An Island in the Peloponessos

One of the least known of the Greek islands is Elafonissos, located in the Lakonikos Kolpos.

Where?

The Lakonikos Kolpos or the Bay of Laconia is between the two eastern tips of the Peloponessos, just north of the island of Kythira. To get to Elafonissos you drive to the town of Neapolis, then go back a few kilometers to the village of Vingliafa where there are two small ferries which go back and forth continuously to the island. The island was a peninsula in ancient times and the sandy isthmus which separates it from the Peloponessos is only a few feet underwater which is why the sea has the remarkably alluring color that makes you want to leap off the ferry boat on the 10 minute journey there.

Elafonissos island does not have the spectacular beauty of its island cousins in the Cyclades chain. But it is surrounded by the most beautiful turquoise seas and has some of the finest and longest sandy beaches in Greece. The port town may remind you of a smaller more Spartan version of Aegina, with a line of seafood tavernas and a few rooms to rent and summer houses. Many Athenians who have yachts and cabin cruisers come here on weekends for barbounia and because of that prices are a little higher than what you will pay in a beach taverna somewhere in the Peloponessos. And though at one time it was one of the best kept secrets in the Peloponnesos if you go in the peak summer months you may find yourself waiting a long time in line for the ferry and searching for a patch of sand to put your beach blanket. So it is best to come here in the off-season or at least not in July-August.

Simos beach may be the best beach in Greece with soft white sand and clean blue water. One of the few beaches in Greece where camping is allowed. Well maybe it is not allowed but people do it anyway, pitching their tents among the dunes and trees and giving the area a sort of hippy or gypsy feeling to it. All the beaches on Elefonissos have a tropical look and feel to them and the cantinas play as much latin as Greek music. Besides the beaches there is not much to see on the island and besides being on the beach there is not much to do besides eat and drink. But the snorkeling is terrific, the barbounia at Psarotaverna Ntagiantas were delicious and I even allowed myself a glass of ouzo before our drive to Gythion.

You can find rooms in the town though in my opinion it is also the kind of place that is nice to visit as a day trip from Gythion or Monemvasia with your rental car. If you are driving around the Peloponessos this is certainly worth the time to visit for a day, especially if you have kids. For an economical hotel in a quiet but central location see the inexpensive Estella Studios or check Booking.com's Elafonissos Pages

The town of Neapolis (photo below) to the south is not spectacular and you won't even find it in the guidebooks with the exception of David Willet's Peloponessos Guide, and he had nothing nice to say about it. But I thought it was a place that I would return to and get more familiar with. It had a lively port area, where most people catch the ferry to Kythira, a number of non-touristy and inexpensive ouzeries and fish restaurants and an unspoiled atmosphere. It is not quaint nor is it charming or photogenic. It is the kind of place where after a few ouzos everybody is your friend.

Elafonissos and Neapolis are around 5 hours drive from Athens, an hour from Monemvasia and a little over an hour from Gythion. Elafonissos or Elafonissis should not be confused with the island of the same name off the southwest coast of Crete.

Barbounia (Red Mullet)

Hotels and Helpful Information

Located in Elafonissos port, a short walk from the beach, the stone-built Elafonissos Resort (photo) features a pool, a furnished sun terrace and a modernly decorated poolside bar. It offers free Wi-Fi in all areas and elegantly decorated units with a balcony or patio. Pallas Pension is located on the seaside road right by Megalo Tigani Bay, a 3-minute walk from Elafonisos Port. It offers a flowered garden and rooms with free Wi-Fi and a furnished balcony or patio overlooking the Aegean Sea or the greenery. Berdoussis Hotel offers tastefully furnished accommodation with free Wi-Fi, most with private balconies. It includes a bar and serves buffet breakfast in the morning. Centrally located in Elafonisos village, 500 feet from the port, Papoulias Rooms offers air-conditioned rooms with balcony overlooking the mountains or the Laconian Gulf. Shops and taverns are 350 feet away.

You can search hotels in Elefonissos or you can search hotels in nearby Neapolis
For more Hotels in the Peloponessos see www.hotelsofgreece.com/peloponessos or contact Fantasy Travel or use Booking.com's Peloponessos Hotel Search for thousands of hotels, photos, guest reviews and more.

If you want to include Elafonissos with your Greek island itinerary try Matt Barrett's Create-an-itinerary page where you can create a plan, find out if it is do-able, and get a price for it with no obligation to book.

The best way to get to Elefonisos is by rental car or by taxi though there are buses to Neapolis where there is a ferry that goes to and from the island of Kythera and Crete.
For transfers by taxi from Athens visit the website of George the Famous Taxi driver
For car rentals see Swift Rent a Car who will pick you up at your Athens hotel and drive you out of the city.

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