Meet you at the beach!
Endless dives, gazing at the blue sea, games at the seashore, picnic by the sea, romance at the sunset ... Summer means beach!
Over the last seven years, we have been spending my very best summers with my family in Nafplio, creating the most beautiful memories. You know what? Here you are never bored! You always have something new to do, something new to see, to discover...
For example, one of the beaches may have become your favorite, for your own reasons, but you know you have a lot of choices nearby, as long as you wish to change the scenery.
These are my favorite beaches, and I hope that they also become your own:
When I want to combine city walks and a swim nearby...
Karathona, a large sandy beach that spreads in three kilometers, behind the Palamidi’s castle rock hill, with its palm trees and other seaside trees, is ideal if you have children, as the sea is very shallow and the little ones enjoy it.
You may spend here your entire day, since anything you want you could find at the beach bars and the taverns. And while from the other beaches, when the sun sets, you pick up your stuff and leave, here you stay and have the post perfect beach parties and barbecues with your family and friends. You also have a night swim, why not?
Arvanitia beach has the most particular character, another beauty, perhaps because it lies just underneath Palamidi castle, with the unique combination of rocks and the sea. With pebbles and crystal clear waters, Arvanitia offers you all the facilities, lounge chairs, coffee, hangout…
*I suggest that you come early in the morning, enjoy a relaxing walk first and then dive into its cool waters. A real pleasure!
Where would I go for a swim with a friend, in his first visit to Nafplio?
Definitely in Agios Nikolaοs - Kondili Beach, which I consider to be one of the most beautiful beaches of Argolis. Only the sight of it, as you descend with the car down the snaking road that leads you there, for me is enough.
Kondyli -also called Agios Nikolaos, because of the small chapel that stands on its edge- is the beach where you would begin your day from the morning and you would leave late in the afternoon, when the sun decides to set and paint your universe in the most wonderful colors.
Ideal for ultimate relaxing in one of the beach bars, with your music, your comfort on the sun loungers, your coffee or your drink. If you are more of an active type or if the kids want a little fun, you will find water sports there and water bikes, simple ones or with a slide.
*Do not forget to take the diving mask with you, as the sea deepens abruptly and the unique world of the depth is stretching in front of you.
*Take a stroll up to the chapel of Agios Nikolaos, as long as you wear shoes for the sea, because you need at some point to walk inside the water and there are sea urchins! The view from above there is unique and the location is perfect for photos.
If you like having people around - or not...
You will visit the famous Tolo beach, definitely the more touristic place around. Prepare yourself to be surrounded by lots of people, during the whole summer, that chooses this amazing sandy organized beach, where you will also find to exercise water sports.
My choice is to visit Tolo with my friends and rent a small boat, that can take me to the small islands right opposite. If you have water and food with you, you will swim in the nicest waters and enjoy the tranquility. But then maybe some luxury yachts might appear and anchor nearby…
A little further; after making a necessary stop on the way, to visit Ancient Assini and the Kastraki beach, you will find Plaka Beach of Drepano village, beloved beach of the campers, that overflow the area in the summer.
With the characteristic slate that runs through this beach –where actually its name comes from (slate is called “plaka” in greek)- with little taverns right at the seaside and in Drepano village, this beach has two faces: organized, with all the beach bars and the taverns, but also quiet, for those who love the isolation and the tranquility. Somewhere in an in-between situation, you will find the lovely Ancient Assini Beach Bar, to relax and enjoy drinks, refreshments and ice creams gazing at the sea!
The picturesque little bay that Instagram loves
Talking about Vivari village, of course, which naturally consists an ideal choice for a swim for its inhabitants, but also for all those who cannot be parted from the seafood delicacies.
The bay is filled with small boats and sailboats and its image becomes even more picturesque and ideal for the Instagram.
It is worth taking a stroll in this fishing village with its well-known fish taverns on the beach and discover a picturesque hamlet, even more beautiful than it looks from the street.
Here you may combine coffee and breakfast in one of the cafeterias, you will have a swim and you will definitely enjoy seafood snacks overlooking the beautiful bay ahead.
Our own beach
Anybody choosing to stay in Kandia is definitely falling in love with it and selects it for the majority of their holiday days and nights.
Here you have a lot of options. You can isolate yourself and set your umbrella or tent, you may also find yourself in a bustling beach bar with live music, or go to another quiet family-type beach bar, or maybe to settle in front of a tavern on the beach, to combine swimming and food, or even to visit the five-star hotel on the other side and swim at the enormous pool or the beach.
The truth is that nearly everyone who discovers Kandia chooses to come back. Around the 15th of August it is full of people, but generally you can find a place on the beach or at a beach bar to settle.
When you visit Nafplio, come and find me! Enjoy your swims!
