While you wouldn’t visit Nafplio solely for the beaches, there are still some lovely swimming spots to search out. There are options within the town itself and further out, with the beaches ranging from tiny pebbled coves to wide expanses of sand. The waters in the Argolic Gulf are clear and clean and the coastline is home to a few low-key resorts that cater to a weekending Athens crowd, although it is further down the coast towards Porto Heli that is getting the most recent development.
Hiring a car unveils a plethora of pristine beaches, ensuring unimpeded access to sun-drenched, secluded coastal havens.
Arvanitia
The city beach of Nafplio is not really a beach but rather a seaside mix of smooth rocks, pebbly shoreline, and concrete jetties. The setting is magnificent with views across the Argolic Gulf to mountains to the front, the castle of Acronafplia to the east, and soaring overhead, the might of the Palamidi fortress. Somewhat dominated by a beach bar, BluBlanc, that plays loud music, Arvanitia is ideal for a morning dip or a refreshing swim after a day of sightseeing, though there are parasols and loungers for those who want to stay. The beach can be reached by taking the seaside promenade that hugs the cliffs beneath the Acronafplia to the south of town.
Banieres
Again not a beach but the old Lido is perfect for those staying in town who want a cool-off. Under the castle walls of Acronafpalia, concrete jetties have steel ladders to enter the water and the area is used by locals to get a morning swim in before work. The view back from the water of the castle is splendid and the water, despite being near to the harbour, is clean and clear.
Karathonas
The most popular beach close to the city is Karathonas, a wide sandy bay. Easy to reach by car and bus, it is also a pleasant walk from town along the seaside promenade and then a dirt track. The eucalyptus, palm and pine-backed sands are a favourite with local families as the water remains shallow for a long distance. Surrounded by steep cliffs and with a pretty islet in the gulf, the beach is partly organised with umbrellas and beds outside the beach bars and taverns and there is a watersport outfit.
Kiveri
On the opposite side of the Argolic Gulf, Kiveri is a quite large beach in front of the similarly named village. Organised with small stones, the water shelves gently but can be cold in places due to underwater springs. There are cafés, tavernas and restaurants behind the beach and it is a favourite of families who love the view across to Nafplio.
Tolo
Developed in the 1970’s and 1980’s for holidaying Athenians there is something of a faded glamour to Tolo, however, the views out to the deserted islands of Romvi, Koronisi and Daskalio are sweet and Psili Ammos, fine sand, lives up to its name. Loved by families for its shallow waters that deepen very slowly, the beach is organised with umbrellas and loungers and many cafés and tavernas back on to the shoreline. There are watersport rentals and at the southern edge of town, a harbour with excursion boats to Spetses and Hydra.
Neraki
Between Arvanitia and Karathonas is a small cove with sand and shingly pebbles. Accessed on foot and completely unorganised, Neraki has good, clean water and it is the first in a series of small beaches accessed by clambering over the rocks. Bring all you need as there is nothing nearby and shade cannot be guaranteed.
Kandia
A long beach 20 kilometres from Nafplion, Kandia has something for everyone. There is a famous beach bar that is a magnet for a young, glamourous crowd at weekends with parasols and sunbeds on a pebbly shoreline, while further down families play in the sand, and after at the western edge there is seclusion and peace. The sea is clean but it can get wavy in the afternoon, a fact exploited by the watersport rentals who hire out windsurfing equipment.
Kondyli
A large wide beach, Kondyli is sometimes known as Agios Nikolaos after the chapel that watches over the shoreline. Sandy with small pebbles, it is sheltered by a finger of land that keeps the Blue Flag awarded waters nice and calm. Mostly unorganised, there are a couple of beach bars with parasols and loungers outside and there is plenty of parking to the rear. At the very northern margin, a walk over the rocks leads to a sandy, secluded cove ideal for romantics.
Read also:
7 reasons why Nafplio is always a great idea
Road Trip to Legendary Mycenae and Nafplio the First Capital of Greece
Nafplio, Pelion, Monemvasia: Spring driving in three of Greece’s loveliest areas
