Dafni Beach is located on the west coast of central Evia, in the Northern Euboean Gulf, near the villages of Nerotrivia and Politika. It is 5 kilometers away from Nerotrivia, 9 from Politika, 35 from Chalkida, and 107 from Athens. Often rated as one of the best beaches in the Gulf of Euboea, it is an excellent choice for quick trips from the capital.
The beach is about 2 kilometers long and is an extension of a long beach that stretches almost uninterrupted to Politika. Dafni is its northernmost end which ends (along with the road) at the steep southwestern foot of Mount Kandyli. Its width is generally narrow, ten meters on average, and it’s entirely occupied by pebbles of medium and large size.
The sea is crystal clear, beautiful, and quite deep by Euboean Gulf standards. The bottom is covered with pebbles and stones. Water shoes are recommended for swimmers with soft feet.
The view overlooks the North Euboean Gulf and the lofty mountains of Eastern Central Greece opposite. The rugged and partly pine-covered slopes of Kandylio add a tinge of majesty to the rear view.
Facing west under steep slopes, Dafni enjoys abundant shade during the first half of the day and receives merciless sunlight during the second. Shelters under the pines on the edge are limited. Bring a parasol if you plan to stay in the afternoon.
Dafni has become relatively more popular in recent years, receiving quite a few excursionists on summer weekends. In no case, however, does it face a problem of overcrowding. The beach is relatively isolated, and the settlement has no infrastructure beyond a tavern and a few accommodations.
The southern slopes of the mountain and the settlement of Dafni were tragically affected by a fire in the summer of 2023. The fire unfortunately burned a significant part of the surrounding pine forest.
Further north, below the mountain slopes that plunge almost vertically into the sea until the town of Limni, are many secluded, small beaches that can only be reached by boat or on foot via rough trails. One of the most remarkable of them is called Meluna and is 5 kilometers by boat from Dafni. Its geographical coordinates are 38.6499, 23.4556. On a smaller beach in a nearby cove, a hermit lived isolated for about two decades in the company of two or three sheep. I heard that he passed away a few years ago, but his hut still stands as a witness to his reclusion.
Affiliation disclosure: By purchasing goods or services via the links contained in this post, I may be earning a small commission from the seller's profit, without you being charged any extra penny. You will be thus greatly helping me to maintain and keep enriching this website. Thanks!
How to get there
From Chalkida, take the road to northern Evia. Just before Psachna, turn left and follow the signs for Politika, Nerotrivia, and Dafni. The road is narrow, serpentine, and steep, but fully asphalted and accessible by all types of vehicles. The journey from Athens takes about two hours at a reasonable speed. Buses do not go to Dafni but only to Nerotrivia at 6:15 and 14:00 Monday to Friday from Chalkida. Check with the bus company for possible updated routes.
Accommodation
One hotel and three seasonally rented holiday homes operate in the settlement of Dafni:
Search for more accommodation options near Dafni Beach or anywhere else in this practical map:
Stay22 is a handy tool that lets you search for and compare stays and experiences across multiple platforms on the same neat, interactive map. Hover over the listings to see the details. Click on the top-right settings icon to adjust your preferences; switch between hotels, experiences, or restaurants; and activate clever map overlays displaying information like transit lines or concentrations of sights. Click on the Show List button for the listings to appear in a list format. Booking via this map, I will be earning a small cut of the platform's profit without you being charged any extra penny. You will be thus greatly helping me to maintain and keep enriching this website. Thanks!
Free camping is not common in Dafni, nor is it recommended due to the lack of sand and shade, but anyone who wants to can surely find a hideout. By the way, in the area also operates the Lelouda children’s camp.
Food
There are two taverns in Dafni. One (Taverna Dafni) is located at the northern end of the beach; the other (Taverna Livadi) is at the upper limit of the settlement. Also, from time to time a beach bar opens.
Photos
View (and if you want use) all my photographs from Dafni Beach.
