There’s truly no other place in Greece quite like Chrysi. A remote island with no residents, no roads, no buildings, and no nightlife—just raw, untouched beauty. Yet, every summer, thousands make the short boat trip from Ierapetra on Crete, drawn by the island’s otherworldly charm.

A Slice of the Caribbean in the Libyan Sea

Chrysi doesn’t just look unspoiled—it feels almost surreal. Its beaches shimmer with crystal-clear turquoise waters and blush with pink hues from thousands of crushed seashells. Tamarisk trees bend in the salty breeze, and a forest of ancient juniper trees grows directly in the sand—the only natural sand-based cedar forest in Europe.

According to ancient accounts, this was once a land known for its fragrant thyme and aromatic wines. Today, people liken it more to the Caribbean than to Crete. Although uninhabited now, scattered ruins, a tiny chapel, and an old well hint at a time when life once existed here.

Nature at Its Purest

There’s no electricity, no phone signal, no artificial light. At night, the only illumination comes from the moon and the flickering lanterns of fishermen offshore. Spending the night on Chrysi means disconnecting completely and reconnecting—with nature and yourself—beneath a sky full of stars.

The island’s centuries-old cedar forest is a national treasure, and every step you take across its sandy trails feels like walking through something sacred. Touching, collecting, or damaging anything is strictly forbidden, and the island is one of the few places in Greece under such strict and effective environmental protection.

Locals once called it Gaïdouronisi, or “Donkey Island,” but no one lives here now. And that’s the point. Chrysi isn’t meant to be lived on—it’s meant to be remembered.