Tucked away on the southwest coast of Crete, Greece, Elafonissi Beach is one of the most remote on the island but draws visitors in hoping to catch a glimpse of its incredible pink sand. The destination is described as a “treasure” by local tourism operators from greeka.com, famous for its “magical” natural features.
At first glance, you’ll be greeted by crystal-clear waters which sparkle in shades of turquoise and blue beneath the sun.
Soft, white sand lines the shore, dotted with sunbeds and umbrellas which are available for rent in the high season.
But it’s the pink sand that is one of the most jaw-dropping features of this beach. The pink sand is actually created as a result of the scattered red shells of Foraminifera, a single-celled microorganism with a shell.
When these shells mix with the white sand on the beach, it creates the illusion of beautiful pink sand.
However, experts from Tripadvisor warn that travellers should “temper their expectations” as the sand is not always visible and can vary in how pink it appears depending on a few factors.
Tripadvisor explained: “The amount of pink on display varies with conditions and the season.”
They added: “Regardless, the crystal clear waters make this a popular summer vacation spot, attracting sunbathers and watersport enthusiasts alike.”
With stunning juniper-lined mountains serving as a backdrop to the colourful beach, the postcard-worthy spot has been commended as “one of the best beach destinations in Europe“.
As part of their 2024 European Beach Index, Quotezone ranked Elafonissi Beach as the fourth-best beach on the continent.
CEO and travel insurance expert at Quotezone, Greg Wilson said: “Travellers seeking the perfect summer getaway will be searching for destinations where they can soak up the sun and relax on the beach without worrying about big waves and cold temperatures.
“Our team looked at ten popular summer holiday destinations across Europe, ranking them on factors such as water and air temperatures, waves and 5-star reviews.”
The beach is easily accessed by car but, if you are not renting a car on your trip to Crete, the beach can be visited as part of a group tour from Chania.
These are usually day trips which offer a good chunk of time to enjoy the beach, along with stops for food and drinks on the way. Tripadvisor offers a number of tours which can be booked in advance.