Many people, however, love to devote just a couple of hours to each place and get back on the road soon to reach their next destination, especially those enjoying road trips in Crete.

There are some areas on the island that allow doing so easily. In this one-day beach itinerary, I want to present to you three beaches located on the southern coast that you can visit on a day trip from Chania (or also Rethymnon). All you will need is some organization and your own rental car.

For this day trip, we will be heading south, following the road to Elafonisi, all three beaches that we will be checking on this day are located on the Libyan Sea (southern coast), only minutes from the pink sand beach.

So get on the road to Elafonisi, either via the gorge of Topolia or driving along the westernmost coastal road from Falasarna.

Or, even better, start by checking this article on how to get to Elafonisi and get on the road.

Once you’re on the coastal road to get to Elafonisi, pay attention to the few road signs and be ready to make a detour. Our first stop is a few minutes before reaching Elafonisi Beach, just meters after Chrysoskalitisa Monastery.

The monastery is an imposing building located atop a 35-meter-high rock, so you won’t miss it. This seventeenth-century building offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and the sea.

Once you’ve passed the monastery, in the next meters, you’ll find the following road sign, turn and slow down, the road is bumpy and winding, and some parts of it are dirt track, so roll up your windows, and enjoy the 5 to 10-minute ride to this unique, tropical oasis.

One of the lesser-known beaches along the coastal road that leads to Elafonisi Beach is the small but amazing Aspri Limni. This super quiet pool-like portion of the sea is not much visited, quite lonely, and virtually unknown.

Once you get there, you’ll find a small sandy beach with just 2 or 3 umbrellas, and a spectacular, tranquil lake surrounded by rocks that protect it from mixing with the sea.

The area, surrounded by sharp rocks, features a sandy bottom mixed with rocks that might be slippery at certain points.

Since the area is isolated and quite hard to access, not many tourists visit the sea lake.

There are no organized facilities (do pack some drinks), while the landscape features a few samples of Cretan palm trees that give the area a soft tropical touch.

Characteristics: Just like Elafonisi, this is a Natura 2000 Protected Area since it is the westernmost point on the island where the famous Cretan Palm Trees grow (this is the tree that has made Vai Beach famous) grows.

You will find super fine white sand and no natural shade. The water is calm, with tones of green and blue, and it is a perfect spot for snorkeling.

Second Stop: Kedrodasos Beach

Coordinates: Latitude N 35.268669 – Longitude E 23.563073

Probably one of the most beautiful shores on the island, Kedrodasos Beach is situated 15 minutes by car from Aspri Limni (6.5 kilometers), driving along a partially-dirt road that leads to a fairly wide parking space from where you need to hike down to the beach.

The hike from the parking area to the coast is exactly 10 minutes.

This is also a beach that lacks organization (although it seems this is about to change as there are plans for a small roadside canteen to open in the upcoming months).

Once you’ve hiked down along the rocky path, surrounded by wild thyme bushes, you will reach the white sand beach that is crossed by the E4 path, home to spectacular turquoise waters, and a gorgeous forest of cedar trees and ancient junipers.

The species in the area are also protected (you guessed right, this is another Natura 2000 Protected beach), so, if you’re planning to spend the night with your own tent, as many travelers do, avoid damaging the trees that grow on the sand.

Remember, Kedrodasos in Greek means cedar forest, so respect nature if you choose to camp in the area!

Also, pack enough fresh fruit and water, light snacks are a much better option in summer when the temperatures soar on the southern coast of the island.

If you have packed fresh fruits or a light lunch, you can spend here the next few hours, bathing in the crystal clear (and often coldish) waters, admiring the impressive landscape of Kedrodasos Beach, or simply enjoying a restoring siesta under the shade of the junipers.

Tips to visit: Pack drinks and enough food because there are no organized facilities (but mostly because you might not want to leave!).

Carry an umbrella or arrive early to find shade under the trees.

Final Stop: Elafonisi Beach

Coordinates to the parking area: Latitude N 35.272614 – Longitude E 23.543473

The three beaches are quite close to each other, however, since Elafonisi is the most popular beach on the island getting there at the end of the day is a better idea… most tourists return to Chania early.

The best thing to do to to get to Elafonisi a couple of hours before sunset, that way, you will enjoy the beach once all the tourist buses have left (departure time for buses is normally set at around 4 pm).

This will be a winning recipe if you want to avoid at least some of the crowds that, every day, travel from the northern coast of Chania to get there.

If you haven’t packed a big lunch or all the swimming has made you hungry, you will find enough facilities and canteens on the beach to get yourself a salad, pies, or sandwiches.

Soft drinks, beers, ice cream, and a variety of hot and cold coffees are also available.

Elafonisi is a great beach for water sports (usually kite surfing), but also good for snorkeling, relaxing swimming in the shallow waters, and stunning photos of the dunes.

On the beach, you will find different protected species (yes, this is another Natura 2000 Protected area), such as the gorgeous sea daffodils.

If you want to learn more about the characteristics of the beach, when to visit, the local nature, the most remarkable details about the area, and all the truth about the pink sand, then this article is simply a must.

A day visit to these three beaches is not hard to do. You can stay in Elafonisi until the sun sets, and then slowly make your way back to Chania while there is still some daylight in order to tackle the mountain road through Topolia Gorge in safety.

Alternatively, you can spend the night in the area, either check these rental homes or click here to check the latest prices at Elafonisi Resort Kalomirakis Family, one of the few hotels in the area.

Read more about Crete

• Crazy Beautiful Things to Do in Chania (Region) for an Unforgettable Holiday!
• Your Insanely Helpful Guide to Balos Beach Crete! (Plus Great Insider’s Tips)
• Hiking in Crete: Best Hikes in Crete (+ Hiking Trails, Gear & Where to Hike on the Island)
• Falasarna Beach: Complete Insider’s Guide to One of the Best Beaches in Crete!

🏖️ Please, help us protect the beaches in Crete. Respect the environment and don’t leave any trash behind.

Pin this Guide to Aspri Limni, Kedrodaos Beach, and Elafonisi, for your next adventures in Crete!

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