Koufonisi in Lassithi is a small, uninhabited island at the south-eastern tip of Crete and one of the southernmost points of Europe. It’s a rocky island full of reefs around it that make approaching a little tricky. Evidence on the island suggests that the Minoans, the first European civilization, were there and used this island as a trading hub. A statue of God Poseidon (not from the Minoans, though) had been found on the south end of the island.

There are tons of stunning sandy beaches on the island, basically all around it. If you visit on a day trip, make sure they take you to as many different beaches as possible..or simply choose your favourite one and soak on the hot Cretan sun, in a totally untouched and quiet environment.

You’ll get there from either Ierapetra or Makrygialos. The latter one is a little bit closer and it’s the one I chose as my point of departure. I got there with the company called “Cretan Unique Cruises, based on the port of Makrygialos. If you choose to tour with them, make sure you contact Captain Thodoris and feel free to mention my name for reference. The cruises are on a wooden, traditional and comfortable “kaiki” boat, on a full-day program, starting at around 10 am until 5 or 6 pm, back at the port of Makrygialos. There’s food and music on the boat!