Have you ever wanted to go to Greece but thought you could not afford to go?
There is a tiny island named Elafonisos, which is less known to tourists, but it would make a great vacation spot. It is affordable and has beautiful white sands. It is on the Peloponnese Peninsula, which is known for its beaches.
The guest houses and campsites run $40 to $60 a night, and beach resorts are $80 to $150. Can you imagine staying in a beautiful place like Greece? This is very affordable for budget-minded people.
You can go to one of the many restaurants, eat seafood, and watch the water while the birds fly by, or run through the sands barefoot and get in the clear waters, rippling through your toes while collecting seashells.
To get there, you may want to look at Google Flights and watch for their different options or visit a low-budget online place like Expedia.com. It would help if you thought about how you want to get around on the island.
The airport is Kalamata Airport.
Book a taxi.
Car (yours that you rented on the mainland)
motorbike
Sea Bus “Zoumpoulaki” connects Elafonisos with Pounda twice a day.
Ferry Boat-Elafonisos with Pounda
Ferries leave from Neapoli.
Elafonisos is on the Southern side of the Peloponnese near the Laconia, and the beautiful mountainside is breathtaking. If you have ever been to the Caribbean, it will remind you of those turquoise waters. There are three beaches there: Simos, Saranika, and Panagia. Simos is where you get the water sports activities.
There is one village, and it lights up at night after the sun-bathing beauties come in. Everyone comes to wine and dine. They walk around the town to take in the beauty of the small town and maybe have a little small talk with the villagers. I only recommend three days here, and then I would move on since there is not that much to do. There are several taverns along the water where you can brew and relax.
This is my kind of place. I can come and enjoy the beauty of the beaches, the drinks, and the small village, where I could write about Greece and its history.
Getting accommodations on the island after a hot and sweaty day is best. The only means is your rental car, and you are on an island, and the ferry runs only so often. The hotels are reasonably priced, so let's make a great vacation out of it.
There are many to choose from. I will list a few, but here is a link. Booking.com.
Elafonisos Resort is a 3-star resort near the harbor where fishing boats are, and it is breathtaking. You can sit on the balcony, drink wine, and watch them. The landscaping is upper-class, and it has rooms and suites. Free Wi-Fi, a hairdryer, a pool, and a bar. This is for under $100.00
Estella Studios is beachfront and colorful. I would choose this one. It is excellent for $63.00.
Kalomoira’s Apartment is near the beach and costs $106.00, and I would also choose this one if I wanted an apartment. It is only 250 feet away from the beach.
There are many more to choose from, including houses with free Wi-Fi, TV, and hairdryer. Hairdryers are very important because their hookup may differ from ours. I learned the hard way when I was in Mexico.
Some accommodations are a couple of miles away and are under $70.00 a night.
You must go to the Folklore Museum to learn about the rich history of Elafonisos and experience traditions. This small museum is in an inn and tells you the past of the Cretan/Greek people. There are artifacts of the people of the past, and Mr. Dimitris tells the stories with passion. The reviews are great, especially about Mr. Dimitris being a great storyteller.
Go on a half-day Quad Safari. It sells out fast. You will see the landscapes and the history. Enjoy a cup of joe at a beautiful coffee shop. The ATV adventure up the northern coast will be unforgettable. Water splashes in your face as you slip and slide on adventure trails.
There are a few other tours and itineraries you can follow.
Here are a couple of restaurants that you might enjoy. There were plenty on the list.
The Butcher’s Grill had 4.8 stars with great reviews. They serve anything from hamburgers and steak to Greek food.
A restaurant that serves all Greek dishes like Kalamara, Octopus, and Greek Salat Teller.
Many restaurants serve Greek food at reasonable prices. They offer curbside, dine-in, and delivery options.
To get an idea of some other things to do on this private island, like tours and other things, go to viator.com
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I hope you liked this story about this quiet, beautiful island. subscribe to hear more of my travel stories. By Monday, I will have part 2 of an exciting mythical adventure for you to read, so get ready.
L Jean- Thanks for sharing this. I've always loved Greece. The turquoise blue against the white walls is probably my favorite part. Elafonisos seems stunning. What have you noticed to be particularly different about this island when compared to the other islands in Greece?