Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
The highlight of our journey - Elafonissi Beach, is translated from Greek as Deer Island. However, there are no Deers, but there’s pink sand and turquoise waters, creating perfect conditions for relaxation and swimming.
One more place that we’re going to visit on our way is Cave of Agia Sofia with impressive stalactites and stalagmites as well as Hrisoskalitissa monastery. Located at 285 m above the Sea level this place is truly sublime in its natural beauty, spirituality, and history. Remember that to visit this place, you need to wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders.
Our route to this place goes through picturesque road. You’ll be able to see amazing nature of Crete some traditional villages that will should you unique Cretan lifestyle. We can also stop for a tasting of olive oil and thyme honey. Our journey will finish with traditional meal at a tavern.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to create unforgettable memories and experience the true magic of the island.
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Beach umbrellas (on request).
All Fees and Taxes
Wi-fi on board and Water from the springs of the White Mountains “Samaria”, in bottles.
Accompaniment by a local expert/escort.
Comfortable Vehicle with a professional driver.
Entrance fees to Chrysoskalitissa Monastery.
Pick-up/drop-off at your hotel.
Personal expenses, drinks, lunch/dinner.
Customary tips to your drivers, guides, and escorts.
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
Private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel, villa, cruise, or any other point in the region of Chania. Pick-up time is flexible and upon your final confirmation. Rethymno & Heraklion and other cities on Crete upon request*.
Traveler pickup
Souda Airport, Chania Town, Greece
Apokoronou 51, Chania 731 34, Greece
Agiou Markou 8, Chania 731 32, Greece
Ormos Soudas, Chania 731 34, Greece
Agia Sofia Cave, Topolia, Greece We will start our excursion by exploring the Cave of Agia Sofia, renowned for its breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites.
Just a short 40-minute drive from Chania, we will arrive at the picturesque village of Topolia, nestled within a tree-lined gorge. Towering 300 meters above us is the impressive wall of the gorge, with the charming little chapel of Agia Sofia nestled within a cave.
Take some time to marvel at the intricate stalactite formations and soak in the stunning views of the gorge. At 'The Romanza' canteen, you can indulge in a variety of authentic Cretan specialties and treats. Keep an eye out for local villagers dressed in traditional Cretan attire, providing a glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage.
After spending approximately 30 minutes at this stop, our journey southward continues, promising more unforgettable experiences along the way. 30 minutes
Chrisoskalitissa Monastery, Moni Chrisoskalitissis, Greece Exploring the Monastery of Chrisoskalitsa is an essential part of our excursion. Legend has it that among the 90 steps leading to the summit lies a Golden Stair, bestowing the monastery with its name. It is believed that only those free of sin can perceive this elusive staircase. Today, the monastery continues to be tended to by devoted nuns.
The panoramic vistas from the monastery are truly breathtaking. Perched 285 meters above sea level, this site exudes a sense of tranquility, boasting a harmonious blend of natural splendor, spirituality, and historical significance.
Please keep in mind that appropriate attire, covering both knees and shoulders, is required for entry into the monastery.
After spending half an hour soaking in the monastery's ambiance, we will proceed directly to the beach, eager to continue our journey of discovery. 30 minutes
Elafonissi Beach, Elafonissi, Greece Upon our arrival at Elafonissi around midday, prepare to be enchanted by one of the island's most stunning beaches. Nestled along the southwest coast, Elafonissi boasts a mesmerizing blend of white and pink coral sands, evoking a tropical paradise. Venture to the right side of the beach to discover a small enclosed lagoon with shallow waters, perfect for families with children.
Embark on a leisurely stroll through the lagoon towards the islet, where you'll uncover the secrets of this extraordinary coastline. The vibrant hues and rich history of Elafonissi create an unparalleled atmosphere, drawing visitors from around the globe.
Equipped with beach amenities, including sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent, as well as dining options, Elafonissi ensures a comfortable and enjoyable beach experience for all. Whether you're eager to swim, snorkel, or simply relax and soak up the sun, this idyllic destination promises an unforgettable day by the sea. 180 minutes
Elos, Elos, Greece Experience the perfect finale to our excursion with a delightful traditional meal at a charming Cretan tavern nestled in the picturesque village of Elos.
After indulging in the flavors of Cretan cuisine, we'll journey back to the Chania area, with a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. 90 minutes
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
To visit the Monastery, you must wear modest clothes: for women – a skirt/dress under your knees and covered shoulders. For men – trousers, T-shirt with long sleeves.
Important to have; Sun Cream (a lot!), Sunglasses and Hat, Long-Sleeved Shirt for Sensitive skin, Swim Suit, and a Beach Towel! Money for drinks, lunch/dinner.
Elafonisi is a Natura 2000 protected area, it is strictly forbidden to remove any plants, animals, shells, and sand from the area.
If any participant suffers from any severe allergy (e.g. to bee stings, food allergies/intolerances) or has medical/health issues we need to be aware of, it is important to let us know in advance. This is clearly a safety measure, personal information is by no means violated and we exercise all discretion.
Moysidis Travel is covered by Professional Liability Insurance. Each participant is advised to take out health/travel insurance before travelling to Crete.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
laurence60240
12 Oct 2025
Paradise beach, saturated with tourists. Windy place. Unfortunately, visited in October 2025 with capricious weather. The rain came in the form of a major flood, forcing everyone to leave. So, the magic side of the pink sand effect, was not there. Disappointed.
Mark_L
20 Sep 2025
We had a wonderful day visiting the beach. Because it was just the two of us, our guide was able to accommodate our preferences and schedule. This became essential as it became too windy to stay long at the beach.
The only recommendation I have is to have the tour include rental of beach lounges and umbrellas for each guest, rather than the portable ones brought by the driver. The cost of a private car is already high, including the beach rentals should not be a problem.
Kelly_S
08 Jul 2025
George ( our driver) and Christina arrived promptly at our port, so we could start our day nice and early. The vehicle was extremely comfortable for our family of 5, plenty of room and air con, which was a definite must for such a hot day. Christina was very knowledgeable and we learnt lots on the journey. The journey took about an hour and a half. We were offered stops on the way but declined as we were keen to get to the beach early. We were dropped off close by and had the opportunity to visit a shop/ cafe if we wanted. George offered us towels, beach mats and sun umbrellas to take with us if we wanted. He then left us there with our guide Christina leading us to the beach, she gave us plenty of top tips about the beach, the cabanas etc we managed to get the last cabana available which was 30 Euros for the day, so in the end we didn’t need the beach mats and umbrella’s George gave us- but considering we got to the beach way before 10, I would say always take them because there are very few available on the beach. If we did it again , we wouldn’t have got the Cabana and just used what George gave us because Christina had such good knowledge of the beach and took us away from the crowds to were the pink sand was much more vivid , and there were very few people in that area- thats were her local knowledge was paramount. Christina left us and arranged to meet us back at our Cabana at a specific time. The beach was beautiful, nothing like i’d ever seen before but it gets sooo busy- the area Christina showed us was much more secluded and peaceful and definitely had a lot more pink sand.
We met George where he dropped us off, we had time to grab a drink and snacks and on the journey back, visited a pretty monastery and the cave of Sofia. We were offered complimentary bottled water throughout the journey and nothing was too much trouble. We were also offered to stop at a bee hive/ honey stop but declined - 5 stars from us, would highly recommend- The trip was around 8 hours but it would have been longer had we stopped at all of the offered stops- we were just nervous about getting back to the ship on time- in the end we had hours to spare!!
Tip- the beach has lots of wifi issues to pay for items, so cash is best.
This tour in
Crete
is organized by
Moysidis Travel
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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