Elafonisi
Elafonisi is a small islet located on the southwest tip of Crete. Easter Sunday of 1824 was a tragic day for this place because of the massacre that took place there. 850 women and children were hidden on the island seeking refuge from the troops of Ibrahim Pasha that had camped on the opposite beach.
A horse found the shallow reef that leads from the beach to Elafonisi so the Turks discovered their hiding place and slaughtered them. A memorial plaque is put on the highest point of the island.
The tropical beach is very popular and can be very busy because of all the organised excursions but early in the morning and off season it can still be a place of relaxation. A dirt road from Elafonisi leads to Chrissoskalitisa monastery.
Change your search
Hotel Destinations
Heraklion
The prefecture of Heraklion is the biggest on the island and is surrounded by Ida mountains and Lassithi
Chania
The prefecture of Chania occupies the west section of the island. It's a mainly mountainous region with the White Mountains
Rethymno
The prefecture of Rethymno lies between two large mountain ranges, the White mountains and Ida
Lassithi
Lassithi is the easternmost prefecture of Crete. Agios Nikolaos, the capital of the prefecture is a cosmopolitan, coastal town on Mirabello bay.
