Tolo is the beach resort of the Argolid, a lively seaside village on a long sandy bay about eleven kilometres south of Nafplio. Once a fishing village, it has grown into the region’s favourite resort while keeping a relaxed, family feel, with a kilometre of soft sand, calm shallow water sheltered by islets, watersports, boat trips and a seafront lined with tavernas and hotels. Close enough to Nafplio and the ancient sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus to combine a beach holiday with the history of the Argolid, Tolo is the best base near the town for a proper stay by the sea.
This guide covers Tolo in full: the beach and watersports, the islets and ancient Asine, the tavernas and hotels, how to get there, the boat trips and day trips, and the best time to visit. Read it beside the full Nafplio travel guide, the guide to the Nafplio beaches and the guide on where to stay in Nafplio.
What is Tolo in Greece?
Tolo is a beach resort on a long sandy bay in the Argolid, about eleven kilometres south of Nafplio. Once a fishing village, it is now the region’s favourite seaside resort, with a kilometre of soft sand, calm shallow water sheltered by islets, watersports, boat trips, tavernas and family hotels.
It is the resort of the Argolid. Tolo is the main beach resort near Nafplio, a lively seaside village grown from a fishing port, so it offers the resort holiday and the sandy beach that the historic town, with its small coves, does not.
It sits on a sheltered bay. The village lies on a long bay sheltered by islets, with a kilometre of soft sand and calm, shallow water, so it is a safe and inviting beach, framed by hills and looking out to the little islands offshore.
It keeps a family feel. Despite growing into a resort, Tolo has kept a relaxed, family atmosphere, so it draws families and beach-lovers for a proper stay by the sea, close to Nafplio and the ancient sites, as the guide to the Nafplio beaches describes.
What is Tolo beach like?
Tolo beach is a long stretch of fine sand about a kilometre long, running from Psili Ammos to the village port, with a gentle, gradual entry into calm, shallow, almost waveless water. Sheltered in its bay, it is clean and safe, one of the best family swimming beaches in the Argolid.
It is a long sandy strand. The beach runs for about a kilometre from Psili Ammos at one end to the port at the other, a long stretch of fine, soft sand, so there is room to spread out along the shore.
The water is calm and shallow. The sea welcomes swimmers with a gentle, gradual entry into calm, shallow water, nearly waveless in the sheltered bay, so it is safe and comfortable, especially for families with children.
It is clean and safe. Clean, clear and sheltered, Tolo beach is one of the best family swimming beaches in the region, so it draws visitors for the sea as much as for the resort, a reliable and inviting shore.
What watersports are there at Tolo?
Tolo has the most complete range of watersports near Nafplio: jet skis, parasailing, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, windsurfing, banana boats, pedalos and sailing. Watersports centres operate along the beach, so the resort offers everything from gentle paddling to high-speed thrills on the calm bay.
The bay is made for watersports. The calm, sheltered water of Tolo is ideal for watersports, so centres along the beach offer a full range, from jet skis and parasailing to gentler kayaking and paddleboarding.
There is something for everyone. From the thrill of jet skis, parasailing and banana boats to the calm of pedalos, kayaks and paddleboards, and the skill of windsurfing and sailing, the watersports at Tolo suit every age and taste.
It is the resort’s great draw. Because it has the most complete watersports of any beach near Nafplio, Tolo is the choice for an active beach holiday, so families and thrill-seekers alike find plenty to do on the water.
Is Tolo good for families?
Yes, Tolo is one of the best family beach resorts in the Argolid. Its long sandy beach, calm shallow water and gentle entry are safe for children, and the resort has family hotels, tavernas, watersports and everything a family needs, all a short drive from Nafplio and the ancient sites.
The beach is safe for children. The long, sandy beach with its calm, shallow, waveless water and gentle entry is ideal and safe for young children, so Tolo is a reassuring choice for a family beach holiday.
The resort has everything families need. With family hotels, apartments, tavernas, cafes, watersports and shops along the seafront, Tolo has all the facilities a family needs, so a beach holiday there is easy and comfortable.
The sights are close. Because Nafplio and the ancient sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus lie a short drive away, a family can mix beach days at Tolo with sightseeing, so the resort combines a seaside holiday with the history of the Argolid.
What is the history of Tolo?
Tolo grew from a small fishing village into the beach resort it is today, drawn by its fine sandy bay. The area has ancient roots at nearby Asine, a Mycenaean settlement, and the modern village developed as tourism came to the Argolid, keeping a relaxed feel despite its growth.
It began as a fishing village. Tolo was once a small fishing village on its bay, so its roots lie in the sea and the simple life of the coast, a heritage still felt in its harbour and tavernas.
It has ancient neighbours. The area has deep roots at nearby Asine, a Mycenaean and later ancient settlement on the hill above the coast, so the modern resort sits beside one of the ancient sites of the Argolid.
It grew with tourism. As tourism came to the Argolid, drawn by the beaches and the ancient sites, Tolo developed into a resort, so its growth is recent, and it has kept a relaxed, family character despite becoming the region’s favourite seaside village.
What is Ancient Asine near Tolo?
Ancient Asine is a Mycenaean and later ancient acropolis on a hill by the sea just outside Tolo, with walls and ruins excavated on the hilltop. Once an important Bronze Age town, its remains of houses, baths, workshops and towers make it a rewarding ancient site a short walk or drive from the resort.
It was a Bronze Age town. Asine was an important Mycenaean settlement, so its acropolis on the hill by the sea holds Bronze Age remains, a link to the world of Mycenae and Tiryns nearby.
Its walls survive on the hill. The acropolis, on a hill above the coast, keeps its ancient walls, some dating from later fortification, and excavations have uncovered houses, baths, workshops, tanks and towers, so there is much to see among the ruins.
It is close to the resort. Ancient Asine lies just outside Tolo, a short walk or drive from the beach, so a visit combines easily with a beach day, adding ancient history to a stay at the resort.
What islets are in Tolo bay?
Tolo bay is dotted with three small islets, Romvi, Koronisi and Daskalio, which shelter the beach and give it its calm water. Koronisi is close to the shore and easily reached, while boat trips and watersports visit the islets, adding to the beauty and the pleasures of the bay.
Three islets shelter the bay. The islets of Romvi, Koronisi and Daskalio lie off Tolo, sheltering the bay and giving the beach its calm, waveless water, so they are both a beautiful sight and the reason for the safe swimming.
Koronisi is close to shore. The little islet of Koronisi sits close to the beach, easily reached by a short swim or a pedalo, with a small chapel, so it is a favourite spot for a swim out from the shore.
Boats visit the islets. Watersports and boat trips reach the islets of the bay, so visitors can explore them by kayak, paddleboard or boat, adding to the pleasures of the sea at Tolo, as the guide to Nafplio boat trips describes.
What other beaches are near Tolo?
Near Tolo are more beaches: the small beach of ancient Asine just 500 metres away, and Plaka Drepanou over the peninsula, one of the most famous beaches in the Argolid, combining sand and pebbles with swimming, food and entertainment. These give a choice of shores within a short distance of the resort.
Ancient Asine beach is close. A small beach lies just 500 metres from Tolo by the ancient acropolis of Asine, so it is an easy walk to a quieter stretch of shore beside the ruins.
Plaka Drepanou is over the peninsula. On the other side of the peninsula stretches the big beach of Plaka Drepanou, one of the most famous in the Argolid, combining sand and pebbles with swimming, tavernas and entertainment, so it is a rewarding day trip from Tolo.
The area has a choice of beaches. Between Tolo, ancient Asine and Plaka Drepanou, the area offers several beaches within a short distance, so a stay at Tolo gives a choice of shores, from the main resort beach to quieter and larger alternatives.
Where do you eat in Tolo?
You eat in Tolo along the seafront, where cafes, tavernas and restaurants line the beach with views over the Argolic Gulf. Fresh fish and seafood, Greek dishes and international fare are all served, so the resort offers a wide choice of dining, from a beach lunch to a seafront dinner at sunset.
The seafront is lined with tavernas. Cafes, tavernas and restaurants run along the beachfront of Tolo, so eating with a view of the sea is easy, from a coffee or a snack to a full meal at any time of day.
Seafood leads the menu. As a former fishing village, Tolo serves fresh fish and seafood, so a seafood meal by the water is a highlight, alongside grilled meats, Greek dishes and international fare for every taste.
Sunset dinners are the draw. Dining on the seafront as the sun sets over the gulf and the islets is one of the pleasures of Tolo, so an evening meal by the water rounds off a beach day, a relaxed end to the day at the resort.
Where do you stay in Tolo?
You stay in Tolo in the family hotels, apartments and rooms that line the seafront and the village, mostly two- and three-star hotels with pools and restaurants, along with self-catering apartments and inexpensive rooms. Many look out over the bay, so a stay combines a beach base with sea views.
Family hotels line the front. Tolo has many two- and three-star family hotels, often with swimming pools and restaurants, along the seafront and in the village, so it offers comfortable, affordable accommodation right by the beach.
Apartments and rooms suit every budget. Alongside the hotels are self-catering apartments with kitchens and inexpensive rooms to let, so Tolo caters to families, couples and budget travellers alike, with a range of accommodation for every purse.
Many rooms have sea views. Because the resort is built around its bay, many hotels and apartments look out over the sea and the islets, so a stay in Tolo often comes with a sea view, a beach holiday with the water on the doorstep.
How do you get to Tolo from Nafplio?
You get to Tolo from Nafplio in about fifteen minutes by car, covering some eleven kilometres down the coast, or by frequent local bus. The short distance makes Tolo an easy trip from Nafplio for a beach day, and an easy base from which to visit the town and the ancient sites.
A car is quickest. Driving from Nafplio to Tolo takes about fifteen minutes, a short trip of eleven kilometres down the coast, so a car is the easiest way to reach the resort, whether for a beach day or a longer stay.
Buses run frequently. Regular local buses connect Nafplio and Tolo through the day, so the resort is easily reached without a car, a short and cheap ride between the town and the beach.
It works both ways. Because the two are so close, visitors staying in Nafplio come to Tolo for a beach day, and those staying in Tolo visit the town for its sights and tavernas, so the resort and the town complement each other, as the guide on where to stay in Nafplio notes.
How do you get to Tolo from Athens?
You get to Tolo from Athens in about two hours by car, some 150 kilometres via the Corinth Canal and Nafplio, or by KTEL bus to Nafplio and a connecting local bus. Organised transfers also run, so the resort is reached the same way as Nafplio, just a little further down the coast.
The drive is straightforward. Tolo lies about 150 kilometres from Athens, around two hours by car through the Corinth Canal and past Nafplio, so it is reached by the same route as the town, an easy drive on good roads.
Buses go via Nafplio. KTEL buses run from Athens to Nafplio, from where a frequent local bus continues to Tolo, so the resort is reachable by public transport with one change at the town.
Transfers are an option. Private transfers and taxis also run from Athens and its airport to Tolo, so families and groups who prefer a direct door-to-door journey can reach the resort without changing buses, as the guide on how to get to Nafplio explains.
What boat trips run from Tolo?
Boat trips run from Tolo to the islets of the bay and to the Saronic islands of Spetses and Hydra, as well as cruises along the coast. Excursion boats leave from the village port, so a stay at Tolo offers days on the water and trips to the islands as well as the beach.
Boats visit the islets and coast. Excursion boats from the port of Tolo cruise the bay and its islets and the nearby coast, so a boat trip is an easy addition to a beach day, exploring the sheltered waters of the gulf.
Islands are within reach. Excursion vessels make trips to the Saronic islands of Spetses and Hydra from the area, so a stay at Tolo can include a day on a Greek island, adding variety to a beach holiday.
The port is the starting point. Because the boats leave from the village port at the end of the beach, boat trips are easily arranged on the spot, so the sea offers more than swimming at Tolo, from island days to coastal cruises.
What day trips can you take from Tolo?
From Tolo you can take day trips to Nafplio, the citadel of Mycenae, the theatre of Epidaurus, the palace of Tiryns and ancient Argos, all within an easy drive in the Argolid. The resort’s central position makes it a fine base for combining beach days with the great ancient sites of the region.
Nafplio is minutes away. The beautiful town of Nafplio, with its fortresses, old town and museums, is only fifteen minutes from Tolo, so it is the easiest and most frequent day trip, for its sights and its evenings.
The ancient sites are close. Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tiryns and Argos all lie within an easy drive of Tolo, so the great ancient sites of the Argolid are within reach, letting a beach holiday take in the history of the region.
It is a fine base. Because Tolo sits centrally in the Argolid with a good beach and easy access to the sites, it makes a fine base for a stay combining sea and history, as the guide to day trips from Nafplio describes.
When is the best time to visit Tolo?
The best time to visit Tolo is from June to September for a beach holiday, when the resort is lively and the sea warm, with July and August the busiest. June and September offer warm water and sunshine with fewer crowds, while spring and autumn are quieter, better for combining the beach with sightseeing.
Summer is the resort season. Tolo is at its liveliest and busiest from June to September, when the sea is warm, the watersports and boat trips running and the tavernas full, so summer is the season for a beach holiday at the resort.
June and September are ideal. The shoulder months of June and September bring warm water and sunshine with fewer people than the July and August peak, so they are the best time for a relaxed beach stay at Tolo.
Spring and autumn suit sightseeing. Outside the beach season, spring and autumn are quieter and milder, better for combining Tolo with the ancient sites, though the resort is at its fullest in summer, as the guide to the best time to visit Nafplio notes.
What is Psili Ammos beach at Tolo?
Psili Ammos is the stretch of especially fine sand at one end of Tolo beach, its name meaning “fine sand”. Softer and often quieter than the central resort beach, it is a favourite for families with small children, part of the long shore that makes Tolo such a good swimming bay.
Its name means fine sand. Psili Ammos, meaning “fine sand”, is the name of the stretch of especially soft sand at one end of the Tolo beach, so it marks the finest part of the shore.
It suits small children. The extra-fine sand and shallow water of Psili Ammos make it a favourite for families with small children, so it is among the safest and most comfortable parts of the beach for the youngest swimmers.
It is part of the long shore. Because Psili Ammos forms one end of the kilometre-long Tolo beach, it is easily reached along the sand, so it adds a quieter, softer option to the main resort strand.
What events and nightlife are in Tolo?
Tolo has a relaxed summer nightlife of seafront bars, cafes and tavernas, with occasional live music and local festivals through the season. It is a family resort rather than a party destination, so the evenings are social and gentle, centred on dining and strolling the seafront rather than clubs.
The seafront is the evening scene. Bars, cafes and tavernas along the beachfront fill in the evening, so the seafront is where the resort gathers after dark, for a drink, a meal or a stroll.
Music and festivals add life. Occasional live music and local summer festivals bring extra life to the resort through the season, so a stay in season often coincides with an event, adding to the evenings.
It stays family-friendly. Because Tolo is a family resort rather than a party town, the nightlife is relaxed and social rather than loud, so it suits families and couples wanting a gentle evening by the sea, not a club scene.
Is Tolo busy or quiet?
Tolo is busy and lively in the peak of summer, especially July and August, when its beach and seafront fill with families, but it is much quieter in the shoulder months and the evenings. As the main resort of the area it is popular, yet it keeps a relaxed pace rather than a crowded, party feel.
Peak summer is lively. In July and August Tolo is at its busiest, with the beach, watersports and tavernas full of families and holidaymakers, so the resort has a lively, sociable atmosphere at the height of the season.
The shoulder months are calmer. In June and September, and in spring and autumn, Tolo is much quieter, with the beach uncrowded and the resort relaxed, so these months suit those who want a calmer stay.
It keeps a relaxed pace. Even in high summer Tolo remains a family resort rather than a party town, so it is lively without being frantic, keeping the easy, relaxed pace that draws families back year after year.
What is the port of Tolo like?
The port of Tolo lies at one end of the beach, a small harbour where fishing boats and excursion vessels tie up. From here boat trips leave for the islets and the islands, and the harbourside tavernas serve fresh fish, so the port adds a working, seaside character to the resort.
It is a small working harbour. The port at the end of the beach is a modest harbour where fishing boats and excursion boats moor, so it keeps a working, seaside feel, a reminder of Tolo’s origins as a fishing village.
Boats leave from here. Excursion boats to the islets of the bay and to the Saronic islands depart from the port, so it is the starting point for days on the water, easily arranged along the harbour.
Tavernas line the harbour. Harbourside tavernas serve fresh fish and seafood by the boats, so the port is a fine place to eat, adding to the resort’s dining and its relaxed, maritime atmosphere.
What is the weather like in Tolo?
Tolo has a mild Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers ideal for the beach, and mild, wetter winters. From June to September the days are hot and sunny with warm sea, while spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, so the resort’s beach season runs through the warm months.
Summers are hot and dry. From June to September Tolo has hot, sunny, dry weather, with the sea warm for swimming, so the summer is reliably fine for a beach holiday, the peak of the resort’s season.
The sea is warm in season. The sheltered bay warms quickly, and the sea is at its warmest in late summer, so swimming is comfortable from June through to the early autumn, a long beach season.
Winters are mild and quiet. Outside the season Tolo is mild but wetter and very quiet, with many hotels and tavernas closed, so the resort is really a summer destination, at its best in the warm months.
What is Drepano and the peninsula near Tolo?
Drepano is a village on the peninsula near Tolo, with the large beach of Plaka Drepanou on its far side and a quieter, more local feel than the resort. The peninsula between them holds beaches, tavernas and the ancient site of Asine, so the area around Tolo rewards exploring beyond the main beach.
Drepano is a nearby village. The village of Drepano sits on the peninsula near Tolo, a quieter, more local place than the resort, so it offers a glimpse of everyday life alongside the tourist beach.
Plaka Drepanou is its beach. On the far side of the peninsula lies the large beach of Plaka Drepanou, one of the famous beaches of the Argolid, so Drepano gives access to a longer, livelier shore beyond Tolo.
The peninsula holds more. Between Tolo and Drepano the peninsula holds beaches, tavernas and the ancient acropolis of Asine, so the area rewards exploring beyond the main resort beach, with quieter shores and history close by.
What is the setting and scenery of Tolo?
Tolo is built amphitheatrically around its bay, with the village rising behind the beach and the islets of Romvi, Koronisi and Daskalio scattered offshore. Framed by hills and looking out over the calm Argolic Gulf, it has a pretty, sheltered setting, one of the most attractive resort bays in the Peloponnese.
It curves around the bay. The village of Tolo is built in a curve around its bay, rising behind the beach, so the houses, hotels and tavernas look out over the sea, giving the resort an open, seaward feel.
Islets dot the water. The little islands of Romvi, Koronisi and Daskalio lie offshore, scattered across the bay, so the view from the beach is filled with their shapes, adding beauty and shelter to the calm water.
Hills frame the scene. Green hills rise around the bay and the ancient acropolis of Asine stands on its hill nearby, so the setting combines sea, islands and hills in one sheltered sweep, at its finest in the evening light.
What is Tolo like in the evening?
Tolo is relaxed and lively in the evening, its seafront filling with families strolling, diners at the tavernas and visitors enjoying the sunset over the bay. Bars and cafes keep going into the night in summer, but the resort keeps a family feel rather than a party scene, so the evenings are gentle and social.
The seafront comes alive. In the evening the beachfront of Tolo fills with people strolling, eating and taking the air, so the resort is at its most sociable as the day cools, the tavernas and cafes busy along the shore.
The sunset draws people out. The sunset over the bay and the islets is a highlight, so an evening drink or meal on the seafront is a fixture of a stay, watching the light fade over the water.
It stays family-friendly. Bars and cafes keep going into the night in summer, but Tolo remains a family resort rather than a party town, so the evenings are lively but gentle, suited to families and couples alike.
What is Plaka Drepanou beach near Tolo?
Plaka Drepanou is a large, famous beach over the peninsula from Tolo, near the village of Drepano, combining sand and pebbles with clear water. One of the best-known beaches in the Argolid, it offers swimming, tavernas and entertainment, and makes a rewarding change of shore from Tolo, a short drive away.
It is one of the Argolid’s famous beaches. Plaka Drepanou is among the most famous beaches in the region, so it draws visitors for its long shore and clear water, a well-known name on the Argolid coast.
It mixes sand and pebbles. The beach combines sand and pebbles along its length, with clear, clean water, so it offers a slightly different swimming experience from the fine sand of Tolo, larger and more open.
It has food and entertainment. Plaka Drepanou offers tavernas, cafes and entertainment along the shore, so it is a lively beach for a day out, an easy change of scene from Tolo over the peninsula.
What was the ancient city of Asine?
Ancient Asine was an important Bronze Age and later ancient city on the hill by the coast near Tolo, mentioned by Homer as sending ships to the Trojan War. Excavations have uncovered its acropolis walls, houses and workshops, so the hill above the resort holds a real ancient site with a long history.
It was a Homeric city. Asine is named by Homer among the cities that sent ships to the Trojan War, so it belongs to the world of the Mycenaean age, a real ancient town beside the modern resort.
It has a fortified acropolis. The acropolis of Asine on its hill by the sea keeps its ancient walls, some from later fortification, so the site is a fortified height with a commanding view over the coast and the bay.
Excavations revealed the town. Archaeologists have uncovered houses, baths, workshops, tanks and towers at Asine, so the site gives a picture of an ancient town, a rewarding stop combining history with the beach at Tolo.
Is Tolo good for couples?
Tolo suits couples who want a relaxed beach holiday, with sunset dinners on the seafront, boat trips to the islets and islands, and quiet beaches nearby, though couples seeking romance and elegance often prefer nearby Nafplio. Tolo offers the sea and an easy pace; Nafplio offers marble streets and boutique charm.
It offers a relaxed seaside break. For couples wanting a laid-back beach holiday, Tolo has the sea, the sunsets and the tavernas, so it makes an easy and pleasant seaside break, especially for those who love the beach.
Romance is stronger in Nafplio. Couples seeking the marble lanes, boutique hotels and elegant atmosphere of a romantic town often prefer nearby Nafplio, so many combine a beach stay at Tolo with evenings in the town, or choose Nafplio as the more romantic base.
The two work together. Because Tolo and Nafplio lie so close, couples can enjoy the beach at one and the charm of the other, so a stay can combine the sea of Tolo with the romance of Nafplio, as the guide on where to stay in Nafplio describes.
How does Tolo compare to Nafplio as a base?
Tolo is the better base for a beach holiday, Nafplio for history, atmosphere and food. Tolo offers a long sandy beach, watersports and family hotels by the sea; Nafplio offers fortresses, a marble old town, museums and the finest dining. Only fifteen minutes apart, the two suit different holidays.
Tolo is the beach base. With its long sandy beach, calm water, watersports and family hotels, Tolo is the base for those whose holiday centres on the sea, so it suits families and beach-lovers wanting sand and swimming.
Nafplio is the town base. The historic town offers fortresses, the marble old town, museums, the best food and a romantic atmosphere, so it is the base for those who want history, culture and elegance over a beach.
They are close and complementary. Because the two lie only fifteen minutes apart, the choice is not either-or, so many visitors base themselves in one and visit the other, combining the beach of Tolo with the sights of Nafplio for the best of both.
Can you visit Tolo without a car?
Yes, you can visit Tolo without a car, as frequent local buses connect it with Nafplio, from where KTEL buses reach Athens. Within Tolo everything is walkable along the seafront, and boat trips and day tours cover the islands and the ancient sites, so a car-free beach holiday is easy.
Buses link it to Nafplio. Frequent local buses run between Tolo and Nafplio through the day, so the resort is easily reached without a car, and from Nafplio the KTEL bus connects to Athens.
The resort is walkable. Within Tolo the beach, tavernas, hotels and port all lie along the seafront, so everything is reached on foot, and a car is not needed for the resort itself.
Tours cover the sights. Boat trips from the port reach the islands, and organised day tours visit Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio, so visitors without a car can still see the region, making a car-free beach holiday at Tolo straightforward.
What to bring and know for a stay in Tolo?
For Tolo bring beach gear, sun protection and light summer clothes, with everything else available in the resort. Book hotels ahead for July and August, bring cash for smaller tavernas and boat trips, and plan day trips to the ancient sites, as the resort is an ideal base for the Argolid.
Pack for the beach. Swimwear, a towel, sun protection and light clothes are the essentials, with beach shops, cafes and hotels providing the rest, so a beach holiday at Tolo needs little heavy packing.
Book ahead in peak season. Because Tolo is popular in July and August, booking a hotel or apartment ahead is wise for the peak, so families securing the best places do well to plan in advance for high summer.
Plan the day trips. Since Tolo is close to Nafplio and the ancient sites, planning day trips to Mycenae, Epidaurus and the town makes the most of the location, so a stay mixes beach days with the history of the Argolid.
Who is Tolo best for?
Tolo is best for families and beach-lovers who want a relaxed seaside holiday with a safe sandy beach, watersports and easy access to the ancient sites. It suits those who want the sea as the centre of their trip, with Nafplio and the Argolid within reach, rather than a quiet or luxury retreat.
It suits families. With its safe sandy beach, family hotels and watersports, Tolo is ideal for families, so it is a favourite for a family beach holiday in the Peloponnese.
It suits beach-lovers. Those who want the sea, sunbathing, swimming and watersports at the centre of their holiday find Tolo perfect, so it draws beach-lovers of every kind for a relaxed seaside stay.
It suits sightseers who want a beach. Because it is close to Nafplio and the ancient sites, Tolo suits travellers who want to combine the beach with the history of the Argolid, so it is a fine base for a holiday of both sea and sightseeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Tolo besides the beach?
Besides the beach, there is plenty to do in and around Tolo. On the water, the resort offers a full range of watersports, from jet skis and parasailing to kayaks and paddleboards, and boat trips leave from the port for the islets of the bay and the Saronic islands of Spetses and Hydra. Just outside the village, the ancient acropolis of Asine on its hill by the sea, a Mycenaean city named by Homer, is a rewarding site to explore, and the peninsula holds other beaches such as Plaka Drepanou and the fine sands of Psili Ammos. Beyond the immediate area, Tolo is an ideal base for day trips to the great ancient sites of the Argolid, the citadel of Mycenae, the theatre of Epidaurus, the palace of Tiryns and ancient Argos, as well as to the beautiful town of Nafplio only fifteen minutes away, with its fortresses, marble old town and museums. In the evening, the seafront comes alive with tavernas, cafes and bars, and the sunset over the bay and its islets is a highlight. So while the beach is the heart of Tolo, the resort combines swimming and watersports with history, boat trips and sightseeing, making it far more than a simple beach stop.
How far is Tolo from Nafplio?
Tolo lies about eleven kilometres south of Nafplio, a drive of around fifteen minutes down the coast, which makes it very easy to combine the two. By car or taxi the journey is short, and there is a frequent local bus between Nafplio and Tolo through the day, so the resort is easily reached without a car. Because the two are so close, visitors staying in Nafplio often drive out to Tolo for a beach day, enjoying its long sandy beach and watersports, while those staying at Tolo visit Nafplio for its fortresses, old town, museums and tavernas, especially in the evening. From Athens, Tolo is about 150 kilometres and two hours by car, reached by the same route as Nafplio through the Corinth Canal, or by KTEL bus to Nafplio and a connecting local bus. This closeness to Nafplio and to the ancient sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tiryns and Argos is one of the great advantages of Tolo: it offers a proper beach holiday within easy reach of the finest history in the Peloponnese, so a stay can mix beach days with sightseeing without long journeys.
Is Tolo good for families?
Yes, Tolo is one of the best family beach resorts in the Argolid and a favourite for family holidays. Its long, sandy beach stretches for about a kilometre with a gentle, gradual entry into calm, shallow water that is nearly waveless thanks to the islets sheltering the bay, so it is safe and comfortable for young children to paddle and swim. The resort has everything a family needs along its seafront: family hotels and self-catering apartments, tavernas and cafes, shops, and a full range of watersports from pedalos and kayaks to jet skis and parasailing. Boat trips to the islets and the islands add to the fun, and the small islet of Koronisi close to shore is a favourite for a swim out. Beyond the beach, Nafplio and the ancient sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus lie a short drive away, so families can mix beach days with sightseeing suited to children, such as the fortresses and the citadels. With its safe beach, family facilities, relaxed atmosphere and central position, Tolo is an ideal base for a family beach holiday in the Peloponnese.
Is Tolo or Karathona the better beach?
Tolo and Karathona are the two main sandy beaches near Nafplio, and which is better depends on what you want. Karathona is closer to Nafplio, only three kilometres away, a long horseshoe of soft sand with calm, shallow water and free parking, best for a beach day close to the town without staying at a resort. Tolo, eleven kilometres down the coast, is a full beach resort with a longer strip of sand, the most complete range of watersports in the area, boat trips from its port, and family hotels and tavernas along the seafront, so it is the better choice for a proper beach holiday or a longer stay by the sea. Both have safe, shallow, family-friendly water, both are blue-flag quality, and both combine easily with the ancient sites and the town. For a day trip from Nafplio, Karathona is the easier and closer option; for a beach base with facilities, nightlife and watersports, Tolo is the natural choice. Many visitors staying in the area enjoy both, using Karathona for a quick beach day and Tolo for a fuller day out or a beach-focused stay.
Is Tolo worth visiting?
Yes, Tolo is well worth visiting, and it is the best beach resort base near Nafplio for a proper stay by the sea. Its long, sandy beach with calm, shallow, sheltered water is one of the best family swimming beaches in the Argolid, and the resort offers the fullest range of watersports in the area, from jet skis and parasailing to kayaks and paddleboards, along with boat trips to the islets of the bay and to the Saronic islands of Spetses and Hydra. The seafront is lined with tavernas serving fresh fish and Greek dishes, and family hotels and apartments look out over the water. Beyond the beach, the resort sits close to Nafplio, only fifteen minutes away, and to the great ancient sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tiryns and Argos, as well as ancient Asine on the hill just outside the village, so a stay combines a relaxed beach holiday with the history of the Argolid. For families and beach-lovers who want a seaside base within easy reach of the finest sights in the Peloponnese, Tolo is the natural choice.