Elafonissi: Crete’s Famous Pink Sand Beach

Elafonissi Beach on the Greek island of Crete routinely ranks at or near the top of lists of the world’s best beaches. With its distinctive pink sand, sheltered coves, and crystal clear waters from the Libyan Sea, it’s certainy earned its place there.

The drive to Elafonissi takes you on a harrowing route through some of Crete’s breathtaking (literally) gorges. The road is littered with hairpin turns and plenty of signs warning about falling rock from the sheer cliff face on one side and the precipitous drop down into the gorge on the other side. It is a drive best made in daylight, one which necessitates concentration and patience from the driver. (You may need to brake for the herds of goats that scale the gorges with nary a worry.) In the high season, the route can become quite congested, particularly as it snakes through the mountain villages that make their living luring tourists for a break from the drive.

But certainly, the drive is worth it. Once you descend into the gorge, the road turns rougher and rockier: be prepared for potholes and gulleys. It culminates at the well-signposted beach, where a large but somewhat disorganised car park provides parking.

Elafonissi Beach is every bit as beautiful as you would hope. Its noteworthy pink strip of sand makes a good showing when the water is calm, as it lies right at the water’s edge. (Don’t be fooled into thinking the entire beach is pink: the colour is due to the crushed fragments of seashells that wash ashore, and these bits often get pulled out to sea in rougher weather.) Still, you’re likely to see some pink, and even without the unique sand colour, Elafonissi is worth a visit.

The waters of this inlet are calm, sheltered, and warm, making it popular for families, waders, and sun bathers. They’re also crystal clear, rippling gently in the breeze over the spun-sugar sand beneath. The view behind you as you stare out to sea is almost as impressive as the one before you: the steep, rocky hillsides of Crete towering over the pristine beach below them.

As you can imagine, Elafonissi is wildly popular, filling up with visitors quickly in the summertime. If you visit in the off-season, however, you’ll be treated to a much more tranquil experience to enjoy not only the beach but also the wealth of wildflowers and natural life that abound in this area.

Have you ever been to Elafonissi Beach? Do you think it’s the best beach in the world? I’d love to hear your thoughts- send me a message or leave a comment below!