Nafplio is widely regarded as Greece’s most beautiful mainland town - a neoclassical old town on a narrow promontory jutting into the Argolic Gulf, overlooked by the Venetian Palamidi fortress on the hillside and the island fortress of Bourtzi in the harbour. It was the first capital of modern Greece (1828–1834) and the buildings from that period - French neoclassical mansions, Venetian arched doorways, and Ottoman fountains - give it a layered elegance that larger Greek cities rarely match. The town is small enough to walk end to end in 20 minutes, making the choice of neighbourhood largely a matter of atmosphere and budget rather than practical distance.
Prices below are approximate as of 2026 and vary by season.
Nafplio Old Town (Syntagma Square and the Lanes)
The Old Town runs from Syntagma Square (the main square, with the town’s Venetian mansion-turned-parliament-building) through a network of pedestrianised lanes to the tip of the promontory. The streets are lined with neoclassical buildings, small boutique shops, and restaurants. Accommodation here ranges from pension rooms in Ottoman-era buildings to luxury boutique hotels in converted mansions. The area is compact - even the furthest hotel in the Old Town is a 10-minute walk from the waterfront.
Budget (€55–100/night): Nafplio’s budget accommodation is more limited than a larger city’s, but several small pensions offer good value. Pension Marianna (Potamianou 9, on the steps below the Akronafplia) has sea-facing rooms and an exceptional breakfast reputation from approximately €70/night in May. Pension Rigas (Plateia Agiou Spyridonos 2) has simple clean rooms in a central location from approximately €60/night. Agamemnon Hotel (Aktis Miaouli 3, on the waterfront) is a reliable budget option near the beach from approximately €75/night.
Mid-range (€120–250/night): The mid-range boutique market in Nafplio is strong. Aetoma Hotel (Vasileos Konstantinou 11) is a converted neoclassical mansion with individually designed rooms from approximately €130/night in June. Hotel Latini (Othonos 6) occupies a 1840s building near Syntagma with wooden floors and high ceilings from approximately €140/night. Xenon Inn (Efthimiopoulou 2) has well-appointed rooms and a charming breakfast courtyard from approximately €150/night. Hotel Byron (Platonos 2) is a well-reviewed pension in a central location from approximately €120/night.
Luxury (€250–600+/night): Nafplia Palace Hotel (on the Akronafplia headland) occupies a dramatically elevated position above the old town with panoramic sea views - a large hotel with pool and spa from approximately €280/night in August. Ilion Hotel (Efthimiopoulou 1) is a boutique hotel in a renovated neoclassical building with stone walls and individually furnished rooms from approximately €220/night in July. Grande Bretagne Nafplio (under the Grande Bretagne brand) offers the most refined luxury in town from approximately €350/night in peak season.
Best for: First-time visitors, couples, history enthusiasts, and those who want the full Nafplio atmosphere on the doorstep. The Old Town is pedestrianised and the lanes are quiet enough for comfortable sleeping even in July, though the main square restaurants generate noise until around midnight.
Waterfront and Promenade (Bouboulinas Street)
The main waterfront promenade - Bouboulinas Street - runs from the beach at the tip of the promontory around the harbour towards the Palamidi fortress base. Hotels here have the most direct views of Bourtzi, the Argolic Gulf, and the Nafplio mountains. Evening on the promenade, with the fortress illuminated and boat lights reflected in the water, is one of the most atmospheric spots in the Peloponnese.
Budget (€60–100/night): Agamemnon Hotel (above) sits on the waterfront and is the most affordable option with direct sea access. A few rental apartments in converted buildings near the promenade offer self-catering from approximately €65/night.
Mid-range (€120–220/night): Amphitryon Hotel (Spiliadou 1, on the waterfront) has sea-facing rooms with balconies overlooking Bourtzi from approximately €150/night in July - arguably the best mid-range location in Nafplio. 3sixty Hotel (on the waterfront) has a rooftop pool and sea views from approximately €180/night.
Luxury (€280–500+/night): Amphitryon Hotel’s top rooms and suites from approximately €280/night offer some of the best Bourtzi views in the town. The Nafplia Palace Hotel (on Akronafplia above) with its pool overlooking the sea from approximately €300/night in peak season.
Best for: Romantic stays, couples celebrating a special occasion, and those who want the Bourtzi view from the pillow. The promenade location means easy access to the boat taxi to Bourtzi and to the fish restaurants near the harbour.
Akronafplia
Akronafplia is the elevated headland between the Old Town and the Palamidi fortress - historically the oldest part of the settlement, now primarily residential with a few hotels and commanding views over the old town rooftops and the harbour. Access is by steps from the Old Town or by a small lift (ascensor) from the promenade. The position gives views that the Old Town streets themselves cannot.
Budget: Very limited budget options at this level. Steps from the Old Town make access straightforward but bags can be awkward.
Mid-range (€120–200/night): Pension Marianna (above, technically at the base of Akronafplia) is the most accessible mid-range option. A few small guesthouses on the headland itself offer rooms with views.
Luxury (€260–500+/night): Nafplia Palace Hotel (Akronafplia) is the dominant property here - a large hotel with pool, multiple restaurants, and sea views from every angle, from approximately €280/night in August.
Best for: Those who want elevated views of the whole town and harbour, and who don’t mind the steps. The position above the town means walking down into the Old Town is easy; returning uphill after dinner requires more effort.
Getting to Nafplio
By car from Athens (2–2.5 hours) via the E65 to Korinthos then National Road 70. KTEL bus from Athens Kifissos station approximately €14, several departures daily. From Epidaurus approximately 35 minutes by car. No direct train service.
Sort out travel insurance for Greece before you travel and carry a Greece eSIM for connectivity - useful when navigating between Nafplio, Mycenae, and Epidaurus without a data plan. Browse Peloponnese tours - a guided day to Mycenae and Epidaurus covers both major sites efficiently.
Related Nafplio guides
- Nafplio City Guide - complete overview of the town
- Things to Do in Nafplio - Palamidi, Bourtzi, and Old Town walks
- Best Restaurants in Nafplio - from harbour tavernas to neoclassical dining rooms
- Day Trips from Nafplio - Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Tiryns
- Peloponnese Road Trip - Nafplio as a base for the wider region