Crete, Elafonisi, a true paradise.

Crete, Elafonissi beach
elafonissiAccording to many, the beach Elafonissi is even more beautiful than Balos. The sure thing is that it is easiest to reach, much larger, thus giving the impression it is less crowded and with the great advantage to be able stay overnight close to the sea. One of the places not to be missed…

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Crete, SfinariCrete, SfinariOn the way to Elafonissi, we make a detour to the beach Sfinari, where a rather popular, especially among the Germans, taverna-stop was suggested to us. The tavern is called Sunset [35.41528,23.56099] and it is in a great location, just a few meters from the sea and next to a disused campsite where you can easily park and find some shadow. The owner of the tavern offers his customers the possibility to fill with water, to drain the WC cassette and use shower and sunbeds for free. The beach is a bit wild and do not live up others that are not so far away, like Falassarna or Elafonissi, however it still should be kept in mind, since the prices of the tavern are more than logical and the atmosphere is very nice.
Crete, SfinariCrete, Sfinari

Crete, Elafonissi beachWe continue southward, noting that the road is quite narrow at times, but nothing to worry about. We make a stop to visit the small monastery of Chrisoskalitissa, a tourist trap where you pay € 2 to see little or nothing. A few kilometers further on and we finally arrive at the huge unpaved opening where you can easily park [35.27227,23.54421].
Crete, Elafonissi beachCrete, Elafonissi beach

Crete, Elafonissi beach
Crete, Elafonissi beachCrete, Elafonissi beach
Crete, Elafonissi beach
Crete, Elafonissi beachCrete, Elafonissi beachCrete, Elafonissi beach

The beach does not need descriptions. In the morning before 10.00 and in the afternoon after 17.00, when the tourist buses finally leave, the beach is practically empty to be enjoyed by the few who stop to sleep here with their RV or staying in the few nearby rooms.
Just before you get to the parking lot, on your right, a small mini-market has everything that you may need, but it is better to get here with your shopping done. On the beach there are free showers, but you have to pay half a euro to use the toilet.
Crete, Elafonissi beach
Crete, Elafonissi beachCrete, Elafonissi beach
Crete, Elafonissi beach
Crete, Elafonissi beachCrete, Elafonissi beach

Here is a short video too 😉


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