It’s only a matter of opinion as as to whether you suppose the pretty remoted Elafonisos Island, not removed from the Peloponnese mainland has or doesn’t have the spectacular fantastic thing about different islands within the Cyclades chain.
The small island within the area of Lakonia is a peaceable, magical place with stunningly stunning turquoise seas, very like what you see within the Caribbean. It is a Natura 2000 environmentally protected zone and the breeding web site for a lot of migratory birds.
It has lengthy stretches of sandy seashores, and you may put together to be blown away by the sheer magnificence of Simos Beach, one of the vital stunning in Greece. The pristine seashores of Elafonisos Island are recognized for his or her very good snorkeling situations.
It’s a spot of quiet relaxation, a spot to chill out and restore frazzled nerves – these are the type of presents provided by this island. When you land on this island of desires you uncover that it is just 20 km2 in dimension.
There is the port, a number of retailers and taverns, some lodges, mattress and breakfasts and an exquisite church. You can say that the chapel of St. Spyridon is among the most picturesque issues there are to see on the island.
This specific chapel on Elafonisos Island is constructed on a small island reverse the port. It is accessible by the use of a bridge. You can take a stroll across the islet, and go contained in the chapel.
Elafonisos Island: A spot that exudes an uncommon magnificence
You have to grasp one thing about Elafonisos Island – it’s not a vibrant, bustling leisure hub the place you dance and social gathering into the wee hours of the morning. The island is about sheer leisure, and that’s what lures individuals to it – the elusive peace and quiet from a mad, chaotic world.
It’s to be anticipated then that the port city attracts many watersport fanatics and those that like to hike. What is fascinating concerning the island is that whereas it’s fairly unknown, it has an extended historical past, and this has been confirmed to us by some prehistoric findings.
This opens up one other type of leisure – exploring historic websites. The island has some unimaginable historic websites constructed by historical civilizations, and in the event you’re solely on the island for a brief keep, you’ll should slender down your visits.
For many individuals who make the journey to the small island, it’s not about filling their days with one exercise after the following as Elafonisos isn’t about that. It has one or two cultural celebrations through the 12 months, and certainly one of these is the feast of fishermen that takes place on the finish of August, stretching over 10 days.
The Fishermen Club organizes the occasion and in the event you’re on the island over that point, you may put in your dancing footwear, as there may be loads of full of life music, dancing, wine and fried fish in honor of the guests of Elafonisos. The occasions are sometimes accompanied by some fascinating nautical historical past of the island.
The fascinating island was as soon as linked to the mainland however in newer instances it’s worthwhile to take a ferry from Pounta Harbor. Pounta is simply a small harbor city and the gap to the island is roughly 300 meters. The journey takes solely about ten minutes.
Elafonisos Town has a port with some taverns and rooms for lease. The harbor can get busy, and in the event you’re on the port in the direction of the night, you’ll be charmed with the best way the taverns and bars mild up and forged reflections on the water. Elafonisos Island isn’t about golf equipment and in reality, you’re not going to seek out any, but it surely does have some bars the place you may sit exterior alongside the waterfront and have a drink.
So a lot ambiance to take in
In Kato Nisi is the 2-story fort of the Melas household. It’s an historical fort courting again to 1863 and which is open to the general public. There can be the Panagia church from 1825. Not removed from the church is a Mycenaean cemetery and a Christian graveyard.
The protected Panagia Beach or Kato Nisi Beach is discovered on the west aspect of the island. During the summer time the yellow-flowered Sempre Viva blooms, rising on the rocks, including to the loveliness of the place.
One of the highest issues to do on Elafonisos Island to understand all its magnificence is to hike, and a well-liked path to take is The route of the Terraced Balconies of Elafonisos. The stunning route begins from Megalo Tigani and also you observe the highway until you come throughout a outstanding cave with a low vaulted roof.
Following the trail in the direction of the south, you come to Vardia which is the best level of Elafonisos, at about 276m. It guarantees great views of Kythera and the Malea peninsula. Despite the small dimension of the island, there are some wonderful climbing trails and likewise some biking routes.
Enjoy a Traditional Meal in one of many seashore taverns
The taverns in Elafonisos like so as to add a private contact to your eating expertise and there are some nice taverns to be discovered within the harbor of Elafonisos.
Nothing is ready in stone with these Greek tavernas and also you would possibly decide to eat at one which tickles your fancy solely to find there is no such thing as a menu. Sometimes there’s a menu however not all dishes can be found on that individual day.
Between the totally different Elafonisos eating places and taverns, you’ll be taken on an exquisite culinary expertise when you wine and dine in some magnificent waterside settings.
Aronis Fish Tavern
This trendy household tavern is discovered on the fringe of the Kontogoni seashore. Send your tastebuds into overdrive with delightfully good meals when you forged your eyes over the complete seashore. The tavern is known for its contemporary fish, caught from the tavern proprietor’s personal fishing boat.
The spaghetti with lobster or shrimps is value a attempt as is the mackerel salad, pasta with rooster or salmon or one thing else. The recipes, some marinated with wine comprised of natural grapes, are at all times contemporary and native, lots of that are produced by the homeowners. Juicy seasonal fruit in baked desserts is a agency favourite. The olive oil sprinkled over a few of the salads comes from olive groves of the Kato Nisi.
Ta nisia tis Panagias
This household restaurant with a reputation meaning ‘the islands of Panagia’ presents a wonderful selection for breakfast, lunch and supper. It is positioned on a really scenic spot on the island the place you may dine and revel in an ideal sundown when you relish distinctive dishes cooked with particular love and care.
You would possibly need to begin with the scrumptious fish soup or attempt the normal selfmade tsatziki and salad. You can at all times get pleasure from a few of the conventional meals too such because the finger-licking scrumptious home-made burgers.
Hike to the Castle of Vatika (Castle of Agia Paraskevi)
The fort, which dates again to the late Byzantine interval, is positioned in Mesohori village. Once you attain it you might be rewarded with a splendid view of Neapolis city and Elafonisos Island.
Ruins of the Castle of Vatika or Castle of Agia Paraskevi at sundown. The fort is positioned in Mesohori village and has an exquisite view of Neapolis city and Elafonissos island.
The fort of Vatika is discovered on a rocky cliff not removed from the city of Neapolis. The fort has a small courtyard, a chapel and a few 2-story homes. There is a wall that surrounds the fort.
The nature across the fort is nice for climbing and there are a variety of paths to discover. You should have your digital camera with you as there the hilly, coastal walks provide very good photographic alternatives. Not solely that, there may be the possibility to discover a few of the villages that these thrilling climbing paths take you to. Keep your eyes open for indicators, a few of them painted on rocks, indicating the place the paths will take you.
Visit the well-known Simos Beach
Once in Simos, it’s troublesome to get away from the concept this isn’t one of many Caribbean islands, so fascinating is its extraordinary magnificence. The broad seashore of white sand simply encourages one to throw down a seashore towel and to bask within the solar.
The sea is peaceable and crystal clear, and the bay is cut up. Essentially Simos consists of two seashores, Megalos and Mikros. There is a slender stretch of white sand that divides these two seashores. You can lease sunbeds and umbrellas and there are additionally bars or taverns close to the seashore the place you should buy refreshments.
The seashore to the correct of the spit is called Mega Simos, Simos Grande or Megalos and it’s considerably extra upbeat, and also you could be entertained by a sport of seashore volleyball on the go. You’ll discover seashore umbrellas and loungers too. Pack in darkish sun shades as nudists use the seashore and you could need to take a peek greater than you must! Just concentrate on this in the event you plan on visiting the seashore with youngsters.
The crowds on the seashores at any time shall be influenced by the vacation season which begins in May and goes on until August. This is the time when it’s scorching and sunny on the island and time to construct on a trendy tan.
Discover the Sunken City
There is a small island, Pavlopetri, that isn’t far to the northeast of Elafonisos. It’s a favourite spot for the seabirds that flock to the Stroggyli Lagoon. This is a wetland that’s dwelling to greater than 130 totally different chicken species. Some of those birds use the lagoon as a resting place as they make a bid to achieve Africa.
The sunken prehistoric metropolis is a captivating place to go to and the island has obtained lots of worldwide consideration due to this superb underwater metropolis. It’s not shocking that it has attracted intensive archeological analysis.
Even although Pavlopetri is the oldest submerged metropolis within the world, but it surely solely not too long ago, in 2011, turned recognized to the world. Many scientists have visited the positioning and imagine that town was probably submerged by an earthquake of 8 magnitudes.
There appears to be conflicting details about the time that this occurred. There are courtyards, buildings, water administration system, streets, and tombs and all that is accessible to guests. The superb factor about this metropolis is that even common snorkelers can go to it because it’s simply 3m under the water.
A tenting vacation spot
To take advantage of tenting in Elafonisos, it’s worthwhile to be armed with some information. Camping is such a cheap approach to get pleasure from a vacation whereas benefiting from what mom nature presents.
What a pleasure it may be sitting round a campfire beneath the intense stars on a transparent night time, to not point out the attraction of outside actions equivalent to climbing, swimming, and biking. An out of doors vacation on Elafonisos shall be an incredible expertise and can depart lasting reminiscences and impressions of this most stunning a part of Greece.
The beautiful Simos tenting grounds on Elafonisos Island are simply 4km from the port of Elafonisos, in a protected nature reserve. There are shady areas for caravans, campers and tents. inviting you to settle all the way down to a blissful summer time vacation. The campsite is effectively positioned in entrance of the seashore the place the glistening emerald sea invitations you to dive proper in.
The campsite is effectively geared up and comes with a restaurant, bar, bike rental providers, and mini market. The bar presents cocktails and music for many who need to social a bit with fellow campers. If you’re feeling lazy, each cafe and restaurant serve breakfast, lunch and supper.
How to Get to Elafonisos
Elafonisos Island is the perfect summer time vacation spot and between May and October, you may get pleasure from wonderful sunshiney climate.
Ferry boat that goes to Elafonisos
Driving is the perfect approach to get to Elafonisos Island, and you may count on an superior 4 to 5-hour highway journey from Athens to Pounta Port, after which a ferry will take you to Elafonisos in lower than 10 minutes.
Remember, in the event you use public transport, and also you need to know in the event you can attain and enter Greece, what with covid-19, click on right here to turn into an knowledgeable traveler.
There are bus routes from Athens, Tripolis and Kalamata. To go from Athens to Elafonissos, you are taking the bus to Neapoli after which the ferry from Neapoli to Elafonissos. The buses from Athens to Neapoli depart from Kifissos KTEL Bus Station.
Enjoy a day journey to Gytheion and Monemvasia
Gytheion is such a picturesque little city and it lies near high sights. It is near Ancient Sparta, Mani, the medieval city of Mystras and to the Diros Caves. Visitors simply love the gorgeous seaside city because it nestles on the hillside within the peninsula of Laconia.
It’s received a most stunning seashore – Mavrovouni, and the turtles suppose so too, as endangered sea turtles arrive on the seashore to put their eggs. The seaside city can be ideally located to take a highway journey to Monemvasia.
Monemvasia is a part of the prefecture of Laconia, It’s primarily a Medieval fortress, full with Byzantine church buildings, ruins and a city. It’s positioned on the southeastern aspect of the Peloponnese and is magnificently carved into sea rock. It’s such a romantic place and lots of the historical mansions have been transformed into fashionable guesthouses and small lodges.
There is the extra fashionable city exterior the Rock, filled with vacationer services. It’s a cool place to remain whereas making day journeys to Gythio, Don’t miss the breathtaking sea view from the highest of the Castle.
Where to Stay in Elafonisos
There’s no scarcity of superior locations to remain on Elafonisos Island and every one is interesting in their very own approach. The island is dwelling to an eclectic mixture of locations to remain and hospitable hosts, every of whom presents one thing particular to the world, and that offers you various causes to remain over.
Elafonisos Resort
Located in Elafonisos, and simply 500 m from the seashore, the fashionable air-conditioned stone villa resort is peacefully surrounded by olive groves. It sports activities a beautiful pool, poolside bar, solar terrace, free wifi, LCD satellite tv for pc TV, and stylishly embellished items. The beautiful bogs full with bathe and hydro-massage jets and free toiletries are designed to pamper and rejuvenate you. For availability and charges click on right here.
Capari Suites
If you’re into the fantastic thing about nature and its preservation, you’ll love Capari Suites on Elafonisos Island. You’ll discover furnishings of pure wooden that merely complement the place’s traditional old-world really feel.
It’s a sheer paradise of gorgeous gardens and exquisite views. They’ve completed what they’ll to be environmentally pleasant, making use of photo voltaic water heaters, photo voltaic lighting, pure air-con and extra. Capari Suites presents splendid sea and mountain views from its prime place trying over the Laknian Gulf. All their stunning rooms provide balconies and terraces. It’s such a romantic venue and {couples} select it for his or her wedding ceremony reception.
Element Hotel
This great resort has an impressive place, mixing into the hills behind it and simply 3.5 km’s from the principle harbor of Elafonisos and a selection of fabulous taverns and only a few minutes away from the well-known Simos Beach. For availability and charges click on right here.
It’s a 3-star air-conditioned resort positioned within the Kato Nisi space of Elafonisos Island. The resort is designed for consolation, leisure and very good hospitality. It presents spacious rooms with sought-after facilities equivalent to air-conditioning, satellite tv for pc TV, free wifi, mini bar, personal balcony, and sumptuous views of the bay, all of which go in the direction of guaranteeing a memorable keep.
Where to Eat on Elafonisos Island
Creperie Mammy Mam
If you like exploring beautiful little eateries, you should definitely cease in at Creperie Mammy Mam. While on Elafonisos you need to expertise unique island flavors with high quality substances that elevate easy meals equivalent to fish to an entire new degree.
While you get pleasure from your meal, you may soak up magnificent views of the ocean whereas the tantalizing scent of contemporary espresso guarantees a quiet time of reflection. The restaurant is such a colourful place In phrases of décor and ambiance and the selfmade treats promise an ooh-la-la expertise.
Conclusion:
If you’re undecided what to see and do on this glorious little Greek island, many individuals take a guided tour of Elafonisos, ideally with a seasoned boatman, supplying you with the possibility to cease alongside the best way and swim within the well-known turquoise waters.
As you method the island, the ocean is obvious and is a mix of blue, inexperienced and turquoise. The island of Elafonisos and its village of the identical identify is busy, inviting you to pop into memento retailers and a restaurant earlier than you head in the direction of your lodging.
Elafonisos Island is small but it surely presents incredible lodging and if you begin catching up with a number of of the visitors at your resort or guesthouse to discover out what they should say concerning the island, all of them appear to speak about it as a private favourite journey vacation spot.
