Chania Tour: Elafonisi & Falasarna Beaches with Olive Oil Tasting

Two beaches and an ancient olive tree in one day, without the tour bus crowds

A private tour from Chania visits Elafonisi Beach and Falasarna Beach, two of Greece's most celebrated swimming destinations, then stops at the Olive Tree of Vouves for a tasting of Cretan extra virgin olive oil. The tour runs 10 hours and includes a local guide (English or German), private transportation, a snack box with sandwiches and Cretan pastries, cold drinks, and portable beach umbrellas. You choose whether to add a guide when you book. Groups stay under 15 people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit beaches and olive oil tasting

• Travel to Elafonisi beach
• Swim and relax at Elafonisi
• Travel to Falasarna beach
• Swim and sunbathe at Falasarna
• Visit Vouves olive tree
• Enjoy olive oil tasting

The experience

The day starts at Elafonisi, 75 kilometers southwest of Chania, where turquoise lagoon-like waters meet blindingly white-pink sand. The beach sits on a small island reachable by wading from the mainland, sometimes without getting your toes wet, and it's a protected nature reserve with 110 plant species. You'll have nearly five hours to swim, walk the soft sand, explore small coves and rock formations, and float in the shallow turquoise water. The beach is ideal for children, and portable umbrellas come with the tour.

Next is Falasarna, about 53 kilometers west of Chania, known for its long sandy shore and crystal-clear turquoise sea. The beach is fully organized with sun beds and umbrellas available, or you can claim a free spot and bring your own. The sunset there is one of the most impressive in Greece. Nothing blocks the view between the sand and the horizon. You'll have time to unwind under the sun before the drive inland.

The final stop is Vouves, a traditional village home to the Olive Tree of Vouves, estimated to be 2,000 to 4,000 years old and still producing fruit. You'll taste pure Cretan extra virgin olive oil and visit the Olive Tree Museum, housed in a 19th-century building with displays of traditional cultivation tools. The ancient tree supplied olive branches for the Marathon winners' wreaths at every Olympic Games since Athens 2004. Private transportation, a guide (if you choose one), snacks, cold drinks, and WiFi on board are included. You'll walk about 500 meters from the parking lot to Elafonisi because the protected area doesn't allow vehicles closer to the beach.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi and USB charging.
• a local guide in English or German (if selected at checkout).
• sandwiches and Cretan pastries in a snack box.
• cold soft drinks, beer, and bottled water.
• portable beach umbrellas.
• olive oil tasting at the Olive Tree of Vouves.
• public liability insurance.

Options for this experience

4 options

Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English08:00

Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English or German08:00

Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English08:00

Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English or GermanAvailable from 1 Jun 2027

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by SeaByBus Explore Crete

Is this one for you?Choose the guided option to learn about Cretan olive cultivation and the ancient olive tree, or go unguided to swim and sunbathe entirely at your own pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

How much time do I actually spend swimming at each beach?

Nearly five hours total across both beaches. Elafonisi takes up the bulk of that time, giving you room to explore the lagoons, coves and rock formations. Falasarna is your second swim stop, and you'll have time to relax there before heading to Vouves for the olive oil tasting.

What is Elafonisi Beach actually like when I get there?

Elafonisi is a small island off the southwestern tip of Crete, reachable by wading from the mainland. The sand is blindingly white with a pink tint, and the water is turquoise and shallow: ideal even for children. The island is a protected nature reserve with small coves, sandy beaches, and interesting rock formations scattered across about 1.3 kilometers of shoreline.

Do I need to book a guide, or can I do this tour on my own?

You choose at checkout. The tour is available with a live guide in English or German, or without a guide: both options include private transportation, the snack box, drinks, beach umbrellas, and the olive oil tasting. A guide adds local knowledge and context at each stop.

What's included in the snack box and drinks?

The tour includes sandwiches and Cretan pastries in a snack box, plus cold soft drinks, beer, and bottled water throughout the day. The olive oil tasting happens at Vouves and is part of the tour.

How far is the walk from the parking lot to Elafonisi Beach?

You'll walk about 500 meters from the parking lot to the beach. Elafonisi is a protected area, so cars and buses aren't allowed to park closer. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller for this walk.