Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
A full-day trip to Elafonissi island in the southwest of Crete. You will travel on an air-conditioned bus, with a stop in the traditionall village Elos and Kaloudiana.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Elafonissi Beach
This is your chance to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Elafonissi is a heaven on earth, with soft white – pink sand, exotic crystal waters and cedar trees reaching the coast line. It is located in the southwestern side of Crete. We pick you up from your Hotel area around 7:30 am. We would like to remind you to be at your assigned location promptly to avoid delays. Our first stop is by the traditional village Elos, where you have the possibility for breakfast. On our way to Elafonissi you will be able to see small traditional villages combined with a typical Mediterranean scenery as well as the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge. Once we have reached Elafonissi, you will have 4 hours of free time to soak in the amazing sun and enjoy all the shades of blue this beach has to offer. On the way back we have a stop for lunch; here you can have a coffee, refreshments or have a lunch, if you feel like it ( not included in the price)
Options
Elafonissi English & German
Pickup included
Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Tour Guide
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
80 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Beautiful beach but go prepared
theresarQ2044YI,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stunning beach and well worth a visit. Only advice would give is to keep in mind there isn’t a lot of shade so take hat/umbrella/water. There are sun-beds with umbrellas but they go quickly. There are 2 canteens on the beach if you want to get some snacks/drinks.
Would of been better
Katrina K,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Good price nice place but had a horrible person on our bus who insisted I must not talk on the bus because he wants the bus to be quiet then he went to tell the tour operator who then thought it would be a good idea to ask me (who was on the bus first) to move to another seat?!?! Would of been a great day if it wasn’t for the aggressive man insisting I must not talk and the tour operator basically asking me to move when I was on first and he was the one with the problem!
Great day out at the beach!
lazwms,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I can’t believe it’s only now that I remember to complete this review. We went down to the Elafonissi beach from Rethymno and our guide Lazarus was more than helpful. He also spoke German for the German tourists onboard. On the way there we stopped at a lovely cafe/restaurant within the mountains who provided us with fresh food and orange juice (charge). When we reached the beach, I’d say that there is a mile walk down to the beach itself. It’s not all pink as shown in the photos online but there are some pink bits there and it was SO BEAUTIFUL! When Lazarus saw I was struggling to walking up from the beach to the bus, he asked a staff member to drive me and my partner back up to the bus - Most people were not offered this service, but I was due to my access needs. We also stopped on the way back to Rethymno in this lovely village and Lazarus recommended us some places to eat. I had this honey chicken dish and it was to die for! I would definitely recommend Lazarus and this tour for anyone wanting a nice relaxing day at the beach!
This was a great...
Michelle L,Oct 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great experience and more than what we expected. A bus picked us up from Rethymno and we drove out to Elafonssi beach. It was approximately a 2 hour drive and well worth it. Kostas was a magnificent driver and maneuvered this huge bus through the mountains and Lazarus was a great guide. You get so much more than what you pay for.
Cancelled?
Daphne v,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00We waited for the bus and sent an app when it didn't come, but we only got a cancellation a half hour later by email without a reason.
Overrated
Teresa G,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The beach is in my opinion overrated. Crowded, with sunbeds and umbrellas free practically unobtainable, very windy area and not easy to reach. To get there you have to do a long hike, which makes it not comfortable.
Liars are shunned
D7973SKannl,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The trip I had been looking forward to but the bus never showed up. When I finally got through to the tour operator Mandraki Travel on the phone, they claimed that my booking did not exist - even though I received several emails about it via Tripadvisor. Five minutes later I got an email that Mandraki gave me a refund - so strange considering they had no booking 🤣🤣🤣
Wonderful , entertaining and heartfelt full-day excursion.
inesrH1142JO,Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We can really recommend 100 💯! Super bus driver, Lazarus our guide wonderful, very much was told us. You could listen for hours. Everything worked out great. Once again Markidis Markidis.
Great experience
Alexandra K,Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Nice experience at the beach and professional and helpful service. Knowledgeable and friendly guide.
Wonderful!! Watch out for parking
Gaia F,Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recommend: don't let the valet fool you who immediately blocks you at the first 5 euro parking, tell him that you have to go to the MEGA MARKET later! After this parking, it is full of space at 3 euros. The beach is about 8 minutes walk from the parking lots, there is space both in the umbrellas / sunbeds for a fee (even at 20 euros!) and as a free beach. The sand is very clear and fine and therefore makes the water very clear, you see very often the beautiful pink sand, the bottom slopes very gently and therefore allows you to lie in the water or swim a little further on, always in super crystal clear waters. We had not prepared for lunch.... and surprise!! There are two bars, one smaller perhaps even better than the other, which offer sandwiches heated on the plate well stuffed to the modest figure of 4.5... a dream for those used to the scams and unnecessarily exorbitant costs!! Even cold water, only 1 euro the 75cl bottle, really super reasonable prices to be on the most beautiful and quoted beach of Crete. Do not miss to go there!!!
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Operated by Markidis Travel