In Kiveri beach to eat and swim
The locals consider that Kiveri comes from the word "Kyverneio" which means governor's office. They have two versions about this origin, either because the governor Kapodistrias had a governor's office there or because the residents want everything to be made in their own way as if they were governing.
A visit will convince you that it is the most beautiful village of the Argolic gulf, it is amphitheatrically built between two mountains, with two beaches and a wonderful seaside promenade. It is my village so what I am describing to you is first-hand information.
The seaside promenade is 650 meters long from one lighthouse to the other and offers the opportunity for walks next to boats bouncing on the waves. At both ends there are beaches, the paralia as the locals call it and the other at Kanaris from the fish tavern of the same name. The paralia is quite organized as it has sun loungers, showers, changing rooms, cafes, taverns and is popular with families as the water is shallow. At Kanaris is deep. At both beaches the sun loungers are free as long as you drink something from the shops.
The beach with the promenade
The smaller beach at Kanaris fish tavern
Before you go for a swim keep in mind that the beaches face east, so if you go in the morning you will have the sun on your face. Many people prefer the afternoon when the sun goes behind.
Kiveri in the old times was called Tziveri, which probably comes from a frankish castle in the neighbouring village of Myloi called Chameres or Chamires, which became later Civeri or Chiveri.
Where to eat
- Avalon the most popular restaurant in the village, for pasta, risotto, pizzas, meats and seasonal dishes in a wonderful terraced courtyard. It features an artificial waterfall, water streams and a small area for children to play
Avalon
- Katsiris tavern A rich menu with hearty varieties, seafood, stews and grilled main dishes, all tasty
- Isalos for seafood as well as meat
- Kanaris fish tavern exclusively fresh seafood. It has a wonderful view of the Argolic gulf. It is known for its stingy prices
- To Pournari (The Holly) it is not located on the beach, it is next to Ai Giannis the old church of the village. Here you eat meat in a place that whets the appetite. It is the yard of an old whitewashed stone house with a large holly covering the entire yard. The old house is used for a grill
The hotels I recommend in Kiveri are:
- (€€) Meli Apartments & Villas (⭐ 9.2) an apartment complex just outside Kiveri in a secluded location with unobstructed view of the Argolic gulf
- (€) Kanaris Rock (⭐ 9.6) apartments next to Kanaris fish tavern and on the beach
- (€) Kiveri Luxurious Seaside Apartment (⭐ 9.8) an Airbnb in a peaceful spot with a very nice view of the sea suitable for 4 - 5 people
Search for hotel deals in Kiveri
For coffee - drinks
- Summer a cafe - bar for summer evenings by the sea. If you are lucky you may see the moon rise
- Nemo a canteen with a small playground on the river (it's not a river but a torrent). In the summer a lot of people hang around there because the river brings coolness
It also has some tourist attractions, they are not marked but they are easy to find and interesting because they cover very different periods of history.
- the seaside castle (not visitable), was built in the 14th century by the frankish rulers of Argos and Nafplio, de Brienne
- the mycenaean chamber tombs 1400-1100 BC behind Panagia, the large church next to the gas station
- a pillbox at Kanaris fish tavern. Under Kanaris there is a relatively large pillbox. The germans had fortified Kiveri as well as other parts of the Argolic gulf. I believe it was built in 1943 as part of the fortification of the Peloponnese for an expected anglo-american landing
- 3 artillery positions after the river also built by the germans. If you want to visit them you have to walk on pebbles. A friend has told me that 100 meters behind the artillery positions there is a mortar position but I have not gone to look for it.
Every July dance events take place by Kiveri Dance Group on the beach with greek dances. On August 28, the festival of Agios Ioannis Prodromos takes place with live music and traditional dishes.
You will find parking on the seaside street and also on the stream which has been configured as a parking lot. On summer Saturdays traffic jams on the beach are common.
A secret that only locals know is that the river (it's not a river but a torrent, I repeat) brings coolness even on the hottest days of summer, which is why the left harbour and Nemo are full of people.
See below more photos from Kiveri.
Here you can see the frankish castle
At Kanaris. In this photo are all three hotels that I recommend above
Night view
It is located in Argolida prefecture, 20 minutes away from Nafplio. Below is a map with the exact location of Kiveri.
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