WWK

We have been to Greece many times, but usually go to Athens and the Aegean islands. Next summer we will be in Nafplio for several days, but would like to add a wonderful beach location either on the way from Athens or the way back. Any suggestions? Thanks very much!

worldinabag

Hi

Not far south of Nafplio is the pretty beach village of Tolon. We stayed at the very pleasant Flisvos Royal - http://www.flisvoshotel.gr/flisvosroyal.php. Its sister hotel, Flisvos, is right on the beach.

WWK

Thanks very much, worldinabag! I looked briefly at Tolon a few days ago, but read comments that it wasn't maintained well?

HappyTrvlr

Tool is near Napflio. Don't remember it being very attractive though.

travelerjan

Disagree about Tolo ... yes it is a beach town with hotels side-by-side along the beach ... I've been there in June and September, it may well be crowded at central section during High Season of July-August ...however, I have taken the bus from Nafplio several times to the beach, and at the Far end (L as u face water), very attractive and clean, both water & sand.

Do be aware that if you want to use hotel restrooms to change or for other purposes, the acceptable way is to go to a hotel's outdoor bar, order a coke or a beer, and after being served just inquire the way to "toilette." Understandably, Hotels anyplace seldom respond well to people just marching in and asking to use a restroom. Note: I believe that on the beach there are outdoor showers/faucets to rinse off after a swim.

However, I do hope you are famliar with the superb noncommercial website about Nafplio and the argolid area -- http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnafplio.com/Home.html Its Beaches section http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnafplio.com/Home.html shows you clearly all the beaches near Nafplio.

I personally love the little cove called "Kastraki" -- a pebbly beach just across from Tolo... NEVER crowded even in highest season, and the cutest taverna there (with restrooms where u can change, just buy a beverage)....

It is also called Assini, right to the South of Tolo, on the road from Nafplio. There is a bend in the road, a small taverna, and a sign saying "Assini" or "Assine". This excellent online map -- http://www.esperides.gr/images/pelop..._esperides.jpg -- shows exactly where Tolo and Assine are located on the way to or from Nafplio. I found Kastraki/Assine first, by taking a local Tolo-bound bus from Nafplio and asking to be let off at the Assini crossroads... walked 200 yards down a shady lane and VOILA! If u walk around the Assini BC-era ruin, you find a lovely sandy beach as well (only drawback, no facilities like taverna, sunbeds etc).

Several times since then, on trips w. newcomers, driving back to Nafplio from seeing Epidaurus theatre & ruins under a noon sun, hot and tired, we've stopped at Kastraki/Assine cove, swam & sunbathed, relaxed, then enjoyed lovely fish dinner at the tiny cafe and viewing wonderful sunset across the water. Highly recommended!

travelerjan

No "edit" function, grr. Wrong link for beaches --here's the right one: http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnaf...m/Beaches.html

WWK

Thanks so much travelerjan for the excellent information! Any recommendations for hotels/B&BS in Nafplio? Husband has some trouble walking, so I'd give up a view for less steps. Also would you bother splitting time between Nafplio and Tolon or is that silly?

travelerjan

Yes, splitting time is silly. And it would help if you told me whether you are renting a car to visit Nafplio. An alternative is to take the (comfy reserved-seat) KTEL intercity bus (2.5 hrs from ATH, goes hourly on half-hour) ... you can always rent a car for 1-2 days while in Nafplio.

Since Pop has some walking issues, best to stay at sea level ... you don't give me a budget, I don't know if you want a posh hotel, hard to recommend w.o. knowing more about your tastes/budget. A very reliable budget hotel. Hotel Victoria, is 1 block off the marble-paved main square (you'll want to sit there every night under the moon & watch the fun). It has about 30+ rooms, has breakfast, AND elevator. Balcony rooms. Ask for top floor apartment with either a balcony view NE to Palamidi, or S.W. over an open plaza toward the water. Check the Trip Advisor reviews & you'll get a good idea ... This is always the one I recommend for people w any mobility issues. I stay "up the steps" at Hotel Leto -- but given the state of my right knee this week, it may be my last visit there, next June.

There are some nice, more luxe boutique hotels around (usually former old mansions), but with just a few rooms & most often have stairs to your room. A consideration.

WWK

Now I've done what drives me nuts with other posters. Not given enough information! Greek friends are driving us to Napflion from Athens. We may rent a car for a few days so we can tour the area more easily.

I would like to find a "luxe boutique hotel." Have been looking at Amphitryon. (I'm probably spelling it wrong?) Stairs to the room isn't a problem unless there are tons of them. Lots of stairs or hills back and forth to town IS a problem.

A last question: Would it be a mistake to base in Tolon instead of Napflio? My husband loves the beach, but I'm just wondering if it's more of a city beach than the two that you've mentioned above?

Thanks so much for your help! And good luck with your knee!

travelerjan

You also have not said WHEN you are coming. "Summer" means June 1 - Sept 1" and advice for June would differ greatly from MidJuly thru August, when all of Northern Europe jumps into jumbo planes and Dumps on Greece.

Im not sure what you mean by a "city beach". Tolo/Tolon (note: there are many spellings for every place) is strictly a holiday beach town, empty in winter, but would be packed day and night July-Aug ... and a lot of the crowd are British package-holiday visitors.

THe busiest hotels are crammed right onto Tolo beach or across its busy beach road, and the nicer ones are higher up on the hills over the village, a problem hiking up and down in high season and hard to find parking right by the sand in High season (see what I mean about giving more info about trip dates??) ...

There's a hotel & bungalows at the far end of the beach (at L facing the water) might suit you... http://minoanhotels.gr/Hotel-in-Tolo...galows/en.html ... above the beach w sloping road going down... pictures give a good diea of bungalows & hotel is right next. This link http://minoanhotels.gr shows all the area hotels in Minoan Hotel group.

I don't know what you mean by "Would it be a mistake". Because it depends on your priorities and is between you and your spouse. If he mainly wants to lie on the beach, then you may decide to book by the beach. And he can lie there and you can catch the bus into Nafplio, and browse the chic shops, and go to the SUPERB Folklore Museum ... and the small but Fab Archeology musum on the square, etc etc. I cannot decide for you, I can only give options. and when people are not clear about what they really do want, some of us spend time pulling together information which then proves to be irrelevant. So, I suggest you discuss it with your husband, and both look at some websites (especially Visit Nafplio and the Minoan website) and make a decision.

In Nafplio, besides amphitryon, boutique hotels include is Hotel Grande Bretagne, Aetoma, and Ippoliti (in old town but, unusually, has a small pool). I would suggest reading TA reviews for all.

WWK

Thanks again travelerjan! We will be in Nafplion for five days, the third week in June.

When I think of "city beaches", I think of ones similar to the beach in St. George, Naxos. I wouldn't go out of my way to spend time on that particular beach.

My husband and I both enjoy the beach, but also love to wander and explore cities, so it sounds like Nafplio is the best bet for us.

Thanks again for your time and suggestions!