We head to Nafplio and reveal everything worth seeing and doing, along with the best places to stay and eat.
Rich history, monuments of exceptional beauty, the sea, romantic strolls and great food. Just an hour and a half from Athens, Nafplio is the choice that never disappoints. A destination for every season and every mood. One of the loveliest and most romantic towns in Greece, the capital of Argolis awaits you year-round to relax you, transport you through time and make you return many times.
Venetian castles, beautiful neoclassical mansions, Venetian architecture, cobbled lanes and flower-draped balconies create a setting that captivates with its beauty and sense of history. Escaping to Nafplio is always a good idea, and this is a guide to help you experience everything the town offers.
Stroll through the Old Town of Nafplio
A stroll through the romantic Old Town of Nafplio will bring you face to face with beautiful neoclassical and Venetian buildings, balconies laden with blooming bougainvillea, imposing churches and Ottoman fountains. The cobbled Syntagma Square is surrounded by historic buildings, such as the Venetian Fleet Warehouse, which today houses the Archaeological Museum, the Vouleftiko, formerly the Aga Pasha Mosque, and the former monitorial school, known in later years as Trianon.
Other key sights include the Church of Saint Spyridon (where Ioannis Kapodistrias was assassinated), the Church of Saint George (with important icons and frescoes, including a copy of Da Vincis Last Supper), Three Admirals Square with the Town Hall, the Government House, or Palataki, as well as Philhellenes Square. Your day will fill with strolls along the main pedestrian street of Vasileos Konstantinou with its countless shops, on Staikopoulou Street with its many little tavernas, on the Bouboulina waterfront promenade, and in Psaromahalas, the oldest quarter, inhabited since the early 13th century.
Top sights in Nafplio
Bourtzi
The small islet-fort at the entrance to the bay is Nafplios emblem. Sailors originally called it the islet of Saint Theodoros. TheBourtzi was fortified by the Venetians in 1473, who placed cannons there, and it served as a fortress until 1865. It was Kolokotronis first prison, for a time it housed the executioners of Palamidi, and from 1960 to 1970 it operated as a hotel.
Palamidi
There’s the easy way (by car) and the hard way (the famed 999 steps that in reality are a little fewer) to climb up to Palamidi, the fortress built in 1687 by the Venetians at an elevation of 216 meters and today one of Nafplios most popular sights. However you go up, the views over the town and the sea are unique.
Acronafplia
Nafplios acropolis, which the Ottomans called Its-Kale, was built by the Venetians and later passed into Byzantine and then Turkish hands. It consists of three levels, each a distinct castle with walls built in different historical periods. From the rock of Acronafplia youll enjoy unique views toward Bourtzi and Arvanitia Beach.
What to do in Nafplio
- Dont miss the one-of-a-kind Komboloi Museum, founded in 1998 by the Evangelinos couple. Its collection includes about 1,000 komboloi from around the world dating from 1700 to 1950.
- Its also worth visiting the Archaeological Museum on Syntagma Square, as well as the Vasilis Papantoniou Foundation (formerly the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation), which holds unique collections from the regions folk and modern culture.
- The Arvanitia Promenade is the loveliest walk in Nafplio. If you follow the cobbled Arvanitia footpath around Acronafplia, youll enjoy an idyllic stroll with views of the waters of the Argolic Gulf. Youll start at the end of the quay and, after about 1 km, end at Arvanitia Square.
- In summer, the small Arvanitia beach with its white pebbles is wonderful for a dip after your walk on Acronafplia. If youre in the mood to drive a few kilometers out of town, youll find Karathona beach. With a long sandy shore and shallow waters, its ideal for families with children. Theres also a large organized beach at Tolo, 10 km from Nafplio.
Nearby getaways
Just 4 km from Nafplio, Ancient Tiryns, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was one of the most important Mycenaean citadels. Youll see the famed Cyclopean walls that enclosed the acropolis, the frescoed palace and the western bastion, among others. And if you havent had your fill of history, Mycenae awaits 20 km from Nafplio.
Accommodation
- Castellano Boutique Hotel, in an ideal location, blends traditional Greek architecture with modern comforts.
- For those who wish to stay in a quieter area yet with easy access to the town of Nafplio and nearby sights, Ennea Mouses is the ideal place to unwind and relax.
- Another excellent choice in the historic town of Nafplio is Xenon Boutique Hotel, which marries traditional hospitality with modern amenities.
- For those who want to stay in the heart of the historic center, 3Sixty Hotel & Suites is a luxurious 4-star boutique hotel housed in a renovated neoclassical building just a few meters from the port.
- In one of the towns many little alleys youll also find Kastello Hotel, a hotel with elegant rooms and suites that blends history with contemporary luxury.
Food, coffee & drinks
- One of the most popular destinations for fresh fish and seafood is Bounos Psarosavouras Fish Tavern that has been operating continuously for 20 years.
- If, as you walk through Nafplios colorful lanes, you feel like recharging with the best food, youll come upon Arapakos Tavern, where in the elegant dining room youll try the most delicious menu, from fresh fish to perfectly cooked meat.
- A restaurant offering traditional Greek flavors with modern touches is Alaloum, which also has options for vegetarians and vegans, ensuring every visitor will find what they want.
- For a more atmospheric restaurant choice, 3Sixty Restaurant is one of the citys most refined and contemporary restaurants, offering an exceptional gastronomic experience.
- At Periklis Winesophy youll experience the ultimate tasting, trying the best Greek wines.
- Xenon Cafe Bar offers coffee, drinks or meals, against the backdrop of Nafplios historic center.
- Another distinctive space, combining the warmth of a café with the atmosphere of a wine bar, is Kentrikon Wine Bar Cafe. The ideal place either to start your day with a hearty breakfast or to enjoy an afternoon glass of wine.
- For visitors who want to explore every corner of Nafplio, Cafe Bar Skarpeta is the place where theyll enjoy a light meal along with their drink, right beneath historic Palamidi.
