Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks
Description
Experience a Perfect Day of Sun, Sea & Culture! Enjoy nearly 5 hours of pure relaxation swimming and sunbathing by the sea, as we take you to two of Greece’s most iconic beaches—Elafonisi and Falasarna—all in one unforgettable day. We begin our journey at Elafonisi, the day’s most breathtaking destination. Dive into shallow turquoise waters, walk along soft pink sands, and explore the exotic lagoons, ideal even for children. Next, we head west to the stunning Falasarna Beach, a local favorite known for its crystal-clear turquoise sea and wide, white sandy shore—perfect for unwinding under the sun. Our final stop is the traditional village of Vouves, where we’ll visit the oldest olive tree in the world and enjoy a tasting of pure Cretan extra virgin olive oil—a true taste of the island's heritage. Small group tour – maximum 15 people! Limited seats – book now to secure your spot!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Off the southwestern tip of Crete, about 75 kilometers from Chania town, lies Elafonisi beach and small island. It is within walking distance from the mainland, sometimes without even getting one’s toes wet. It was once used by pirates to hide their loot (lafyra) and that is how it got its name. The island (about 1.3 km long and 400 meters wide) is a protected nature reserve and boasts one of the finest sand beaches in the country. More than that, Elafonisi is the only Greek contender in a Tripadvisor list of the world’s 25 best beaches for 2014. This is to be expected: blindingly white-pink sand, turquoise-white lagoon-like waters that ripple as they pick up the breeze, an exotic place with sporadic vegetation against the stark bareness of the Cretan mountains. On the island discover numerous small coves, sandy beaches and interesting rock formations. It is also home to 110 plant species including the protected Androcymbium rechingeri, which is as rare as it sounds.
Falasarna beach is located in the western part of Crete, about 53 km from the town of Chania and 13 km from the town of Kissamos. Quite popular with day trippers, its stunning beaches and clear turquoise blue sea are unique. It has received many awards for its beauty, amenities and services enjoyed by the visitor. The long sandy beach is one of its most important advantages, as it offers the chance to the visitors to enjoy it, even in the high season period. Swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters of the beach, will make anyone feel the ultimate pleasure. Its beach is fully organized with umbrellas and sun beds in its biggest part. However, there are several free spots for those who prefer to put their own umbrella and towel on the sand. What will impress you the most, is the charming and unique sunset, one of the most beautiful in Greece. The sunset there is really impressive, as there is nothing to obstruct your field of view between the beach and the horizon.
The Olive tree of Vouves is probably one of the oldest olive trees in the world, which remains productive to this day. The exact age of the tree cannot be determined. While tree ring analysis demonstrated the tree to be at least 2000 years old, scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be 4000 years old. In 1997 it was declared a protected natural monument and, in October 2009, the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves was inaugurated in a nearby 19th-century house, displaying traditional tools used in the process of olive cultivation. As of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, olive branches “kotinos” from this ancient olive tree were used for the wreath of Marathon winners in every Olympic game. Every year over 20,000 people from all over the world visit this ancient tree.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Contact us to define your pick up location **Guests staying in the Venetian harbor and the old city will be picked up from the closest bus stop accessible by a minibus **
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travellers need to walk about 500 meters from the parking lot to the beach in Elafonisi, because Elafonisi beach is a protected area and cars/buses are not allowed to park closer.
- Summer Season 2026: This activity operates every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from May 18 through the end of September.
Reviews(232)
Our trip to Elafonisi and Famissi Beach was absolutely unforgettable! Christine and Kostas were fantastic tour leaders—warm, engaging, and so knowledgeable. Learning about the history of Crete and the traditional olive oil making process added such a rich layer to the experience. I loved getting a taste of different parts of the island, and I can't recommend this tour enough!"
Dear Kathryn, What a lovely review — thank you so much! ❤️ We’re truly happy to know that your day in Crete was so unforgettable. It was a real pleasure having you with us, and Christine and Kostas will be especially touched by your kind words. We love sharing not only the beautiful beaches of Elafonisi and Falasarna, but also the stories, traditions, flavors, and little pieces of everyday Crete that make the island so special. We’re so glad you enjoyed the olive oil experience and getting a taste of different sides of Crete. Guests like you make these days even more enjoyable for us. Thank you again for choosing to spend your day with us, Kathryn. We hope Crete will stay in your heart, and that we’ll have the pleasure of seeing you again someday! 🇬🇷
Christina and Kostas are the best for this tour! The drive is a little rough with the winding road to get to Elafonissi but Kostas is a very good driver and Christina was well prepared with anyone that might have motion sickness during the drive. The first beach is beautiful and is a great spot to be early in the day before all the busses start to drop off other travelers with just enough time there to enjoy the beach and leave before the crowds really show up. Lunch provided was just what you need to make it through the day. Christina was nice enough to walk our small group down to make sure everyone knew when and how long it takes to get back from the drop off point. Fallasarna was a much better beach experience, water is deeper, you can swim freely, the water actually feels like you’re in the ocean with waves and a walk up beach bar that has drinks and food. The last part visiting the ancient olive tree in vouves was the perfect way to end the trip, I had previously visited the tree but Christina is very well versed in the history and importance of the tree that filled a lot of gaps that my other guide missed and had a lot more information about the whole culture of olive trees in Crete that was very pleasant way to end the day before the short drive back to Chania. Wonderful day! Great trip I’d recommend to everyone to do this if you’re just getting into Crete!
Thank you so much Aaron and Megan for taking the time to write such a detailed review! It was a real pleasure having you with us. ❤️ We’re so happy you enjoyed the whole day, from arriving at Elafonisi early and enjoying it before the crowds, to swimming and relaxing at Falassarna. And yes, those winding roads to Elafonisi are definitely part of the Cretan adventure! 😊 Kostas will be very happy to hear your kind words about his driving, and I’m glad Christina was able to make the journey more comfortable for everyone. It also makes us very happy that you appreciated the little things, like walking down with the group at Elafonisi and explaining the timing and meeting point. We want everyone to feel relaxed and confident throughout the day. And your comments about Vouves are especially meaningful. Since you had already visited the ancient olive tree, it’s wonderful to know that Christina was able to share new stories and give you a deeper insight into the history and importance of olive trees in Cretan culture. Thank you again for recommending the tour to people visiting Crete for the first time. We truly appreciate it, and we hope you’ll return to our island someday — there’s always another story, beach, or village waiting to be discovered! 🇬🇷
Absolutely recommended: Impeccable service from the very moment of purchase, providing all kinds of information and personalized attention by Christine, punctuality in the pickup, wonderful driving by Kostas, and the accompaniment and guidance by the wonderful Eleni. I would repeat it a thousand times with them. It is a long excursion and it is appreciated to do it with professionals. Nico and Yolanda
Thank you so much Nico and Yolanda for your wonderful review and for recommending our tour! We are truly delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience from the very beginning. It means a great deal to us that you appreciated Christine's personalized assistance throughout the booking process, as well as the punctual pickup, Kostas' excellent driving, and Eleni's friendly guidance during the day. We will be sure to share your kind words with all three of them—they will be thrilled to know they helped make your experience so enjoyable. Our goal is to make every tour comfortable, informative, and memorable, so knowing that you would do it "a thousand times over" is the highest compliment we could receive. Thank you once again for choosing to explore western Crete with us. It was a pleasure having you on tour, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future!!
The trip was very well organised from start to finish. The pick up was correct and on time, we were met by our bright guide Eleni and the skillful driver Kostas that took us on a trip around western Crete through history, traditions, local customs, etc. Elafonisi beach is truly breathtakingly beautiful and we enjoyed it whilst also enjoying the snackbox of local food prepared by Eleni and Kostas for us. We also had portable sunbeds and umbrellas provided for every beach we visited, so you don't have to pay the daily fee at the local beach bars. Finally, we visited the oldest olive tree and had a nice olive oil tasting session whilst learning Greek. Overall, an amazing experience, would definitely recommend to try it. You'll learn a lot from Eleni and Kostas, besides a really good driver, also takes great pictures.
Thank you so much Ivet for your fantastic review! We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience exploring western Crete with us. It's wonderful to know that the organization, punctual pickup, and the little details throughout the day helped make your tour seamless and memorable. Eleni will be so happy to hear that you enjoyed learning about Crete's traditions, and local customs through her guidance. We know she'll also appreciate your kind words about the snack box and the olive oil tasting experience. We're equally pleased that Kostas made your journey comfortable with his safe driving—and we're sure he'll be smiling to hear that his photography skills earned a special mention as well! Thank you for highlighting the beach equipment we provide, as we know those thoughtful touches can make the day even more relaxing. It means a great deal to us that you would recommend the tour to others. We truly appreciate you choosing to explore Crete with us and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future!
The communication and organisation of the tour was immaculate (chef's kiss), and they picked us up and dropped us off near the hotel we were staying at, which was so convenient. The blanket, parasol for the beach was thoughtful and snackbox with cold drinks were nice and yummy. Our tour guide Elani was informative and kind throughout the trip and the driver Kostas was the best drives so smoothly. Highly recommend!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and recommendation! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour and that everything—from the communication and organization to the hotel pickup and drop-off—made your experience smooth and stress-free. We're especially happy that you appreciated the little extras, such as the beach blanket, parasol, and snack box with cold drinks. We believe these thoughtful touches help make the day even more enjoyable. Eleni will be thrilled to hear your kind words about her friendly and informative guidance, and we'll be sure to pass along your compliments to Kostas as well. He'll be delighted to know that his smooth driving helped make your journey comfortable and relaxing. Thank you again for choosing to explore Crete with us. It was our pleasure to have you on tour, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future!!
We had a wonderful time with Sea by Bus! Christine was super helpful and very responsive, and Eleni and Kostas took great care of us on the trip. It was 100% worth the price and we had an incredible experience. Definitely recommend booking with them.
Thank you so much Kareem for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great time with SeaByBus. Christine will be delighted to know that her assistance made the booking process easy, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with Eleni and Kostas. They are passionate about creating memorable experiences, and it means a lot to know they took such good care of you. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing to travel with us. We hope to welcome you back to Crete for another unforgettable adventure in the future!!
Undoubtedly, both beaches were marvelous! Having a mix of calm waters and waves made for a fantastic itinerary that kept our days exciting and varied. The tour service was fantastic—they provided a delicious snack box with a local touch and kept us well-supplied with water throughout the journey. Our guide was exceptional, sharing plenty of fascinating insights about Crete. For us, this was the absolute best way to kick off our two-week vacation. What a start!
Thank you so much Wee for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed both Elafonisi and Falasarna and that the combination of their unique beauty made for such a memorable day. It means a great deal to us that you appreciated the local snack box, the refreshments, and the insights shared by your guide. We believe these little touches help create a truly authentic Cretan experience, so it's wonderful to know they made a difference. We're especially honored that you chose to begin your two-week vacation with us and that it turned out to be such a fantastic start. Thank you for your kind words and for recommending our tour. We hope to welcome you back to Crete again in the future for more unforgettable experiences!!
Incredible day thanks to the great guide Eleni and the outstanding driver Kostas. Thanks to them for this beautiful discovery of Cretan history and traditions. The sites visited are breathtakingly beautiful, the olive oil tasting was amazing, and the packed lunch was excellent. The minibus is very well equipped, we felt comfortable in it.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Audrey! We’re delighted to hear that you had such an incredible day with Eleni and Kostas. They are truly passionate about sharing the history, culture, and traditions of Crete, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words—they will be thrilled to hear them. It’s also great to know that you enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, the olive oil tasting, the lunch box, and the comfort of our minibus. We put a lot of thought into every detail to make the experience as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future!!
Kostas and Eleni were great, friendly and very knowledgeable. We learned a lot about Crete from this experience. We highly reccomend it, was worthy every dollar!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a true pleasure meeting you and sharing our love for Crete with you. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience and learned more about the island's culture and traditions. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to us. We hope to welcome you back to Crete someday for another unforgettable experience. Safe travels!
Wonderful day out. Very organised and on time. Provided beach mats, umbrellas, and a cooler with snack and refreshments. Visited two very beautiful beaches with plenty of time to relax and swim and then a great little stop at the world’s oldest olive tree. Eleni and kostas were great. Very smooth journey and very informative.
Thank you Rebecca for your lovely review! We're so pleased that you had such a wonderful day and enjoyed the beautiful beaches, the stop at the ancient olive tree, and all the little touches that made the experience comfortable. Your kind words about Eleni and Kostas are greatly appreciated and will certainly be shared with them. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to see you again on your next visit to Crete!
