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Greece
Crete
Chania Prefecture
Elafonissi
Things to Do in Elafonissi
Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi Beach: Address, Elafonissi Beach Reviews: 4.5/5

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Elafonissi Beach

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Elafonissi Beach
4.5
14,762
#1 of 7 things to do in Elafonissi
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Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
9 within 3 miles
Taverna Kalomirakis Family
347
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Panorama Restaurant
455
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
Diner Elafonisi
85
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Seafood • Fast Food
Innachorion Restaurant
125
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
Kochilas
145
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Kosmos Fish Tavern
463
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Glykeria Restaurant
571
2.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Isichi Gonia
45
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Greek • Grill
Antigoni
69
2.8 mi$ • Pizza • Mediterranean • Greek
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Attractions
6 within 6 miles
Elafonisi Viewpoint
203
207 ftHiking Trails
Chrisoskalitissa Monastery
574
311 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Kedrodasos Beach
577
1.3 miBeaches
Aspri Limni Beach
52
2.8 miBeaches
Krios Beach
101
Beaches
Voulolimni
2.8 miBodies of Water
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
14,765 reviews
Excellent
10,121
Very good
3,023
Average
1,085
Poor
313
Terrible
225
Erika’s Corner
2 contributions
Lovely day in the beach🌞
May 2022 • Friends
First, we got on a bus at the Chania Bus Station at 9am. The tickets were 20€ round trip. The bus was comfortable but you can’t eat in the bus so you have to plan ahead because it is a 2 hour trip.
About half way down the road, the road becomes very narrow and with a lot of turns. If you get carsick easily you should take something beforehand.
After 2 hours you finally arrive at 11am at the beach. In the beach you can rent 2 sunbeds and an umbrella for 15€. We were able to get 2 umbrellas before all of the people arrived.
The sand isn’t really that pink anymore but it is still an amazing beach. It has beautiful water and landscape. We loved it.
I went in May and it was very windy and the water was relatively cold. Only a couple of people were completely swimming because it was so cold. You should check with a local about the wind. Eventually throughout the day, the wind calmed down and it was lovely weather.
The temperature was nice, it was 22C and my friends and I were able to tan nicely and get in the water just at knees high.
We have a lovely day. We would definitely go back but maybe when it is hotter so the water can be warmer. I would recommend this beach even in May. :)
There is only one restaurant in the area and it sells Sandwiches, Pizza, Gyros, Ice cream and drinks. There is also a bathroom available for 1€ which was really clean. There is also place for you to change.

Our drive back was shorter, about 1 hour and a half.
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MSB_0000
Solihull, UK27 contributions
A long drive… but worth it
Aug 2021 • Couples
My fiancé and I drove around 2 hours to visit this beach and although busy it really was fantastic. We paid €10 euros for sun beds and spent most of our time exploring the island, swimming in the delightfully warm and shallow sea and sunbathing in the 40 degrees heat. I’d recommend arriving early and expect crowds particularly in the holiday season.
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TASAlonen
Island of Malta, Malta15 contributions
Snorkel in pink
Oct 2021
Went mid-October, water was a bit cool but it was still warm enough to swim and enjoy sunbathing. The sand is pink - in places, but perhaps best seen through a snorkel? Bright pink stripes of sand over the greyer base. Sand is fine otherwise an the beach fairly shallow all over, with patches of rocks good for snorkelling.

The very shallow lagoon is beautiful and great for small kids.

I can imagine it getting a bit too crowded during summer months, as it was, there were plenty of people but not overcrowded as such. It makes sense to walk further to the Elafonissi Island, for the views of the sand dunes and the plants there, and for more beach space. I find the price of 10 € per umbrella spot a bit steep, especially as I was by myself, and just flopped on the beach past the umbrella area, I did not walk as far as you can go to the protected area. Bring your own umbrella there if you want, no shade is otherwise available.

Only thing maybe lacking was choice of food? I had a sandwich and a coffee, both fine, but there are not any choices of restaurants at the beach itself, perhaps further away from it there is more.
Written October 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ktemilara
Ferragudo, Portugal57 contributions
Beautiful view, lovely to wade through- quite shallow waters. Didn’t see much pink sand
Aug 2021 • Couples
Lovely beach & experience. Driving there can be tricky as very narrow, snake-like roads & driving down the mountains. I recommend taking the local bus €20 return, leaves 9am from Xania town arriving the beach @ 11am, leaves the beach @4pm. Really enjoyed wading in the water
Disappointed didn’t see much pink sand just a little shimmer
Written August 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
D D
73 contributions
Amazing beach
Aug 2020
What an amazing beach! We arrived early before the coaches and there was a wide choice of sunbeds and umbrellas (10 Euros for 2 sunbeds with umbrella). The beach itself is fantastic. Sea all around is so shallow and crystal clear, it was beautiful. We spent a wonderful 6 hours on the beach and could have stayed longer. The toilets were clean (50 cents) and there was a changing cubicle. The bar restaurant (take away only) is expensive, so luckily we brought our own food (stopped in a bakery in a mountain village on the way). There are obviously lots of people as it's one of the top beaches in the world, but the beach and sea are extensive and so it didn't feel crowded. Would definitely return.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lisa Cul
Istanbul, Turkey8 contributions
Elafonissi Beach is a dream come true
May 2022 • Solo
Elafonissi Beach was beautiful. It was sunny and a little windy. Perfect for windsurfing.I recommend renting chairs and an umbrella on the left side of the beach. It's less windy there. It's 15 Euro for 2 chairs and an umbrella. There's a snack bar with reasonable prices. They offer sandwiches, coffee, sodas, and alcohol. It was 4 euro for a Breezer and a Freddo was 3 Euro.
I took the bus from Chania at 9 am which took 2 hours to arrive at the beach. A roundtrip ticket to Elafoniassi Beach from Chania is 20 Euro. The bus leaves at 4 pm to return to Chania. Definitely think it's worth the trip to experience this beautiful beach. It wasn't crowded and everyone who was there were nice. I felt comfortable leaving my things while I swam and walked to the other side of the beach. You don't want to miss out on Elafoniissi Beach. It's literally one of the top beaches in the world. Add it to your bucket list.
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
veronak
133 contributions
Breathtaking
May 2022 • Friends
This beach was absolutely beautiful. I went with friends so my time was limited. I really wish I was able to stay longer.

The water was clear, shallow, and light pink, just breathtaking.

If you are in Greece, be sure to check out this beach.

My only drawback is that time was limited and you have to pay to use the showers and bathrooms.
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hans E
4 contributions
Top beach
Jun 2020 • Couples
There is a reason why this beach was voted as one of the most beautiful places in the world. The pink sand, the crystal clear waters are very special. It is recommended to visit very early in the morning or after 6 pm when most of the people are gone. Amazing sunset.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Neva Savoric
Zagreb, Croatia31 contributions
A love and hate relationship
Jul 2021 • Family
A beautiful beach. It is not as pink as the pictures show. Maybe it is not as pink on the west side that we were staying on. You can rent deck chairs(3€) and a sun umbrella (4€). It is a pretty crowded send beach tho. The water is pretty shallow. The food there was horrible (cafeteria vibes) so i recommend bringing a sandwich. Also, a good tip is to freeze some water the day before cos it gets pretty hot during the day.
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KayeEast
United Kingdom13 contributions
One of the most beautiful beaches you will see!!
Aug 2020
I LOVED Elafonisi. The drive is a bit crazy you will need to be a confident driver, but it is worth it in my opinion. People compare this to Balos beach - but both are complete paradise - I recommend seeing both! The drive to Elafonisi is a lot easier than Balos - if going with kids/elderly/disabled I would recommend this beach by far!! The water is crystal clear, plenty of places for pictures, places for food, toilet, beach floats/towels etc!! everything you need is here (unlike Balos beach) !! Really an amazing day and a must visit if you are in West Crete. We didn't see the pink sand but that did not change how amazing this beach is!
Written August 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Elafonissi Beach
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