Nafplio Travel Guide: Greece's Most Beautiful Small City

Nafplio was Greece’s first capital after independence (1822–1834), and it still carries itself with a dignity that most Greek towns lack. The Venetian old town — three-storey neo-classical mansions, bougainvillea-draped lanes, a working harbour — is one of the most photogenic urban spaces in the country. Despite this, Nafplio remains less crowded than it deserves to be.

Palamidi Fortress

The Palamidi (Venetian, built 1711–1714) sits on a 216m bluff above the city and was designed to be impregnable. It was captured by Greek independence fighters in 1822 after an 18-month siege — Theodoros Kolokotronis held it until 1825 when it fell to Egyptian forces.

Entry: €8 adult, €4 reduced (as of 2026). The steps from the old town take approximately 20–30 minutes to climb; the road approach from the north is a shorter walk from the parking area.

Opening hours: 8am–8pm daily in summer, 8am–3pm in winter.

The views from the top encompass the entire Argolic Gulf, the old town below, the Bourtzi island fortress, and the mountains of the Peloponnese. Worth the climb even in summer heat (go early morning or late afternoon).

The Old Town

Nafplio’s old town occupies a small peninsula. The main pedestrianised street (Staikopoulou) leads through to Syntagma Square — the first parliament building of modern Greece (1829) sits on the east side of the square, now housing a museum.

The town has three distinct layers: Byzantine (the remains of ancient Nafplio beneath the streets), Venetian (the Venetian walls, the Acronauplia fortress, the elegant mansions), and Ottoman (the mosques — the Trianon mosque on Syntagma Square is now an exhibition space).

Bourtzi

The small island fortress sitting in the middle of the harbour (15 minutes by boat from the town quay) was originally Venetian, later Ottoman, and was used as a residence by the city’s executioner in the 19th century. Boats run from the harbour (approximately €5 return, irregular schedule). The exterior is more impressive than the interior.

Where to Stay in Nafplio

Budget: Dimitris Bekas Rooms (old town guesthouse, from approximately €55/night, reliable and central), Hotel Marianna (steps from the main town, basic but clean, from approximately €60/night).

Mid-range: Aetoma Boutique Hotel (lovely rooms in a renovated mansion, from approximately €95/night), Pension Marianna (old town, quiet location, from approximately €80/night), 3sixty Hotel (waterfront, modern design, from approximately €110/night).

Upmarket: Grande Bretagne Nafplio (not the Athens hotel — a local boutique, from approximately €160/night), Nafplia Palace Hotels & Villas (clifftop position on the Acronauplia, the most spectacular location in the city, from approximately €220/night).

Where to Eat in Nafplio

Nafplio has a better restaurant scene than its size suggests.

Sokaki: Consistently recommended, reliable mezedes and grills, on Bouboulinas Street (approximately €20–30 per person).

Savouras: Excellent fresh seafood on the waterfront promenade; fish sold by weight (approximately €55–80/kg, as of 2026).

Antica Gelateria di Roma: The best ice cream in Greece, made by Italian brothers who settled in Nafplio decades ago. On Farmakopoulou Street, approximately €2–4 per scoop.

Ta Fanaria: Reliable taverna on Staikopoulou serving traditional Peloponnese cuisine, particularly good lamb dishes (approximately €15–25 per person).

Day Trips from Nafplio

Mycenae (12km): The Bronze Age palace-citadel, home of Agamemnon. The Lion Gate and Treasury of Atreus (tholos tomb) are the highlights. Entry €12 adult. Taxi from Nafplio approximately €20 one-way, or bus (KTEL, approximately €2.50).

Epidaurus (31km): The ancient theatre — one of the best-preserved in the world, with acoustics so good a coin dropped on the orchestra floor can be heard from the highest seats. Entry €12 adult. KTEL bus from Nafplio approximately €4 return. The Epidaurus Festival (July–August) hosts ancient drama performances in the original theatre — tickets €15–60, check epidaurus.gr for the programme.

Tiryns (5km): Mycenaean-era fortified citadel, older than Mycenae. Far fewer visitors than Mycenae. Entry €4 adult, free on Sundays (November–March). Easy bike ride or short taxi from Nafplio.

Argos (12km): The modern city sits over ancient Argos — the Larissa fortress (ancient, then Venetian, then Ottoman), a large ancient theatre, and the Argos Archaeological Museum (entry €6, on the main square). A half-day circuit from Nafplio.

Getting to Nafplio

By bus: KTEL Argolidos buses run from Athens Kifissos Terminal approximately every 1.5–2 hours (approximately 2.5 hours, €15–18 single, as of 2026). The Nafplio bus station is a 10-minute walk from the old town; taxis from the station cost approximately €5.

By car: 145km from Athens on the A7 motorway toward Corinth, then the A71/E65 south through the Argolid. Approximately 2 hours. Tolls approximately €7–8 one-way. Parking in the old town is limited — use the seafront car parks.

Nafplio Beaches

The old town has no beach, but several beaches are within 10–20 minutes.

Karathona: 3km from the old town, a long sandy beach at the base of the Palamidi cliff — free, with seasonal beach bars. Walk (45 minutes from town), taxi, or bicycle.

Arvanitia: Smaller cove directly below the Palamidi walls — closer to town, rocky entry, good for a quick swim after climbing the fortress.

Tolo: 14km from Nafplio — the nearest proper resort beach, with all facilities, sandy, and family-friendly. Bus or taxi from Nafplio.

Book tours and guided visits in the Nafplio area with GetYourGuide.