Nafplio, Greece: travel guide
A graceful seaside town below a fortress, close to Mycenae and Epidaurus
Elegant Peloponnese seaside town beneath the Palamidi fortress, gateway to Mycenae and Epidaurus.
About Nafplio
Nafplio is an elegant seaside town on the Argolic Gulf in the Peloponnese, with neoclassical houses, a pedestrian old town and a small island fortress in the harbour. Above it rises the Palamidi fortress, reached by a long climb of steps or by road.
Things to do in Nafplio include walking up to the Palamidi, strolling the old town and the waterfront promenade, and enjoying its cafés and tavernas. It is also a popular base for the ancient sites of Mycenae and Epidaurus, with its famous theatre, both within an easy drive.
Nafplio suits history lovers and relaxed short breaks. Spring and autumn are especially pleasant, and the town is often a favourite weekend retreat for visitors from Athens.
- Country
- Greece
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Athens
Last updated
Top places to visit in Nafplio
Palamidi Fortress
Fort · about 2 h · entry €8 (≈ ₹850)
Vast early-18th-century Venetian hilltop fortress reached by a 999-step staircase, with bastion views.
Bourtzi Castle
Fort · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Small Venetian island fortress in the harbour, reached by boat, the town's emblem.
Acronauplia
Fort · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Oldest part of town on the rocky headland with layered Byzantine, Frankish and Venetian walls.
Syntagma Square
Heritage · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Marble-paved central square framed by a Venetian arsenal, Ottoman mosque and neoclassical facades.
Epidaurus Ancient Theatre
Heritage · about 2 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
Best-preserved ancient Greek theatre, renowned for its acoustics, in the sanctuary of Asclepius.
Mycenae Archaeological Site
Heritage · about 2.5 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
Bronze Age citadel of Agamemnon with the Lion Gate and Treasury of Atreus, a UNESCO site.
Ancient Tiryns
Heritage · about 1 h · entry €4 (≈ ₹430)
Mycenaean citadel with massive Cyclopean walls, a UNESCO site just outside town.
Arvanitia Beach & Promenade
Beach · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Small pebbly cove below Acronauplia, reached by a scenic seaside walkway from the old town.
Things to do
- Mycenae & Epidaurus Day Tour Tour · 8 h · from EUR 70 per person
- Palamidi Fortress Guided Climb Tour · 2 h · from EUR 25 per person
Day trips and tours
- Argolis Classical Tour 8 h · from EUR 70
Where to stay in Nafplio
- Nafplio Old Town about EUR 110 per night
Neoclassical lanes below Palamidi, ringed by cafes, the Bourtzi and a waterfront promenade.
Hotels
- Amfitriti Palazzo 4-star
- Adiandi Boutique Hotel 3-star
Where to eat
- Ta Fanaria Greek · about EUR 22 per person
- Alaloum Greek, Mediterranean · about EUR 28 per person
- Antica Gelateria di Roma Gelato, Dessert · about EUR 5 per person
- Aiolos Tavern Greek · about EUR 20 per person
Getting to Nafplio
Nearest airport: Athens (ATH), about 109 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Greece
Frequently asked questions about Nafplio
- What are the main places to visit in Nafplio?
- Places covered in our Nafplio guide include Palamidi Fortress, Bourtzi Castle, Acronauplia, Syntagma Square, Epidaurus Ancient Theatre.
- Where should I stay in Nafplio?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Nafplio: Nafplio Old Town.
- How do I get around Nafplio?
- Ways to get around Nafplio covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.