Our "Hiking to Karathona Beach from Nafplio" excursion is the perfect way to get away from it all in Nafplio. This refreshing walk down the coast combines stunning scenery, historical charm, and spectacular views of the sea. It's one of the most beautiful things to do in the Peloponnese.
This journey will leave you speechless, whether you want to walk, travel, or take pictures. The trip begins in the middle of the ancient town and takes you all the way to Karathona beach, which is a hidden gem. Along the route, you'll see some of the most beautiful views of the Argolic Gulf.
Your hike from Nafplio to Karathona beach starts at the lively Syntagma Square, where the charm of current café life meets the spirit of history. It's the perfect site to start a trip that mixes culture, history, and nature because it's surrounded by buildings from the Venetian era, museums, and busy stores.
From here, you'll walk down the famous cobblestone streets that go through Nafplio's Old Town. You'll experience the rich history of one of Greece's most romantic places as you walk past beautiful neoclassical homes and bougainvillea flowers.
The fact that this climb is so close to Nafplio's famous forts, Akronafplia and Palamidi, is one of the best things about it. You will understand why these fortifications were so significant for ages when you walk under their huge stone walls. As you hike from Nafplio to Karathona Beach, the spectacular shape of the mountains makes the perfect background.
Akronafplia is the oldest fortification in the city. It has interesting views of the Old Town and the sea. The Palamidi Fortress, on the other hand, rises higher and is a great example of Venetian military construction. We don't go all the way to the summit on this trip, but the sight of these forts is amazing.
The trail takes you away from the old town and to the Arvanitia Promenade, one of Nafplio's most popular walks. This beautiful, paved route runs along the rocky coast and gives you unbroken views of the turquoise Argolic Gulf. The path goes around the bottom of the cliffs in Akronafplia, making a natural theater of sea, stone, and sky.
At sunset, the promenade is exceptionally beautiful. The sky turns into a painting of colors—orange, purple, and red—that reflect on the water's surface as the sun sets in the west. You should stop for pictures or just enjoy the peace of the moment during this stretch of your hike to Karathona beach from Nafplio.
The second part of the trip goes over Arvanitia Beach, a small yet popular beach with clean water and a rocky shore. A lot of people in the area like to swim there quickly. It's also a nice location to relax and listen to the ocean.
The trail gets increasingly rugged and wild as it goes from Arvanitia to the rocky coast, where it winds through areas of Mediterranean plants. Nature lovers appreciate this pristine stretch of shoreline, where you can sometimes see seagulls and smell wild herbs in the air.
The climb ends at the southern end of Karathona Beach, which is a wide crescent of golden sand flanked by rolling hills and olive orchards. There aren't as many people there as at other beaches in the area, so it's a great place to rest and swim after a trek.
The modest whitewashed chapel of Saint Nicholas is tucked away on a rock at one end of the bay. This serene place is built right above the sea, which lends a spiritual touch to your hike from Nafplio to Karathona beach. It's the best location to think, enjoy the sea wind, or light a candle in peace to show your thanks.
What makes this hike so special?
Make a reservation for your hike to Karathona Beach from Nafplio today and find a coastal paradise just a few feet away from history.
One step, one wave, and one sunset at a time, let your adventure begin.
Degree of difficulty: Easy
