Outing 10 · The southern coast

Elafonisos Island

A full sea day on the island opposite the southern Laconian coast.

Small Simos beach on Elafonisos
Photo by DimitrisP67 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped for display

Why go

Elafonisos is known for pale sand, clear shallow water and the dunes around its best-known beaches. The island also has a harbour village where a long beach day can end with a meal. Stay on marked access routes around the sensitive dune landscape.

Plan it from Agios Dimitrios

From the retreat this is a longer outing: drive to the mainland crossing, then take the local ferry. Check the current sailing schedule and weather before leaving, and allow time for the return journey.

With thanks to Dr Dimitra Kamarinou, who restored this house and shared her knowledge of the region with us.

Further reading

Make a stay of it

Set out from Sparta Gaia.

Return to the village after a day by the sea or in the mountains.