Want to know the best things to do in Nafplio? If you’re planning a road trip through the Peloponnese, then Nafplio (also spelled Nafplion) makes a great place to base yourself for a few days. You can visit some of the best archaeological sites close by, but there’s plenty of attractions in Nafplio itself.
Nafplio is known for its charming old town, colourful neoclassical buildings, and relaxed café culture. With pedestrian streets, a harbour lined with small fishing boats to superyachts and a waterfront walking path, Nafplio is great to explore on foot.
Several Venetian fortresses tower above the town, a small island castle guards the harbour, and historic churches and monuments are scattered throughout the centre.
Nafplio was one of our favourite stops in the Peloponnese. We stayed a few days and could easily have stayed longer. Whether you’re visiting for a day or using it as a base to explore the region, here are the best things to see in Nafplio.
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Best things to do in Nafplio
1. Wander through the old town
The heart of Nafplio is its old town, with narrow cobbled streets between colourful buildings, tiny cafés, and boutique shops. Look out for hidden squares and doorways adorned with flowers. You could spend a few hours walking through the old town exploring, it’s especially lovely in the evening.
Stop and grab a coffee or a glass of wine and watch the world go by. We enjoyed drinks at the Motiv “all day” bar. But be warned, drinks here are kind of expensive!
If you like shopping, you’ll love Nafplio! You’ll find handmade jewellery, local crafts, olive oil products, and souvenirs. Take your time and explore side streets. You’re likely to find something unique to take home. Our favourite store was the Dim Arg gallery where the artist paints Icons (Orthodox Religious paintings). This store is just near the St George Church.
2. Syntagma Square
At the centre of the old town lies Syntagma Square, the perfect starting point for your exploration. Surrounded by historic buildings and lined with cafés, the square is ideal for people-watching or soaking up the lively atmosphere. It’s also home to occasional street performers and small markets.
3. Nafplio Archaeological Museum
You’ll also find the Nafplio Archaeological Museum in Syntagma Square. We didn’t visit the museum as we spent a lot of time at the various Archaeological sites in the area. The museum has antiquities from all the sites in the region, and particularly Tiryns. Entry costs €10
4. Palamidi Fortress
The Palamidi Fortress dominates the skyline in Nafplio sitting right on top of the hill. It was built by the Venetians in the 18th century. The climb is steep, supposedly there are 999 steps. If you’re not up for the climb, you can drive to the top of the hill.
Even if you don’t go inside the fortress, check it out at night. It looks beautiful lit up, standing guard over the town. Entry to the fortress is €20.
5. Bourtzi Fortress
The Bourtzi Fortress sits on a small island just off Nafplio’s harbour and is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks. It was built by the Venetians to protect the harbour from pirate attacks.
You can reach the fortress by a short boat ride. The boat across costs €7 and entry to the fortress is also €7.
6. Five Brothers
“Five Brothers” is the name given to five cannons at a lookout over the harbour and Bourtzi Fortress. You can climb the steps at the end of the waterfront to get to the lookout.
This is one of the best places to take a photo of the Bourtzi (if you don’t have a drone!). We really liked this view at sunset.
7. Arvanitia Promenade
If you’re looking for something different, walk the Arvanitia Promenade along the coast. This shaded path follows the shoreline just outside the old town. It offers peaceful sea views with Palamidi Fortress rising above you. The walk is flat and easy. The path ends up at the Arvanitia Beach where we saw people swimming in December!
We did this walk twice, in both directions. There is a closed gate at the end near the Bourtzi, but a small path goes around the fence. We saw lots of locals and other tourists walking along this path. We figured the gate is just to stop vehicular traffic.
From the end of the path near the beach, you can return to the old town. You’ll pass the 999 steps up to the Palamidi Fortress here.
8. Lion of Bavaria
The Lion of Bavaria is a monument that honours the soldiers of King Otto, Greece’s first modern king, who died of typhoid in the 1830s. The Lion monument is carved into the rock. It was created by German sculptor Christian Heinrich Siegel in 1840.
If you have visited Lucerne in Switzerland this sculpture might seem familiarity, as it was modelled on the one in Lucerne.
9. Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (Evangelistria)
A short walk from the Lion of Bavaria stands the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, also known as Evangelistria. This large church plays an important role in modern Greek history.
The National Assembly met here in 1825 during the Greek War of Independence. Step inside to see the impressive interior and enjoy a quieter moment or, just admire the views over the harbour from the church courtyard.
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10. Try the Local Food
Food plays a big part in any visit to Nafplio, or all of Greece for that matter! The town offers traditional tavernas alongside modern cafés.
Try fresh seafood, local cheeses, and of course, gyros! Pair your meal with a glass of local wine. We liked to try the local house wine with our meal, ½ a litre usually costs around €5-8.
Archaeological sites close to Nafplio
11. Ancient Mycenae
Mycenae is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. It was the centre of the Mycenaean civilisation and was ruled by Agamemnon, leader of the Greek armies in the Trojan War.
The highlight of Mycenae is said to be the Lion Gate, one of the oldest sculpture in Europe (although the Lions are missing their heads). You can explore the palace ruins, tunnels and beehive tombs. There is a small museum on site with pottery and other artefacts from the site.
Don’t miss the Treasury of Atreus (aka Agamemnon’s Tomb) which is just a short distance away (it’s actually about 1km before Mycenae).
Entry to Ancient Mycenae is €20, and your ticket also gets you into the museum and the Treasury of Atreus.
12. The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus
The ancient site of Epidaurus is a must-visit for history and culture enthusiasts. This site is the former sanctuary of Asklepios and is best known for its theatre.
The Epidaurus theatre is one of the best preserved ancient Greek theatres in the world. It’s renowned for it’s acoustics. It’s super fun to stand in the middle of the stage and sing (or clap) to hear the echo.
The surrounding archaeological site is also home to temples and sanctuaries dedicated to Asklepios (the god of medicine). There’s also a small museum on site. We were surprised to see they are re-building the Temple of Athena, using brand new stone columns!
Entry to Epidaurus is €20
13. Mycenaen Acropolis of Tiryns
The ancient site of Tiryns is known for its massive Mycenaean walls, often called “cyclopean walls” because of the huge stones used in construction. The later greeks thought that only a cyclops (one-eyed giant) would be stong enough to lift these hugs stones.
You can wander along the walls, and up to the top of the “acropolis”. We found it interesting that from the top we could see into the neighbouring prison, and watch the inmates in the exercise yard!
Entry to Ancient Tiryns is €10.
14. Ancient Argos
Argos is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. The archaeological site includes an impressive ancient theatre carved into the hillside. From the upper levels, you get wide views across the modern town and all the way back to Nafplio.
It’s an easy stop and way less crowded than nearby sites. When we visited there was nobody else there. Just as well, as I left my phone sitting on a stone wall while we went to check out some of the other ruins!
Entry to Ancient Argos is €10. Entry also includes the ancient agora, which is across the road from the theatre.
Nafplio Travel Guide – Essential Information
How to get to Nafplio
Nafplio is on the coast at the top of the Argolic Gulf. It’s a short drive from the Corinth Canal, making it a logical first stop on a Peloponnese Road Trip.
By Air
There is no airport at Nafplio, so you would need to fly into Athens or Kalamata. You can hire a car from either airport and drive to Nafplio in a couple of hours.
By Car
If you’re coming from Athens, there are good motorways (with tolls) that bring you to Nafplio.
By Bus
Buses arrive in Nafplio from Athens and other destinations on the Peloponnese. Check Omio for timetables and to book.
Getting around Nafplio
While the town of Nafplio is definitely walkable, you will need a vehicle if you want to visit the nearby archaeological sites.
Alternatively, you can join a guided tour with transport to some of the archaeological sites.
Where to stay in Nafplio
We visited Nafplio in our campervan in December. We parked up at the port, with quite a few (like 20) other vans. Now I’m not sure if this is an official overnight parking place, but we stayed for several nights and weren’t bothered.
If you’re driving to Nafplio in a rental car, there are plenty of places to stay, and we suggest choosing somewhere around the old town. We recommend booking.com to search for availability and pricing.
Where to eat in Nafplio
We ate several times along the waterfront, at Stravropolous Grill, and also at Scuola Pizza. I know… pizza in Greece? BUT, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Some of the best pizza we’ve had anywhere was in Greece!
FAQs
When is the best time to visit Nafplio?
Peak season is in summer and it can be very hot and crowded then. Spring and Autumn have beautiful weather and fewer crowds. We visited in winter, and the weather was mild, and we found everything was still open (unlike in some other parts of Greece). The archaeological sites and museums had shorter opening hours, so if you do visit in winter, bear that in mind.
How many days do you need in Nafplio?
Nafplio is a great base for visiting some of the most popular sites in the Peloponnese. We would recommend staying for 3 or 4 nights, so you can visit the town itself, and also check out Mycenae, Epidaurus and perhaps one or two of the other archaeological sites.
How to spend one day in Nafplio?
If you want to see Nafplio in one day, start with wandering the old town, grab a coffee in Syntagma square, walk around the Arvanitia Promenade, then back towards town from the beach. Climb the 999 steps up to visit the Palamidi fortress, and walk down by the road, visiting the Church of the Annunciation and the Lion of Bavaria on the way back. Visit one of the museums in town, and then spend the evening along the waterfront.
Is Nafplio safe for tourists?
We found Nafplio to be quite safe. We wandered around the old town in the evening and never had any problems. Of course, always use your common sense!
Is Nafplio Campervan Friendly?
Nafplio is one of the more campervan-friendly towns in the Peloponnese, especially compared with larger Greek cities, and especially in the off-season.
There are no official campsites in Nafplio itself, but campsites within a short drive can be useful if you want a reset, a proper shower, or laundry. There are several informal parking areas near the harbour and along the seafront where vans fit comfortably. From there, the old town is walkable. You don’t need to drive once you’re parked. According to the “Highway Code” PARKING a campervan is allowed anywhere a car may park, but CAMPING may not be allowed. So long as nothing extends beyond the perimeter of your van, you’re just parking. Avoid setting up chairs, awnings, opening windows or retracting your step.
Water and services are manageable but basic. You’ll usually find water taps at beaches, or fuel stations rather than dedicated camper facilities.
We stayed a few nights in the port at Nafplio, and then went to a camper stopover near Epidaurus for a night, where we were able to refill our water tanks and empty our toilet and grey water.
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Watch our Peloponnese Top 10 Film
Nafplio features in our video on the 10 best spots on the Peloponnese, along with a couple of the archaeological sites we’ve mentioned here.
Final Thoughts
Nafplio perfectly blends history, charm, and stunning scenery. From wandering the old town streets to climbing Palamidi Fortress, strolling along the Arvanitia Promenade, or sampling local food (and wine!), there’s something here for everyone.
Take your time, wander the old town and enjoy the cafés and the sea views, and soak in the beauty of this highlight of the Peloponnese.
Where to next?
Heading further into the Peloponnese? Check out our post on the Mani Peninsula, or how about checking out the highlights of Athens.
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