Day trip

From Rethymno: Elafonissi Pink Sand Beach Tour

Activity provider: Markidis Travel
Day trip

From Rethymno: Elafonissi Pink Sand Beach Tour

Activity provider: Markidis Travel

From US$ 34.67 per person

Certified

Embark on a full-day trip to Elafonissi Island in the southwest of Crete. Travel on an air-conditioned bus, and stop at the beautiful Aghia Sophia Cave on the way.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Duration 12 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Hotels in Panormo, Scaletta, Stavromenos, Pigianos Kampos, Adelianos Kampos, Platanias, Rethymno City, Atsipopoulo, Gerani, Kavros and Georgioupoli

Experience

Highlights
  • Spend leisure time on Elafonissi Island, admiring its unique scenery
  • Pass old villages and rugged hills on a drive to Crete's southwest coast
  • Relax on the clean pink sand beach of Elafonissi
Full description

Discover one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on this day trip from Rethymno to Elafonissi. Experience a heaven on earth, with soft white and pink sand, exotic crystal-clear water, and cedar trees that extend down to the coastline. Visit traditional villages like Elos and see the Aghia Sophia Cave.

Get picked up from your hotel area in the morning, then stop for a short break in the traditional village of Elos. Time permitting, enjoy time to have breakfast or a coffee (cost not included). Afterward, depart for Elafonissi.

On the way, see small traditional villages combined with typical Mediterranean scenery. Admire the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge. At Elafonissi, get 4 hours of free time to soak in the sun and enjoy the spectrum of shades of blue that this beach has to offer.

At the end of your tour, stop at the Aghia Sophia Cave, where you can explore the cave and have refreshments or food (not included). Later, get driven back to your accommodation in Rethymno.

Includes
  • English and German-speaking guide
  • Hotel pick-up drop off
  • Food and drinks
  • No pickup from remote hotels or Grand Rimondi

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Participants

Date

Important information

Know before you go

  • Please bring swimwear
  • Remember your camera
  • Please remember cash for food, drinks, sunbeds and an umbrella (should you require these things)
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 316 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Service
    4.9/5
  • Organization
    5/5

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Star rating:

We absolutely loved it. Especially how the tour was well organized and on time. Also our driver Kostas was very nice and his bus was very clean and comfortable with air conditioner very well set that it was cool enough but we didn’t feel cold neither. We experienced both Balos and Elafonissi beach tours with Markidis travel and we would have chosen them again. We very much appreciated that the tour was a bit adjusted and we went to the beach directly and avoided crowdy beach. When it comes to the tours themselves, if you don’t have enough time and want to experience something new, go for Balos tour. If you prefer a sandy comfortable beach, go with Elafonissi. Elafonissi beach is very pretty but it is a bit “boring”- comfortable sandy beach with sunbeds and umbrellas. Also, you have to search for the pink sand, so you might take it as a challenge. On the way back we went to see a cave which was very interesting because the cave used to be used as a chirch and for ceremonies.

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March 24, 2023

The tour was amazing. The drive to Elafonisi was very comfortable. We had a 30 min stop at a cave and it was really worth it going all the way up. Elafonisi is a beautiful beach, however, it gets very crowded so maybe bring your own sun umbrella. On the way back we stopped at a Taverna for dinner and the food was delicious. Very authentic dishes and great food. Our tour guide and the driver were very kind and friendly. Overall, we really recommend this tour.

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March 24, 2023

Very nice people. Easy to contact if you have questions. Interesting and fun bustrip. Got to hear interesting facts and legends about the areas we were driving by. Very exciting rout to the beach and back, along the cliffs. Beach was fantastic, I would spend a whole vacation there if it were possible.

March 24, 2023

Product ID: 190154