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Chrysoskalitissa Monastery (Crete) – Photos + Visit Tips

Last updated on November 6, 2023 by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Not far from the famous Elafonisi pink beach, you can visit the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery of Crete.
It is a nice stop on the wild West Coast: views, history and the legend of the Golden Step.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with map, tips and photos.

Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Crete:

My favorite platform to rent a car in Crete: DiscoverCars

The unmissable boat tour: Gramvousa island + Balos Lagoon

Fun activity: Quad excursion off the beaten path

My favorite places to stay:

  • Chania: see best rated hotels – e.g. Casa Delfino
  • Palaiochora: see best rated hotels – e.g. Blue Horizon Hotel
  • Rethymno: see best rated hotels – e.g. Leo Hotel
Chryssoskalitissa Monastery Crete travel guide
Content
Why visit the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery in Crete ?
Planning Tips & Map – Chrysoskalitissa Monastery Crete
Monastery from the distance
History and Legend of the Golden Step
Chrysoskalitissa Church & View
Museums of Chrysoskalitissa
Elafonisi Beach

Why visit the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery in Crete ?

I must admit that I would not do the drive, just to see the monastery.
But if you are heading to Elafonisi beach to see the pink sand and enjoy the shallow waters, the monastery is a good way to complement the trip. 
Located on a promontory right by the sea, it has a privileged situation.
On top of that, this historical site is famous for the legend of the Golden step. I will explain it later in this article. Are you pure of heart? 

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery
Chrysoskalitissa Monastery

Note: the name is sometimes written Chryssoskalitissa monastery or Chrisoskalitissa Monastery.
However on all the signs in English there, it was Chrysoskalitissa, which is why I opted for this spelling.

Planning Tips & Map – Chrysoskalitissa Monastery Crete

Where is the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery? Map & location

  • Located at the South end of the West Coast of Crete
  • 10 min drive North from Elafonisi beach
  • 1h30 drive from Chania
  • 1h drive from Palaiochora
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented
Map - Chrysoskalitissa Monastery in Crete - location
Map – Chrysoskalitissa Monastery in Crete – location

This highlight is included (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Crete:

Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
Small Mainland Portugal Algarve ebook cover
  • 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 60+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 150+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

How to get to the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery? 

  • Only accessible by car
  • The roads in this region are through the mountains, but not especially difficult
  • Short detour from the road that takes you to Elafonisi
Need to rent a car in Crete?

My tips:

  • Compare prices on my favorite platform:  Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
  • Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
  • Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my tips

See available cars

Visit Tips

  • There is a large free carpark at the bottom of the monastery
  • You can find boards with explanations on the carpark before entering
  • Opening hours = at least 8am to 7pm
  • Entrance fee = 2 euros
  • You must be modestly dressed
  • It is not a large monastery to visit – short tour
  • Photography with flash is not allowed in the temple and museums
  • Toilets just before the entrance
visiting the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery in Crete
Where to stay in Crete?

My favorites:

  • Chania, a charming town:  See best rated accommodations
  • Rethymno, history, beach and central location: See best rated options
  • Heraklion, main city: See best rated options
  • Palaiochora, for stunning scenery, away from crowds – See best rated options
  • Mochlos, for a very quiet area: see best rated options
  • For a sandy beach and some nightlife: Malia or Bali
See our article on where to stay
accommodation in Crete

Monastery from the distance

I think the monastery is most beautiful when admired from the distance. A Cretan Monastery with one of the best locations (see my list).
It is isolated on a promontory by the sea at 35m in altitude. 
Because of its situation, it reminds a little of a fortress.

This first view is from the main road. You won’t miss it!

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery from the distance

This second view, was taken from the roads below. I was looking for an access to the Aspri Limni cove. So I followed the sign for the Aspri Limni house, but could not find any public access to the cove… 

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery from the distance 1

And the view below is when arriving at the carpark:

How to get to the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery location

History and Legend of the Golden Step

History of Chrysoskalitissa

This is a 17th century Orthodox Christian Monastery. It is consecrated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (but during the Venetian occupation, it was dedicated to Saint Nicholaos).
Here is a short timeline: 

  • According to tradition, the holiness of the place is due to the presence of an icon found in a hollow rock
  • Mid 17th century – the church is built inside the rock
  • 1824 – The Turk-Egyptians massacre 600 people on the Elafonisi island and destroy the empty monastery
  • Mid-19th century – the monastery is renovated and expanded 
  • End of the 19th century – the new temple is built
  • 1907 – the Austrian ship Imperatrix sinks at Elafonisi beach. The monks were able to save 102 passengers. 
  • 1940 – the monastery becomes a nunnery
  • 1941 to 1944 – the nuns are expelled under the German occupation and the monastery becomes a German outpost
Legend of the Monastery of Chrysoskalitissa -  staircase 1

Legend of the Golden Step

And I will finally tell you about the golden step.

The name Chrysoskalitissa literally means carved on gold.

There are 2 stories around this golden step:

  • There was an actual golden stair and it was sold by the Patriarchate during the Turkish era to pay taxes (according to the board at the carpark)
  • One of the 98 stairs was gold but only the pure of heart could see it (the most appreciated legend).

Personally, I did not see it. And I counted less that 90 steps. So I must be really bad… lol

Legend of the Monastery of Chrysoskalitissa -  staircase 2
I don’t drink coffee

But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…

Claire, I pay you a coffee!

Chrysoskalitissa Church & View

You can climb the stair all the way to the church and visit the inside.
It is dedicated to the Assumption of Virgin Mary (Aug 15)

Chrysoskalitissa Church 1

The temple has two aisles one to the Virgin Mary and one to the Holy Trinity, with a bell tower in the middle.
The façade is rather austere looking.

Chrysoskalitissa Church 2

You can walk around and find the path along the building to admire the views of the Lybian sea:

Chrysoskalitissa View 1
Chrysoskalitissa View 2

Museums of Chrysoskalitissa

There are 2 museums you can visit 

  • The Folklore museum where you can admire tools that were used in the region and how difficult labour was
  • The Byzantine museum where you can see some holy icons of Byzantine style, as well as Renaissance style. You can also see some old items of Worship.
Museum of Chrysoskalitissa 1
Museum of Chrysoskalitissa 2

Elafonisi Beach

The main point of interest of the area is the famous Elafonisi Beach.
Just 10min drive South of the monastery, you will find a lagoon with warm shallow waters, an island and pink sand!

To see more photos and learn about why the sand is pink, check out my article.

Elafonisi Beach Crete

Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?

  • 40 best landscapes in Crete (in pictures) – read article
  • 20 best things to do in Crete – read article
  • The 27 best beaches in Crete – read article
  • The most beautiful archaeological sites – read article
  • The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete – read article
  • The best destinations in Crete, where to stay – read article
  • Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary – read article
  • Tips for driving around Crete – read article
  • The most beautiful boat trips around Crete – read article

Planning a trip to Crete?

Check out my travel guide eBook to help you plan:

Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
Small Mainland Portugal Algarve ebook cover
  • 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
  • 60+ pre-selected locations
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 150+ original photos to help you choose
Discover it!

And keep track of your own trip!

Crete road trip journal

Want to see more of CRETE?

PREVIOUS: 

VILLAGE OF LOUTRO CRETE

NEXT: 

TRIOPETRA BEACH CRETE

Tourism Crete Travel Guide

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