Elafonissi Island and Chrissoskalitissa Monastery Tour from Chania

Visit two of western Crete’s highlights on a full-day trip to Chrissoskalitissa Monastery and Elafonissi Island from Chania. After traveling by coach to the west of the sun-baked island, stop to climb the 90 steps of Chrissoskalitissa Monastery before exploring it with your guide. Spend your afternoon on idyllic Elafonissi Island, where you can sunbathe, swim or explore at leisure.

Leave your Chania hotel by air-conditioned bus and travel the short journey to the historical monastery of Chrissoskalitissa – built on a rock just adrift from the western coast of Crete.

The name of the monastery translates as ‘golden step,’ referencing a Greek legend about the steps that lead to its entrance: the top step is said to be made from gold, but only can be seen as such by those who have a pure heart. Head up the steps and explore inside with your guide, learning about its history. Hear how it was built during a time of Venetian rule and acted as a shelter for fishermen before becoming a monastery.

Board your coach again and continue to island of Elafonissi, a tiny island off Crete’s far southwestern tip. Only 328 feet (100 meters) from the coast, the island is close enough to be reached on foot from Crete – the water is no higher than an adult’s knee!

With pink-hued sands lining the crystalline sea, Elafonissi is a little piece of paradise just begging to be enjoyed. Spend time at leisure on the idyllic island, lounging on its beaches, swimming in the sea, finding a café for lunch or taking a walk around. Besides its picture-perfect beaches, the island is known for an abundance of rare vegetation and wildlife; you can find cedar trees and lilies here that grow nowhere else in Europe.

At the pre-arranged time, meet your guide back at the meeting point, and hop back on board your comfortable bus for the way back to your hotel.

• Local guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Transport by air-conditioned coach
  

• Food and drinks
• Gratuities (optional)