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Home / Tours / Elafonisi and Milia Mountain

Chania Adventures · Pickup near Chania

Beach first, then the mountain

An 8-hour small-group day from the Chania area: about 3 hours at Elafonisi on loungers and umbrellas kept for you, then a 4WD ride up to lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat, a restored 17th-century settlement. Pick it for the two halves: the beach early, and a long Cretan lunch in the hills.

Elafonisi & Milia Mountain with Loungers & Lunch

About this experience

Pickup runs from 5 km east to 25 km west of Chania, with seven pickup options on the listing: Stalos, Maleme, Platanias, Daratsos, Agia Marina, Chania and Kolymvari. The group is small, limited to 6 guests, in an air-conditioned off-road vehicle with a local driver and host. The start is early on purpose, so you reach the beach in the morning, and on the way your host talks about village life, olive oil, wine, honey and Cretan spirits.

The drive takes about 105 minutes, then you get your morning at Elafonisi, around 3 hours, on loungers and umbrellas reserved for your group. There is a 10 to 12 minute walk from the parking to the beach, per the listing. Swim, wade out to the island, or stay put in the shade of your own umbrella, which matters on a beach with no natural shade. Fruit, local energy bars and bottled water are included.

Then the second half. About 50 minutes of rough mountain road in the off-road vehicle, with photo stops, to Milia Mountain Retreat, a deserted 17th-century settlement brought back to life as an eco retreat. You get around 2 hours there: a local lunch with a first round of wine or beer, dessert, and time to walk the stone lanes. The drive home takes about 75 minutes. Gratuities and beach towels are not included, so pack a towel and a change of clothes. Tell the operator in advance about vegetarians or food allergies.

  • Reserved loungers and umbrellas at Elafonisi
  • An early start, planned by the operator to reach the beach first
  • About 3 hours on the beach
  • Lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat with wine or beer and dessert
  • A small group of 6 at most, in a 4WD

How the day runs

  1. EarlyPickup near Chania

    From Stalos, Maleme, Platanias, Daratsos, Agia Marina, Chania or Kolymvari.

  2. About 105 minutesThe drive to Elafonisi

    Your host on Cretan villages, olive oil, honey and wine on the way.

  3. About 3 hoursElafonisi on reserved loungers

    A short walk from the parking, then swim, wade to the island or rest.

  4. About 50 minutesOff-road to the mountains

    A 4WD ride on rough roads with photo stops in the countryside.

  5. About 2 hoursMilia Mountain Retreat

    Lunch with a first round of wine or beer, dessert and a walk round the settlement.

  6. About 75 minutesBack to your pickup point

    The drive home to the Chania area.

A juniper bush on pale sand dunes above a quiet beachPale shallow lagoon water over sand with small figures wading far off

What's included

Included

  • Pickup from 5 km east to 25 km west of Chania
  • Air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver and host
  • Loungers and umbrellas at Elafonisi
  • Lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat
  • First round of wine or beer
  • Dessert
  • Fruit, local energy bars and bottled water
  • Liability insurance and local taxes
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Beach towels

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You want a lounger and an umbrella waiting at Elafonisi
  • You like a long local lunch more than a sandwich on the sand
  • You want a small group, not a coach
  • You are curious about the mountains and villages of west Crete

Skip it if

What guests say

★★★★★

Excellent day. Dimitri was an entertaining, upbeat and knowledgeable guide and a great driver. Felt safe at all times. The beach was beautiful and the loungers were comfortable. The lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat was exceptional, the surroundings were peaceful. Highly recommended.

Lise · Oct 2025
★★★★★

We SO enjoyed our tour to Elafonisi and Milia Mountain! There were 3 couples, so being part of such a small group was wonderful. [...] The food and wine were outstanding.

Deborah · Oct 2026
★★★★★

We loved the beach and the drive, filled with knowledge and fun trivia about the island but the real difference is the Milia Mountain lunch and property. [...] our guide walked us to our daybed and picked out the foods for us to eat.

Erin · Sep 2026
★★★★★

Great experience. Elafoni beach was a dream, the tour in Milia village and the food were awesome.

Alessandro · Jun 2026

Tips before you book

  • Wear comfortable shoes. There is a walk from the parking to the beach, and Milia has stone paths.
  • Pack a towel and a change of clothes for lunch. Towels are not included.
  • Tell the operator about vegetarians or allergies when you book. A different menu can be arranged.
  • Rain cancels the tour: you are offered another date or a full refund.
  • Curious about the pink sand you will be sitting on? Read why the sand is pink.

Read next:

Frequently asked questions

Are sunbeds included on the Elafonisi and Milia tour?

Yes. Loungers and umbrellas at Elafonisi are reserved for your group and included in the price.

How long do you get at Elafonisi on the Milia day?

About 3 hours on the beach, by the listing's itinerary, then around 2 hours at Milia Mountain Retreat for lunch.

What is Milia Mountain Retreat?

A deserted 17th-century settlement in the hills of west Crete, restored as an eco retreat. On this tour you have lunch there with a first round of wine or beer and dessert.

How big is the group on the Elafonisi and Milia tour?

Small. The listing limits it to 6 guests, travelling in an air-conditioned 4WD with a local driver and host.

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Loungers kept for you at Elafonisi, then lunch in a restored mountain village.

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Loungers kept for you at Elafonisi, then lunch in a restored mountain village.

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