Elafonisi Beach: A complete guide to the jewel of Crete

Are you looking for the most beautiful beach in Crete? Then you have to add Elafonisi Beach to your itinerary!

Elafonisi Beach is a slice of paradise on the southwestern shores of Crete, famous for its stunning pink sand and crystal-clear shallow waters. Not surprisingly, it often makes the top 10 lists for the world’s top beaches.

You can visit Elafonisi as a day trip from Falasarna Beach and Chania, or even better, stay for a few days. So let’s take a look at all your options, including how to get there, what to expect and where to stay close to Elafonisi Beach.

Elafonisi Beach

Elafonisi is both an island and a beach located in the municipality of Kissamos in the Region of Chania. Even though hoards of people visit the little village during the summer months, the area still feels secluded. You’ll find no highrise hotels and nightclubs here.

Are you planning your trip to Elafonisi Beach last minute? Here’s a quick overview of my favorites:

🚘 How to get there: Rent a car, public bus, tours

🏨 Best place to stay: Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family

🥗 Best restaurant: Kalomirakis Tavern

🎫 Best guided tour: Elafonisi & Falasarna full-day tour

🏄‍♀️ Best things to do: Enjoy the sun, swim, kite- and windsurfing.

✅ Stay safe: SafetyWing subscription travel insurance

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Elafonisi Beach is in the fall. In particular, late September and October see the weather and the waters of the lagoon at their best, gentle and warm. 

May and early June are also great times to visit without the summer crowds, but of course, the water won’t be as warm.

The best time of the day to visit Elafonsi Beach is early in the morning. Typically around 10:00 am, the beach begins to fill up. Later in the afternoon, around 4:00 pm, there’s also a noticeable dip in the number of visitors.

Is one day enough?

No, I don’t think one day at Elafonisi Beach is enough. One day is better than nothing, but I highly recommend you spend at least 2 nights close to the beach. That way you get to enjoy it in the morning before the crowds roll in and in the afternoon.

I do think Elafonisi is the most beautiful beach in Crete, so I am super happy we booked 4 nights at Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family. Every morning we walked the 10 minutes down to the beach and didn’t have to worry about crowds or parking.

How to get there

Whether renting a car for a scenic drive or opting for an organized tour, the journey to Elafonsi is part of the experience. Here’s an overview of the best options for transportation to Elafonisi Beach.

Is it easy to drive to Elafonisi Beach?

Yes, it is! I can’t tell you how happy I am that we rented a car in Crete (I use DiscoverCars). As someone who doesn’t like to drive in unfamiliar places, it turned out to be super easy. You just follow the one road around the island. Having the freedom to stop anywhere you like is the best feeling.

Driving from Falasarna Beach to Elafonisi takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, while travel time between Chania Airport and Elafonisi is about 1.5 hours. Just follow Google Maps and you’ll have no problems.

From Falasarna, I recommend driving the coastal route. It takes you up and down through the mountains with its quaint villages and breathtaking viewpoints.

🚘 Check price and availability here >> Rental cars in Crete

Is parking FREE at Elafonissi Beach?

No, parking at the beach is not free. It costs €5 to park for the day. In an effort to protect the delicate environment at Elafonisi, you can no longer drive all the way down to the beach.

When you arrive, ignore the people trying to persuade you to park on their lots and keep driving until the road is closed. “Mega Parking Lot”, just across the street from Elafonisi Resort, is about 650m away from the sand, a walk that takes around 10 minutes. 

By bus 

Your cheapest, yet least convenient, option is the public bus from Chania bus station. A journey that is approximately 75 km long and takes around 2 hours. Tickets (€20) can be purchased at the Chania bus station, preferably a few days in advance.

The bus leaves Chania at 9:00 am and returns at 4:00 pm, which leaves you 5 hours on the beach. It drops you off about 1 km from Elafonisi Beach so some walking is required. 

Join a guided tour

If you don’t want to drive yourself, I recommend booking a 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 Falasarna, 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.

What to expect at Elafonisi Beach

Elafonisi Beach, one of the best beaches in Chania, is famous for its shallow lagoon of turquoise water and fine, white sand which, in certain light conditions, takes on a pinkish hue from the thousands of crushed seashells. 

This natural phenomenon, combined with the crystal-clear, shallow waters that shimmer with a spectrum of turquoise and blue, creates a magical atmosphere.

Even with the crowds, Elafonisi has to be one of the top three most beautiful beaches I’ve ever visited. Along with Kertasari Beach in Sumbawa and Tanjung Aan Beach in Lombok.

There are four different sections of the beach. The busy middle part, the slightly calmer left and right sides and then the highlight, Elafonisi Island.

Elafonisi Island

Elafonisi Island becomes accessible from the beach during low tide when a narrow sandbar emerges from the sea, creating a natural pathway for visitors to walk across. You can easily walk across the shallow lagoon as well.

It is a protected nature reserve, home to a variety of rare plants and wildlife, including several endemic species that thrive in its unique microclimate.

The islet’s unspoiled beaches are framed by dunes and juniper trees, offering a more secluded spot for those looking to escape the busier main area. I liked the beach on the outer side of Elafonisi Island the most, just remember to bring your own parasol.

And please explore with care. Respect the fenced-off areas, especially during the nesting season of the loggerhead sea turtles.

Amenities

Sunbeds: You can rent sunbeds under cute straw parasols for around €15 a day during the high season. We liked the area on the right (when looking out on the water) side of the beach the best. It felt a little calmer than the middle part.

Refreshments: There are two snack bars in the middle part of the beach, serving cold drinks, slushies and snacks. Canteen Kukurakis on the edge of the eastern parking area offers some Cretam dishes, ice creams, toilet facilities and cold drinks. Further up the road away from the beach, you’ll find Panorama Restaurant.

Restrooms: Additionally, there are basic facilities such as a few restrooms and changing areas. I would not want to use the restrooms though as they looked kind of dirty, and in 35-degree heat, I don’t want to think about the smell.

Accessibility: Unfortunately, Elafonisi is not the best beach for people with mobility issues. There are wooden ramps going into the water, and I saw a toilet with a wheelchair ramp. However, during my last visit, I did not see any handicap parking. So the slope/hill down to the beach might be an issue, especially in the heat.

Sports: On the right side of the beach there’s a hut where you can rent kitesurfing equipment and book classes. On the left side, you can learn how to windsurf.

There are also several stalls selling souvenirs, dresses, towels, slippers, etc. Just in case you forgot something.

Does Elafonisi Beach get crowded?

Yes, Elafonisi Beach does get very crowded during the high season in July and August. June and September also see a lot of visitors, but it is much more comfortable than the high season.

I was last at Elafonsi Beach in late August, and I stayed on the beach from 7:30 – about 12:30 pm. Then I left my mom there and headed up to the hotel because of the crowds. She isn’t as bothered by crowds as I am, so she stayed all day.

We rented sunbeds and a parasol, and people put their towels down under the parasol we paid for. We also had to tell people several times that we were not finished using the chairs when we went in the water.

And that is why I recommend staying close to the beach for a couple of nights when visiting during the high season. So you can enjoy for a few hours without the crowds.

Why is the sand pink at Elafonisi?

As mentioned above, the sand has a pinkish hue in some areas, which is a result of tiny fragments of red and pink coral, shells, and calcium carbonate materials originating from microorganisms called foraminifera.

These minuscule organisms possess a reddish or pink shell, and when they die, their shells accumulate and are washed ashore.

Mixed with the white sand, they create a subtle blush tint, especially noticeable in the shallow waters and at the water’s edge.

What to bring with you

1. Sunscreen: The sun is super strong in Crete, so bring a high-SPF sunscreen (preferably reef-safe) to protect your skin from sunburn and skin damage. I used SPF30 and was burned within an hour.
2. Hat and sunglasses: The bright sun can be harsh on your eyes, so bring a pair of sunglasses to protect them And if you like me get very easily sunburned, make sure to bring a wide-brim hat as the sun here is strong.
3. Swimsuit and a towel: Crete is known for its beautiful beaches, so bring a swimsuit to enjoy the water. An oversized towel is essential if you don’t want to rent a sun lounger.
4. Water bottle: Remember to stay hydrated, especially during the summer months. Bring a reusable water bottle, or even better a filtered bottle, to avoid buying plastic.
5. Camera: Elafonisi is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, so I used my GoPro Hero 11 for hours every day. It was so fun to shoot underwater photos in the crystal clear water.
6. Books: The light was so strong at Elafonisi that I preferred to listen to books instead of reading physical ones. Be sure to check out these romance novels set in Europe, if you need some book recommendations.

Where to stay close to Elafonisi

I loved our stay at Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family, just a 10-minute walk from the beach. After extensive research, I dare to say that it is the best value accommodation option close to Elafonisi.

The estate initially served as a summer vacation residence for the Kalomirakis family, who were always asked by friends and family to come and stay. Over the past 35 years, Elafonisi Resort slowly turned into what you see today and the family has become synonymous with the area’s warm, traditional hospitality.

We parked in the shade and were met with smiles at check-in by the lovely family. The whole property is newly refurbished which you notice straight away. Beautifully decorated in a light and bright beachy style, the rooms boast large verandas and gorgeous views.

The hotel is ideally positioned on an advantageous elevated location overlooking the sea and surrounding countryside, amongst palm, citrus and olive trees. I loved walking around the grounds, shooting photos and taking in the beautiful estate.

🌟 Check price & availability here >> Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family

Best restaurants close to Elafonisi

Kalomirakis Tavern: We enjoyed meals at all the restaurants close to the beach, and Kalomirakis Tavern at the resort offers the best quality. Not only is the restaurant absolutely beautiful, but the food felt elevated compared to the other more traditional tavernas.

I had the gratinated eggplant and a glass of house white wine, both delicious. We got a complementary shot of raki after our meal, and with the sun setting right in front of us, the evening was complete.

Panorama Restaurant: Nothing makes me happier than the sight below. Haha, I love me a gyro plate!

We had this at Panorama Restaurant, right on top of the hill overlooking the beach. It is worth stopping here just for the view itself, especially if you’re walking up and are in need of a cold drink.

Although the restaurant doesn’t have the best reviews, my mom enjoyed her traditional Moussaka and this was the best gyro I had during our stay.

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