Berdoussis Hotel
Elafonisos - Elafonisos
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Elafonissos is the perfect Greek island for those who think ‘in the small barrel there is good wine’. In just 19 square kilometres, it condenses an ideal amount of dreamy beaches bathed by an amazing sea: enough not to get bored, not too many not to panic when it’s time to choose which one to see. These include one of Greece’s top 10 beaches.
Small in size, Elafonissos (or Elafonisos) held strategic importance in the past and over the centuries was inhabited by Greeks, Arabs, Venetians and the British. Some Venetian reminiscences can still be seen.
Also called Cervi, a curious name since no deer are seen here, it should not be confused with the famous beach of Elafonissi in Crete. It lies to the south of the Peloponnese, the jagged peninsula in southern Greece, at the same latitudes as the Cyclades; it was once also part of the Peloponnese, but broke away after an earthquake.
The stretch of sea separating it from the mainland is short, but the distance from airports and international ports is long, which is why Elafonissos has long remained off the classic tourist routes. Until a few years ago, it was the refuge of campers and motorcyclists in search of lesser-known destinations. Today, the number of tourists has increased exponentially, but Elafonissos still has an authentic charm, beautiful but somewhat chaotic in its architecture and streets not served by public transport.
Forget the designer hotels of Santorini, the transgressive parties of Mykonos and the impeccable tourist services of the more famous islands. Tiny Elafonissos is loved for its crystal-clear waters, postcard-perfect sandy beaches and little else; there is no shortage of entertainment, but don’t expect a wild nightlife: there is a good choice of bars to spend the evening in, but only one club to dance until late.
It’s an island for many but not for everyone, either because it takes a bit of effort to get there or because tastes are tastes. If you are looking for excess, glamour and social life on the one hand, absolute silence on the other, it is not for you. If you want a mix of peace, scenery and services, it is the right place.
For the sea, needless to say, you are in the right place: with a holiday in Greece, you can never go wrong.
The beaches of Elafonissos are unquestionably the island’s top attraction, the real reason why tourists come here. Let’s take a look at the most beautiful ones.
Simos is the queen of the beaches on Elafonissos. Not only is it the most beautiful on the island, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the whole of Greece and is therefore a must-see for anyone coming on holiday here. Situated along the south-east coast, it is a sandy beach with a Caribbean feel that occupies a large part of Saracen Bay.
Easy to reach, safe, equipped with essential services and above all beautiful, Simos is a beach loved equally by couples, families with small children and lonely souls. In July and August it is very crowded, but being very large it is possible to find a quieter corner.
The beach is divided into two zones separated by a thin isthmus of sand that leads to a small promontory: the smaller zone is very popular because it is sheltered from wind and currents; the larger one is ideal for those who do not like confusion, but the possibility of strong wind and waves must be taken into account. Both are generally referred to as Simos, but in some guidebooks you can find the name Sarakiniko for the larger one and Fragos for the smaller one.
If you are looking for an equipped beach, go to the smaller area, where there are two bathing establishments; the larger area is free and wild.
What does not change is their beauty: in both beaches the white sand is lapped by a crystal-clear sea of a splendid light blue colour; sand dunes up to 10 metres high and cedar trees complete this wonderful landscape.
Simos beach can be reached by a short walk from the car park. From the beach, on the other hand, one can walk to the top of the promontory, a perfect vantage point from which to admire both beaches at a glance.
The second most famous beach on Elafonissos is Panaghia Beach2, located on the opposite side of the island. It is also called Kato Nisi (island below) and is a golden sandy beach; a few rocky islets emerge here and there from the turquoise sea.
Kato Nisi is a good mix of scenic beauty and convenience: it is easily reached by car and the car park is right next to the beach; it is mostly free, but it is possible to rent sunbeds and umbrellas in a small area.
The ‘town’ beach of Elafonissos, is Kontogoni Beach3, located in the main village. It is an equipped beach with a long line of bars and restaurants behind it, perfect for those who want to lie in the sun without taking the car out and to enjoy a sunset aperitif with a sea view.
Not far from Kontogoni is Kalogeras Beach4, where you will find finer sand and much less hustle and bustle. An even lesser known beach is the tiny Lefki, a white cove not far from Simos.
If while waiting to embark for Elafonissos or before heading back to the airport you don’t want to miss the chance for a dip, Pouda Beach5 is a possibility to consider.
Elafonissos is a classic beach-only holiday island, devoid of major historical and cultural attractions, but that doesn’t mean there is a lack of pretty things to see.
The church of Agios Spyridon is one of the most photographed subjects on Elafonissos. It is a typical blue and white Greek church, made more striking than other similar religious buildings because it is built on an uninhabited islet. The effect is that of a church suspended over the sea and framed by cedar trees. Built in the second half of the 19th century, it is dedicated to the patron saint of the island of Elafonissos.
You don’t need a boat to visit Agios Spyridon: the islet on which it stands is connected to Elafonissos by a bridge, so it is easily reached on foot.
Speaking of treasures, and this time we are talking about historical reality not mythology, one cannot fail to mention Pavlopetri, the sunken city that lies at the bottom of the waters around Elafonissos. It is an ancient city dating back to 3000 BC, of which about 15 buildings remain today at a depth of only 3-4 metres.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to dive or get too close by boat because the area is strictly controlled to prevent the theft of archaeological finds.
Some local operators organise boat excursions that include the possibility of snorkelling above the finds: however, this is only recommended for experienced swimmers as the boats must stay at a certain distance. Choose the excursion you take part in carefully; if you have doubts about safety, better to leave it alone.
An unmissable natural monument are the rocks of Vaporaky, whose shape vaguely resembles that of a boat.
A Greek legend tells of a pirate ship that came to the island centuries ago; when the crew tried to attack a local church, the ship was petrified in the same position as we see it today.
Less suggestive is the scientific explanation: these are rocks smoothed by wind and sea erosion.
Nature and legend are also intertwined in the area of Karokofolià, an elevation along which there are numerous caves that are said to have once been used as hiding places for pirate treasures.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
There is only one settlement on Elafonissos, the same name as the island and located at the northern tip: it is the mainland boat harbour and it is here that almost all holiday accommodation is concentrated.
Until a few years ago, the hotel offer of Elafonissos was very simple, consisting of nice but basic studios, B&Bs and pensions, suitable for tourists with few demands.
Today it is wider and more varied, in particular there is a good choice of rooms and studios located near the beaches closest to the centre; the best ones have a sea view. The development of tourism has also led to the opening of a couple of hotels suitable for those seeking some extra comfort.
Outside the town of Elafonissos, the choices remain very limited… or non-existent. Something can be found in Kato Nissi, a small cluster of houses in the western part of the island at the beach of the same name.
There is also little choice of hotels or flats in the vicinity of the famous beach of Simos; there is only one campsite. Due to the scarcity of accommodation, if you want to sleep in this area, it is advisable to book well in advance; keep in mind that there are no shops or bars and you will therefore always be forced to move around for dinner.
When looking for your hotel or flat in Elafonissos, remember that this island has a similar name to a famous beach in Crete: be careful to book in the right place, checking that it is a hotel or flat in the Peloponnese.
Getting to Elafonissos is a bit tricky because there are no direct flights or ferries. The island can only be reached by a small ferry from Pounta, a town in the southern Peloponnese about 10 km from the city of Neapolis. Ferry trips from Pounta to Elafonissos are very frequent (one every half hour in peak season) and the crossing takes only 10 minutes.
The problem is getting to Pounta. The easiest way is to take a plane to Athens and rent a car at the airport; from there you will arrive at the port of Pounta in just over 4 hours by driving along a toll motorway.
Another option is to arrive in Patras. The distance from the port of Patras to Pounta is less than 400 km but allow 5 hours or more to get there as you will have to cross some mountainous areas with winding roads.
In the summer there are also some low-cost flights to Kalamata, in which case the kilometres by car drop to 200 and take about three hours.
Getting to Elafonissos by public transport is very complicated because there are numerous bus changes required, which increase the journey time disproportionately; for this reason we do not recommend it.
The island of Elafonissos is washed by the Aegean Sea, between the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese (to the north) and the island of Kythira or Cerigo (to the south).
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