Elafonissi
PARADISE IN GREECE
Elafonissi is an island (or is it not?) located close to the southwestern corner of island of Crete.
It is located 76 km southwest of Chania.
AN ISLAND THAT IS NOT
When the weather is fine it is possible to walk to the island through the shallow water. The island is a protected nature reserve ( Natura ). It is known for its white and pink sand beaches, created by the millions of broken shells. This is not a real island, but It looks like one, because the peninsula at the point where it joins Crete is "faint" and creates the feeling that it is a separate island. If the weather is bad, especially in winter, it's not very easy to get across.
A fun fact is that on the day we were there, there was not a single small cloud in the sky. However, sometime in the afternoon, literally within 15 minutes, the light breeze suddenly became a very strong wind, a huge cloud formed, and the sun disappeared. It was a rather strange experience, reminding scenes from sci-fi movies.
“I wonder if Socrates and Plato took a house on Crete during the summer.”
Its name means "deer island", but there is an alternative option; because it was once used as a hiding place for pirates, it is said that it probably owes its name to them, as this is where they hid their booty and thus the name "Lafonisi" (from the greek words “Booty” and “Island”), as the locals call it.
This is really a place to be. A phenomenal beach, one of the most beautiful coasts and areas of Greece and Europe.
Actually, for 2025, according to Tripadvisor, this is the best beach in the world.
BE READY, BUT DON’T WORRY
Even though you can’t tell by the photos in this post (most of them taken just after COVID restrictions), people come here in waves, during summer, but even then, if you take a short stroll around the island, you're gonna find a quiet little beach if you want some peace of mind.
Getting around the island is really easy on foot.
At the northernmost tip of the island is the chapel of St. Irene.
MASSACRE
The incredible beauty of the landscape does not foreshadow the fact that an unimaginable massacre took place here in 1824, during the Turkish rule.
It was Easter Sunday of that year when Ibrahim Pasha's men slaughtered 600 women and children and 40 warriors in retaliation for the rebellious people.
They had hidden in Elafonissi hoping that the Turks would not find the deep passage, but here was a wandering donkey (or horse according to others) that was to betray them, having passed through there in search of its master.
On the way back, just 5 km away, there is the Monastery of Chrysoskalitissa, which is worth a stop. It is located on a rock and looks like a fortress, because it was built to ward off pirates.
According to tradition, the last step of the staircase leading up to it is gold, but only those who are truly faithful can see it, hence the name (meaning "the one with the golden step").
If you ever find yourself in Western Crete, do not miss the trip here. You won’t regret it.
RELATED CONTENT
