The Kavala Riviera has long since become a successful alternative to Chalkidiki and a preferred destination for Bulgarian tourists. After ignoring the area for quite some time – because, to be completely honest, this part of Greece had never really managed to attract me – we finally decided to give it a chance. Before heading off to the island of Lemnos, we spent two days exploring Nea Peramos, Nea Iraklica, and the famous Blue Flag beach, Ammolofoi. Overtaken by mass tourism, these places have long since turned into a noisy, overcrowded, and predictable destination… And yet, at the beginning of the season, it is still relatively pleasant for a beach day or a late evening stroll by the sea!
Where is located, how to get there and where to stay
Nestled at the foot of Mount Pangaion in northeastern Greece, Nea Peramos and Nea Iraklica are perhaps the most popular coastal resort villages among Bulgarians. They are also highly convenient due to their proximity to the three main border crossings with Bulgaria – Kulata, Ilinden, and Makaza are all just 110–130 km away. The nearby major cities of Kavala (only 20 km away) and Thessaloniki (around 140 km away) can easily be added to your travel itinerary.
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We were looking for peace, quiet, and seclusion, which is why we decided to stay at Petra Nova Suites – a small complex literally tucked away among the vineyards on the outskirts of Nea Peramos. The place is only a few years old, but some of the amenities in the rooms have already started to show signs of wear and tear… Outside of this minor detail, however, our stay was mostly pleasant! The stone architecture of the buildings blends beautifully into the surrounding landscape, and unwinding at the end of the day on the spacious terrace (in our case, a small yard since we were on the ground floor) brings a sense of true tranquility. The courtyard features several olive trees, and everything is green and impeccably maintained. We also really liked the pool – clean, with a shallow children’s section and a relaxing panoramic view of the nearby hills and endless rows of vineyards…
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Ammolofoi Beach – Blue Flag, sand dunes, and crystal clear water
The main goal of our visit was to see the impressive Ammolofoi beach, with its long and wide sandy shoreline surrounded by natural dunes that create a wonderful mix of exotic and wild vibes. Natural rocks jutting out into the sea divide it into several parts, one of which hosts the louder and more famous beach bars. We were definitely looking for something else, so we chose to settle in at Blue Beach Bar.
The venue has a massive parking lot, and since we arrived relatively early (just before 10:00 AM), we easily managed to find a spot in the shade under the built-in canopies. At that time, the beach wasn’t overcrowded yet, allowing us to fully enjoy its morning tranquility! The concept here (at least as of June 2026) is as follows—you pay 16 euro at the entrance for a set of two sunbeds and an umbrella, and then the entire amount is deducted from your bar bill for drinks or food. The umbrellas themselves aren’t crammed too closely together, leaving plenty of room for personal space. For those who prefer unorganized areas, there is also a large free zone.
We saw for ourselves that the praise for Ammolofoi’s sand is not exaggerated – it really is wonderful, fine, golden, and soft to the touch! The water is crystal clear, and combined with the shallow seabed, the beach is simply perfect for children. Ammolofoi rightfully ranks among the best in Northern Greece, but logically, it is also among the most visited, making complete privacy a mission impossible…
Nea Iraklica – the resort village with a Mediterranean vibe
Our first evening in the area was dedicated to the neighboring picturesque village of Nea Iraklica. Right next to the beach, there is a large parking lot where we left the car for a fee of 3 euro (HERE). Although the village beach cannot be compared in any way to Ammolofoi, the shoreline here also looked well-maintained. And despite the approaching sunset and the appearance of the first orange hues in the sky, there were still plenty of beachgoers on the sand, catching the last rays of the sun.
What I liked most was the picturesque bay with houses perched amphitheatrically along the surrounding hill, giving it that specific touch of Mediterranean romance! The tourist flow here is predominantly Bulgarian, but you can also catch the sound of Romanian, Serbian, and Macedonian speech. The coastal promenade gently leads into the small village center and is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll in June. I imagine it gets quite a bit busier during peak season, but it was relatively peaceful during our visit. The entire harbor area, where dozens of boats and yachts gently sway, is exceptionally pleasant in the evening when it cools down a bit and hundreds of coastal lights begin to reflect in the water.
For dinner, we were craving meat and had pre-planned a stop at Γωνίτσα Grill. The restaurant’s tables are nestled among the trees and right next to a children’s playground – strategic positioning if you are traveling with a child who needs to burn off some energy before bedtime. We ordered gyros and souvlaki, which arrived in no time! The portions were huge and everything was delicious, but the chicken souvlaki definitely became our favorite – it was so tender it literally melted in your mouth!
Nea Peramos – the louder and livelier neighbor
Even at the beginning of the season, Nea Peramos is significantly louder and more dynamic, and the chaos with traffic and finding a parking spot is noticeable. The village offers everything you might need – from large grocery stores to countless restaurants and cafes.
For breakfast, we had our eyes on a wonderful bakery – Sklaris. Judging by how busy it was, we certainly didn’t reinvent the wheel, but the place is worth every minute of the wait. We loved that they have a few tables set right on the sidewalk, where you can sit and enjoy a crispy bougatsa packed to the brim with feta cheese, all while being just a step away from the water with a view of the small island opposite. We were so captivated by the display cases packed with sweet temptations that we couldn’t wait to get back from the beach just to stop by again and try some more. Their dessert with kadaif, light cream, and crushed pistachios was simply brutal!
Our second evening was dedicated to dinner and a stroll around Nea Peramos. To be honest, I found it hard to single out any particular dining option among the many places, but in the end, I chose Το Μουράγιο. The restaurant is positioned right on the shore, and by making a reservation in advance, we got one of the best tables with a view of the sea and the bay. The menu features classic Greek dishes, the prices are completely fair, and the food was good, but out of everything we tried, their fried zucchini was the most delicious – crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
The pedestrian coastal promenade of Nea Peramos is much longer and a lot busier than the one in Nea Iraklica. Here, the feeling of a classic commercial resort is complete – all kinds of souvenir stalls, noisy kids’ attractions, and the inevitable summer bustle. There is also a playground, which during peak summer hours is definitely too cramped to handle the whole stream of kids. At the northern end of the promenade, however, it starts to get a bit more peaceful, and you can find nice bars offering the option of a refreshing cocktail just yards from the waves.
For a final
Ultimately, the area of Nea Peramos and Nea Iraklica is definitely not that wild and authentic Greece that can captivate you with its traditional spirit and seclusion… Instead, a classic resort vibe dominates here, though the atmosphere in Nea Iraklica is a touch cozier and more pleasant. Nevertheless, the place is well worth a visit, mostly because of the fantastic and spacious Ammolofoi beach. And if you have a little more time to spare, don’t miss out on checking out the picturesque Vrasidas beach – a wild little spot that we didn’t manage to reach this time, but it certainly remains on our bucket list for the next trip…
