Peloponnese places · Elafonisos
A small flat island a ten-minute ferry from the mainland, with some of the whitest sand and clearest water in Greece. What to see, which beach to choose and when to go.
The short answer
Elafonisos lies off the southern tip of Laconia, reached by a short ferry from Pounta. It is small, low and flat, with a handful of villages and a coastline of pale sand and shallow turquoise water.
Its best-known beach, Simos, is actually two bays divided by a strip of sand and dunes, with an islet at the end. Kato Nisi on the other side of the island is famous for its sunsets.
It is a long way from our corner of the east coast, so it fits best at the end of a south-bound trip. Here is how we would plan it.
Written by the Sampatiki Suites team. Updated September 2026.
Best for
Beaches, clear water, sunsets
Time needed
A day, better a night
How you get there
A short ferry
Best months
May, June, September
The beaches
The famous one
Two bays in one: Megalos Simos, also called Sarakiniko, and the smaller Mikros Simos, or Fragos. They are separated by a narrow sandy strip, with cedar trees and high dunes behind. Fragos is good for snorkelling and Sarakiniko is more sheltered.
The sunset
About six kilometres from Simos, a west-facing beach known for some of the best sunsets on the island, with parking next to the beach.
The quiet ones
Along the south and east coasts there are smaller beaches that are often almost empty outside the peak weeks.
Our tip
Go in late May, June or September. In July and August the island is crowded and the main beaches fill early.
Beyond the beach
The islet
A small islet joined to the island by a bridge, easily reached on foot.
The rock
A rock formation said to look like a ship, with a local legend about a petrified pirate vessel.
The boat trips
Several small islets sit opposite Kato Nisi, which you can visit on a boat tour.
The ancient town
A Bronze Age town that now lies under the sea nearby, known as one of the oldest submerged towns in the world. Check locally before you plan a visit.
Our tip
Eat a fish lunch in the main village of Elafonisos, in the evening light.
Elafonisos and the east coast
The island is a natural finish to a trip down the east coast: three or four nights on the coast with us, Monemvasia on the way south, then a night or two on Elafonisos.
It is a very long way from Leonidio for a day trip, so we recommend an overnight stay. Book early in summer, because there are few rooms.
From us at Sampatiki
Elafonisos is a long way south, so we suggest it as the end of a trip that begins with a few calm days on our coast. We are happy to help you plan the route.
Keep exploring
Questions
What is Elafonisos known for?
Simos beach with its white sand and turquoise water, the sunsets at Kato Nisi and its calm, small-island feel.
How do you get to Elafonisos?
By a short ferry of about ten minutes from Pounta on the Laconian mainland.
What is the best beach on Elafonisos?
Simos is the most famous, with two bays divided by a sandy strip. Kato Nisi is best for sunset.
When is the best time to visit Elafonisos?
Late May, June and September. July and August are crowded.
Can you visit Elafonisos as a day trip?
From the nearby mainland, yes. From the east coast near Leonidio it is a long way, so we suggest an overnight stay.
What is Pavlopetri?
A Bronze Age town lying under shallow water near Elafonisos, regarded as one of the oldest submerged towns known.
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