
Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 85 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno worth booking?
Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno is a 12-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $34 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 85 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (85)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $34 per person
A full-day trip to Elafonissi island in the southwest of Crete. You will travel on an air-conditioned bus, with a stop in the traditionall village Elos and Kaloudiana.
What you get
About this experience
A full-day trip to Elafonissi island in the southwest of Crete. You will travel on an air-conditioned bus, with a stop in the traditionall village Elos and Kaloudiana.
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tour Guide
What you'll see and do
Elafonissi Beach
This is your chance to visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Elafonissi is a heaven on earth, with soft white – pink sand, exotic crystal waters and cedar trees reaching the coast line. It is located in the southwestern side of Crete. We pick you up from your Hotel area around 7:30 am. We would like to remind you to be at your assigned location promptly to avoid delays. Our first stop is by the traditional village Elos, where you have the possibility for breakfast. On our way to Elafonissi you will be able to see small traditional villages combined with a typical Mediterranean scenery as well as the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge. Once we have reached Elafonissi, you will have 4 hours of free time to soak in the amazing sun and enjoy all the shades of blue this beach has to offer. On the way back we have a stop for lunch; here you can have a coffee, refreshments or have a lunch, if you feel like it ( not included in the price)
240 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Chania
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno
Pickup included
Elafonissi English & German
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Thu, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 13 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Markidis Travel
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos


What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 85 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
85 verified traveler reviews for Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A perfect day
When we were on the wrong side of the road for pick up early in the morning, Kosta called me. Kosta & Emmanuela were a great team. When we realized we would not make our dinner reservation, Emmanuella helped us cancel the reservation at the hotel. From the music played on the bus to the knowledge of the local towns, it was a well choreographed, and sincere experience. Elofianissi was a beautiful beach. The stops were well timed for the bathroom and special treats!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We are delighted that you enjoyed your day at beautiful Elafonissi and that everything, from the journey and music to the stops along the way, made the experience special. We are especially happy to hear your kind words about Kostas and Emmanuela. Taking care of our guests, even with the little unexpected things that happen during the day, is very important to us, and we will make sure they both see your lovely comments. Thank you for choosing Markidis Travel. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure in Crete! 😊 Warm regards, Markidis Travel Team
via Viator
Not a pink beach
This was just like every other beach in Greece beautiful but extremely windy, not a pink beach at all. Lacking sun lounges all sold out minimal food and drink available at location and had to pay for toilet facilities and took four hours to get to location from pickup.
Response from the operator: We completely understand that the beach may not have met your personal expectations, and we respect the fact that every visitor has different preferences and experiences. However, we feel that giving our company a one-star rating because you were disappointed with the beach is rather unfair. Such a rating does not only reflect your opinion of the beach; it also affects the overall reputation of our company, even though our team did its very best to provide our customers with the best possible service and experience. If your disappointment was specifically about Elafonisi Beach itself, rather than the services provided by our company, we believe it would have been fairer to leave the one-star rating on the Elafonisi location. This way, the rating would reflect what you were actually unhappy with, without unfairly harming a business that genuinely did its best to make your experience a positive one. Nevertheless, we are sorry that the experience did not meet your expectations, and we respect your opinion.
via Viator
Amazing day well organised
Very well organised and fun day tour. Emmanuel and Kostos were both very good and friendly, took very good care of the group.
via Viator
Beautiful beach but go prepared
Stunning beach and well worth a visit. Only advice would give is to keep in mind there isn’t a lot of shade so take hat/umbrella/water. There are sun-beds with umbrellas but they go quickly. There are 2 canteens on the beach if you want to get some snacks/drinks.
via Tripadvisor
Would of been better
Good price nice place but had a horrible person on our bus who insisted I must not talk on the bus because he wants the bus to be quiet then he went to tell the tour operator who then thought it would be a good idea to ask me (who was on the bus first) to move to another seat?!?! Would of been a great day if it wasn’t for the aggressive man insisting I must not talk and the tour operator basically asking me to move when I was on first and he was the one with the problem!
Response from the operator: Hello Katrina, this is Katerina from the office. I sincerely apologize for what happened on the bus. It’s the first time something like this has occurred, and the behavior of that individual caused stress for us as well and was difficult to handle. At the moment, they are asking us for €500 in compensation and have been continuously bothering us since yesterday. Thank you for your comment — we don’t want you to delete it, as it is important evidence. However, it would be great if you could give us 5 stars; if not, we still thank you and apologize again for everything.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Thu, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 30
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Markidis Travel, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.8.
See everything Markidis Travel runsWhy this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno cost?
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Prices start at $34 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chania is not rushed.
Is Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 85 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno?
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Around 30 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chania can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chania within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chania?
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On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cretan Safari – 4x4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chania?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno?
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Included: In-vehicle air conditioning; and Tour Guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 85 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno offered in?
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It is offered in German, English and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno?
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Across 85 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Elafonissi Beach from Rethymno, Elafonissi English & German. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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