When in Greece, I feel an unrelenting desire to discover, whether it’s a quaint church on the edge of the village or an ancient bridge in the wilderness—I simply have to experience it, even if it is a small unknown island like Elafonissos in the Peloponnese.
As I waited in the queue for thirty minutes to board the ferry that links the harbour of Pounta with the islet, I began to question the notion of how unknown it really was. The island is somewhat secluded, situated near the mainland of Peloponnese so the ferry journey lasts just ten minutes.
Elafonissos extends just over 7.72 mi2 (20 km2) and features a single main settlement, Elafonissos Town. This delightful fishing village has a tiny harbour, inviting taverns, vibrant shops, and welcoming cafes along the coast. I absolutely adored it! The morning was bustling— primarily with locals attending to their daily routines – so the atmosphere was laid-back, even with the noisy chatter and the car honking because it was trapped due to a parked motorbike.
I was astonished to discover that this hidden location was a battlefield between the Athenians and the Spartans around the 5th century BC, and it was a peninsula, not an island. It was originally called Όνoυ Γνάθος’, which translates to ‘the donkey’s jawbone’ as noted by the historian Pausanias, though we do not know why it got this name. Its current name means ‘deer island’ which seems a bit more logical.
This captivating island is enveloped by a pristine sea and has numerous stunning beaches. The sandy Simos beach, adorned with sea daffodils sprouting from the sand, was my favourite. The shallow turquoise water and the sparkly pink sand evoked memories of the islands in the Caribbean. I couldn’t help but admire it!
The beach is divided into two sections connected by a long pathway: one side endures strong winds and crashing waves against the shore, while the other side remains entirely tranquil, with the water barely stirring. I dedicated hours to exploring the beach, swimming, and simply floating in the sea. This was a wonderful location to just unwind and enjoy the moment.
