Nafplion (Nafplio) - Peloponnese

The place - Nafplion

"Summer, Spring, winter or fall - anytime at all Nafplion will enthrall".
Those old, period houses and buildings. The slope of the town's small roads and cobblestone streets leading past mouth-watering offerings in food shops, cafes and tavernas. This multitude of features of the jewel of the Peloponnese continues with the seafood restaurants - fresh fish is displayed outside tempting you to enter and order another great meal. The challenge of climbing hundreds of steps up to the Palamidi (or driving up and laughing contentedly when you arrive still fresh as a daisy at the top!), the charming or romantic, the modern or history-soaked cafes. The wonderful places to stay and that classic view with the castle on the island. The fabulous surrounding areas, archaeology, vistas, views and tiny villages to venture towards and explore - this is a sample of the experience of Nafplion whether you immerse yourself in and learn about its history or not.

The place is smart in many ways - the town is not a beach resort and has some style to it....yet if you don your sandals and take a beach towel just ten minutes later, you can enjoy the soft sea, the sand and sun.
The place has appeal as only those villages with location and a good chunk of their history still showing above the surface, can. Overall this also means a higher quality and more style in the places you can stay.
 

A taste of history
Nafplion is named after its founder Nafplieus, son of Poseidon. History has roots which flower in today's view of the town: Amimomi is today the name of a superb restaurant at Nafplia Palace hotel and the name of Nafplieus's mother!
In 1828-1833 it was the capital of the newly established state of Greece. In 1862, it lead the dethronement of the Bavarian Dynasty. It is now a Greek city filled with history, charm, local food dishes, old churches, historical squares and neo-classical buildings.
Nafplion is overlooked by the Palamidi and Akronafplia castle on the hill which runs down to the sea, gathering the historic buildings on its way.
A testimony to Nafplio's beauty and strategic location is that the Venetians made it the capital of their lands in Greece.
 

How to get there - Nafplion

By train:
Train from Athens main station ("Larissis" station) - a little slow and often reported to be subject to delay....but a relaxing, scenic and fun journey. Or, from Athens airport, taking first the suburban rail to Corinth (frequent line) and then from Corinth the train to Nafplion.
Train schedule:
Corinth (Korinthos) to Nafplion: 10:23, 14:23, 18:23, 22:23
Nafplion to Corinth: 07:17, 12:16, 16:16, 20:17
Important Note: From 1 August 2010, this timetable will change - and some of the travel times will be shortened. We will post updates when available. More information: www.trainose.com

By bus:
Buses run to Nafplion from KTEL (long-distance) bus station in Athens.
From Athens to Nafplion by bus:
There are several buses a day, from the KTEL Argolidos (Bus terminal at Leoforos Kifissou 100, tel. 210-5134588) - journey takes about 3 hours. See schedules or here.
Tip: From Athens Airport you can take the Express bus line "X93" to the KTEL terminal on Kifissou (line runs 24hrs, with buses every 20-30 minutes).
From Nafplion to Athens by bus:
Several buses a day, Nafplion bus station tel. 27520-27323.

By car:
As everywhere in Greece, renting a car will give you the best flexibility, the ability to explore out of reach gems, and definitely is the way to make the most of your time.
From Athens airport, 2.5-3 hours drive (140 km).
From Pireas port, 2-2.5 hours drive (130 km).

By plane:
Fly to Athens airport (code: ATH) or Kalamata airport (code: KLX) and then drive...or... See more details in how to get to the Peloponnese.
 

Where to stay - Nafplion

You can stay and enjoy one of the best views on offer at Nafplia Palace Hotel or at near sea level the Amphitryon Hotel, also with great views and both high standards of comfort and service. If uniquely themed rooms, with a dominant color scheme reflecting the mythological name of the room seems fun - the period building Ilion Hotel.
Review, photos, rates & reservations with SuperbGreece.com:
- Nafplia Palace Hotel
- Amphitryon Hotel
- Ilion Hotel

NEW: See our 3 new hotel finds in Nafplion:
- Ippoliti Hotel

- Kyveli Suites

- Latini Hotel
 

What to see/do - Nafplion

Bourtzi island fortress:
This defines the postcard view of Nafplion by the sea. This, and the hill the town's houses and period buildings climb, create the unique picture of the town. The little island "Bourtzi" at the entrance of the port was fortified with cannons during the Middle Ages.
Built in 1471 by Antonio Gambello, an architect from Bergamo.
From 1930 until 1970 it was run as a hotel (perhaps we will re-open it one day). There are tours to the islet that leave from the harbour wall area.

Akronafplia fortress (where Nafplia Palace Hotel sits) - rises from the old part of town - it is the oldest of Nafplio's castles.

Palamidi castle:
Built by the Franks, completed by the Venetians.
The Fortress was built during the Second Venetian Period (1686-1715) and is 216 meters high.
You can take the road up the hill, or brave the 999 stairs (it's not so bad on a cool day - a bottle of water is advisable!)
From the top you can see the Argive plain and across the gulf of Argos or towards the Aegean.
Admission: 4 Euros but Free on Sundays and public holidays from 1 Nov- 31 March.
Open: May-Oct weekdays 8:30am- 7:00pm, weekends 8:30am-2:30pm, Nov-April *

Museums:
The Archaeological Museum of Nafplion
Between Staikopoulou Square and Panagia Church, on 13 Sofroni street in a fine neo-classical building. Many findings from the Mycenae era with some Paleolithic and Mesolithic items.
Open: Tuesday-Sunday 08.30-15.00. Mondays closed.

Folklore / "Laografiko" Museum
Has traditional costumes. More than 20000 items on display (traditional local art and regional costumes, woven and embroidered articles, various utensils and implements as well as old maps of Nafplion).
On the second floor there is a small shop where visitors can buy small items, CDs with local music, books, calendars etc. 6 km west of Nafplion
Open: 09.00-14.00 daily. Closed: Tuesdays and entire month of February.

War Museum (Nafplion Branch)
The building was the first Military Academy. Not only weapons but many other historical items.
On 22 Amalias Avenue. Open: daily 09.00-14.00. Mondays closed.

Children's Museum /Gallery
The old train station. Steam engine and vintage freight and passenger cars, children's museum - with a playground and sandbox in front.

Komboloi Museum
Only museum of its kind in Greece!
Has over 1000 "komboloia" (worry beads) from 18th-20th century.
Some well-made copies of these can be purchased.
Made of amber, sea shells, coral and crystal.
25 Staikopoulou street.

Churches:
Agios Andreas- in Palamidi Castle.
Agios George -(Mitropolis) Cathedral. Built in 16th century on Plapouta street, houses the throne of King Othon.
Agios Constantinos - formerly a mosque.
Agios Nikolaos- Opposite Papanikolaou square, the oldest surviving church in Nafplio.
Agios Spiridon (built 1702) - in Agiou Spiridona Square. Kapodistrias (the forst governor of independent Greece) was assassinated outside this church in 1831. The bullet is shown in a glass case on the wall.
Agia Triada & Agiannakis: Two churches on the way to Palamidi.
Panagitsa Church, by the waterfront, on the edge of Akronafplia just tip of the peninsula, marked by a ship's beacon. A shrine at the beginning of the path leading up to the Akronafplia walls.
"Metamorphosis tou Sotira" Church: 4 km north west of Ancient Asine, 16th century church, has wall paintings.

Other:
The cinema, the building with a dome in the central Syntagma Square, was once a turkish bath and at other times a school or court building.

Shop called "Enition"
On 40 Staikopolou street (close to the Komboloi museum)
This shop sells shadow-puppets of the traditional Greek character: "Karagiozi" (a fictional character). An original souvenir perhaps?

Lake Lerni
At Myli, 12 km south-west of Napflion.
Ancient mythical lake where Hercules killed the Lernea Hydra (many-headed monster).

The Epidavros (Epidaurus) festival
Performances of classical Greek tragedies. Late June until August. 36 km from Nafplion.

Beaches:
Arvanitia beach is the closest and you can walk to this round past the harbour or downhill from (and behind) the Palamidi fortress.
By car - Karathona is a mostly sandy beach 5 minutes away - one of the closest but by no means the best. This is just south of the town.
Also south, but a little further west (turning south off the road towards Epidavros) the archaeological site at Asini can be visited in the same breath as a visit to its beach.
There are also several easily reached (by car) beaches beyond Asini, at Kadia, and Irion.
To the west of Nafplion, for a change of mood, the beach resort areas of Kios and Mili offer more typical beach amusements and beach-holiday atmosphere - all 5-15 minutes by car.
The route continuing south from Mili becomes very scenic for about 10 kilometres, followed by a 16 km detour inland, then at Agios Andreas the coastline drive to Leonidio is rich in scenic beauty with the meeting of trees, sky, rocks and sea-stunning. Extend this by another 20-23 km for a stop in Kosmas - for contrasting dramatic drive passing 2 monasteries along the edge of the Dafnon river and gorge.

Archaeological sites and similar - around Nafplio (in the region):
Tiryns (5 km north of Nafplio), with impressive fortifications, occupied even in Neolithic times. Panoramic views.
The ruins of Ancient Asine, 12 km south east of Nafplion and 3 km south of modern Asine. Above the sandy shore are the ruins of a prehistoric settlement, tombs of kings, the acropolis and a cemetery.
Mycenae: Well-known archaeological site. Prehistoric Acropolis with Cyclopean walls and gates. Original walls were built before 1300 BC.
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (Epidavros):
Carved on rock. A masterpiece of architecture. Amazing natural acoustics.
Ancient Greek drama performances are still held here in the summer months. 30 km east of Nafplion.
Mystras:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remains of a prominent Byzantine town.
Below Mount Taygetus, with panoramic views.

See more information about these and other archaeological sites near Nafplion and in the Peloponnese.

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