Dimitra’s guidebook
Beaches
The most famous Crete pink sand beach – known locally as Elafonisi beach – is just 5 minutes from the house. The sand is pinkish in color mostly because of crushed up pink shells of sea creatures called foraminifera. This is added to by small red organisms that live on coral and tiny pieces of other microscopic sea life that line the surrounding seabed. Worth noting is that it’s illegal to remove anything from this area – from plants to the sand
itself.
The exotic combination of white and pink sands, turquoise-blue warm shallow waters, against the backdrop of the Cretan mountains is breathtaking. There are two beach bars, toilets, sun beds and umbrellas.
At low tide, you can walk out from the beach to explore Elafonisi island. Even at high tide the water level only ever reaches a meter high. There are plenty of secluded coves and inlets if you want to be away from the crowds. Here you’ll find idyllic sand dunes that harbor over 100 rare plants including the beautiful sea daffodil.
If you’re very lucky you may catch sight of the shy (and exceptionally rare) loggerhead sea turtles that use the island to lay their eggs!
Water-sports lovers will be in their element here too. Prevailing winds on the southwest coast of the island are perfect for windsurfing – and there’s also the sheltered and shallow lagoon for beginners.
362 locals recommend
Elafonissi Beach
The most famous Crete pink sand beach – known locally as Elafonisi beach – is just 5 minutes from the house. The sand is pinkish in color mostly because of crushed up pink shells of sea creatures called foraminifera. This is added to by small red organisms that live on coral and tiny pieces of other microscopic sea life that line the surrounding seabed. Worth noting is that it’s illegal to remove anything from this area – from plants to the sand
itself.
The exotic combination of white and pink sands, turquoise-blue warm shallow waters, against the backdrop of the Cretan mountains is breathtaking. There are two beach bars, toilets, sun beds and umbrellas.
At low tide, you can walk out from the beach to explore Elafonisi island. Even at high tide the water level only ever reaches a meter high. There are plenty of secluded coves and inlets if you want to be away from the crowds. Here you’ll find idyllic sand dunes that harbor over 100 rare plants including the beautiful sea daffodil.
If you’re very lucky you may catch sight of the shy (and exceptionally rare) loggerhead sea turtles that use the island to lay their eggs!
Water-sports lovers will be in their element here too. Prevailing winds on the southwest coast of the island are perfect for windsurfing – and there’s also the sheltered and shallow lagoon for beginners.
The famous lagoon of Balos is formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece. It is no coincidence that Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Balos with their private yacht many years ago.
The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling. The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna.
127 locals recommend
Balos
The famous lagoon of Balos is formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece. It is no coincidence that Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Balos with their private yacht many years ago.
The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling. The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna.
Falassarna bay hosts some of the most famous beaches in Greece, which has been voted as one of the 10 best beaches in Europe several times in the past. Falasarna spans a large area and actually consists of five consecutive beaches, with the two most central being the most favorite. It is located on the West coast of Crete and, similarly to Elafonisi is popular with day trippers because of its stunning beaches and clear turquoise blue sea.
It consists of several sandy beaches of various length, all facing the West, which makes it a wonderful place to watch the sunset from. The sea is generally very clean with lovely colors because of the sandy bottom.
The beach offers umbrellas and a few snack bars and cafes. There are also services for water sports and beach volley courts. South of Pachia Ammos, at Livadi, there is another long beach that has sandy shore and rocky seabed. It is a very good choice if you are a fan of snorkeling.
Nearby, there is the chapel of Agia Paraskevi and a spring with fresh water.
337 locals recommend
Falassarna Beach
Falassarna bay hosts some of the most famous beaches in Greece, which has been voted as one of the 10 best beaches in Europe several times in the past. Falasarna spans a large area and actually consists of five consecutive beaches, with the two most central being the most favorite. It is located on the West coast of Crete and, similarly to Elafonisi is popular with day trippers because of its stunning beaches and clear turquoise blue sea.
It consists of several sandy beaches of various length, all facing the West, which makes it a wonderful place to watch the sunset from. The sea is generally very clean with lovely colors because of the sandy bottom.
The beach offers umbrellas and a few snack bars and cafes. There are also services for water sports and beach volley courts. South of Pachia Ammos, at Livadi, there is another long beach that has sandy shore and rocky seabed. It is a very good choice if you are a fan of snorkeling.
Nearby, there is the chapel of Agia Paraskevi and a spring with fresh water.
Sightseeing
From this spot they controlled the sea routes towards northern Africa and Italy. Their city-state had laws and a political system that led to the development of a progressive community. The strength of the local economy rested on skill in navigating the sea, which led Phalasarna eventually to become a naval power.
In the 4thcentury BC, Phalasarna fortified the city with huge walls and other military buildings. Ancient geographers described the “closed harbor”, which the Phalasarnians carved out of a lagoon, and surrounded with quays and defensive towers.
The harbor design has Phoenician elements, and the famous “throne” of Phalasarna, which one today sees on the road traveling towards the archaeological site, was probably dedicated to the Phoenician goddess Astarte, protectress of sailors.
The Phalasarnians traded with people all across the Mediterranean and must have had close relations with the Phoenicians. They also were famous as warriors; their skill in battle made them rich as mercenaries, and history mentions Phalasarnians as leaders of military campaigns of Greek kings.
27 locals recommend
Ancient Falassarna
From this spot they controlled the sea routes towards northern Africa and Italy. Their city-state had laws and a political system that led to the development of a progressive community. The strength of the local economy rested on skill in navigating the sea, which led Phalasarna eventually to become a naval power.
In the 4thcentury BC, Phalasarna fortified the city with huge walls and other military buildings. Ancient geographers described the “closed harbor”, which the Phalasarnians carved out of a lagoon, and surrounded with quays and defensive towers.
The harbor design has Phoenician elements, and the famous “throne” of Phalasarna, which one today sees on the road traveling towards the archaeological site, was probably dedicated to the Phoenician goddess Astarte, protectress of sailors.
The Phalasarnians traded with people all across the Mediterranean and must have had close relations with the Phoenicians. They also were famous as warriors; their skill in battle made them rich as mercenaries, and history mentions Phalasarnians as leaders of military campaigns of Greek kings.
The gorge of Topolia (Topoliano) is located at west Crete and it runs along the road leading to Elafonissi via Elos. The canyon actually starts near the village Strovles at an altitude of 450m, and exits near the village Topolia, at an altitude of 150m. However, the narrowest and most impressive hiking part of the gorge is located between Katsomatados and Topolia, where the side rocks are very high and steep. The canyon is crossed by the River Tyflos, which originates from Mount Dikeos. At the beginning of the narrow part, it is worth visiting the Cave of Agia Sofia, located just above the main road.
The canyon and the wider area hosts rare and endemic plants of Crete, while the Cave of St. Sophia houses a species of cave spider that lives only there. According to local traditions, Topolia Gorge hosted fairies and the Minoan godess Vritomartis. Here, the legendary Talos used to stop and enjoy the divine music of the fairies. When Talos arrived in the place, rested inside a big cave, drank water and fell asleep. Then, the fairies and elves of the river arrived, singing and dancing.
Topolia gorge view site.
Eparchiaki Odos Kaloudianon-ChrisoskalitissasThe gorge of Topolia (Topoliano) is located at west Crete and it runs along the road leading to Elafonissi via Elos. The canyon actually starts near the village Strovles at an altitude of 450m, and exits near the village Topolia, at an altitude of 150m. However, the narrowest and most impressive hiking part of the gorge is located between Katsomatados and Topolia, where the side rocks are very high and steep. The canyon is crossed by the River Tyflos, which originates from Mount Dikeos. At the beginning of the narrow part, it is worth visiting the Cave of Agia Sofia, located just above the main road.
The canyon and the wider area hosts rare and endemic plants of Crete, while the Cave of St. Sophia houses a species of cave spider that lives only there. According to local traditions, Topolia Gorge hosted fairies and the Minoan godess Vritomartis. Here, the legendary Talos used to stop and enjoy the divine music of the fairies. When Talos arrived in the place, rested inside a big cave, drank water and fell asleep. Then, the fairies and elves of the river arrived, singing and dancing.
Agia Sofia or Wisdom of God, is situated 50 km from the center of Chania on the way to Elafonisi. There are 150 steps leading up to the cave. The cave contains many rows of massive stalactites and stalagmites. A small church is found in the cave that, they say, an icon of Agia Sofia was brought from a temple in Constantinople by Cretan fighters and was placed in the cave where the church stands now. Between two huge stalagmites, there is a mark of a horseshoe. They say that it is the mark left from Saint Demetrius' horse when it leaped from the church of Saint Demetrius across the mountain. Free to enter.
14 locals recommend
Agia Sofia Cave
Agia Sofia or Wisdom of God, is situated 50 km from the center of Chania on the way to Elafonisi. There are 150 steps leading up to the cave. The cave contains many rows of massive stalactites and stalagmites. A small church is found in the cave that, they say, an icon of Agia Sofia was brought from a temple in Constantinople by Cretan fighters and was placed in the cave where the church stands now. Between two huge stalagmites, there is a mark of a horseshoe. They say that it is the mark left from Saint Demetrius' horse when it leaped from the church of Saint Demetrius across the mountain. Free to enter.