ELAFONISOS TRAVEL GUIDE

When my husband and I started planning our honeymoon in Greece, we knew we wanted at least one stop dedicated entirely to beach days. After driving through the Peloponnese, we took the short ferry over to Elafonisos and spent five nights on the island in September.

Elafonisos became our favorite spot in Greece, not because there was a lot to do, but because there wasn’t. Most days were simple: we had breakfast at our hotel, spent late mornings at the beach, enjoyed lunch by the water, and spent afternoons swimming and reading under an umbrella. In the evenings, we watched the sunset from our hotel and then went into town for dinner.

What I loved most was how quickly life slowed down. My favorite honeymoon memories are the simple ones: swimming in the clear water at Simos Beach, reading under an umbrella, and sitting on our patio at sunset before dinner.

If you want nightlife or a packed sightseeing schedule, Elafonisos might not be the right island. But if you’re after beautiful beaches, clear water, and a few days with nothing on your agenda, it’s a wonderful place to relax.

Where Is Elafonisos?

Elafonisos is a small Greek island just south of the Peloponnese. It’s famous for Simos Beach, with its white sand and turquoise water, but you’ll also find quieter beaches and a small village by the water.

WHEN TO VISIT ELAFONISOS

The best time to visit Elafonisos is during the warmer months, when you can enjoy the beaches and swim every day. July and August are the busiest, so if you like things quieter, try coming just before or after peak season.

We went in early September and I really recommend it. The weather was still warm for beach days, but the island was much quieter than in the middle of summer. We always found sunbeds, even when we got to Simos around 10:30 in the morning.

HOW LONG TO STAY IN ELAFONISOS

I suggest staying three to five nights in Elafonisos, especially if it’s part of a longer Peloponnese trip. There aren’t many attractions to check off, and that’s what makes it special.

We stayed five nights and enjoyed having extra time. We could spend whole days at Simos and Panagia without rushing. If you want a few truly relaxing days during a longer Greece trip, this is a great place to slow down.

How to Get to Elafonisos

DRIVING TO POUNTA

After landing in Athens, we picked up our rental car at the airport and drove about five hours south to Pounta, where the ferry leaves for Elafonisos.

The drive was easy. We stopped in Corinth for lunch and to see the Corinth Canal, which was a nice way to break up the trip.

FERRY TO ELAFONISOS

From Pounta, the ferry to Elafonisos takes about ten minutes and carries both people and cars. It’s a quick, easy trip, so Elafonisos fits well into a Peloponnese road trip.

I really recommend renting a car. The island is small, but having a car made it easy to get to the beaches and go into town for dinner.

HOW TO GET AROUND ELAFONISOS

CAR

I recommend having a car on Elafonisos. The island is small, but having our own car made it easy to get between our hotel, the beaches, and the main village for dinner. If you’re already driving around the Peloponnese, you can bring your car on the ferry.

One thing to keep in mind: Elafonisos has fewer shops and services than bigger Greek islands. If you need regular medication or anything specific, bring it with you instead of counting on finding it there.

WHERE TO STAY IN ELAFONISOS

Elafonisos is small, so picking a place to stay is pretty straightforward. Most places are either near the main village or closer to the beaches and quieter areas.

We stayed five nights at Eight Dimensions Capari Suites, just outside the main village, and it became one of my favorite hotels from our whole Greece trip. We were surprised with an upgrade to the honeymoon suite, which was a cave-style room with a big sliding glass door looking out over the water.

Every evening before dinner, we sat on our patio and watched the sunset over the sea. It’s one of those small routines I still remember fondly when I think of Elafonisos.

Hotels to consider • Eight Dimensions Capari Suites (where we stayed) • Element Hotel • Santa Maria Village

WHAT TO DO IN ELAFONISOS

One thing I love about Elafonisos is that there’s no pressure to do a lot. The beaches are the main draw, and we spent most days swimming, reading under an umbrella, and enjoying the island’s slower pace.

SPEND THE DAY AT THE BEACH

Simos Beach

Simos Beach was our favorite spot in Elafonisos and a highlight of our honeymoon. We spent two full days there, usually arriving around 10:30 in the morning, and always found sunbeds during our September trip.

Our days had a simple rhythm: swimming, reading, walking along the shore, and cooling off in the clear water. We rented sunbeds from Paradiso Beach Club and had lunch there, so it was easy to settle in for the whole day.

If you only have time for one beach in Elafonisos, I’d choose Simos.

Panagia Beach

Panagia Beach was quieter than Simos but just as beautiful. We rented sunbeds from Limnitsa Beach Bar and spent the day reading, swimming, and enjoying the view before having lunch by the water.

Simos was our favorite, but Panagia was a close second. If you’re staying a few days, try to visit both instead of picking just one.

EXPLORE ELAFONISOS TOWN

The main village is small, but it’s worth taking some time to walk along the waterfront. We usually went into town in the evenings for dinner and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere by the harbor.

One of the village’s most recognizable sights is the small Church of Agios Spyridon, which sits by the water and is connected by a short bridge. You don’t need a whole day here, but it’s a nice spot for a walk before dinner.

BUY LOCAL OLIVE OIL

If you’re driving through Neapoli on your way to or from Elafonisos, the Sotirale Family shop is worth a stop. This small, family-run store sells organic olive oil, honey, mead (a traditional alcoholic drink made from fermented honey), and olive oil skincare products.

We stopped here during our trip and picked up a couple of bottles of olive oil and some skincare products to bring home. It was a fun way to try something local and ended up being one of our favorite shopping stops during our road trip through the Peloponnese.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN ELAFONISOS

If you want to do more than just relax on the beach, there are a few other ways to explore Elafonisos and the area around it.

Visit Pavlopetri • Just off the coast near Pounta, Pavlopetri is an ancient underwater settlement beneath shallow water. It’s an interesting stop to add to your ferry trip to or from Elafonisos, especially if you like archaeology.

Explore more beaches • We spent our time at Simos and Panagia, but there are other smaller beaches and coves around the island if you want a change of scenery for a day.

WHERE TO EAT IN ELAFONISOS

Going into town for dinner after a day at the beach became one of our favorite parts of our routine in Elafonisos. The island does not have a huge dining scene, but we found a couple of places we really enjoyed during our stay.

I eat gluten-free but do not have celiac disease, and I was able to find options during our stay. If you have celiac disease or are sensitive to cross-contamination, I recommend checking with each restaurant about ingredients and preparation before ordering.

Gazelle Steakhouse • Right on the waterfront, Gazelle was the restaurant we visited most during our stay. We ate here on both our first and last nights and loved the relaxed atmosphere overlooking the harbor. I had steak with grilled vegetables, and we also enjoyed the grilled halloumi. On our final evening, we watched a fisherman prepare his boat for the next morning. It was one of those simple moments that seemed to capture Elafonisos perfectly.

Ta Nissia tis Panagias • Located above Panagia Beach, this was one of the prettiest places we found for dinner. I had grilled chicken and fries, while my husband had the moussaka. The views over the water made it a lovely place to end the day after spending time at the beach.