🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where it is
Elafonisos lies in Laconia, at the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese, between Cape Maleas and Kythira. A narrow, shallow channel separates it from the mainland, and the ferry crosses it in about ten minutes from Pounta, near Neapoli. From Athens you get there by car in about five hours. There are no ferries from Piraeus.
📍 Where Elafonisos is
Elafonisos is at the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese, in Laconia, between Cape Maleas and Kythira. The island is in red, and Athens, where the road trip starts, is in green.
🗺️ The map of the island
Elafonisos is small and has only one village, at the northern tip, where the ferry arrives. Next to it, a narrow path leads to the islet with the chapel of Agios Spyridon. One road runs south to Simos, about five kilometres away, and another goes west to Panagia beach. The rest of the island is low, dry hills with thyme and junipers.
🗺️ Map of Elafonisos
Elafonisos is small, with a single village at the northern tip, next to the port and Agios Spyridon. The ferry crosses the channel from Pounta, on the mainland, where Pavlopetri also lies. One road runs south to Simos and Sarakiniko, and another west to Panagia. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Benedetto Bordone, 1547 (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Elafonisos is an island for swimming and resting, and its beaches are the main reason to go. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- Simos, one of the most beautiful sandy beaches in Greece.
- White sand, dunes and shallow, turquoise water, ideal for children.
- Fresh fish in a genuine fishing village.
- You get there by car and a ten-minute ferry.
- Easy to combine with Pavlopetri, Monemvasia and Kythira.
👎 The cons
- A long drive from Athens, about five hours.
- In August Simos is packed and there are queues for the ferry.
- Little shade and little to see apart from the beaches.
- Only one village, with few options in the evening.
🏖️ Simos
Simos is on the south side of the island and is really two sandy beaches back to back, Megalos and Mikros Simos, separated by a strip of sand with dunes, junipers and sea lilies. The sand is white and fine, and the water shallow and turquoise, like a swimming pool. When the wind blows on one side, you simply cross to the other. The dunes are protected, so walk only on the paths.
Two bays, one strip of sand.
The two waters, left and right.
The strip that joins the two bays.
Junipers and sand.
Water like a swimming pool.
Dunes and junipers.
Quieter, on the other side.
Stars over the sand.
Photos: Dnalor 01 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Georgios Michalagas (CC BY-SA 4.0), Stelios tsikas (CC BY-SA 4.0), DimitrisP67 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Tsarb (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
In August Simos fills up from eleven in the morning, and so does the car park. Go early, bring an umbrella and water, and stay until sunset, when most people leave.
⛪ The village and Agios Spyridon
The village of Elafonisos is a simple fishing village, with tiled houses, fishing boats and tavernas right on the water. This is where the ferry arrives and where almost all the residents live. At the end of the harbour, a narrow path takes you to the islet of Agios Spyridon, a white chapel with a red roof in turquoise water, the most photographed spot on the island.
The island’s only village.
Fishing boats and tavernas.
Laconia, just opposite.
The chapel on the islet.
A narrow path from the village.
Afternoon at the harbour.
Ten minutes from Laconia.
Photos: DimitrisP67 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Dnalor 01 (CC BY-SA 3.0 AT), Dnalor 01 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Georgios Kapsas (CC BY-SA 4.0), Clemenshumeniuk (CC0), Andreas Alexandris (CC BY-SA 3.0), Georgios Michalagas (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🌊 The other beaches and Pavlopetri
Next to Simos, Sarakiniko is a quiet sandy beach with junipers. In the west, Panagia beach has golden sand, waves and views of the mountains of Laconia, and is ideal for the sunset. Near the village, Kalogeros is a small sandy beach for a quick swim. If you are lucky, you may even see a sea turtle.
Opposite, on the mainland near Pounta, lies Pavlopetri, a Bronze Age town that sank into the sea. It is considered one of the oldest submerged towns in the world, with streets, houses and tombs just a few metres deep. With a mask, you swim above it and see the foundations on the seabed.
Golden sand in the west.
Swimming among the rocks.
Room for everyone.
A swim next to the tavernas.
Visitors from the sea.
Clear and shallow.
The coast opposite, on the mainland.
Photos: Vasilis Kiarri (CC BY-SA 4.0), Georgios Michalagas (CC BY-SA 4.0), Clemenshumeniuk (CC0), Andreas Alexandris (CC BY-SA 3.0), annagkai (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
- Simos: double beach with dunes, the best known.
- Sarakiniko: quiet sandy beach with junipers, next to Simos.
- Panagia: golden sand in the west, for the sunset.
- Kalogeros: small sandy beach near the village.
- Pounta: sandy beach opposite, on the mainland, next to Pavlopetri.
🍽️ What to eat
Elafonisos is a fishing village, and the reason to eat here is the fresh fish, fried baby squid and lobster spaghetti in the harbour tavernas. From the surrounding Laconia come olive oil, olives and local cheeses. Try the seafood meze with ouzo, with a view of the ferry.
📅 When to go
June and September are the best months, with a warm sea and few people. July is still lovely. In August the island fills up, Simos is crowded and there are queues for the ferry. In winter the island is almost empty.
🚗 How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car and ferry | About 5 hours, plus a 10-minute ferry | Athens | The easiest option. The ferry also takes cars. |
| KTEL bus and ferry | About 5 to 6 hours | Kifissos bus station | Bus to Neapoli and a taxi to Pounta. |
From Ioulianou 50, Kifissos bus station is about 20 minutes by taxi. By car, the road goes via Tripoli and Sparta or via Molaoi, with a good motorway as far as Sparta. The ferry from Pounta runs continuously in summer. On the island a car or a scooter helps for the beaches. From Neapoli, opposite, ferries also leave for Kythira: see also our guide to Kythira.
🗓️ Three days on Elafonisos
The village and Agios Spyridon
Cross on the ferry from Pounta and drop off your bags. Walk along the harbour to the chapel of Agios Spyridon and swim at Kalogeros. In the evening, have fish at a taverna on the harbour, watching the ferry come and go.
Simos
Go early to Simos, before it fills up, and stay all day, crossing from one side to the other depending on the wind. Climb the hill for the view of the two bays and stay for the sunset.
Panagia and Pavlopetri
In the morning, swim at Panagia beach, in the west. In the afternoon, cross over to the mainland and snorkel above the ruins of Pavlopetri, near Pounta.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay on Elafonisos?
In the village, for the tavernas, the harbour and easy access. Near Simos, to be close to the beach, in rooms to rent or at the campsite. If you can’t find a place on the island, stay opposite, in Viglafia or Neapoli.
Do I need a car?
It helps. The village is about five kilometres from Simos, and in summer there is a small bus. The ferry also takes cars, but in August you may have to wait.
Is Elafonisos good for families?
Yes, one of the best. The water at Simos is shallow and calm, the sand fine, and the island small and safe. Bring an umbrella, as there is little shade.
How many days do I need?
Two to three days are enough for Simos, the village, Panagia and Pavlopetri. Combine it with Monemvasia or Kythira for a longer trip.
— Kathy
