Elafonisos
A short, focused escape to one of Greece's finest beaches — Simos, the village harbour and the quiet coves of the north coast.
Elafonisos is a tiny island just off the southern Peloponnese — separated from the mainland by a 500-metre strait. It has one village, a handful of tavernas, and Simos beach: a double bay of pale pink-white sand and turquoise water that regularly ranks among the best beaches in Europe. The whole island takes 30 minutes to cross on foot. Come here for the beach and nothing else — it is extraordinary.
Getting there
No airport. No Piraeus ferry. Reach Elafonisos from Pounta (SE Peloponnese, ~5h drive from Athens) — frequent shuttle, ~10 minutes, takes cars.
Read full route
Tip: The drive is half the trip — Mani villages on the way are worth a stop.
When to Visit
Elafonisos is a tiny Peloponnesian island off Lakonia — Simos beach is among the best in Greece, all white sand and Caribbean water. Drive to Pounta, 10-minute ferry. Open May-October. June and September are sweet; mid-July to mid-August Simos becomes an Instagram battlefield, the island fills entirely with Greek campers.
2-day itinerary for Elafonisos
Day 1: Simos Beach & the Village
- 09:00 · Elafonisos Ferry
Ferry from Pounta on the mainland — 5 minutes across the strait. Cars can cross but the island is best explored on foot or by bicycle. - 09:15 · Elafonisos Village
The only settlement on the island — a small fishing village with whitewashed houses, a harbour, and a handful of tavernas and rooms. Quiet, genuine and unhurried. - 10:00 · Simos Beach
Consistently one of the best beaches in Europe — a double bay of pink-white sand with Caribbean-blue water, separated by a low sand dune. Both bays have a completely different character. The water colour is extraordinary. - 14:30 · Lunch — Harbour Taverna
Return to the village for lunch. The fresh fish here is exceptional — grilled octopus, grilled sea bream, local wine. Inexpensive and very good. - 18:00 · Simos Sunset
Return to Simos for the late afternoon — the beach empties as day trippers leave, and the water turns from turquoise to gold. The best time of day. - 20:30 · Return to Elafonisos Village
Short drive back to the village (about 10 minutes from Simos). The harbour-front tavernas are unpretentious and famous for their fresh fish — sea bream, sea bass, and the catch of the day grilled simply with lemon and olive oil.
Day 2: North Coast & Departure
- 09:30 · Kalogeros Beach
Small pebble beach on the north coast near the village — calm, clear water, usually very quiet. Good for a morning swim before leaving. - 11:00 · Panagia Beach
Quiet sandy beach on the east side of the island. Less spectacular than Simos but calm, uncrowded and peaceful. - 12:30 · Simos — Final Swim
One final swim at Simos before the ferry back. The beach is quieter in the late morning before the day trippers arrive from the mainland. - 15:00 · Ferry to Mainland
Ferry back to Pounta. The 5-minute crossing is the shortest sea journey to leave one of Europe's best beaches behind.
Top beaches of Elafonisos
Simos Beach
One of the finest beaches in Europe — a double bay of white-pink sand and water that shifts from pale turquoise to deep cobalt depending on depth. The two bays are separated by a low dune and have completely different characters. No overdevelopment. The morning and evening light here is extraordinary.
- Type
- Fine white and pink sand
- Length
- 1.5 km (two connected bays)
- Depth
- Very shallow — lagoon-depth in most areas, perfect for children
- Wind protection
- South-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare southern winds
- Facilities
- Moderate: sunbeds and umbrellas (one organiser), beach bar, basic snack shack. No large resort development.
Kalogeros Beach
The village beach — a short walk from the harbour. Calm, clear water in the sheltered strait between Elafonisos and the mainland. Good for a quick morning swim.
- Type
- Pebble and sand
- Length
- 300 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm harbour water
- Wind protection
- North-facing — fully exposed to the meltemi (the dominant summer N/NE wind); often choppy June–September
- Facilities
- Basic: close to the village, easy walk.
Panagia Beach
A quiet sandy beach on the east coast — less dramatic than Simos but calm, clear and almost always uncrowded. A good option if Simos is too busy.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 400 m
- Depth
- Shallow — calm, warm water
- Wind protection
- East-facing — mostly sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); can be choppy on the strongest NE days
- Facilities
- Basic: accessible by a short walk from the village.
Simos West Bay
The western bay of Simos — the quieter, wilder of the two bays. Longer, shallower, with fewer sunbeds and more space. The water colour here, especially in the late afternoon, is the best on the island.
- Type
- Fine white sand
- Length
- 600 m
- Depth
- Very shallow — perfect for children
- Wind protection
- Southwest-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare S/SW winds
- Facilities
- Minimal — the wilder of the two Simos bays, fewer sunbeds.
Fragou Alona
A remote pebble cove on the southwest coast of the island accessible only on foot or by boat. Deep, clear water and complete solitude. For those wanting to escape even the relatively modest crowds at Simos.
- Type
- Pebble
- Length
- 200 m
- Depth
- Medium — clear deep water
- Wind protection
- Southwest-facing — sheltered from the meltemi (the summer N/NE wind); calm in summer, exposed only to rare S/SW winds
- Facilities
- None — accessible by a rough path or by boat.