Elafonissi

Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi is located 76 km southwest of the city of Chania and 5 km south of the Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, at the southwestern tip of Crete. It has been included in the network of Natura protected areas, as it is an ecosystem of exceptional ecological importance that, unfortunately, due to the huge numbers of visitors, has been significantly degraded. Loggerhead turtles and several dune animals nest here.

It is strictly forbidden to cut plants or take even a bottle of sand with you. On both sides of the peninsula there are several beautiful beaches with white sand and turquoise waters, reminiscent of an exotic landscape from some exotic part of the Caribbean. The sand in many places takes on pink colors from the thousands of broken shells. The eastern side of the beach, in front of the lagoon, is organized and gathers the most people. There are umbrellas, showers, lifeguard, refreshments and changing rooms. Also, behind the organized beach there is a huge area for parking and even further some rooms for rent. 5 km north of the beach there is the Monastery of Chrysoskalitissa.

This monastery is located on a rock and had a fortress architecture to repel pirate raids. According to tradition, the last step of the staircase leading up to the Monastery is gold, but only those who truly believe can see it.