Agioi Apostoloi & Elafonissi Beach: A Day Trip Review
Planning a trip to Crete and wondering if the Agioi Apostoloi Elafonissi Beach and Elos Village day tour is worth it? I mean, so many tours, so little time, right? This review is here to give you the lowdown on what to expect, is that it will cover everything from the stunning pink sands of Elafonissi to the quaint charm of Elos Village. I recently took this trip, and I am here to share my experiences, good and bad, very, very candidly, so you can make an informed choice about whether to add it to your Crete itinerary.
What’s the Buzz About? Why This Tour?
Okay, so, Elafonissi Beach. This beach is something everyone talks about, known for its pink sands and crystal-clear waters; apparently, the photos simply don’t do it justice. When you combine that beauty with a taste of authentic Cretan village life in Elos, too, it sounds like a perfectly great day out, no? This tour packages these two experiences together, taking the stress out of transportation and planning, in a way that it is supposed to allow you to sit back, relax, and soak in the Cretan vibe. Does it live up to the hype? That is what I wanted to discover. But, hey, you might think that a pink beach is something so extraordinary you’ll probably want to see it. Is it?
First Stop: Agioi Apostoloi – A Gentle Start
The tour kicked off with a visit to Agioi Apostoloi, alright; Agioi Apostoloi is very, very close to Chania, arguably about a 15-minute drive. To me, it seemed like a carefully chosen spot for a relaxed start, I guess, to the day. It features three beaches that are sheltered, that is, they are not on the open ocean; the sand here isn’t pink, or anything, but the place makes up for it with shallow turquoise waters. I could see many families were here; it seems like they come for a peaceful sunbathing spot. There were locals dotted all over, too, very, very close by, clearly it’s something for them as well. We spent about an hour here, I’d say. I chose to get an iced Freddo Espresso from a cafe that has a fantastic view of the ocean, is that, for me, this stop was exactly what I expected.
Elafonissi Beach: Pink Sand Dreams?
Elafonissi Beach was, without a doubt, the highlight of the trip, I’d say. The pink sand, that is, gets its color from crushed seashells, and it truly is a sight to behold, right? The water is shallow and crystal clear, almost like you’re walking into a natural swimming pool, so the conditions were great! I mean, for families with kids. So that’s a thing. But that said, this beach is popular; sometimes the crowds can get a bit much, actually, mainly between 11 am and 3 pm. In a way, this experience could be made better if managed differently, like going earlier or later when visiting; because, when it is full, a visit can lose the calm beach vibe pretty fast.
Elos Village: Authentic Crete
After the beach, we headed to Elos Village, alright; Elos is located in the mountains, a place where time seems to stand still, so what could be more traditionally Crete than that. The village is super quaint, full of local charm and traditional architecture, I’d say. We had lunch at a local taverna, and it was, I think, the most genuine meal I had on the whole trip, might be a simple but very delicious Cretan fare. In fact, it’s quite a nice stop to experience authentic Cretan hospitality, and I feel this is something not to be missed when experiencing Crete! Oh and one of the things I didn’t know before going, I believe, that Elos is pretty famous for its plane trees.
The Good, the Bad, and the Sandy
Like your tour experience, the Agioi Apostoloi Elafonissi Beach and Elos Village day tour has its share of ups and downs. A thing of great quality about it would be the opportunity to see two completely different landscapes in a single day. On one hand, you get the beaches that Crete is rightly so well known for. On the other, too, it opens the doors to discovering Cretan traditions that prevail in places far from the seaside. But something not so perfect is, if it is indeed that popular, the beach part would possibly benefit from some crowd avoidance action. That would probably leave anyone coming on this tour more fulfilled by this opportunity. Anyway, all that is just a possible perspective, that can of course depend on individual likings too.
Tips and Recommendations
- Get There Early: If possible, choose a tour that arrives at Elafonissi early in the morning to avoid the bulk of the crowds.
- Pack Smart: Do not forget essentials like sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a beach towel. Also, bringing water shoes can make walking on the rocky parts of the beach a lot more pleasant.
- Stay Hydrated: Crete can get really hot, mainly during the summer. Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day.
- Respect the Environment: Help keep Elafonissi beautiful by taking all your trash with you and not removing any sand or shells from the beach.
- Embrace the Local Culture: In Elos, take the time to chat with the locals and try some authentic Cretan cuisine. Do not be afraid to try new things.