5 coastal cities in Greece for summer getaways

History, culture, gastronomy, enchanting landscapes and wonderful beaches blend harmoniously in these coastal cities of mainland Greece to offer you unforgettable summer holidays.

The islands may steal the show in summer, but there are plenty of cities in mainland Greece that can make your holidays truly unforgettable. Here, refreshing dips pair with compelling sights, museums, lively neighborhoods and squares, and great haunts for food and fun. We picked fiveseaside citiesworth visiting in summer to discover their charms.

Kalamata

With the sea shimmering at its feet and Mount Taygetos rising imposingly above it, the capital of Messinia is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. Traditional yet cosmopolitan, famed for theInternational Dance Festivaland with a refreshed travel profile in recent years, Kalamatahas something for everyone: a gorgeous waterfront zone, well-preserved neoclassicals, squares and pedestrian streets buzzing with life, bike lanes, important museums, luxury hotels, a bountiful market, exceptional flavors, and plenty of nightlife. All this just 2.5 hours from Athens.

Must do

• A landmark of the Messinian capital is the 13th-century castle, which offers unique views over the city.
• Visit some of the city’s important museums: the Archaeological Museum of Messinia, the Historical and Folklore Museum of Kalamata, the Municipal Gallery of Kalamata, the Gallery of Contemporary Greek Art, as well as the Railway Park, an open-air museum unique of its kind where old engines and railway carriages are displayed.
• One of Kalamata’s gifts is its huge beach with crystal-clear waters. The seafront stretches along Navarinou Avenue and is one of the loveliest spots for a stroll, a bike ride, and easy summer dips.
• If you’re after beach bars, head to Verga Beach, Mikri Mantineia, and Santova.
• Kalamata can be your base for wonderful summer excursions. The lacework shores and picturesque villages of Messinian Mani (Kitries, Kardamyli, Stoupa, etc.), Pylos, Methoni and Koroni with their famed castles, the much-photographed Voidokilia beach and the Polylimnio gorge are just some of your options.

Volos

Built at the innermost point of the Pagasetic Gulf, in the shadow of the mountain of the Centaurs, the capital of Magnesia is full of choices for every mood and every season. A commercial, welcoming, and very lively city with an industrial past and a major port, Volos has the “secret” combination that charms every visitor. If you’re among those who can’t choose between mountain and sea, then Volos is your destination.

Must do

• The pedestrianized coastal Argonauton Avenue buzzes with life. The promenade runs for three car-free kilometers, with locals and visitors enjoying strolls on foot or by bike.
• Keep strolling along the main shopping pedestrian street and in the Palaia quarter with its neoclassical buildings and the castle built in the mid-6th century AD. To the east of the city lies the verdant hill of Goritsawhich offers a panoramic view of the city and the port.
• It’s worth visiting the very interesting Museum of the City of Volos, housed in the former Papantou tobacco warehouse in Palaia, the Athanasakeio Archaeological Museum, as well as the old N. & S. Tsalapatas Brick & Tile Factory, which has been transformed into a venue for culture and entertainment in a lush green setting.
• Volos without tsipouro is unthinkable. Take a stroll in the area of Nea Ionia, created by the refugee population from Asia Minor, to savor the famous tsipouro with traditional meze where the celebrated habit of locals and visitors was born.
• To the north and east rises the imposing Pelion massif, with its villages tooffer a fairytale setting for lovers of nature and tradition.
• In summer you’ll be won over by the dozens of superb beaches on the Pagasetic Gulf (from Kala Nera and Afissos to Milina and Trikeri) or on the Aegean side (Mylopotamos, Fakistra, Papa Nero, Damouchari, etc.). Also, using Volos as your base you can escape to the Sporades islands, with which its port is connected daily by ferries and hydrofoils.

Nafplio

A timeless choice for a weekend or even a day trip, Nafpliois one of the loveliest and most romantic cities in Greece, blending seaside beauty with paths of culture and history at almost every corner. Just 138 km (under two hours) from Athens, this city will relax you, carry you back in time, and make you return many times over.

Must do

• In Nafplio you simply have to start with strolls through the gorgeous old town, one of the most beautiful and most romantic in Greece. Enjoy your walk on cobbled Syntagma Square, along the main pedestrian Vasileos Konstantinou Street, on Staïkopoulou Street with its many tavernas, the seaside promenade of Bouboulina, and in Psaromachalas, the city’s oldest neighborhood.
• To admire the city from above, climb the 999 steps (in reality it’s a little fewer) up to Palamidi, which rises on a massive grey rock.
• If you follow the paved Arvanitia footpath around Acronafplia, you’ll enjoy an idyllic walk with views of the waters of the Argolic Gulf.
• If you love history, it’s worth visiting the modern Archaeological Museum on Syntagma Square, as well as the award-winning Peloponnesian Folklore Foundationwith itsunique collections from the folk and modern culture of the region. One-of-a-kind is the Komboloi Museum, with a collection thatincludes about 1,000 worry beads from around the world.
• In summer, the small beach of Arvanitia with its white pebbles is wonderful for a swim after your walk in Acronafplia. If you feel like driving a few kilometers out of town, you’ll find Karathona beach. With a long sandy shore and shallow waters, it’s ideal for families with children. There’s also an organized long beach at Tolo, 10 km from Nafplio.

Nafpaktos

Built between Antirrio and the mouth of the Mornos River, at the entrance of the Corinthian Gulf, Nafpaktos, the picturesque seaside town of Aetoloakarnania, stands with one foot on the mountain and the other in the sea, preserving its traditional character intact. It has its Venetian harbor and well-preserved castle that will take you back in time, its beaches for summer, and the mountainous Nafpaktia with its traditional villages for lovers of the highlands.

Must do

• The Venetian harbor, with the two towers closing its entrance, is the city’s trademark. It formed part of the fortifications of medieval Nafpaktos, while today it is a meeting point for locals throughout the day.
• A continuation of the harbor is Stenopazaro, the city’s old market, with its two-story traditional buildings. The cobbled alley bursts with color and life, with lovely cafes and shops.
• The Venetian castle, the pride of the city, atop the hill, enchants with the impressive views it affords. It is one of the best-preserved examples of fortress architecture in Greece.
• In summer, beyond Nafpaktos’s two immaculate beaches, Gribovo to the east and Psani to the west, distinguished for their centuries-old plane trees, visitors can enjoy swimming at other nearby beaches and explore the surroundings: Chiliadou, Monastiraki,Skaloma, Marathias, Glyfada, Spilies and the small islet opposite, Trizonia.

Kavala

Built amphitheatrically by the sea, Kavalais a city for holidays all year long. A city with countless stories to tell. A gorgeous Old Town, buildings with striking architecture, world-heritage monuments, seaside strolls, culinary delights, easy escapes to islands, picturesque villages, and mountains.Macedonia’s “Blue City” hides countless treasures and, without a doubt, knows how to bewitch its visitors.

Must do

• The Old Town of Kavala and the Panagia quarter is a walk you must take. Walk tothe tip of the peninsula to reach the Lighthouse with panoramic sea views. At the top of the old town stands the imposing Fortress of Kavala, one of the city’s most important historical monuments. Finish your walk at the impressive Kamares, the old Aqueduct, the city’s landmark.
• Scattered across the city, the tobacco warehouses are imposing industrial monuments. Make a stop at the excellent Tobacco Museum to learn the story behind Kavala’s tobacco production.
• For a longer journey back in time, head north, 25 minutes from Kavala, to theArchaeological Site of Philippi,a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• A short distance from Kavala, Pangaio and its mountain villages (Moustheni, Mesoropi, Palaiochori, etc.) make a wonderful destination for those who love nature and tradition, as well as for wine lovers.
• In Kavala you’ll find wonderful organized beaches 5–6 km from the city, such as Batis, Perigiali, Rapsani, Tosca, Kalamitsa, etc. Also visit Nea Peramos, a busy sandy beach with a wide variety of tavernas, cafes, and hotels. Nearby, the heavenly Ammolofi will make you feel like you’re on some exotic island.
• In the opposite direction, 45 minutes east of Kavala, lies Ammoglossa Keramoti, near the point from which little boats depart for Thasos.With an impressive tongue-like shape, the golden sands of Keramoti are among the most distinctive beaches of the region.