Elafonissi Beach
Elafonissi Beach
4.5
About
Located on the southwest coast of Crete, this remote beach is best known for its pink sand. However, temper your expectations as the amount of pink on display varies with conditions and the season. Regardless, the crystal clear waters make this a popular summer vacation spot, attracting sunbathers and watersport enthusiasts alike. Also, hike up to the neighboring cedar tree reserves for a change of scenery. Visit in the morning to beat traffic and secure a chair and umbrella before the crowds arrive. Or come in the evening for a stunning sunset when most people have left. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • MJK
    1,230 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Indeed, one of the best in the World.
    We have visited this place in nice, sunny October Sunday. Crystal clear water, great views and lots of sand. Fortunately the place is big enough, so we could find our own place on the beach, far from any sunbathers, however looking at the rows of sun umbrellas and beach beds (most of them empty in October) I can imagine how busy this place is during the typical holiday months. Anyway, it was great experience and I can only agree with "The World's Top Most Beautiful Beaches" rankings where Elafonissi beach is usually listed.
    Visited October 2022
    Written April 10, 2023
  • verion2739
    San Francisco, California3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the best beaches in the world
    Elafonisi is a beautiful beach located in the southwest coast of the island. The turquoise waters and the pink sand give a unique look. The drive there is amazing with a lot of traditional villages on the way there and amazing landscapes.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 29, 2023
  • CH_globalview
    The Hague, The Netherlands232 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful beach. Well worth the trip.
    Visited in late April outside high season and it was just stunning. White and pink sand, shallow water. Parking down by the beach was great. Can imagine it gets packed in high summer given just how lovely it is.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 29, 2023
  • Amy J
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    Incredible trip! The beach wasn’t as pink as the pictures however it’s was still beautiful, powder soft sand. The lagoons were crystal clear, shallow, flat water which warmed up quickly and we’re safe for little ones to splash in. There are sun beds your can hire but it is expensive and some bars serving snacks/drinks at the top of the beach. On our trip we stopped at some caves on the way there and a small village for a meal on the way home. Brilliant experience and spectacular views.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written May 12, 2023
  • Airsucker
    Maple, Canada540 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice to visit on a hot day.
    Not easy to get to and they charge 5 euros to park. The sand is beautiful but not always pink as advertised. 2 chairs and an umbrella are 20 euros for the day and they are packed together relatively close. The water is beautiful and calm and you can walk out so far without it getting above your waist.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 4, 2023
  • Jaye A
    Houston, Texas73 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Beach Your cannot Miss
    The beach was beautiful. We drove to the beach, there is parking. There are chairs which you can rent. They also have a stand where you can purchase food. The water is beautiful. They have clean bathrooms which cost 1 Euro to use. Yu can take some really great pictures at the beach.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 6, 2023
  • Emma
    St. Neots, United Kingdom16 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful but busy
    Beautiful place. Worth the day trip and hairy coach journey getting there around the small cliff roads ! Not much in the way of shade as all sun beds taken if you arrive around 11 ish. Take lots of SPF. Also don't sit near any scenic rocks as people horde hear to pose for pics. That can be exhausting, one guy lay on the sand to take pics of his girlfriend and kicked sand all over our towel folding it in half with his big feet. Lots of posers, understandably. Other than that, an amazing natural beauty spot.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 15, 2023
  • Boris M
    Piestany, Slovakia396 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Trip to Elafonissi
    I should definitely go to Elafonissi beach. I think that the sand is more white colour than pink, only small quantity of pink grains of sand is on the shore. If you will travel there don't forget the sun umbrella. Don't worry if you don't have any one, there are some trees near the beach where you can relax under them. The way from the parking area takes you 15 minutes to get there. Worse accessible with a baby buggy.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 29, 2023
  • minesh1303
    Andalucia, Spain10 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good beach. Busy and very little shade so bring an umbrella or similar for shade.
    A very busy beach with sandbars that allow you to go out far and remain no deeper than waist height. Water is warmer as a consequence and there are no waves so chose to lie on my back head resting on the sand and felt like having a lovely warm bath. Advice: very few fixed sunbeds and umbrellas and these will be taken very early in the day (before 10am I suspect). People are anxiously looking around for shade to set up camp so bring along an umbrella as you will definitely need shade. We didn't and daughter trekked up the hill towards the car park to the shops and bought two umbrellas for 12€ each. We managed to sell them to other beach goers for 10€ each on our way out to grateful fellow beach goers saving the environment because we had no use for them afterwards plus someone got discounted brollie for something that was used for 3 hours! Beach is very nice and worth the trek if you are staying say in Chania. Car park fee is €5. 750m or so to the beach from car park. Two ways to beach as the path forks ...the rocky descent on the left (for young and physically able) and the gentile stroll on the right which will take you two minutes longer but recommended.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 1, 2023
  • jemajumi
    Laukaa, Finland248 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Huge and very nice beach
    Big beach, clear water and red sand. At low water you can easily wade to small islands. Safe also for small children because there are two sides, a shallow cove and a slightly deeper sea side. On this side, small rocks where you can snorkel. The only bad thing is that there are a lot of tourists. Shops and restaurants in the area, toilets, changing rooms, etc. Bring plenty to drink and even a parasol, There are no shade places. Tip. When coming by car, it is not necessarily worth parking in the first area, but there are large parking areas closer to the beach, which are chargeable.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 4, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Katie
Richmond, VA50 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
This is a must-do on Crete! We enjoyed the drive and had a great time at the beach, but please load up on SPF! We saw so many people burnt to a crisp and even got burnt ourselves despite using sunscreen. The sun is no joke here. The pink sand isn't as pink everywhere as social media portrays it to be -- but it's there! The water was clear and beautiful.
Written February 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KingfisherSurrey
Surrey45 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
This is so sad. We went to Elafonisi many times - but over 10 years ago. What on earth have they done to it!. The beach and water cannot have changed but we couldn’t see it for hordes and hordes of sun beds (hugely expensive) and even more hordes of people. Parking was a Joke - an absolute free for all. If lucky enough to find a space you then cannot find any shade at all or in fact any space to sit sun or shade!
Admittedly we were there in August last year so expect crowds but not on that scale.
I think the only time to see it as it should be seen is to go very out of season. If you can’t do that then really don’t bother - there are many other lovely places on Crete.
Written January 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelerNNN123
2 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
We loved going to this beach! It was a very cloudy day which made it actually too cold to swim in the late spring time, but we greatly enjoyed the trip nonetheless. We drove about 1.5 hours from Kissamos down a very scenic drive (just don’t do it if it’s going to rain/storm!) through the mountains. There we stops for food along the way, which we used on the way back for a lovely cafe lunch. The beach itself had plenty of parking if you arrive EARLY (8am-9am). Once we left around noon, a flood of people arrived (off of cruise ships docked nearby it seemed), along with a storm. The beach is huge, unique, diverse, and truly beautiful even from the ground view. Bathrooms require payment, be prepped, and they made us pay for seats even though we left soon after arriving due to the rain storm, which wasn’t very fair. But the location itself was wonderful.
Written January 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Catalin H
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Elafonisi is more than just an island; it's a paradise.

The beach boasts a remarkable diversity: tranquil coves for those seeking an easy swim, rocky areas perfect for snorkeling (with an impressive array of fish), deeper waters catering to experienced swimmers, a shallow bay ideal for children; there is a place where water sports enthusiasts can rent boats, but we didn't reach it.

There are both organized beaches, requiring tourists to pay a fee, and free beaches, especially in the dunes area.

Access to Elafonisi is possible both by water and public transport. From the north coast of the island, you can reach it from Chania or, even more conveniently, from Kissamos. However, it's advisable to book your ticket in advance, as the two or three daily runs are insufficient to accommodate the large number of tourists eager to visit the beach.
Written January 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

beachbum50295
New York23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
beautiful beach, chairs available for rent, very good restaurant on the beach, easy access and they deliver to your beach chair
Written October 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MARIAN
Miami, FL5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Business
It is a wonderful place to visit, I will return very soon I recommend it, it is perfect.
greetings everyone see you
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

E Clay Anderson
Rehoboth Beach, DE2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Breathtaking Beach. Crystal blue and turquoise water as far as your eyes can see. Soft sand, some pink sand at the waters edge. I must see.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helen S
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
Really amazing beaches, all with slightly different characters and all idyllic.
We went in October at the end of the season and it was busy, I imagine in peak season it would be too crowded to enjoy fully- October definitely a good time to go. Really stunning place.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Legs26
London, UK256 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Wonderful beach - remote and beautiful, really worth the slightly tough drive to get there!
The water is just fabulous, if you like a little adventure and nice beach -- this is a must do!
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AndreasZillig
Guntramsdorf, Austria232 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
The beach is large and ideal for families with young children. Laggon is very shallow water, water is very clear. You can spend 2-8h all day if you like.
Just remember to drive down the whole street and do not get fooled from "official parking place guides" - there are 2 or 3 parking lots private but directly before beach is the Mega Parking for beach and costs as well 5€, but you save 1km walking......
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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ELAFONISSI BEACH: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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