Nafplio Travel Guide

After spending five relaxing nights in Elafonisos, we made a one-night stop in Nafplio on our way to Athens. At first, we picked it just to break up the drive through the Peloponnese, but it ended up being much more than a simple overnight stay.

We got there in the afternoon and spent our time exploring the Old Town, strolling along the waterfront, and enjoying the views from Palamidi Fortress. After days at the beach in Elafonisos, it was a refreshing change without feeling overwhelmed by sightseeing.

What I liked most about Nafplio was how easy it was to enjoy without a set plan. We wandered the narrow streets, browsed small shops, had dinner in the Old Town, and ended the evening by the waterfront. Even with just one night, we never felt rushed.

If you’re planning a road trip in the Peloponnese, Nafplio is easy to include in your plans. One night was a great introduction for us, but I can see myself staying another night next time.

Where Is Nafplio?

Nafplio is a coastal city in the Peloponnese, about two hours southwest of Athens. It was the first capital of modern Greece and is known for its neoclassical architecture, waterfront setting, and charming Old Town.

Its location also makes it an easy addition to a Peloponnese road trip. Ancient sites like Epidaurus and Mycenae are nearby, while Athens is close enough to make Nafplio a convenient stop before or after visiting the capital.

WHEN TO VISIT NAFPLIO

Spring and fall are great times to visit Nafplio, with comfortable weather for walking around the Old Town and exploring nearby archaeological sites.

We visited in September and found it was a great time to go. The weather was still warm, and we could explore outside in the afternoon and evening without the intense summer heat.

HOW LONG TO STAY IN NAFPLIO

I recommend spending one or two nights in Nafplio. We only stayed one night but still managed to visit Palamidi Fortress, explore the Old Town, walk along the waterfront, and have dinner without feeling rushed.

If you have extra time, staying a second night lets you enjoy a slower day in town and gives you more time to visit places like Epidaurus or Mycenae nearby.

HOW TO GET TO NAFPLIO

CAR

Nafplio is about two hours by car from Athens and fits easily into a Peloponnese road trip. Having a car also helps you visit archaeological sites and smaller towns nearby.

We drove from Elafonisos and chose the scenic coastal roads instead of the fastest inland route. The drive took us through small seaside towns and along the coast, and it ended up being one of our favorite days in the Peloponnese.

We stopped for lunch by the waterfront in Leonidio before heading to Nafplio. Instead of just being a long drive, the journey itself became part of the experience.

BUS

If you’re coming to Nafplio from Athens without a car, buses connect the two cities, so you don’t need to rent one. Once you arrive, it’s easy to explore the Old Town and waterfront on foot.

HOW TO GET AROUND NAFPLIO

Nafplio is small and easy to get around on foot, especially in the Old Town and along the waterfront. Most restaurants, shops, and sights are close by, so after we checked into our hotel, we didn’t have to think about transportation. Comfortable shoes help, since many streets are cobblestone or uneven.

CAR

You don’t need a car for the Old Town, but it’s helpful if you want to visit Palamidi Fortress or explore outside Nafplio. We had a rental car during our Peloponnese trip and found it especially useful for seeing the area around town.

WHERE TO STAY IN NAFPLIO

For a short visit, I’d pick a place in or near the Old Town so you can leave the car and explore Nafplio on foot.

We stayed at Nafsimedon Hotel, a charming boutique hotel just a short walk from the Old Town. The hotel is in a historic villa and had much more character than some of the bigger hotels we tried during our trip.

The location was really convenient. After checking in, we could wander the Old Town, walk along the waterfront, and go to dinner without needing to drive.

Hotels to consider • Nafsimedon Hotel (where we stayed) • 3 Sixty Hotel & Suites • Fildisi Luxury Suites

WHAT TO DO IN NAFPLIO

We only had an afternoon and evening in Nafplio, but the town is small enough that we could see a lot without feeling rushed. We spent most of our time walking around and soaking up the atmosphere instead of rushing from one sight to the next.

PALAMIDI FORTRESS

Before going into town, we drove up to Palamidi Fortress, which looks out over Nafplio. The views of the Old Town, harbor, and coastline were a great way to start our visit.

You can also reach the fortress by climbing the well-known staircase from town, but we decided to drive to the top. If you’re short on time or don’t want to climb, driving is an easy option.

WANDER THE OLD TOWN

After checking in, we spent the afternoon wandering Nafplio’s Old Town without a set plan. The narrow streets are lined with neoclassical buildings, small shops, cafés, and restaurants, so just walking around is part of the fun.

We walked through Syntagma Square and stopped to people-watch before exploring more of the nearby streets. What I liked most was never feeling rushed to see everything.

WALK ALONG THE WATERFRONT

Before dinner, we walked along the waterfront and watched boats coming and going from the harbor. From the promenade, you can also see Bourtzi, the small fortress on an island just offshore.

You can take a boat to Bourtzi, but since we didn’t have much time, we were happy just enjoying the waterfront view.

SHOP FOR LOCAL HONEY

While exploring Nafplio’s Old Town, we found Nectar & Ambrosia, a small shop that sells Greek honey and other local products. We tried several kinds, like thyme and orange blossom honey, and were surprised by how different they tasted.

We bought a few jars to take home, and they became some of our favorite souvenirs from Greece. If you want something local to bring back from Nafplio, this shop is a great place to stop while exploring the Old Town.

VISIT ANCIENT EPIDAURUS

The next morning, we left Nafplio for Athens and stopped at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on the way. The site is about a 30-minute drive from Nafplio and was easy to add to our route.

The theater is very well preserved and was one of the most impressive archaeological sites we saw in the Peloponnese. If you’re driving between Nafplio and Athens, it’s definitely worth a stop.

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN NAFPLIO

Since we only had one night in Nafplio, there were a few places we didn’t get to visit.

Visit Bourtzi • Take a short boat ride from the waterfront to the small Venetian fortress in Nafplio’s harbor.

Visit Mycenae • One of the most important archaeological sites in Greece is within easy reach of Nafplio and can be combined with a longer stay in the area.

Arvanitia Beach • If you’re visiting during the warmer months, this small beach near the Old Town is an easy place to spend some time by the water.

Walk the Arvanitia Promenade • Follow the coastal path around the base of the cliffs for views of the sea and surrounding coastline.

WHERE TO EAT IN NAFPLIO

We only had one night in Nafplio, so we didn’t get to try many restaurants. We found an easy gluten-free dinner in the Old Town and had a memorable lunch by the waterfront during our drive in.

I eat gluten-free but don’t have celiac disease. If you have celiac disease or are sensitive to cross-contamination, I recommend asking each restaurant about their ingredients and how they prepare food before you order.

Mitato Grill • We had dinner here after exploring the Old Town. The menu had clearly marked gluten-free options, which made ordering easy. We shared a Greek salad and baked feta, and I had a chicken gyro. The baked feta was one of our favorite dishes of the trip.

Myrtoon • We stopped here for lunch in Leonidio on our drive from Elafonisos to Nafplio. The waterfront setting made it a great place to take a break. We shared a Greek salad, and I had grilled chicken. The staff brought us fresh watermelon at the end of our meal.