More Time in Nafplio or Santorini for Family in July with 2 Older Teens?

IME Santoni was hotter in July. It sounds like you have answered your own question: Santorini sounds like a place you and your kids would like enough time to do all the things you have in mind. Santorini is definitely more of a scene, which sounds like it might appeal to your kids if they are interested in clubbing. We spent 2 ½ days in S and 3 in N, and were happy with that. On S we did the boat around the caldera and walked extensively around the villages and visited an archeological site. I dont know if that helps. (We also stayed on Plaka beach in Nafplio and were happy with that choice too :)

I wouldn’t count on cool weather in either place. But yes, your best bet for Nafplio is early. We spent four nights in Nafplio in June with our young adult children and hit temperatures in high 90s. We toured in morning and spent afternoons at different beaches.

We also spent three nights on Santorini. There is no shade on the hike from Fira to Oia so you will want to leave early. So no advantage over Nafplio in that way. But it is the most beautiful hike any of us have ever done so worth it. Your teens will love jumping off the “cliff” at Amoudi Bay. I know My kids did.

I am not sure there is a right answer. There is enough to do in both places regardless how you divide your days. Nafplio is a lot cheaper than Santorini if that matters. The fortress in Nafplio was some of our group’s favorite activity. We got up early at my 20 year old son’s suggestion and climbed all 999 steps. They liked Epidaurus much better than Mycanae which was more ruined. We visited Mycanae and Nemea the same day and they far preferred Nemea.

I will tell you that my young adult children never did go out in the evening, much to my surprise. They were too worn out from all our day activities!

@BethFL and the forum at large.... fave beaches around Nafplio?? sounds like you checked out several.. thanks!

this is for gry/73 -- Hello again, as I recall I spent a lot of time tinkering with your itinerary, and never did see the final, but I hoped it helped. Now the EASY answer to the Nafplio beach question is -- did you click every link in http://www.visitnafplio.com as I ordered you to do?? If so, you'll have all the options; the choice depends on time, weather, etc. Here's another listing (which seems to be aimed at RV owners, but is good) - https://greeklandscapes.com/nafplio-beaches/ I can add my experience with each:

• TOWN BEACH - Arvanita... handy & lots of fun - you can see it when you're up in Acronafplia at the little park at the top of the "point" (great views!) you can walk down a ramped drive, or u can do the long sea-level walk around the Poin (MORE great v iews!) t... or drive to the parking lot. The "beach" because it's all rocks needs water-shoes (BTW highly advise u buy. $7 @CVS/walmart & pack instead of flip-flops - useful many beaches in Greece, AND Somehow not seen in shops there). Luckily there's a handy concrete platform (with sunbeds) u can get into water. The sea at Arvanitais like glass in AM, in afternoon begins swirly-whirly, like being massaged in a Bendix - startling but fun.

• "BANIERES" -- This is right on the sea-level path past the "point" ... former "Lido" swim club... not sand, just piers out into lovely deep water -- so handy for refreshing quick dip if u have hotel right in main part of Old Town .. also has a bar (!). As website notes, restaurant Agnanti is perfect for dining WITH sunset ... IF it's open (Covid has affected so many businesses)

• TOLO -- 15 mins outside of town, where many OId City tourists head ... sandy beach, nice descent but some drawbacks: this is a big "package holiday" w hotels jammed together & beach can be crowdy at center ... yet apparently NO public changing rooms or restroom facilities. For these u need to walk confidently into a hotel lobby acting as if u are a guest, & hope to spot a restroom - or else buy a soda at the outdoor bar, then ask for the facilities & carry your beverage thru lobby. Also, sunbed rental pricey for what you get.

• KARATHONA -- Haven't swum there, we got lost on its in/out roads... not that handy to Nafplio either.

• KASTRAKI BEACH at ANCIENT ASINE -- Now here's my little fave... First time, found it all by myself, took a bus & asked to be let off near Asine, walked 100 yards down a shady lane -- and there it was! A small cove, almost no one there in early June, tho u could look across the bay to jampacked Tolo. Somewhat rocky at water's edge (water shoes!) but crystal clear, great swims. Cove has ONE little taverna, family-run, with a WC to change in and 6 sunbeds & sunbrellas, free when u buy a beverage and why not? In fact, it's fun to stay on its canopied terrace for an early dinner at sunset. BTW, you should check out the Asine ruins... and beyond its walls, you walk a little road along a campground and !! a SANDY beach!! a couple of piers... NO facilities whatever... good for a dip if u have a car to change in & have brought drinks & snacks.

Do not change your allocation of days! There is do more to do in Napflion than Santorini.

We had four nights, three full days in Nafplio with our young adult children and my brother in law.

Every day it was hot and every afternoon we went to a different beach.

1. Arvanita-the town beach. Very rocky. We had water shoes. Nice lunch although considerably more expensive than other places. We got free chairs from eating there which worked out to be a good deal. Pretty views. We liked it here.
2. Tolo- No dressing rooms, no bathrooms, and liter on the beach. My two sons found a bar on the beach and had beers and were much more positive about it. It does have the best sand of the places we went but it was the only place we went in Greece that I actually did not like.
3. Karathona Five of us walked here from parking lot of town beach along the water. Beautiful hike but much was in the sun so hot. My husband and his brother came later and drove and they walked back to Nafplio while I drove the car. It was much cooler when they walked and it was one of my husband's favorite activities in Greece. Beach is sandy but not as nice as Tolo but there are bathrooms, a snack bar, and inexpensive chairs to rent (cheapest of the three). It is more like a campground beach. It was not crowded. We liked it a lot.
   

We had four twenty somethings with us. They loved Nemea--far more than Mycenae which took much more imagination. There is also an air conditioned very well done museum. And it was much fun to pretend to compete on the track. They also really liked Epidaurus--the theater is amazing and the view from the top needs to be seen to be appreciated. We also climbed all the steps to Palamidi which was a favorite site. It was interesting to consider that it was built by the Venetians about the time the U.S. was in the Revolutionary War.

We went to Santorini too. I would keep your current allotment of time.

We went to a town near Naufplio and took a snorkeling trip. I'm sorry that I don't remember the name of the town.

Thanks all for the addtl insights on the beaches around Nafplio... @Janet= yes, clicked EVERY link on the visitnafplio site and also am watching the forum every day since the insights from those who have been there, done that, are extremely useful on top of my own research - so thanks to all of you for sharing the wisdom... very very helpful!

I too want to thank everyone (I'm the original poster). I did not change my itinerary: 3 nights Nafplio and 2 nights Santorini (also, 4 nights Naxos, 4 nights Milos, and 3 nights Athens). I have a question about restaurants in Nafplio but will start a new thread.