Elafonisos, Lakonia, Greece

Elafonisos is a beautiful island located at the southeastern tip of the Peloponnese, only 570 meters from the opposite Peloponnesian coast. In antiquity, Elafonisos did not constitute an island but a peninsula with the name "Onou Gnathos". 

On the way to Sarakiniko beach (Paradise)

The village of Elafonisos

The population is between 300 and 350 during the winter but increases dramatically in the summer months. During July and August the number of tourist visitors reach over 3,000 per day. Many people visit the island for its light coloured, sandy beaches. Among the most well known of its beaches are Sarakiniko, Fragos (Simos) and Panagias Nissia, all filled with blue-green waters.

The twin beaches of Sarakiniko and Simos

The crystal clear sea of Elafonisos

The current name the Elafonissos (Island of the Deers), according to research of Stamoulis Iakovos and Kroupis Ilias, is due to the rich hunting that existed in the region from the antiquity as it is reported by the Pausanias there was a statuary of Artemis (Goddess of hunting) in the region. Also, the existence of a population of deers of red colour.

Agios Spyridonas, Elafonisos

Frango (Simos)- Saracenico
This is the majestic twin beaches, the small and large bays on the south eastern tip of the island, opposite the Kythera and the Spathi tip. The amazing colours of the sea, a combination with thin light gold coloured sand Unique are the Cedar trees which can be found in Simos, Panagia ta Nisia, Megalo tigani and Kalogeras. In August, in the sand of beach blossom the sandy crinum, which you are advised not to cut, so it's seeds fertise.

The twin beaches

Where to stay

• Simos Camping

Elafonisos, Greece

Monemvasia, Lakonia, Greece

Rock of Monemvasia

Monemvasia is a small historic town in eastern Peloponnese, in the region of Laconia. It is better known by the medieval fortress on the "Rock of Monemvasia", which is literally an island, connected to the mainland by a 400 meter length bridge. 

Monemvasia

The old town of Monemvasia, situated on the rock, is a perfectly preserved medieval settlement still inhabited, a world cultural heritage monument and a major attraction for every traveler in the Peloponnese. It has a unique, magical atmosphere and a fascinating history.

Byzantine church in Monemvasia

The preserved buildings and structures include defensive structures of the outer castle and several small Byzantine churches and monuments, which are scattered throughout the old town (castle).

View from the top of the rock

An alley in Monemvasia

Monemvasia's nickname is "Gibraltar of the East", because it happens to be identical to the rock of Gibraltar. Today, it has 4.660 inhabitants, including the inhabitants of the new town of Monemvasia which is situated at the other end of the causeway on the mainland. It is easily accessible by car. However, cars are not allowed inside the old town, where you can only find small alleys with restaurants, hotels and souvenirs shops.

Monemvasia at night

Monemvasia, Greece

Limeni, Mani, Greece



Limeni Village

In the middle of the three legs, in the southern part of the Peloponnese, stands the peninsula where mt. Taygetos smoothly fades into the sea. Taygetos, is the highest mountain of Peloponnese, with an altitude of 2,407 m. This is the Mani, a place barren and arid, with tough and rugged landscape, medieval villages with unique architecture, beautiful traditional towers and people proud and irritable, with uncompromising character and great respect to family honor.

Takis Restaurant, Limeni Village

Limeni is a village on the Mani Peninsula, Greece. Limeni is situated on Limeni Bay which is a mile or two north of Areopoli, the capital of the Deep Mani, and is considered to be the most beautiful of all Mani's villages.
Limeni was the home town of the most important clan in Mani, the Mavromichalis, that played an important role in the greek liberation struggle of 1821 against the Ottomans. The Mavromichalis castle has been restored by the local council to what it looked like 200 years ago, and is now used as a museum.

Limeni Village at dusk

 Limeni, which is almost entirely built from stone and wood, attracts a lot of tourists during the summer months and it's also one of the local's favourite destination.

Sunset in Limeni