High Issues to do on Elafonisos Island

Peloponnese Journey GreeceJanuary 3, 2022

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 great 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 similar to what you see within the  Caribbean. It’s a Natura 2000 environmentally protected zone and the breeding website for a lot of migratory birds.

It has lengthy stretches of sandy seashores, and you’ll put together to be blown away by the sheer magnificence of Simos Seaside, one of the 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 sort of presents provided by this island. While you land on this island of desires you uncover that it is just 20 km2 in measurement. 

There may be the port, just a few outlets and taverns, some motels, mattress and breakfasts and a gorgeous church. You’ll be able to 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’s accessible by the use of a bridge. You’ll be able to take a stroll across the islet, and go contained in the chapel. 

Elafonisos Island: A spot that exudes an uncommon magnificence

You need to perceive 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 rest, and that’s what lures folks 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 fans and those that like to hike. What’s 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 unbelievable historic websites constructed by historic civilizations, and in the event you’re solely on the island for a brief keep, you’ll need to 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 subsequent as Elafonisos isn’t about that.  It has one or two cultural celebrations throughout the yr, and one among these is the feast of fishermen that takes place on the finish of August, stretching over 10 days. 

The Fishermen Membership organizes the occasion and in the event you’re on the island over that point, you may put in your dancing sneakers, as there may be loads of vigorous 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 related to the mainland however in more moderen occasions it’s good to take a ferry from Pounta Harbor.  Pounta is simply a small harbor city and the space to the island is roughly 300 meters. The journey takes solely about ten minutes. 

Elafonisos City 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 direction of the night, you’ll be charmed with the best way the taverns and bars mild up and solid reflections on the water. Elafonisos Island isn’t about golf equipment and in reality, you’re not going to search out any, however it does have some bars the place you may sit exterior alongside the waterfront and have a drink. 

A lot environment to absorb

In Kato Nisi is the 2-story citadel of the Melas household. It’s an historic citadel courting again to 1863 and which is open to the general public. There may be additionally the Panagia church from 1825. Not removed from the church is a Mycenaean cemetery and a Christian graveyard.

The protected Panagia Seaside or Kato Nisi Seaside is discovered on the west aspect of the island.  Through the summer time the yellow-flowered Sempre Viva blooms, rising on the rocks, including to the loveliness of the place.  

One of many prime issues to do on Elafonisos Island to understand all its magnificence is to hike, and a preferred path to take is The route of the Terraced Balconies of Elafonisos. The gorgeous route begins from Megalo Tigani and also you comply with the street until you come throughout a outstanding cave with a low vaulted roof. 

Following the trail in direction of the south, you come to Vardia which is the best level of Elafonisos, at about  276m. It guarantees fantastic views of Kythera and the Malea peninsula. Regardless of the small measurement of the island, there are some wonderful mountaineering trails and likewise some biking routes. 

Get pleasure from a Conventional 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 about in stone with these Greek tavernas and also you may choose to eat at one which tickles your fancy solely to find there isn’t any menu. Typically there’s a menu however not all dishes can be found on that individual day. 

Between the completely 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 fashionable household tavern is discovered on the fringe of the Kontogoni seashore. Ship your tastebuds into overdrive with delightfully good meals when you solid your eyes over all the seashore. The tavern is legendary for its contemporary fish, caught from the tavern proprietor’s personal fishing boat. 

The spaghetti with lobster or shrimps is price a strive as is the mackerel salad, pasta with rooster or salmon or one thing else.  The recipes, some marinated with wine constituted of natural grapes, are all the time contemporary and native, a lot of that are produced by the house owners. 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’ affords a wonderful selection for breakfast, lunch and supper. It’s situated on a really scenic spot on the island the place you may dine and luxuriate in an ideal sundown when you relish distinctive dishes cooked with particular love and care. 

You may need to begin with the scrumptious fish soup or strive the normal selfmade tsatziki and salad. You’ll be able to all the time get pleasure from a few of the conventional meals too such because the finger-licking scrumptious home-made burgers. 

Hike to the Fort of Vatika (Fort of Agia Paraskevi) 

The citadel, which dates again to the late Byzantine interval,  is situated in Mesohori village. When you attain it you might be rewarded with a splendid view of Neapolis city and Elafonisos Island.

Ruins of the Fort of Vatika or Fort of Agia Paraskevi at sundown. The citadel is situated in Mesohori village and has an exquisite view of Neapolis city and Elafonissos island.

The citadel of Vatika is discovered on a rocky cliff not removed from the city of Neapolis. The citadel has a small courtyard, a chapel and a few 2-story homes. There’s a wall that surrounds the citadel. 

The character across the citadel is nice for mountaineering and there are a selection of paths to discover. You need to have your digicam with you as there the hilly, coastal walks provide very good photographic alternatives. Not solely that, there may be the prospect to discover a few of the villages that these thrilling mountaineering paths take you to. Hold your eyes open for indicators, a few of them painted on rocks, indicating the place the paths will take you. 

Go to the well-known Simos Seaside

As soon as in Simos, it’s tough to get away from the concept this isn’t one of many Caribbean islands, so fascinating is its extraordinary magnificence. The vast seashore of white sand simply encourages one to throw down a seashore towel and to bask within the solar. 

The ocean is peaceable and crystal clear, and the bay is cut up.  Basically Simos consists of two seashores, Megalos and Mikros. There’s a slender stretch of white sand that divides these two seashores. You’ll be able to 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 may be entertained by a recreation 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 it’s best to! Simply pay attention to this in the event you plan on visiting the seashore with youngsters.

The crowds on the seashores at any time might be influenced by the vacation season which begins in Could and goes on until August. That is the time when it’s sizzling and sunny on the island and time to construct on a modern tan. 

Uncover the Sunken Metropolis

There’s 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. It is a wetland that’s residence to greater than 130 completely different chook species. A few of these birds use the lagoon as a resting place as they make a bid to succeed in Africa.

The sunken prehistoric metropolis is a captivating place to go to and the island has obtained lots of worldwide consideration due to this wonderful underwater metropolis. It’s not shocking that it has attracted in depth archeological analysis.

Regardless that Pavlopetri is the oldest submerged metropolis within the world, however it solely just lately, in 2011, grew to become recognized to the world. Many scientists have visited the positioning and consider that the 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 wonderful factor about this metropolis is that even common snorkelers can go to it because it’s simply 3m beneath the water.

A tenting vacation spot

To profit from tenting in Elafonisos, it’s good to be armed with some data. Tenting is such a cost-effective solution to get pleasure from a vacation whereas profiting from what mom nature affords. 

What a pleasure it may be sitting round a campfire underneath the brilliant stars on a transparent night time, to not point out the attraction of out of doors actions resembling mountaineering, swimming, and biking. An out of doors vacation on Elafonisos might be an incredible expertise and can go away 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 right down to a blissful summer time vacation. The campsite is properly positioned in entrance of the seashore the place the glistening emerald sea invitations you to dive proper in.

The campsite is properly geared up and comes with a restaurant, bar, bike rental providers, and mini market.  The bar affords cocktails and music for individuals who need to social a bit with fellow campers. Should you’re feeling lazy, each cafe and restaurant serve breakfast, lunch and supper. 

Tips on how to Get to Elafonisos

Elafonisos Island is the perfect summer time vacation spot and between Could and October, you may get pleasure from wonderful sunshiney climate. 

Ferry boat that goes to Elafonisos

Driving is the perfect solution to get to Elafonisos Island, and you’ll anticipate an superior 4 to 5-hour street journey from Athens to Pounta Port, after which a ferry will take you to Elafonisos in lower than 10 minutes. 

Keep in mind, 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’re taking the bus to Neapoli after which the ferry from Neapoli to Elafonissos. The buses from Athens to Neapoli go away from Kifissos KTEL Bus Station. 

Get pleasure from a day journey to Gytheion and Monemvasia 

Gytheion is such a picturesque little city and it lies near prime points of interest. It’s near Historical Sparta, Mani, the medieval city of Mystras and to the Diros Caves. Guests simply love the gorgeous seaside city because it nestles on the hillside within the peninsula of Laconia. 

It’s obtained 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 street journey to Monemvasia.

Monemvasia is a part of the prefecture of Laconia, It’s basically a Medieval fortress, full with Byzantine church buildings, ruins and a city.  It’s situated on the southeastern aspect of the Peloponnese and is magnificently carved into sea rock. It’s such a romantic place and lots of the historic mansions have been transformed into stylish guesthouses and small motels. 

There may be 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 Fort.

The place to Keep in Elafonisos 

There’s no scarcity of superior locations to remain on Elafonisos Island and each is interesting in their very own approach. The island is residence to an eclectic mixture of locations to remain and hospitable hosts, every of whom affords one thing particular to the realm, and that provides you various causes to remain over.

Elafonisos Resort

Positioned in Elafonisos, and simply 500 m from the seashore, the trendy air-conditioned stone villa lodge is peacefully surrounded by olive groves. It sports activities a stunning pool, poolside bar, solar terrace, free wifi, LCD satellite tv for pc TV, and stylishly adorned models. 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

Should 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 carried out what they will to be environmentally pleasant, making use of photo voltaic water heaters, photo voltaic lighting, pure air-con and extra. Capari Suites affords 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 marriage ceremony reception. 

Component Lodge 

This glorious lodge has an impressive place, mixing into the hills behind it and simply 3.5 km’s from the primary harbor of Elafonisos and a selection of fabulous taverns and just some minutes away from the well-known Simos Seaside. For availability and charges click on right here. 

 
It’s a 3-star air-conditioned lodge situated within the Kato Nisi space of Elafonisos Island. The lodge is designed for consolation, rest and very good hospitality. It affords spacious rooms with sought-after facilities resembling air-conditioning, satellite tv for pc TV, free wifi, mini bar, personal balcony, and sumptuous views of the bay, all of which go in direction of making certain a memorable keep. 

The place to Eat on Elafonisos Island

Creperie Mammy Mam

Should you love exploring attractive little eateries, make sure to cease in at Creperie Mammy Mam. Whereas on Elafonisos you need to expertise unique island flavors with high quality substances that elevate easy meals resembling fish to a complete new degree. 

When you get pleasure from your meal, you may soak up magnificent views of the ocean whereas the tantalizing odor of contemporary espresso guarantees a quiet time of reflection. The restaurant is such a colourful place By way of décor and environment and the selfmade treats promise an ooh-la-la expertise.

Conclusion:

Should you’re undecided what to see and do on this excellent little Greek island, many individuals take a guided tour of Elafonisos, ideally with a seasoned boatman, supplying you with the prospect 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 outlets and a restaurant earlier than you head in direction of your lodging. 

Elafonisos Island is small however it affords improbable lodging and while you begin catching up with just a few of the visitors at your lodge or guesthouse to discover out what they need to say concerning the island, all of them appear to speak about it as a private favourite journey vacation spot.