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Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip

Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip

By Rosemary
Scotland

We're planning a visit in September this year. We'd like to use the ferry boat from Palaiochora to Elafonisi. I know that it only operates during the summer. When does it stop running?

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Palaiochora Boat Trip to Elafonisi

Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip

Yiasas Rosemary,

The boat from Palaiochora to Elafonisi operates between middle May and very late October, every day except Sunday. So you will be OK for September. The boat leaves at 9am and returns at 5pm.

The tickets and the information you can find at Selino Travel, next to the jetty or phone 30 282 304 2272.

There is also a water taxi with Captain Manolis:  www.boattrip.gr or phone 30 697 736 4534.

This is a good option because you can stop at some of the other, more private and lesser-known beaches on the way.

Instead of the ferry, you can take a bus from Palaiochora to Elafonisi in the summer months. This is the local company run by KTEL. More information and timetables here.

There is a road between the two places but it is rough and steep and best for 4WD vehicles only.

Hiking Back - if you decide to hike, the E4 Walking Path with good markers, make sure to have plenty of water and food with you. This is a 10 km walk for experienced hikers. You need to allow 3.5 hours hike on the path and another 2.5 on asphalt road from Cape Krios to Palaiochora (or you could arrange a taxi from there). The small rocky coves and seemingly 'undiscovered' beaches are worth it. It makes you feel that you are the only one there. See the complete guide to the E4 below.

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Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip
Images

Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip

This is Palaiochora also spelt Paleochora - Παλαιόχωρα :

This is part of the beautiful coastline between Elafonisi and Palaiochora:

This is Elafonisi Beach showing its pink sand:

Remember that the pink sand in Elafonisi is not permanent, it is only sometimes there. It ebbs and flows with the cycles of nature and it is not always to be seen. The clear azure waters and fine white sand, with islets and coves to explore, well, they are always there!

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Getting to Palaiochora

Getting to Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip

If you want to use a taxi to drive there call Palaiochora Taxi where the Psarakis family will look after you: 30 697 407 5830. Also see our page on taxis in Crete here.

See below for different ways to get to Palaiochora.

Palaiochora is 75 km from Chania town. To drive there on the national road and southern road is a stunning, scenic drive which takes about 1 and a half hours, or 2-3 hours, if you leave time for stops and wonder along the way.

To drive from Chania Airport, join the national road A90 following signs to Katelli-Kissamos. Do not go into Chania town. After about 25 km you will need to turn south, following signs to Palaiochora/Tavronitis.

Drive another 60 km or so. It is beautiful to make a stop in Palia Roumata Παλαιά Ρούματα for food, is a very traditional village. The drive to get to Palaiochora really is amazing. When you reach Mesavlia village with the gorge the view is wonderful. In Mesavlia they make very good cheese. After that perhaps stop in Kandanos Κάνδανος, a village with a huge history. It destroyed by the Germans in WWII and it was the first time in the new world history that in a war the enemy killed innocent people. Take some time on this route and you will be in the heart of Chania; this is a very scenic part of Kriti.

See the map of this route below.

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To Do in Palaiochora

There is so much to do that you must first relax! Get into the local vibe.

Here are some ways to relax:

• visit the many cafes, tavernas, restaurants and kafenions
• visit Sandy Beach and Pebble Beach in the village
  
• relax by the waterside
• stroll along the esplanade

Then if you must get active, here are some of the unique things to do around Palaiochora:

• visit the historic site of the Castello on the point
• walk to Gialaskari Beach
• visit Gavdos Island
  
• walk the Agia Irini Gorge
• take the ferry along to Sougia
• see the ancient site of Lissos
• go windsurfing
• go snorkelling or scuba diving
• hike in the White Mountains with a local guide
  

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Getting to Crete

Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip

Many visitors fly from airports in Europe into Chania International Airport or Heraklion International Airport.

If you are trying to decide which airport to use - see our page here.

Many visitors coming from overseas destinations fly into Athens International Aiport and change planes for the short local flight to Chania or Heraklion. The flights are 1 hour and departures are regular daily. See Olympic or Aegean Airlines.

Ferries depart from Pireaus port of Athens to both Chania and Heraklion also daily. The ferry crossing takes 9 hours and generally the ferries leave in the evening, so you can relax on an overnight journey.

When you are island hopping through the Greek islands, you can visit Crete before or after Santorini. There are ferries between Santorini (Thira) and Heraklion with a journey time of less than 2 hours.

Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.

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West Crete by Bus

Palaiochora to Elafonisi Boat Trip - for those on a budget you can also enjoy your journey, with travel on local buses all over the island of Kriti explained in our handy little e-book.

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