A small island five minutes off the coast, holding Simos — a 3-kilometre arc of white sand and turquoise water that has been called the Caribbean of Greece. With apologies to the Caribbean.
Elafonisos is a small island (19 km², population 750) separated from the southeastern Peloponnese by a 600-metre channel. A car ferry runs all day from Pounta (5 min, €1 foot, €10 car).
The island has one village, three smaller hamlets, and several beaches — but the reason anyone comes is Simos Beach on the south coast: a perfect 3-kilometre double-arc of fine white sand, separated by a low headland (Frangos and Sarakiniko). The water grades from clear to turquoise to deep blue. There are dunes behind, juniper trees, and three beach tavernas. In high summer Simos gets very busy with Greek families, but the beach is wide enough to absorb them; come at 09:00 or stay until 19:00 and you’ll have it. The island village (Elafonisos chora) is a small fishing harbour with twelve tavernas and several small hotels. Most visitors do Elafonisos as a day-trip from Monemvasia (1 hour + ferry); some stay two nights in the chora for the empty mornings on Simos. The island shuts mostly down November–March.
An Elafonisos day-trip done well.
One hour south on a small road through olive groves and a couple of villages.
Five-minute crossing, €10 car. Park near the front of the queue if you can.
Drive fifteen minutes south to Simos. Park, hire an umbrella at the eastern (Sarakiniko) end, set up. The first hour is the quietest.
The central taverna between the two arcs — fish, salad, cold beer. Slow; an hour and a half.
Twenty minutes from Sarakiniko to Frangos via the headland — different light, different mood.
The water is warmest now, the beach emptying as day-trippers head for the ferry. The single best swim of the day.
Twenty minutes to the village harbour, an ouzo at a quayside café before the late ferry back.
Back to the mainland. Dinner in Monemvasia after a quick shower; the day is long but the light makes it easy.
Within an hour.
The mainland ferry port — a small village with a bakery, two cafés, a parking lot. Five-minute crossing.
One hour north — the medieval rock. The standard pairing. Detail on the Monemvasia page.
One hour east — the dramatic southeastern tip. Both can be done from a Monemvasia base. Detail on the Cape Maleas page.
Twenty minutes from Pounta — a quiet seaside town with two long beaches. The cheaper sleeping alternative if Elafonisos and Monemvasia are full.
A no-frills campground at Pounta — popular with Greek families. Useful if Elafonisos chora is fully booked.
Tell us a little about the trip you want — pace, who's coming, how you'd like to spend your mornings. We'll build the days.
