HIDDEN away in a secluded corner of Greece’s biggest island lies a rose-tinted paradise worthy of a spot on your Instagram grid.
Elafonissi Beach is one of only a handful of pink beaches in the world — and with a flight time of just over four hours to Crete, it’s one of the closest to the UK.
The promise of pink sands was enough to entice me, and one of my oldest friends, when we were deciding where to escape to for a week in the sun.
In the 20 years we’ve known each other, we’ve put some effort into refining our holiday “wish list”.
Miles of sandy beaches, guaranteed sunshine, crystal clear waters, great food and wine, a little bit of (affordable) luxury, beautiful towns and villages to explore — plus a bit of history and adventure thrown in.
The Island of the Gods ticked every box and Elafonissi proved to be the pink icing on the cake.
I won’t lie, wandering down to the water it did just look like any other sandy beach. But the closer we got to the water’s edge it was clear to see what all the fuss was about.
Dipping my slightly sunburnt toes into the sea, my pink foot blended in perfectly with a stunning stretch of bright pink sand.
We arrived early morning, just in time for a coffee at one of the cafes nearby, and it meant we had the beach to ourselves, almost.
It’s a vast beach, but our guide for the day, Aris from Uncharted Escapes, warned it can fill up quickly — especially at the height of summer as it has been ranked one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The pink shimmer is actually down to an oyster-like micro-organism called Benthic foraminifera.
The single-celled creatures with red shells are found on coral reefs or at the bottom of the ocean.
When they die, their shells are ground up by the waves and mix with fine particles from other shells and corals to give the sand a rosy tinge.
If soaking up the rays on a lounger isn’t your bag, take a walk in the shallow waters to visit the rugged little island that gave the beach its name.
There are beautiful little coves to explore and a small chapel in memory of lost Cretan warriors.
For the adrenaline junkies, there’s a water sports kiosk offering kite surfing, windsurfing and paddle boarding.
What’s more, it’s perfect for families with small children, with shallow waters, beach bars and tavernas where you can get a beer for 2.50 euros and a gyros for five euros.
Depending on the route you take, there are lots of great little stop-offs on the way.
On our way there, Aris stopped at the Agia Sofia cave.
From the road, it doesn’t look like much.
But climb down the 250-or-so steps cut into the rock and you will step back in time to the Neolithic era.
As your eyes adjust to the dim light it’s hard not to be impressed by the huge stalagmites and sheer size of it.
Back in the day, people sheltered in the cave.
Set high above the vast Topolia Gorge, it’s the perfect place to keep an eye out for an invasion of unsavoury sorts.
On the way back down, make sure you stop off at the taverna to sample the honey infused with thyme and the raki.
The views are stunning and if you’ve got the stomach for it, peering over the edge you can see lots of small little coves
Lizzie Parry
Another must is the Chrisoskalitissa Monastery perched on the rocks above the Med.
Our guide tells us that the name Chrisoskalitissa is dedicated to one of the 90-plus steps leading up to it.
It is said to have been golden and sold during the Turkish occupation, but legend has it that only devout Christians can still spot its golden hue.
The views are stunning and, if you’ve got the stomach for it, peering over the edge you can see lots of small coves where pirates and sailors hid their boats.
On our scenic drive back to our little bit of luxury, the 5* Minoa Palace Resort near Chania, we stopped off at another beach.
Falasarna is another of Crete’s famous shorelines, and one of the top ten beaches in Europe — and it’s easy to see why as you wind down the steep, olive-lined roads.
We were a bit early to enjoy it, but our guide reliably informed us that it’s known for its stunning sunsets, and with big rolling waves it’s a magnet for windsurfers.
Chania, on the northern side of Crete, is the perfect base to explore the western side.
We’d booked the Minoa Palace Resort through TUI, just a 15-minute drive from the historic old town.
Right on the beach and with its four outdoor pools, four restaurants and Ibiza-like beach bar, it would be easy to stay safely within the hotel.
The rooms feature a chic palette with natural materials.
All the food was delicious, but beachside Thalassa and Galazio Seaside restaurants deserve special mention.
Also worth a visit is the spa with its hammam, sauna and steam rooms.
We treated ourselves to a body scrub and massage at the start of the holiday — and it was the perfect way to de-stress and relax.
Dragging ourselves away from the hotel, we took the advice of the locals and ventured into Chania old town.
Live music, friendly waiting staff and lots of complimentary raki meant we were among the last to be ushered out.
Lizzie Parry
Wandering through the cobbled streets, it’s almost impossible to resist the temptation of the shops lining the roads that snake down to the harbour.
The Venetian port is a hive of activity, and the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail and spot of people-watching.
The charming Amphora Taverna on the waterfront served excellent souvlaki, gyros and Greek salad, with local wine.
But wander further away from the harbour and down the back streets and Mesostrato proved a hidden winner.
Through a fairly innocuous-looking door we emerged into a vast open-air terrace lined with trees and plants.
Live music, friendly waiting staff and lots of complimentary raki meant we were among the last to be ushered out.
It would be impossible to pack everything Crete has to offer into a week, but with Chania as your base you’ll be tempted back.
I know we’ll be keeping the Island of the Gods top of our wish-list.
If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us!
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ B&B at the 5* Minoa Palace Resort is from £880pp including return flights from Luton on September 30, 23kg hold luggage and transfers.
See tui.co.uk.
OUT & ABOUT: Guided tour of Elafonissi Beach from £47pp, see unchartedescapes.com.
