Nafplio is the most romantic town on the Greek mainland: a peninsula of Venetian and neoclassical houses, bougainvillea-draped lanes and marble squares on the Gulf of Argolis, watched over by the great Palamidi fortress on the cliff above and the little Bourtzi castle on an island in the bay. It was the first capital of modern Greece, and Athenians still escape here for the weekend. You come to climb Palamidi’s endless steps, take the boat to the Bourtzi, wander the old town, swim at Arvanitia, and use it as a base for some of the greatest sites of ancient Greece: Mycenae, the kingdom of Agamemnon, and the theatre of Epidaurus, where you can still hear a coin drop from the back row. It is about two hours from Athens. Give it two nights, three to see everything without rushing.
Right now in Nafplio
- Wed 14–27°C 57–80°F Partly cloudy
- Thu 15–25°C 58–77°F Partly cloudy
- Fri 19–26°C 65–79°F Mostly clear
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB
Top tours in Nafplio
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Nafplio at a glance
- Best for: a romantic town break, Venetian fortresses, easy access to Mycenae and Epidaurus, summer theatre, and swimming.
- How long: 2 nights for the town and one day trip, 3 nights for Mycenae, Epidaurus and a beach day.
- Best time: April to June and September to October; July and August are hot but bring the Epidaurus festival.
- Getting in: KTEL bus from Athens’ Kifisos terminal (about 2–2½ hours) or by car (about 140 km).
- Ancient sites: Mycenae and Epidaurus cost €20 each as of October 2026; both are within 40 minutes by car.
- Before you go: entry rules, money and transport around the country are in our Greece travel guide.
A little history
Nafplio has been fought over for centuries by Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Ottomans, and its fortresses show it. During the Greek War of Independence it became the seat of the first Greek government, and from 1828 to 1834 it was the capital of the new Greek state. Greece’s first governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was assassinated on the steps of the Church of St Spyridon in 1831; you can still see the bullet mark in the wall. The young King Otto, a Bavarian prince, arrived here in 1833, before the capital moved to Athens the following year.
Top things to see in Nafplio
Prices and hours below were checked on the Ministry of Culture’s official site and the Bourtzi’s own site in October 2026. EU citizens under 25 and under-18s from any country enter state sites free with ID.
The Palamidi fortress and its steps
Built by the Venetians between 1711 and 1714, Palamidi is one of the finest Venetian fortresses anywhere: eight bastions linked by walls along a cliff 216 metres above the town, with views over the bay and the plain of Argos. The fun way up is the stone staircase from the old town, roughly 900 steps that locals will tell you number 999; it takes 20–40 minutes, and there is little shade, so climb early in the morning or in the late afternoon and carry water. You can also drive or take a taxi up the road to the upper gate. Inside, look for the cell where the War of Independence hero Theodoros Kolokotronis was imprisoned.
As of October 2026, the Ministry of Culture lists the ticket at €20 (reduced €10, valid only from October to May). From May to August it opens 8:00–20:00; closing moves earlier in September and October (18:00 from 16 October), and in winter it opens 8:30–15:30. It closes on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Easter Sunday and 25–26 December.
The Bourtzi island castle
The little Venetian water castle on an islet in the harbour, built in the 15th century to guard the entrance to the port, has been a fortress, the home of the town’s executioners and a hotel. It reopened to visitors after restoration and now hosts exhibitions and summer events. Small boats leave from the harbour quay (the boat fare is paid separately). As of October 2026, entry costs €7 (reduced €5). It opens 9:00–17:00 most of the year, until 18:00 at weekends in June, September and October, and until 21:00 in July and August; the last boat leaves 50 minutes before closing. Seen from the seafront at sunset, it is the classic Nafplio picture.
The old town, Syntagma Square and the museums
The old town is small enough to explore in a morning but pretty enough to wander for days: Syntagma Square with its marble paving and café tables, the 1713 Venetian arsenal that now houses the Archaeological Museum (with a rare Mycenaean bronze suit of armour from nearby Dendra), the Ottoman mosques, the Church of St Spyridon, and lanes such as Staikopoulou and Kapodistriou lined with balconies and flowers. The Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation has a lovely collection of traditional costumes. Look out for the Lion of Bavaria, a lion carved into the rock on the edge of town in memory of Bavarian soldiers who died here in the 1830s.
Akronafplia, the seafront walk and Arvanitia beach
Above the old town, the rocky Akronafplia peninsula is ringed by the oldest walls in Nafplio. A beautiful footpath (the Arvanitia promenade) runs around its base at the water’s edge, from the harbour past swimming ladders and a small chapel to Arvanitia, the town beach, a pebble cove with a beach bar. From there a path continues to Karathona, a long sandy beach about 3 km away, popular with families. See our beaches guide.
Museums
- Archaeological Museum of Nafplio
- Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation
Castles and forts
- Akronafplia
- Bourtzi
- Palamidi
Day trips: Mycenae, Epidaurus and the Argolid
Mycenae
About 25 km north of Nafplio, the citadel of Mycenae was the centre of the Bronze Age civilisation that gave its name to a whole era of Greek history, and in legend the kingdom of Agamemnon. Enter through the Lion Gate, the oldest monumental sculpture in Europe, see Grave Circle A, where Heinrich Schliemann found the gold “Mask of Agamemnon” (now in Athens), climb to the palace on the summit, and go down into the secret cistern if you have a torch. Just down the road, the Treasury of Atreus is a huge beehive tomb with a perfect stone dome. Mycenae and nearby Tiryns are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As of October 2026 the ticket costs €20 (reduced €10 from October to May only) and covers the citadel, the museum and the Treasury of Atreus. Hours are 8:00–20:00 in summer, 8:00–19:00 in April, shortening in September and October, and 8:30–15:30 in winter. There is little shade: go at opening time or late afternoon. Allow 2–3 hours.
Epidaurus and its theatre
About 30 km east, the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus was the ancient world’s most famous healing centre, and its 4th-century BC theatre is the best preserved in Greece, with seats for around 13,000–14,000 people and acoustics so good that a whisper on stage carries to the top row. Explore the sanctuary, the stadium and the museum, and try the acoustics yourself. As of October 2026 the ticket costs €20 (reduced €10) for the theatre, site and museum; summer hours are 8:00–20:00, shortening in September and October. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Athens Epidaurus Festival: on summer weekends, usually from about late June to August, ancient Greek tragedies and comedies are performed in the theatre at night, as they were 2,400 years ago, with surtitles in English for many shows. Book tickets on the festival’s website, bring a cushion, and arrange transport back (special buses run from Nafplio and Athens on show nights). In July, the “Little Theatre” of Ancient Epidaurus by the sea at Palaia Epidavros hosts music concerts.
Tiryns, Argos, Nemea and Corinth
Tiryns, just 4 km from Nafplio, has massive “Cyclopean” walls built of boulders so big the ancients thought giants had placed them. Argos has a huge ancient theatre and a Venetian castle. The Nemea valley, 45 minutes north, is the home of the Agiorgitiko red grape, with wineries open for tastings and the ruins of the Temple of Zeus and an ancient stadium (see our wine-tasting guide). On the way to or from Athens, stop at the Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth.
Further afield
Nafplio is a natural first stop on a Peloponnese road trip: continue south to Monemvasia and the Mani, or west to Olympia. Boats from the nearby coast run to the islands of Spetses and Hydra in summer. Athens is about two hours away. See our boat trips guide.
Activities and best months
- Beaches and swimmingArvanitia, a small pebble beach a walk from the old town; sandy Karathona, a few minutes away by car or along the coast path; Tolo and Kondyli further along the Argolic coast. · source
- City sightseeingPalamidi, the Venetian fortress above the town (216 m), is reached by road or by the famous "999 steps" (really 857); go early or late to avoid the heat. Ticket €20, reduced €10. · source
Getting to Nafplio
By bus. KTEL Argolida runs buses from Athens’ Kifisos bus terminal to Nafplio, roughly every hour or two during the day, in about 2–2½ hours, some changing in Argos. From Athens airport, take the X93 express bus to Kifisos first. The bus station is at the edge of the old town.
By car. About 140 km from Athens via the Corinth motorway (tolled), around 1¾–2 hours. Driving gives you the freedom to see Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nemea in a day or two. The old town has narrow streets; park in the large free car parks by the harbour and walk in.
Without a car. Local KTEL buses run from Nafplio to Mycenae (via Argos) and to Epidaurus a few times a day, and organised day tours visit both from Nafplio and Athens. Taxis are another option for a group.
Getting around Nafplio
- Walking: the old town, the harbour and the seafront path are all walkable.
- Taxi: handy for the road up to Palamidi’s upper gate, Karathona beach and the bus station with luggage.
- Tourist train: a small road train tours the town in summer, useful with children. See our city sightseeing guide.
- Bike: the flat coast road to Tolo and the Argolid plain suit an e-bike; see our cycling guide.
When to go and how long to stay
Nafplio has a mild, sunny Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, often in the low to mid 30s °C, and inland sites such as Mycenae are hotter still; winters are mild and fairly wet, with the odd cold snap. Spring, with wildflowers on the ancient sites, and early autumn, with warm sea and grape harvest in Nemea, are the best times. Weekends are much busier than weekdays all year, because Athenians come down for a break, and Orthodox Easter and long holiday weekends fill every room.
Nafplio in 1 day
Morning: climb to Palamidi at opening time. Midday: lunch in the old town and the Archaeological Museum. Afternoon: the seafront path to Arvanitia for a swim, then the boat to the Bourtzi. Evening: dinner on Staikopoulou Street and a stroll by the harbour.
Nafplio in 3 days
Day 1 in town as above. Day 2: Mycenae in the morning, Nemea wineries or Tiryns in the afternoon. Day 3: Epidaurus in the morning and a swim at Palaia Epidavros or Tolo, or a summer night at the Epidaurus Festival.
Weather month by month
Averages from HNMS station averages 1980–2010, Argos (Pyrgela) · Last reviewed 4 Oct 2026
Where to stay and eat
- Old town: boutique hotels and guesthouses in restored mansions; atmospheric, with steps and no car access.
- New town and the Pronoia area: better value and easier parking, a 10–15-minute walk from the centre.
- Tolo and the coast: beach hotels about 11 km away, good for families in summer.
Every stay pays Greece’s climate resilience fee per room per night (see our Greece guide). Eat fresh fish by the harbour, slow-cooked meat dishes in the old-town tavernas, and local oranges and Argolid produce; wash it down with a Nemea red. An evening gelato on Syntagma Square is a local ritual.
Practical tips for Nafplio
- Climb Palamidi early: the steps face the afternoon sun and there is no shade.
- Budget for sites: Palamidi, Mycenae and Epidaurus each cost €20 as of October 2026.
- Go midweek: weekends bring crowds and higher prices.
- Book festival nights: Epidaurus performances sell out, and so do rooms on show weekends.
- Heat: in July and August, visit Mycenae and Epidaurus at opening time and check for heatwave closures.
What to pack for Nafplio
Shoes with good grip for Palamidi’s steps and the stony ancient sites, a sun hat, sunscreen and a refillable bottle, a swimsuit for Arvanitia and Karathona, a cushion and a light layer for an evening at Epidaurus, and a torch for the Mycenae cistern.
What to pack
- City walking shoesLisbon and Porto are steep, with polished limestone cobbles that get slippery, so grippy soles matter.
- Day packs and anti-theft bagsCarries water, towel and sunscreen down the long stairways to Algarve coves.
- Dry bags and phone pouchesProtects phones and cameras from sand and spray on beaches reached by ferry or steep paths.
- Quick-dry beach towelsA sand-shedding quick-dry towel packs small for beach days and lido visits.
- Rain jacketsFrom October to April Porto and Lisbon see rain on roughly a third of days.
- Reef-friendly sunscreenSummer UV is strong on Portuguese beaches and there is little shade below the cliffs.
- Travel adapters and convertersPortugal uses Type C and F sockets at 230 V, so most visitors from outside Europe need an adapter.
- Water shoesRocky coves, lava pools and weever fish in shallow sand make water shoes useful.
- WetsuitsOn the west and north coasts the sea stays around 16–18 °C even in summer, so a thin suit helps for long swims.
Nafplio travel FAQ
How many steps are there up to Palamidi?
Local legend says 999; actual counts come in at roughly 900. Most people take 20–40 minutes. You can also drive or take a taxi to the upper gate.
How much is the Palamidi ticket?
As of October 2026 the Ministry of Culture lists €20 full and €10 reduced (reduced only from October to May). Opening hours are 8:00–20:00 in summer and 8:30–15:30 in winter.
Can you visit the Bourtzi castle?
Yes. Boats leave from the harbour, and entry costs €7 (reduced €5) as of October 2026, plus the boat fare. It opens 9:00–17:00 most of the year and until 21:00 in July and August.
How do I get from Athens to Nafplio?
By KTEL Argolida bus from Kifisos terminal in about 2–2½ hours, or by car in about 1¾–2 hours via the Corinth motorway.
Can I visit Mycenae and Epidaurus in one day?
Yes, by car or on a tour from Nafplio: Mycenae in the morning and Epidaurus in the afternoon, about an hour’s drive apart. Each ticket costs €20 as of October 2026.
Is Nafplio worth a day trip from Athens?
It works as a long day by car or on a tour, but the town is at its best in the evening, so one or two nights are much better, especially if you want to see Mycenae or Epidaurus too.
When is the Epidaurus festival?
Performances usually run on Friday and Saturday nights from about late June to August as part of the Athens Epidaurus Festival. Check the festival’s programme and book early.
Are there beaches in Nafplio?
Yes: Arvanitia, a pebble cove reached by a seafront path, and Karathona, a long sandy beach 3 km away. Tolo, 11 km away, has a busy sandy beach and resort.
When is the best time to visit Nafplio?
April to June and September to October, when it is warm enough to swim from late May and cool enough to climb Palamidi and walk Mycenae. Weekdays are quieter than weekends all year.
How many days do you need in Nafplio?
One full day covers the town, Palamidi and the Bourtzi. Two or three nights let you add Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tiryns or a Nemea winery without rushing.
Nearby destinations
Sources
- © OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL · fetched 4 Oct 2026
- Wikidata · CC0 · fetched 4 Oct 2026
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Palamidi, Mycenae and Epidaurus prices and hours: the Ministry of Culture (odysseus.culture.gr); Bourtzi prices and hours: the Bourtzi’s official site, run by Hellenic Public Properties. Bus times, distances and festival months are general guidance and flagged for checking. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official links before you go. For entry rules, money and ferries, see our Greece travel guide.
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