Elafonissos is a breathtaking site in the south of Chania, 5 km from the monastery of Chrysoskalitisa. It is an isolated area, ideal for camping and excursions. Worth visiting is the beach, which has a wonderful pinkish color, because of the innumerable amount of conches found on the beach. The islet near the coast, gives the impression of a lagoon. A visitor can walk there. The water is shallow and hot. Avoid going there on weekends and on holidays, if you want to enjoy the tranquility the area has to offer. On Venetian maps the island is mentioned as Scoglio Lafonisi. In the old days it was called Iousagora and it is said that there was a sanctuary of Apollo. You can get there by suburban bus service (KTEL) from Chania or by car if you take the road towards Kastelli, exiting at sign for Chrysoskalitisa. (80 km south-west of Chania). In the summer, you can get there by boat from Paleochora.
Chrysoskalitisa is the most remote monastery in Crete,where people gather only on August 15th, when monastery celebrates its name day. The monastery is situated on the south western edge of Crete on a slope enormous black boulders. Ninety steps lead to the top of the rock and tradition has it that one of them is gold. That's where it gets its name (Chrysoskalitisa in greek means, golden step). In the surrounding area, you can also find rooms for rent and some taverns. You can get there by suburban bus service (KTEL) from Chania or by car , if you take the road to Kastelli, exiting south bound to Chrysoskalitisa (95 km south-west of Chania).