The city of Nafplio is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. The old town is a gem, featuring winding streets draped with colorful bougainvillea, magnificent Venetian and Ottoman architecture, and picturesque squares, cafés, galleries, and taverns.
Nafplio - exploring the old town
Three extraordinary fortresses await your visit. The harbor area is ideal for strolling, and there are several good swimming spots in the immediate vicinity of the city.
Nafplio is also ideal for excursions to the ancient sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus or Corinth.
Sights in Nafplio
The old town of Nafplio lies on a peninsula and is protected by the fortresses of Akronafplia, Palamidi, and Bourtzi. The harbor area, with its array of neoclassical buildings and a wide promenade, is worth seeing.
Palamidi Fortress - Nafplio from a bird's eye view
Nafplio - Municipal Library
The old town of Nafplio
The old town of Nafplio is a true gem, characterized by winding streets, outstanding architecture, and elegant squares. Of particular note are:
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square is the heart of the old town. It is home to important historical buildings, such as the old Venetian barracks, now part of the city's facilities, and the former Vouleftiko Mosque, which served as the first Greek parliament building. Numerous cafés and restaurants invite you to linger.
Nafplio - Greece's first parliament
Nafplio - Syntagma Square
Nafplio Archaeological Museum
Located on Syntagma Square in a well-preserved Venetian building, the Archaeological Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts from the Argolis region, including Mycenaean armor, pottery, and jewelry, as well as sculptures and statues from various eras.
Nafplio - Syntagma Square with the Archaeological Museum
Church of Agios Spyridon
This small church is historically significant because it was here that the first Greek statesman, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was assassinated in 1831. A plaque at the entrance commemorates this dramatic event, which had profound political repercussions for young Greece.
The fortresses of Nafplio
Nafplio has three extraordinary fortresses.
Akronafplia
It is the oldest of the fortresses and is located above the old town. The earliest excavations date back to the Bronze Age. Today, buildings and ruins from four eras can be visited – the architectural art of the Venetians, the Byzantines, the Franks, and the Ottomans offer an impressive insight into the region's history.
Nafplio - Akronafplia Fortress
Palamidi
This Venetian fortress sits spectacularly on a 216-meter-high cliff above Nafplio. Built by the Venetians between 1711 and 1714, it is a masterpiece of Baroque military architecture. The structure consists of several bastions connected by walls.
Visitors reach the fortress either by car or via a famous staircase with supposedly 999 steps – a popular ritual for sporty visitors.
From the top there is a breathtaking view of Nafplio, the Argolic Gulf and the surrounding mountains.
Nafplio - Palamidi Fortress
Nafplio - at the Palamidi Fortress
Bourtzi
Bourtzi is a small, picturesque fortress on an island just off the port of Nafplio. It was built by the Venetians in the 15th century to defend the harbor.
Later, it also served as the residence of the executioners, as it was located outside the city walls. Today, Bourtzi is one of Nafplio's attractions.
The fortress can be reached by small boats that depart regularly from the harbor.
Nafplio - Bourtzi Fortress
The port of Nafplio
A wide, palm-shaded promenade runs along the harbor basin. The lighthouse is about 800 meters away. It's worth a stroll in this setting. On one side, the azure water beckons with yachts, fishing boats, and the Bourtzi Fortress. On the side facing the old town, the impressive neoclassical buildings stand out. The Happy Train, a tour of the town, also departs from the promenade.
The Bay of Nafplio
Nafplios Happy Train
The Arvanitia Promenade begins at the lighthouse, leading along the sea around the rocky peninsula on which the old town of Nafplio is located. The path is paved and ends after just over a kilometer at the town beach of Paralia Arvanitia. At the tip of the peninsula, you pass the Arvanitia Lighthouse, and not far from it, a narrow path with a few steps branches off. This leads to the Chapel of Panagitsa, built into the rocks below the Akronafplia Fortress.
Nafplio - Arvanitia Promenade
Nafplio - city beach Paralia Arvanitia
Sights in the area of Nafplio
Nafplio is a great base for excursions to the ancient sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, or Corinth. The famous Corinth Canal is about 40 kilometers from Nafplio. Cruise lines offer these tours, but it's also easy to find a taxi company at the pier. In Nafplio, the regional taxi cooperative offers fixed prices.
Nafplio - ancient Corinth - Temple of Apollo
Nafplio - Corinth Canal
Mycenae
The journey to Mycenae, one of the most powerful and important cities of antiquity, takes about 30 minutes. Mycenae was excavated in 1876 by the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who dedicated his life's work to the search for the tomb of King Agamemnon. His excavations unearthed Europe's oldest monumental sculpture, the famous Lion Gate, as well as the palace complex, shaft tombs, and numerous golden treasures. Among the most important archaeological finds is the Mask of Agamemnon, which can be seen in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
The massive walls of Mycenae, which are up to two and a half meters thick in some areas, were, according to legend, built by the Cyclopes.
Nafplio - Cyclopean Walls of Mycenae
epidaurus
The founders of Epidaurus believed in the healing powers of plants and water and dedicated the area to Aesculapius, the god of healing. This sanctuary was once a thriving spa center with temples and therapeutic baths. Today, only the foundations of most of the buildings remain. One exception is the world-famous Theater of Epidaurus. It was built in the 4th century BC. The theater seats up to 12.000 spectators and impresses with its exceptional acoustics.
Ancient site of Corinth
The ancient site of Corinth includes the Archaeological Site of Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth, the upper city of Ancient Corinth.
Nafplio - ancient Corinth - Temple of Apollo
Archaeological site of Ancient Corinth
Ancient Corinth was one of the most powerful and richest cities of antiquity. The city is strategically located on the Isthmus of Corinth, which connects the Peloponnese peninsula with the Greek mainland. Its most important sights include
the monumental Doric Temple of Apollo from the 6th century BC – one of the oldest surviving temples in Greece,
the Roman Forum with remains of marketplaces, baths, fountains and streets,
Lechaion Street, the ancient main road to the port of Corinth.
The city was famous for its wealth, its architecture, and the infamous Corinthian Wars. Furthermore, the New Testament frequently mentions Corinth in connection with the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul.
Acrocorinth
High above the ancient city rises the Acrocorinth, a massive, fortified acropolis. The fortress was of great strategic importance from ancient times through the Middle Ages to the Ottoman period. A climb to the Acrocorinth rewards visitors with panoramic views of the isthmus and the coastlines.
Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal connects the Saronic Gulf with the Gulf of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. It is 6400 meters long and 24 meters wide and was built between 1881 and 1893. The Corinth Canal is considered a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering.
Nafplio - Corinth Canal
The canal saves ships the long detour around the Peloponnese and shortens the journey by approximately 325 kilometers. However, the canal is too narrow for large modern ships. Today, it is mainly used by small freighters, excursion boats, and yachts. The cruise ship Braemar, which transited the canal on October 9, 2019, was an exception. The Braemar is 164 meters long and 22,5 meters wide.
June 2025