Getting from Elafonisos to Nafplio

If you are heading to Nafplio from Elafonisos you are making your way from a small island off the southern Peloponnese coast to a neoclassical town on the Argolic Gulf in the Peloponnese, the first capital of modern Greece with the Venetian fortress of Palamidi above it and Mycenae, Epidaurus and Tiryns all within easy reach, relatively close in geographic terms given both sit in the southern Peloponnese.

Take the ferry

Elafonisos has no ferry connection to the wider Greek ferry network. The only ferry from Elafonisos is the short 10 minute crossing to Pounta on the southern Peloponnese, which runs every 30 minutes in summer. Getting to Nafplio means taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and then driving northeast through the Peloponnese via Sparta and Tripoli to Nafplio, which takes around 2.5 to 3 hours from Pounta. This avoids Athens entirely and is the most natural road connection between the two given their shared position in the southern Peloponnese.

Getting there by air

Nafplio has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Elafonisos has no airport. Taking the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and driving northeast to Nafplio gives a total journey time of around 3 to 3.5 hours and avoids Athens entirely. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Elafonisos to Pounta and drive northeast through the Peloponnese to Nafplio via Sparta and Tripoli. At around 3 to 3.5 hours total it avoids Athens entirely and is the most direct and natural approach. Having a car makes this route straightforward. Nafplio rewards at least two nights and is an excellent base for exploring Mycenae, Epidaurus and Tiryns, all within easy reach by car.