Pink Sand Island With £41 Flights
A picturesque island famous for its "pink sand" beaches is accessible via £41 Ryanair flights and is home to what's considered the "second best beach in the world." This affordable European escape offers a unique summer getaway for travelers seeking something different from typical beach destinations.
The unique pink hue of Elafonisi's sand is the result of foraminifera, tiny marine organisms that leave behind their reddish shells when they die. These crushed shells mix with the white sand, creating the beach's distinctive and celebrated color. This natural wonder is part of a protected Natura 2000 reserve, an EU network of nature protection areas. The island is a haven for rare flora and fauna, including sea daffodils and juniper trees that grow in the sand dunes. Endangered loggerhead sea turtles also find shelter in the area, and visitors are strictly forbidden from removing any plants, animals, or sand. In TripAdvisor's 2026 Travelers' Choice Awards, Elafonisi Beach was ranked the second-best beach in the world and the top beach in Europe. This follows its crowning as the best beach globally in the 2025 awards, where it climbed 23 places to secure the top spot based on millions of traveler reviews. Beyond its natural beauty, Elafonisi has a rich history. In antiquity, it was the site of a temple dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. The name "Elafonisi" translates to "Treasure Island," a nod to the pirates who once used it as a hideout to store their loot. The island also holds a more somber history, marked by a memorial plaque for a tragic event in 1824 when hundreds of women and children were massacred by Ottoman troops during the Greek War of Independence. Additionally, a large wooden cross commemorates the 1907 sinking of the Austrian ship, the Imperatrix. Travelers can reach this destination via flights to Chania International Airport (CHQ). Ryanair offers direct routes from several UK airports, including London Stansted, Manchester, and Newcastle, with return flights in April available for as low as £42. While on Crete, visitors can explore other nearby sites, such as the historic Chrisoskalitissa Monastery, located just 5km away. For those seeking more secluded spots, the cedar-fringed Kedrodasos beach is accessible via a nearby hiking trail. Crete continues to be a major draw for tourism, with international air arrivals to the island reaching over 6.3 million in the first eleven months of 2025. Overall, Greece saw a record-breaking 37.98 million visitors in 2025, with tourism revenue hitting €23.6 billion.
