High Issues to do on Elafonisos Island

Peloponnese Journey GreeceJanuary 3, 2022

It’s only a matter of opinion as as to if you assume 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 lovely turquoise seas, very like 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 lovely in Greece. The pristine seashores of Elafonisos Island are recognized for his or her excellent snorkeling circumstances. 

It’s a spot of quiet relaxation, a spot to loosen up and restore frazzled nerves – these are the sort of presents supplied by this island. Whenever you land on this island of goals you uncover that it’s only 20 km2 in dimension. 

There’s the port, a number of retailers and taverns, some resorts, mattress and breakfasts and an attractive church. You possibly can say that the chapel of St. Spyridon is among the most picturesque issues there are to see on the island.

This explicit chapel on Elafonisos Island is constructed on a small island reverse the port. It’s accessible via a bridge. You possibly can take a stroll across the islet, and go contained in the chapel. 

Elafonisos Island: A spot that exudes an uncommon magnificence

It’s important to perceive one thing about Elafonisos Island – it’s not a vibrant, bustling leisure hub the place you dance and get together 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 lovers and people who like to hike. What’s fascinating in regards to 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 must 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 in the course of the 12 months, and considered one of 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 possibly can put in your dancing footwear, as there may be loads of energetic 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 occasions it’s worthwhile to take a ferry from Pounta Harbor.  Pounta is barely a small harbor city and the gap 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 hire. 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 gentle up and solid reflections on the water. Elafonisos Island isn’t about golf equipment and actually, you’re not going to search out any, however it does have some bars the place you possibly can sit exterior alongside the waterfront and have a drink. 

A lot ambiance to absorb

In Kato Nisi is the 2-story fort of the Melas household. It’s an historic fort relationship again to 1863 and which is open to the general public. There’s 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.  In the course of the summer season 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 well-liked 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 dimension of the island, there are some glorious climbing trails and likewise some biking routes. 

Take pleasure in 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 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 isn’t a menu. Typically there’s a menu however not all dishes can be found on that exact day. 

Between the completely different Elafonisos eating places and taverns, you’ll be taken on a beautiful culinary expertise whilst 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 whilst you solid your eyes over the complete seashore. The tavern is legendary for its recent fish, caught from the tavern proprietor’s personal fishing boat. 

The spaghetti with lobster or shrimps is value a strive 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 all the time recent 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 among the salads comes from olive groves of the Kato Nisi. 

Ta nisia tis Panagias 

This household restaurant with a reputation which means ‘the islands of Panagia’ affords a superb alternative for breakfast, lunch and supper. It’s positioned on a really scenic spot on the island the place you possibly can dine and luxuriate in an ideal sundown whilst you relish distinctive dishes cooked with particular love and care. 

You would possibly need to begin with the scrumptious fish soup or strive the standard selfmade tsatziki and salad. You possibly can all the time take pleasure in among the conventional meals too such because the finger-licking scrumptious home-made burgers. 

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

The fort, which dates again to the late Byzantine interval,  is positioned 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 fort is positioned in Mesohori village and has a beautiful 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’s a wall that surrounds the fort. 

The character across the fort is nice for climbing and there are a selection of paths to discover. It’s important to have your digicam with you as there the hilly, coastal walks supply excellent photographic alternatives. Not solely that, there may be the prospect to discover among the villages that these thrilling climbing 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 troublesome to get away from the concept this isn’t one of many Caribbean islands, so fascinating is its extraordinary magnificence. The extensive 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 possibly can hire sunbeds and umbrellas and there are additionally bars or taverns close to the seashore the place you should buy refreshments. 

The seashore to the suitable of the spit is named Mega Simos, Simos Grande or Megalos and it’s considerably extra upbeat, and also you is likely to 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 it’s possible you’ll need to take a peek greater than it is best to! Simply concentrate on this in the event you plan on visiting the seashore with kids.

The crowds on the seashores at any time can be influenced by the vacation season which begins in Could and goes on until August. That is the time when it’s scorching 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 dwelling to greater than 130 completely different fowl 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 acquired numerous worldwide consideration due to this superb underwater metropolis. It’s not stunning that it has attracted in depth archeological analysis.

Though Pavlopetri is the oldest submerged metropolis within the world, however it solely lately, in 2011, turned recognized to the world. Many scientists have visited the location and imagine that the town was presumably 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 benefit from tenting in Elafonisos, it’s worthwhile to be armed with some data. Tenting is such a cost-effective strategy to take pleasure in a vacation whereas benefiting from what mom nature affords. 

What a pleasure it may be sitting round a campfire beneath the brilliant stars on a transparent evening, to not point out the attraction of outside actions resembling climbing, swimming, and biking. An out of doors vacation on Elafonisos can be an incredible expertise and can go away lasting recollections and impressions of this most lovely a part of Greece. 

The stunning 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 season 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 outfitted and comes with a restaurant, bar, bike rental companies, and mini market.  The bar affords cocktails and music for individuals who need to social a bit with fellow campers. In the event you’re feeling lazy, each cafe and restaurant serve breakfast, lunch and supper. 

The best way to Get to Elafonisos

Elafonisos Island is the perfect summer season vacation spot and between Could and October, you possibly can take pleasure in glorious sunshiney climate. 

Ferry boat that goes to Elafonisos

Driving is the perfect strategy to get to Elafonisos Island, and you’ll count on 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. 

Bear 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 change 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 go away from Kifissos KTEL Bus Station. 

Take pleasure in a day journey to Gytheion and Monemvasia 

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

It’s obtained a most lovely seashore – Mavrovouni, and the turtles assume so too, as endangered sea turtles arrive on the seashore to put their eggs. The seaside city can also 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 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 historic mansions have been transformed into stylish guesthouses and small resorts. 

There’s the extra fashionable city exterior the Rock, stuffed with vacationer amenities. 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 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 affords one thing particular to the world, and that provides you plenty of causes to remain over.

Elafonisos Resort

Positioned in Elafonisos, and simply 500 m from the seashore, the fashionable 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 items. The stunning loos 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

In the event 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 basic old-world really feel.  

It’s a sheer paradise of gorgeous gardens and delightful views.  They’ve achieved 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 wanting over the Laknian Gulf. All their lovely rooms supply balconies and terraces. It’s such a romantic venue and {couples} select it for his or her marriage ceremony reception. 

Component Resort 

This excellent lodge has a powerful place, mixing into the hills behind it and simply 3.5 km’s from the primary harbor of Elafonisos and a alternative 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 positioned within the Kato Nisi space of Elafonisos Island. The lodge is designed for consolation, leisure and excellent hospitality. It affords spacious rooms with sought-after facilities resembling air-conditioning, satellite tv for pc TV, free wifi, mini bar, personal balcony, and luxurious views of the bay, all of which go in direction of guaranteeing a memorable keep. 

The place to Eat on Elafonisos Island

Creperie Mammy Mam

In the event you love exploring attractive little eateries, you’ll want to cease in at Creperie Mammy Mam. Whereas on Elafonisos you need to expertise unique island flavors with high quality components that elevate easy meals resembling fish to an entire new degree. 

Whilst you take pleasure in your meal, you possibly can absorb magnificent views of the ocean whereas the tantalizing scent of recent espresso guarantees a quiet time of reflection. The restaurant is such a colourful place By way of décor and ambiance and the selfmade treats promise an ooh-la-la expertise.

Conclusion:

In the event 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, providing you with the prospect to cease alongside the best way and swim within the well-known turquoise waters.

As you strategy the island, the ocean is evident and is a mix of blue, inexperienced and turquoise. The island of Elafonisos and its village of the identical title is busy, inviting you to pop into memento retailers and a restaurant earlier than you head in direction of your lodging. 

Elafonisos Island is small however it affords unbelievable lodging and if you begin catching up with a number of of the company at your lodge or guesthouse to discover out what they must say in regards to the island, all of them appear to speak about it as a private favourite journey vacation spot.