Elafonisos, Greece: Simos Beach and the Island of Turquoise Water
Elafonisos is a small, relatively isolated island off the south-east Peloponnese near Neapoli, famous for Simos Beach - turquoise water and sand dunes that many call the most beautiful beach in Greece. Elafonisos covers about 20 square kilometers and has around 750 inhabitants, with a single quiet fishing village on its northern tip and, just offshore, the oldest sunken city in the world.
- Size
- 20 km²
- Population
- ~750
- Best beach
- Simos
- Off
- Cape Malea
The island of Elafonisos
Elafonisos lies off the south-east Peloponnese, a little south-west of the town of Neapoli and just above the larger island of Kythira, in the area of Cape Malea - the second southernmost tip of the Peloponnese, where the Aegean Sea meets the Ionian. The island was joined to the mainland until 1677. It measures about 20 square kilometers and has some 750 inhabitants, with one village of any size, Elafonisos Town, on the northern tip: a quiet fishing village with few amenities and no bank.
The sunken city of Pavlopetri
North-east of Elafonisos, about 200 metres off the harbour of Pounta, lies Pavlopetri, considered the oldest sunken city in the world. Discovered only in 1967, the town covers roughly 3,000 square metres and remains remarkably intact, with about 15 buildings, five streets, two tombs and 37 graves, including a four-room palace and a temple. Estimated at 5,000 years old and dating from the Bronze Age and the Minoan period, the city sank around 1000 BC and now lies just 3 to 4 metres deep, much of it visible to the naked eye.
The beaches of Elafonisos
Simos Beach, in the south of the island, is a large, beautiful sandy beach of turquoise water and high dunes that many rate the most beautiful in Greece; it is really two beaches, Frago and Sarakiniko, that meet, with rare protected white sea lilies blooming in late summer, a view across to Kythira, sunbeds for rent and a campsite nearby. Panagia Beach (Kato Nisi), on the west side, is a long, wide sandy beach sheltered by offshore islets, with pine trees for shade, a few sunbeds, and the rare Sempre Viva flower growing on its rocks.
Where to stay on Elafonisos
Elafonisos Diamond Resort
The brand-new Elafonisos Diamond Resort spreads over four acres in seven buildings, offering modern air-conditioned studios with free WiFi, satellite TV and sea views. The long sandy Panagia Beach is just 250 metres away and the town and port of Elafonisos 4.5 kilometers; the 3-star complex includes a buffet breakfast, free parking, a children's playground, a barbecue area, a bar and wheelchair-accessible rooms.
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