restrooms, snack bars and wooden walkways. Balos offers a more rugged experience with a semi-difficult drive and hike required to reach the beach.
Leave a Reply