Crete abounds in stunning beaches but the painterly hues of one particular example make it feel truly out of this world and the perfect spot to leave daily life and concerns far, far behind. This is the gorgeous Elafonissi Beach, one of the island’s most popular and beloved beaches and a must-see for those who book a villa in Crete and are exploring her numerous beautiful strands.
With pale pink sands lapped by gentle waves of turquoise waters, Elafonissi Beach is a striking thing to behold. Once a secret that only locals favoured, posts about it on social media and being named one of the world's top 25 beaches on TripAdvisor in 2014 have very much let the cat out of the bag. It is now often very crowded during the peak summer tourism months as people from all over the world come to see this stunning gem for themselves. However, come off-season (just before summer or right after when the weather is still very pleasant) or plan a visit early or late in the day and you might avoid the worst of the crowds. Those who aren’t bothered by such things can visit whenever they please. No matter when you visit, though, you are sure to be struck by the incredible natural beauty of this stretch of the coast.
Technically an island that is separated from the south-west coast of Crete by a shallow lagoon and a sandbar that even at high tide is covered by only around one metre of water, Elafonissi is actually part of a protected nature reserve and beyond the beach there is much more to explore. The coves and various stretches of the coast in this area are also beautiful and offer more private and less-populated spots that you can occupy and relax in after admiring the painterly beauty of Elafonissi Beach itself. Going for walks along the area to take in the craggy and striking rock formations, the incredible wildflowers, and the stunning sea views is also very much worth your while as this is a truly beautiful part of the world.
Though sometimes enhanced with filters and by playing around with saturation levels in the images that proliferate of the beach online, the colours of Elafonissi Beach are certainly still usually pretty striking in real life, particularly the water and the pink sands. This unusual hue is lent to the sand by the remains of tiny pink shells that line the sea floor and can be more or less dramatic depending on when you visit due to the wind, tides, season, and more. If the sands are not quite as pink when you happen to visit, try not to be too disappointed, however, as this sandy strand is one of the only examples on the island, with pebbly beaches being much more common. For those who want to spend a day on a sandy beach during a holiday in Crete, it is unmissable.
It is also worth keeping in mind that, despite its popularity, the amenities at Elafonissi Beach are not particularly great with the bathrooms often found to be not especially clean and/or very busy. There are two snack bars along the strand but they are small and if you are visiting during the summer, queues can be long. Outside the busiest times both of these concerns are not as much of an issue but we still recommend coming prepared: bring your own snacks and drinks as well as umbrellas and/or sun hats and cover-ups in case you cannot rent an umbrella. With its unique good looks and shallow and calm waters that are ideal for families, we do really think it’s worth it and recommend a visit, just be sure that you are prepared and know what to expect!
So, if you book a vacation rental in Crete be sure to come see the island’s most photogenic beach for yourself.
