Why You Will Love to Visit Chrissi Island in Lasithi

Chrissi Island: Things to Know

Known as Chrissi Island (often also written Chryssi, in Greek: Χρυσή “golden”) but also as also Gaidouronisi (Γαϊδουρονήσι “donkey island”), this very small, uninhabited Greek island is located off the southern coast of Crete, about 14 kilometers south of Ierapetra, on the Libyan sea.

Locals in Ierapetra just call Chrissi the Island, and it has turned into one of the most important reasons for tourists to stop by the city of Ierapetra.

Chrissi Island is a protected reserve part of the Natura 2000 Program. It covers a surface no more than 2 km wide and 7 km long. Most of the island features a rare cedarwood forest (juniper trees), thought to be the largest in Europe.

The island is uninhabited, and being a protected territory, visitors are not allowed to collect stones, shells, or any kind of plant from Chrissi Island.

Although there are no places where to stay on the island, even when it’s officially forbidden to spend the night.

Many people simply “forget” to get on the last boat back to Ierapetra and choose to stay. You can do so provided you don’t light a fire.

Spending the night under the stars of Crete’s blue sky, without any other soul in sight must be a unique experience! If you plan to do so, travel with all the necessary equipment, including a sleeping bag or tent.

The Nature on Chrissi Island

The island, which is the southernmost natural park in Europe, is an important ecosystem where you can find a variety of flora and fauna, including lizards, rabbits, and sea turtles (Caretta Caretta, and nonpoisonous snakes).

Chrissi Island hosts a rare forest of juniper trees. These Lebanon cedar trees have deep roots in the sand and grow as much as ten meters in height and up to 1 meter in diameter.

This is the biggest cedarwood in Europe.

A thick layer of solid lava along a few portions of Chrissi Island’s coasts reflects the origin of the island, archaeologists and researchers have found over 40 different species of corals and shells trapped in the layers of lava.

Chrissi Island: A Bit of History

The island is popular among fans of snorkeling, an activity that allows you to explore the ruins of pirate ships around the seabed of Chrissi Island. The island was a pirate cove for several years.

There are ancient chapels, ruins, and graves dating from the Roman Empire.

The island, which probably used to be an excellent place for hermits and fishermen, has been a place of interest for humans since the Minoan period.

There’s some evidence showing that the island probably functioned as a salt mine in ancient times.

In more recent times, the island was the place where the locals from Ierapetra would carry their old donkeys to spend their last days after a lifetime of hard work on Crete.

This gained the island the second name, Gaidouronisi, Donkey’s Island.

Beaches on Chrissi Island

The island has a beautiful northern coast, quite rugged and exotic, yet not popular as it tends to be hit by winds. The place offers stunning views of the nearby coast of Crete too.

Instead, on the southern coast, the landscape is even more exotic, the sea has incredible shades of blue, and there are unique beaches.

Chrissi Ammos

Also known as Golden Sand, or Belegrina, Chrissi Ammos is the beach that’s closest to the pier. So it’s usually crowded hosting those disembarking from the cruise ship.

People usually leave the boat and follow the main path on the sand that leads to this organized beach.

Most of them don’t explore the rest of the island and just hang out there until the time of departure.

The beach is incredibly beautiful, the sand is white and mixed with shells and tiny pebbles (do consider packing a pair of swimming shoes).

Vages Beach

Probably the best place on Chrissi Island if you intend to avoid massive crowds.

Vages is a lonely beach on the southern portion of Chrissi Island. Despite its unique landscape, the area can be hit by strong winds.

Due to the rocky seabed, and the number of shells and pebbles found in the area, do not forget to pack a good pair of swim shoes to explore.

Chatzivolakas Beach

Quieter than Chrissi Ammos, Chatzivolakas enjoys a calmer sea and a long line of cedar trees that offer natural shade under the scorching sun of Chrissi Island.

The area has that unique desert-island feeling that you’ve dreamed of experiencing. In the surrounding area, it’s possible to check the old lighthouse, an ancient salt lake, and the only house on the island.

It’s also possible to visit the small church of Agios Nikolaos, the patron saint of fishermen.

Avlaki Beach

When you leave Chatzivolakas and head towards the westernmost point on Chrissi Island, you will come across the remains of an ancient Minoan settlement before reaching the beach of Avlaki.

Mati Beach

Also known as Vogiou or Vogiou Mati, this shore is the place where boats arrive on the beach (on the southern coast of Chrissi Island).

However, you need to walk a little bit towards the west to explore the sea caves and hidden coves with pristine waters which are ideal for snorkeling and underwater sports.

Kataprosopo Beach

Another lonely spot on the island, Kataprosopo features a line of rocks that divide the bay in two creating a set of magnificent shallow pools, perfect for snorkeling.

Opposite the beach, you can admire the tiny Mikronisi, (which in Greek means small island) a place where hundreds of different species of birds find shelter in the middle of the sea.

Not far from here, you can easily reach Kefala Hill, the highest point on Chrissi Island. It’s only a bit more than 30 meters high, but once at the top of the hill, you will love the views of the island!

Kendra Beach

If you’re looking for a wild landscape, with a rugged coast and endless caves to explore by the sea, reach the westernmost beach of Kendra.

The rocky terrain is better. It’s easier to explore safely by wearing anti-slippery hiking shoes. Although the area can get windy at times, the magnificent sea pools offer endless opportunities for unique pictures.

Things to Do on Chrissi Island

The island is the perfect place to relax and forget everything about your everyday routine.

However, other than just lazily lounging under the sun, reading a book, or swimming, Chrissi Island is a perfect place to explore the sea bed.

Snorkeling is a popular activity among visitors, you don’t need to carry with you a lot of heavy equipment and you will certainly be rewarded by the amazing submarine landscape off the coast of Chrissi Island.

If you belong to the more active type and enjoy walks surrounded by nature, don’t forget to pack comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and good sunscreen protection. Then, you’re ready to go.

Walk along the designated paths to discover the ancient cedar trees with imposing twisted branches resembling more bizarre sculptures than actual trees. The spectacular blue shades of the sea, the shape of Crete, and its mountains in the distance, everywhere you look is a unique collection of breathtaking landscapes.

Walking around Chrissi, you will come across the 13th-century church of Agios Nikolaos, constructed on top of an ancient temple. In the area, it’s also possible to admire the ruins of ancient graves probably dating back to the Roman period.

How to Get to Chrissi Island

You can reach Chrissi Island by sea from the port of Ierapetra as well as from the smaller port of the nearby beaches of Myrtos and Makrigialos, if you depart from these two small beaches, be ready to pay a higher fee.

The return ticket is €30. Boats depart daily (weather conditions permitting) every morning, from 10.00 until midday. Trips back to Ierapetra are usually between 4 and 5 pm. 

Private tours to Chrissi Island: It’s also a great idea, if your budget allows, to reach Ierapetra with a private tour. Some of them also include an onboard grill or Cretan lunch.

Remember: There’s a visitor tax (€1) payable on the boat. I always suggest booking the trip in advance, especially if you’re traveling in the high season.

Upon arrival, your boat will be docking on the southern coast, and it will be necessary for you to reach the northern coast on foot.

You will walk a well-marked path but don’t forget to bring walking shoes or sandals, other than your flip-flops.

Essentials to Visit Chrissi Island

Bring a good pair of walking shoes or sandals for trekking and swimming shoes, especially if you travel with kids or if you don’t enjoy pebbles or shells.

If you need more details about what to pack for your day on Chrissi Island, check out this beach bag guide.

A whole day on an uninhabited island calls for water, lunch, fruit, a book or Kindle, sunscreen, and whatever makes your day more comfortable. Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses. If you enjoy snorkeling, carry your goggles too!

Consider a fee ranging from €20 to €25 for an umbrella and sunbeds. Carry your beach towels too as often the umbrellas are already taken when you get there.

Where to Stay to Visit Chrissi Island

Officially, it’s forbidden to spend the night on the uninhabited island of Chrissi, however, we do know that informal camping is something that happens on the island.

I prefer to suggest you check these hotels in the nearby city of Ierapetra, the most logical place to stay when taking a day trip to Chrissi.

• Budget: Astron Hotel
• Mid-Range: Cretan Villa
• Luxury: Enorme Santanna Beach

If you’d rather stay on the northern coast and travel to Ierapetra to take the cruise ship to visit Chrissi, I’d recommend stayin in Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or Istron.

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