Elafonisi & Falasarna beaches from Chania: Two islands, one day

Two of Crete's best beaches and a 4,000-year-old olive tree, all before sunset

A small group tour from Chania visits Elafonisi and Falasarna beaches in a single day, with a stop at the ancient Olive Tree of Vouves for tasting and a museum visit. The tour includes hotel pickup, a local English-speaking guide, snacks, drinks and olive oil tasting. You swim and sunbathe for nearly 5 hours across both beaches. Operates Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from mid-May through September, with a maximum of 15 travelers per departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Elafonisi Beach2h 30m
2. Falassarna Beach2h

Visit Elafonisi, Falasarna, and Vouves

• Travel to Elafonisi beach
• Swim and sunbathe at Elafonisi
• Explore lagoons and coves at Elafonisi
• Travel to Falasarna beach
• Relax and swim at Falasarna beach
• Visit Vouves village
• See the ancient olive tree
• Enjoy olive oil tasting

The experience

The day starts with a drive southwest from Chania toward Elafonisi, about 75 kilometers away. Once you arrive at the parking area, you walk roughly 500 meters to reach the beach. The island is a protected nature reserve, so vehicles stop short. The walk leads you onto blindingly white-pink sand and into turquoise-white lagoon-like waters shallow enough to wade across to the small island itself. Elafonisi sits just off the mainland, sometimes reachable without getting your toes wet, and the water stays calm enough for children. You'll have time to explore the small coves, sandy beaches and rock formations scattered across the 1.3-kilometer island, or simply float in the clear water while the Cretan mountains rise bare and stark behind you.

From there the tour heads west to Falasarna Beach, about 53 kilometers from Chania. The sand here is wider and the beach fully organized with umbrellas and sun beds, though free spots exist if you bring your own. The turquoise sea is crystal clear, and the beach has won multiple awards for its beauty. What sets Falasarna apart is the sunset: unobstructed all the way to the horizon, one of the most photographed in Greece. You'll have time to swim, rest under the sun and watch the light change over the water before the group gathers to move on.

The final stop is Vouves village, home to the Olive Tree of Vouves. Scientists estimate the tree to be around 4,000 years old, though tree ring analysis confirms it is at least 2,000. It remains productive: since the 2004 Athens Olympics, olive branches from this tree have been used for the wreaths given to Marathon winners at every Olympic Games. The nearby Olive Tree Museum, housed in a 19th-century building, displays traditional tools from olive cultivation. You'll taste pure Cretan extra virgin olive oil here: a direct connection to the island's heritage and the ancient tree standing outside. The tour includes snacks, cold drinks, beer and wine throughout the day, plus WiFi and USB charging on the air-conditioned bus.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Chania.
• air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi and USB charging.
• local English-speaking guide.
• sandwiches and Cretan pies.
• cold soft drinks, beer, wine and bottled water.
• olive oil tasting at Vouves.
• entry to the Olive Tree Museum.
• public liability insurance.
• audiovisual presentation of Cretan customs on the bus.

Before you book

Lasts 10h–11h, from € 99 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 19 May 2027

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (under 11)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by SeaByBus Explore Crete

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Chania without a car: pickup is included, and the fixed schedule means both beaches and the ancient olive tree fit into a single day without you arranging transport or timing between stops. The small group size (maximum 15 people) keeps the pace relaxed and the beaches less crowded than larger tours.

Traveler reviews

4.99★★★★★★★★★★

247 verified traveler reviews

5 ★244

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 11).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive from Chania to Elafonisi Beach?

Elafonisi lies about 75 kilometers southwest of Chania town. The full tour runs 10 to 11 hours from pickup to return, with nearly 5 hours spent swimming and sunbathing across both beaches.

What is the Olive Tree of Vouves?

The Olive Tree of Vouves is one of the oldest olive trees in the world, estimated to be around 4,000 years old and still producing olives. Since 2004, branches from this tree have been used for the wreaths given to Olympic Marathon winners, and it draws over 20,000 visitors annually.

Is the walk to Elafonisi Beach difficult?

You walk about 500 meters from the parking lot to reach Elafonisi Beach, as the island is a protected nature reserve and vehicles cannot park closer. The walk is manageable for most fitness levels, though the distance is worth planning for if you have mobility concerns.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes sandwiches and Cretan pies in a snack box, plus cold soft drinks, beer, wine and bottled water throughout the day. Olive oil tasting is included at Vouves village.

When does this tour run?

The tour operates every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from May 18 through the end of September. Pickup is included from your Chania hotel.