Visit Nauplie

A Venetian fortress perched above the rooftops, a castle on an islet in the harbour, lanes draped in bougainvillea and marble squares: Nafplio is the most elegant town in the Peloponnese. Allow two to three nights for the town and the ancient sites of the Argolis.

Why stay in Nafplio?

Nafplio was the first capital of the independent Greek state, from 1829 to 1834, before the move to Athens. Its old town, shaped by Venetian and Ottoman rule, is dominated by the Palamidi fortress. It lies less than an hour's drive from Mycenae, Tiryns and Epidaurus.

Nafplio's must-sees

Fortresses, memories of independence and UNESCO-listed ancient sites close by.

Palamidi fortress

Built by the Venetians in the early 18th century, it towers more than 200 metres above the town, with eight bastions and views over the whole gulf.

Bourtzi castle

A small Venetian fort on an islet facing the harbour, it served in turn as a defence, the executioner's home and a hotel, and remains Nafplio's emblem.

Archaeological Museum

Housed in the Venetian arsenal on Syntagma Square, it displays Mycenaean finds from the region, including a rare bronze suit of armour discovered at Dendra.

Church of Agios Spyridon

It was on its steps that Ioannis Kapodistrias, first governor of independent Greece, was assassinated in 1831; a bullet mark is still visible.

Mycenae

Agamemnon's citadel, with its Lion Gate and beehive tombs, lies half an hour's drive away; arrive at opening time to beat the heat.

Theatre of Epidaurus

Famous for its exceptional acoustics, this ancient theatre from the 4th century BC still hosts ancient drama performances on summer evenings.

What to see in Nafplio?

The old town and Syntagma Square

Between the harbour and the rock of Akronafplia, the old town can be explored entirely on foot in half a day. Marble-paved Syntagma Square brings together a Venetian arsenal from 1713 that houses the archaeological museum, a former mosque and cafés where locals linger in the evening. Parallel streets such as Staikopoulou mix neoclassical houses with wrought-iron balconies and Ottoman facades. A witness to the beginnings of modern Greece, the district keeps buildings of the first government, easy to spot on a stroll.

Akronafplia and the Arvanitia promenade

The rock of Akronafplia carries the town's oldest fortifications, reworked by Byzantines, Franks and Venetians. A coastal path circles it to the south, right by the water, from the harbour to the small pebble beach of Arvanitia: about 20 minutes' flat walk, with ladders for swimming off the rocks. It is the locals' favourite stroll at sunset. Avoid it in heavy swell, when waves wash over some sections.

The harbour and the waterfront

Bouboulinas quay, lined with cafés and tavernas, faces the Bourtzi castle, built by the Venetians in the 15th century on an islet to lock the harbour entrance. Small boats make the crossing in a few minutes in season. In the evening, the promenade becomes the centre of social life. Quayside restaurants are pricier than those in the back lanes: for dinner, walk one or two streets up into the old town.

Karathona and nearby beaches

The sandy beach of Karathona stretches about 3 km south-east of the centre. You can drive there or walk along a coastal path from Arvanitia, allowing 45 minutes to an hour. Further on, Tolo, about twelve kilometres away, offers a long beach and seafront accommodation, handy for families. The swimming season runs from June to early October; in July and August, arrive before 10 am to find shade.

A base for the ancient Argolis

Nafplio is the best base for the great sites of the Argolis. Tiryns is barely 5 km away, Mycenae about 25 km, half an hour's drive, and the theatre of Epidaurus around forty minutes. With a car, two sites combine easily in a single day, starting early to avoid the heat. In summer, wildfires can affect the Peloponnese: follow the authorities' instructions and the alerts sent through the 112 number.

Frequently asked questions about Nafplio

How many steps do you climb to reach Palamidi?
Local legend speaks of 999 steps; the real count is lower, but the climb is steep and fully exposed to the sun. Allow 20 to 30 minutes from the old town. A road also lets you arrive by car or taxi at the fortress's upper entrance.
Why was Nafplio the capital of Greece?
During the War of Independence, Nafplio was one of the best-defended strongholds in the country. It hosted Ioannis Kapodistrias's government from 1829, then King Otto, before the capital moved to Athens in 1834.
Can you visit Mycenae and Epidaurus on the same day from Nafplio?
Yes, with a car. Start with Mycenae at opening time, half an hour to the north, then head to Epidaurus in the afternoon, about an hour's drive from there. In winter, shorter opening hours make this plan tighter.
Can you visit the Bourtzi castle?
Small boats make the crossing from the harbour in season, in a few minutes. Access to the inside of the fort depends on works and opening periods, which vary from year to year: ask on the quay before boarding.
When can you see a performance at the theatre of Epidaurus?
The Athens and Epidaurus Festival stages ancient tragedies at the theatre of Epidaurus on Friday and Saturday evenings, from roughly late June to August. Book ahead and bring a cushion, as the stone seats stay hard throughout the performance.
Where can you swim in Nafplio itself?
Arvanitia beach, made of pebbles, is a 10-minute walk from the old town, with access points set up on the rocks. For sand, head to Karathona, about 3 km away, on foot along the coastal path or by car.
How many nights should you spend in Nafplio?
Two nights are enough for the town, Palamidi and a trip to Mycenae. Three nights let you add Epidaurus, a beach day at Karathona or Tolo, and enjoy evenings on the harbour without rushing.

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