Romantic Nafplion. Open left menu nafplio Akronafplia - Itz fortress - Kale

The town of Nafplio, with a population of about 14 thousand inhabitants, is incredibly charming. In my opinion, this is one of the most interesting and most delightful cities in Greece that I have been able to visit.

- these are the main ones Nafplio attractions. The city of Nafplio has three ancient fortresses.

The largest, most fortified and located on the highest mountain. It was built by Italians from Byzantium in 1686 - 1714. At that time the city was called Naples. The fortress has been well preserved to this day. The Turks called the fortress Uch Kale. The fortress can be reached on foot. There are 999 steps leading there. You can check by counting them. There are quite a lot of people going up and down. Not everyone has the strength and desire to reach the top. You can get to the top by taxi or bus, of course, from the other side.

Walking on foot, walking along steps that are more than 300 years old, you come into close contact with history. You look at the charming picturesque landscapes that are constantly changing, at the rocks, the sea, nature, and you imagine how people of bygone days walked there. I find extraordinary charm in this.

By the way, we were there in September and at that time the prickly pear cacti were generously covered with ripe fruits. We were not lazy and recruited them. In Loutraki they were sold for 4 euros per kilogram, while peaches, grapes, figs, oranges were sold for a maximum of 1 euro and, mostly, even cheaper. They say that prickly pear fruit very useful. Very sweet and juicy. But you need to wash the thorns thoroughly. They have a lot of seeds. The seeds of almost any fruit are very useful. But you can squeeze out the juice and get rid of the seeds.

Akronafplia Fortress- Acropolis of Nafplio. People lived there for 9000 years! There are walls that have survived from the 4th century BC. The fortress was completed and rebuilt many times. Gorgeous views of the Akronafplia fortress open from the steps that lead to the Palamidi fortress.

Dry gate - by land it was possible to enter the city only through this gate.

(or as they also say Fort Bourtzi) was built by the Venetians in 1471 and called it Castelli, then it passed to the Turks, they strengthened it and began to call it Burzi. It is located in the middle of the harbor of the city of Nafplion on a tiny island.

Now there is a hotel there and the Summer Music festival is held there.

The city of Nafplion is similar to many Greek cities with an abundance of narrow streets with steps, many flowers, taverns and shops. An incredibly cozy town.

To get from Loutraki to Nafplio You can rent a car, you can take a taxi, or you can take a bus. We met our neighbors from our hotel on the steps of the Palamidi fortress. By bus, of course, the most budget option. True, you need to go with a transfer. The journey will take a little over 1 hour. If you time the transfer well. But even if you arrive at the bus station at the wrong time, you will walk to the Corinth Canal. In the bus station and next to it there are cafes and shops selling souvenirs, clothes and other goods.

- a very significant structure for the Peloponnese Peninsula in particular and for Greece in general. This is the centuries-old dream of the Greeks. This canal was dreamed of back in the 3rd century BC. The need for a canal is visible from any elevation. The length of the canal is only 6 meters and it connects 2 seas - the Ionian and Aegean. The height of the canal walls is 76 meters, the width of the canal is 25 meters. The depth of the channel is 8 meters. The walls were cut through limestone. The canal was built only in 1893. It took 10 years to build it. Before this, construction began periodically. And the point is not even that it is a very labor-intensive task to cut through the walls of a canal in limestone, but that, not knowing the law of physics about communicating vessels, they were afraid that the canal could lead to disaster by flooding nearby cities. Pascal discovered the law of communicating vessels in the 17th century. Now every schoolchild should know that in communicating vessels the water is at the same level and therefore a canal connecting the seas cannot lead to coastal flooding.

In addition to these attractions, Nafplio has a wonderful sandy beach with changing rooms and showers. But we went for a swim at our wonderful beach with a shower, from which comes healing water from a thermal spring.

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Hello friends! This time we will talk about the city of heroes. Heroes of Ancient Greece and heroes of the struggle for independence. The city of Nafplio is located on the Peloponnese peninsula at a distance of 148 kilometers from Athens. It is not the most touristy city, but there is still plenty to see, do and do.

Nafplio is the administrative center of the Argolis district.

We did not look for special attractions in the city, but chose it due to its convenient location on our route. Stopped rest/spend the night, wash/iron and were pleasantly surprised.

In addition, friends said that this place has the most delicious retsina in Greece. We looked for it for a long time, and not only here, in the “Wines” section, and did not find it. Found in Crete, and then by accident, in the refrigerator with Coca-Cola and lemonade. It’s a pity we didn’t know the difference between the Peloponian retsina and the Cretan one.

Retsina is a unique white table wine with a characteristic resinous flavor (hence its name). Not produced anywhere else in the world.

Story

Like many ancient Greek settlements, Nafplion has not only a real, but also a mythological history.

According to legend, its founder was the ancient Greek hero Nauplius, the son of Poseidon and Amymon, one of the Argonauts, who, among other things, discovered the Big Dipper. Nauplius surrounded the settlement with a protective wall, calling it “Naupliya” without undue modesty.

Official science, of course, does not recognize the ancient Greek gods and heroes. According to archeology, Nafplion existed a very long time ago, back during the Mycenaean culture. And she was the sovereign mistress of the entire coast already in the second millennium BC. e., that is, at the dawn of Greek civilization.

• In the Middle Ages, Nafplio witnessed the Crusades. By 1204, after the capture of Constantinople by the crusaders, it came under the rule of the French knights.
• In 1388, they sold the city to the enterprising Venetians.
• The Italians renamed Nafplio in their own style, calling it Naples of Romania.
• Over the next few centuries, the Venetians either surrendered the fortress to the Turks, then recaptured it again, until historical justice triumphed: the city became again, this time completely, Greek.

• This happened in the 19th century during the Greek liberation war.
• In 1821, the city fortress of Palamidi, and after it the entire settlement, was captured by Greek rebels. Nafplio's strong fortifications made it an ideal location for the Greek government. The city was declared the temporary capital.
• In 1829, by special order of the first Greek ruler John Kapodistrias, Nafplion was declared the official capital of Greece. This high status remained with him until 1834, when Athens was declared the capital.

Attractions

Modern Nafplio is valued by tourists for its cozy streets, picturesque embankment, and colorful ancient monuments.

There are many fascinating museums here.

In addition, Nafplio is a busy seaport, which means a city filled with people, goods, delicious food, and the romance of the sea.

• The center of tourist life, as well as the beginning of many routes, is considered to be the central square - Syntagma (Constitution Square).
• The tourist part of Nafplion is adjacent to the bay, it is called the “Old Town” and is a pedestrian area.
• Among the attractions of Nafplion, the most recognizable and popular is the Palamidi fortress, the same one that was occupied by Greek rebels during the War of Independence. The fortress that we see now was built on the top of a cliff on the site of older structures in the 17th century by the Venetians. Now Palamidi is open to tourists.

• Nearby is the Akronafplia fortress, built in the Middle Ages on the site of an ancient acropolis. This fortress, by the way, has been preserved even better than Palamidi.
• Among tourists, Fort Bourtzi, built in the 15th century by the Venetians on the tiny island of Bourdzion, is especially loved for its picturesqueness. Inside it there is a hotel and restaurant complex.
• The church of Agios Spyridon, located in Nafplio, is of particular importance for Greek history. The first president of Greece, John Kapodistrias, was assassinated on its steps.

Museums

Museum lovers have plenty of places to go.

• Archaeological Museum on Constitution Square.
  There is a huge collection of artifacts here, the oldest of which date back to the prehistoric era. In total, the historical scale of the museum collection can be estimated at 33,000 years!

The museum is located under the roof of a historic baroque building from the 18th century, which is an architectural monument.

Here you will see antique dishes, utensils, religious objects, weapons and much more.

The museum also has completely unique exhibits, for example, armor of the Mycenaean period (1400 BC), the only armor of those times that has come down to us in an almost complete set.

• You can learn more about the life of local residents in later centuries at the Peloponnesian Folklore Museum. Here you can see clothes, jewelry, dishes, household items, illustrating the culture and life of the people who have lived on these lands for the last 200 years.

• There are also unusual museums here. For example, we recommend checking out the Rosary Museum. Here you can admire a considerable collection of this popular accessory in Greece. The museum's collection contains rosaries made from a variety of materials: from stones to ivory, in many shapes, colors and sizes.

• And art lovers will appreciate the city art gallery. The works of local artists are collected here. Interesting exhibitions for every taste are constantly held here.

Beaches

Beach lovers can also find entertainment. Some 300 meters from the city center near the Akronafplia fortress there is a small cozy Arvantia beach.

Somewhat further away from the city noise, two kilometers from the city center, not far from the Palamidi fortress, Karafona Beach is located. It can be reached from the city on foot, by boat or by bus.

At a distance of 11 kilometers from the city there is a full-fledged resort area - Tolon Bay with dozens of hotels, restaurants and beaches, many of which are concentrated on the islands of Platia, Rombi and Kastraki, as well as near Haidari Bay.

Restaurants

Some people go to Nafplion to see ancient monuments, some just to enjoy the atmosphere of a small Greek town, and some to try the best ice cream in Greece.

The local cafe Antica Gelateria di Roma has become a mecca for lovers of cold dessert. In general, along the embankment there is a huge number of cafes, taverns and restaurants where you can taste a wide variety of Greek and Italian dishes.

Where to stay in Nafplio

Now many housing options have appeared on the service AirBnb. We have written how to use this service. If you do not find a free hotel room, then look for accommodation through this booking site.

We offer good hotel options in Nafplio

How to get there

• You can get to Nafplio from Athens by bus, which departs from Leoforia Peloponnisou station every hour from 6 am to 11 pm. The ticket costs 14.3 €, you will get there in 2.5 hours.
• From Athens airport you can take a train to Corinth and transfer there to a bus.
• By car you can get there on the Olimpia Odos/A8/E94 highways without traffic jams in about an hour and a half.

Official site: www.nafplio.gr

Nafplio on the map

This is such a small but charming city that can be found in Greece. We wish you new discoveries. Thank you for reading us. Don't forget to subscribe! See you soon!

Even among all the diversity of the Greek islands and landscapes, Nafplion stands out for its exclusivity. After just a quick acquaintance with the city, a desire appears to return here again, if only to introduce someone else to the local beauties.

Today Nafplion is the capital of Argolis. And although by our standards this is a very small city with a population of only 14,000 people, there is something to see here.

Its significance is evidenced by the fact that it has been known since the times of pre-Homeric Greece, and its mythical founder is considered to be the son of Poseidon, Nafplia. Nafplio also became the first capital of independent Greece, and it was here that the first Greek president, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was once killed by conspirators.

View of the Palamidi fortress from the old part of Nafplio

The special charm of the settlement is largely due to the presence of the Venetians here, which left its mark on the appearance of today's center. Thanks to their efforts, the city acquired a very special appearance and harmoniously blended into the surrounding nature.

The old buildings of Nafplion do not look dilapidated, but give it that unique combination of majesty and comfort for which the Venetian builders were so famous.

What to see

The advantageous location, as well as the wealth of natural bastions, attracted conquerors here for a long time, for whom the settlement served as a powerful stronghold in the Peloponnese. In memory of its numerous conquerors, Nafplio received several fortresses at once.

Of these, Palamidi and Bourtzi deserve the most attention. You will see the first one long before you approach the city - perched on a huge rock, it is separated from the embankment by 999 steps. From the highest point of the fortress there is a stunning view of the surrounding area, which will not leave you indifferent.

Bourtzi Fortress in Nafplio Bay

Situated in a bay on a tiny island, Bourtzi also has a rich history. The fortress was built in 1473 and over the many years of its existence it managed to serve as a fort, a luxury hotel, and even the home of a local executioner. Today it’s hard to believe that the last of them lived here until 1930.

In addition to its own attractions, the city also makes a great base for exploring the many ancient Greek monuments and artifacts in its surroundings. Not far away are Mycenae, Argos, with its superbly preserved theater, the ruins of Tiryns and many others.

And if you are already fed up with the historical sights of Greece, then Nafplio is also a great place to dream. Even about coming back here again.

The journey from Athens takes about two hours

How to get there

The city is easily accessible by bus or car. The distance from Athens to Nafplio is 145 km and several bus routes connect them daily. The journey takes about two hours. Regular buses depart from the capital from Terminal A at Kiffissou 100. You can check the route schedule, as well as find out how to get to the capital's bus stations, at.

If you are traveling by car, then you should move from the capital towards the Peloponnese along the E94 highway, and then, after Isthmus, along the E65 in the direction of Tripoli. In the Nemea area you will need to leave the highway and follow the signs towards Mycenae-Argos-Nafplio.

Nafplio is a special place for me, combining the best of Italy and Greece. In terms of color, only the old town of Corfu and, in some ways, Chania can be compared with it.

I first came to Nafplio back in 2004 and since then I have returned here 20 times. It was here that the idea to create Grekoblog was once born - in one of the cafes on the embankment, overlooking Bourtzi, illuminated by the night lights.

When traveling to Nafplio, be sure to try to plan an overnight stay here. In the lights of the setting sun, reflected in the polished cobblestone streets, the city is especially beautiful. At night, both Venetian fortresses will be illuminated with decorative lighting, and this picture will undoubtedly remain one of the most vivid memories of your trip to Greece.

It’s great luck to visit the city in the spring - during the flowering period

When I come to Nafplio, I always stay at the Four Seasons Pension. This tradition has not been broken even once since 2010. And this is one of two hotels in Greece to which I remain so faithful. There are no special delights here, a bath with a jacuzzi, a rooftop cafe and room service, but the floorboards creak, and the beds probably remember the times of the Ottoman yoke. However, this is one of the most atmospheric hotels I have come across for such a nominal room price.

One of the oldest and most beautiful cities in Greece, even according to the Greeks themselves. With medieval fortresses crowning the hills overlooking the city, the miniature island fort of Bourtzi that once guarded the harbor, and beautiful neoclassical buildings.

Athenians love Nafplio very much and come to the city on weekends all year round to experience its sophisticated atmosphere in its many beautiful cafes, shops, and stroll through the charming winding streets, squares decorated with marble, and shady parks.

They say that Nafplio has the best gelatto in the entire Peloponnese. The picturesque urban landscapes are complemented by restaurants adjacent to the coast of the Gulf of Argolic.

Some of the very attractive places in the city, retaining the alluring atmosphere of the fifties and sixties neon cafe Kafni, and the Hellas tavern, which invites you to relax at home with delicious food. Nafplion is also convenient as a starting point to the ancient cities - Epidavros, Mycenae, Argos, Corinth, Nemea.

For several years, after the war of national liberation (1821-1829), Nafplion was the capital of independent Greece, 1828-1833 (today the capital of the nome of Argolid). Although the palace of the young Greek king Otto of Bavaria, invited to Greece after the establishment of the monarchy, burned down in the nineteenth century, you can see the Voulevtiko Mosque on Constitution Square (Platia Syntagma), where the first Greek Parliament met. Another legacy of the period is the impressive number of sculptures of revolutionary heroes in the public gardens and parks of Nafplion.

Inlaid with marble, it is surrounded by historical buildings, hotels, shops, cafes and restaurants. The well-lit streets leading to it are closed to car traffic and are always filled with people. People stroll peacefully, looking at jewelry stores, souvenir shops, and charming bakeries. Indeed, in Nafplio it is an incomparable pleasure to simply wander among the greenery, flowers, tall palm trees, inhale the tart-salty smell of the sea, and in the evenings admire the red-yellow sunset on the azure horizon. The small island of Bourtzi(from Turkish - castle, fortress), 120 meters long and 43 meters at its widest point with a total area of ​​0.4 hectares, almost completely occupied by the fortress, in a certain sense a symbol of the city.

The fortress, which protected the entrance to the harbor from pirates, was built by the Venetians after the resignation of Mahmud Pasha in 1473, calling it “Castelli” and equipping it with a powerful weapon. In the 19th century, the fortress was home to executioners who worked in a prison that was at one time located in the Palamidi fortress, since for ethical reasons they could not live in the city itself. In modern times, the fortress houses a tourist center with a restaurant and a hotel. An annual folklore festival is held (in May-June), bringing together performers from many countries around the world, and a maritime festival every two years, starting from the last Sunday in June for a week.

Also founded in Baroque style by the Venetians, after fierce battles with the Turks during the Venetian-Turkish War and the conquest of the hill on which it is located in 1687, it was completed in a relatively short time, from 1711 to 1714. In 1715, the Turks captured the fortress, destroyed part of it, and it was under their control until 1822, when the Greeks returned it to themselves. You can climb the 216-meter-high hill and the top of the fortress, as local residents say, by 999 steps of a staircase (actually there are 857 of them) or by car. The oldest part of the city Acronafplia (Inner Castle), until the thirteenth century it was an independent city. The Venetians and Franks who arrived in this region transformed it into city fortifications. Later, some of them were used as a prison, until the Greek government decided that the area would benefit the tourism economy more, and a hotel complex was built. If opportunities permit, the best option would be to stay at the top of Akronafplia, surrounded by historical sites, at the Nafplia Palace Hotel, offering the best views not only of Nafplio, but also of the Peloponnese mountains across the bay. The hotel itself, which is called the pearl of the Peloponnese, is a complex of villas with private heated pools.

The Archaeological Museum of Nafplion, housed in a beautiful Venetian building with impressive arches dominating Platia Syntagma, displays artifacts discovered during archaeological research carried out in the area, covering historical periods from the Neolithic to Christian times. Notable are pottery, jewelry, Mycenaean terracotta idols, and bronze armor of a Mycenaean soldier from the 13th century BC. The museum, which was updated several years ago in accordance with new technologies, is light, spacious, and cool. You can choose even the hottest day for the excursion. , a branch of the National Gallery in Athens (branches are located throughout the country), is located in a 19th century townhouse in a neoclassical style. In addition to the permanent exhibition, which includes works on the Greek War of Independence and related events, there are temporary exhibitions by local artists. A must visit Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation, preserving a stunning collection of traditional Greek costumes. The museum occupies three floors of an elegant eighteenth-century mansion with a shaded courtyard, an excellent shop, and a cafe. The permanent exhibition is dedicated to Nafplio 1822-1922. The display cases show the interiors of houses, decorated with marble-trimmed furniture, Persian carpets, and decorative silver and porcelain trinkets. The ground floor displays works by local artists.

Impossible to pass by Komboloi Museum, the only one in the world. It was founded in 1998 by the Evangelinos couple. They had been collecting and studying the history of komboloi since 1958, learning the secrets of making rosaries in Alexandria, where Mr. Evengelinos' grandfather lived. The unique collection consists of 1,500 komboloi from Egypt, Greece, Syria, Turkey, Persia and other countries where rosaries are common, dating from 1700 to 1950. They are made from different materials, including semi-precious stones and rare metals. On the ground floor of the museum there is a workshop where ancient kombolos are restored and copies are made.

Address: Greece, Peloponnese Peninsula, Nafplion Start of construction: 1711 Completion of construction: 1714 Coordinates: 37°33’43.1″N 22°48’12.7″E

In one of the most interesting Greek cities, Nafplio, despite its small size and about 14 thousand indigenous inhabitants, there is an impressive fortification structure called Palamidi.

Tens of thousands of tourists come every year to see the well-preserved fortress with its mighty bastions. Despite the fact that the fortress is located on the territory of Greece, it is considered a Venetian architectural landmark. It was the Venetians who erected the largest number of bastions and strengthened the fortress during the long war with the Turks for the city and most of modern Greece.

Why was the city of Nafplio, which some call Anapli or Nafplio, located on the stunningly beautiful Peloponnese Peninsula, so important? The thing is that Nafplio is a strategically important area, as well as a seaport from which uninterrupted trade could be carried out. It is for this reason that Nafplion became a bone of contention from the beginning of the 13th century between the French, Venetians and Turks. By the way, the French knights did not appreciate the importance of the small Greek city, and already at the end of the 14th century they sold it to the Venetians. However, let's return to the Palamidi fortress, which is one of the main attractions of the city, and from the height of its bastions a magnificent view of the ancient city opens.

Palamidi – construction and difficult history of the fortress

As mentioned above, the city of Nafplio became the scene of fierce battles between the Venetians and the Turks. In the eastern part of the city, on an impressive rock, in 1686 the Italians decided to build a fortress that would not allow the enemy to break into Naples Romagna (that is what the Venetians called the Greek Nafplion). This idea belonged to the great strategist Morosini, who managed to expel the Turkish army from the city as a result of a long siege at the Palamidi rock. General Morosini realized that the enemy could choose the same tactics, so a fortress on the rock, in which it would be possible to withstand a long siege and repel all enemy attacks, became a vital necessity. Modern historians, relying on the chronicles of those distant times, claim that the fortress on the Palamidi rock was built already in 1687. True, it was still impossible to call it a fortified and impregnable fort. The fortress, built on Palamidi Hill, which has survived to this day, was completely built only in 1714. Surprisingly, the huge bastions, communicating with each other, and the chapel were erected in just three years. Construction of the fort began in 1711; the design of the defensive structure was developed by the brilliant engineers Lazal and Dzhaksich. Lazal not only participated in the development of the construction plan, but also personally supervised all work.

The Palamidi fortress, which seems to hang over the city of Nafplion, today consists of eight bastions, each of which bears its own name. They were built from west to east. Each of these bastions, due to the terrain, is located at a different height, but this did not prevent them from fighting the enemy separately. This was the main difficulty in designing the fortress. Lazal and Dzhaksich managed to make sure that if one of the bastions was captured by the enemy, communication with it was interrupted, and the rest of the fortress continued to repel attacks. Without exception, all the bastions built during the reign of Agostino Sagredo are surrounded by a powerful wall, which was quite difficult to break through or take by storm. This fortress wall, according to the engineers, connects eight bastions and sometimes becomes part of them.

Huge warehouses, barracks were built in the fortress, where the defenders of the fort could rest in comfort, and rooms in which there were impressive tanks with drinking water. In order for the soldiers to be able to turn their prayers to God, a chapel bearing the same name was later erected in the Palamidi fortress in the bastion of St. Andrew. All this, according to the Venetians, would help to retain the city of Nafplio, which was so important to them.

Surprisingly, already in 1715, almost a year after the construction of the majestic fortification, the city was taken by the Turks. It was no longer destined for the Italians to knock out the Turkish army from Nafplion. The Turkish invaders held out in the city until November 1822. They, like General Morosini in his time, assumed that the enemy could regain control of the city, and decided to build two more bastions, which are not part of the Venetian fortification. The Turks, feeling more confident in Nafplio, decided to make the huge fortress a prison, where most of the most dangerous criminals were kept.

In November 1822, the last battle took place in the Palamidi fortress. This time the Greeks decided to regain control of the city. The long siege of the Turkish invaders and the lightning assault, led by Theodoros Kolokotronis, forever saved the beautiful city from the oppression of the conquerors.

The Greeks, like the Turks, decided to make Fort Palamidi a prison. It is worth noting that there were two prisons in the fortress: one in the bastion of St. Andrew, and the second in the bastion named Matilda. In the Bastion of St. Andrew, the conditions of detention of prisoners were more or less acceptable. In Matilda, people who did not agree with the current regime were kept, in other words, political prisoners: not everyone was able to endure the conditions of detention in this bastion. By the way, the hero of the liberation war, Theodoros Kolokotronis, was imprisoned in one of the bastions. As we know from history, the “free” Greek Kingdom appeared on the world map not without the help of the Germans. And the king from Austria, Otto of Bavaria, who had not yet reached adulthood, was installed at the head of the state. According to a false denunciation, Theodoros Kolokotronis was in collusion with Russia, which means he was a traitor. Kolokotronis spent eleven long months in a cell that would be more correctly called a hole. He could lie down in it, only once a day he was taken out for a walk, where he could stretch his muscles. He was released by order of King Otto, who examined in detail the case of the Greek hero.

Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio – our days

The majestic fortification structure, the walls and bastions of which still “remember” bloody battles and long sieges, has been perfectly preserved to this day. This cannot fail to attract the attention of travelers visiting the small town of Nafplio. For those who are not familiar with the history of Greece, it will be interesting to know that it is this city, and not legendary Athens, from 1828 to 1833 was the first (!) capital of the Greek Kingdom. You can get to the fortress, which fits so perfectly into the landscape surrounding the city, by rented car or by excursion bus along a special highway leading to the eastern gate of the fort. There is another way to the fortress - on foot. Guides call it “the road of a thousand steps.” They say that there are 999 steps left, the last “thousandth” step was broken by the hoof of the horse of that same great Theodoros Kolokotronis. Only historians can say whether this is true or not, and there are not 999 steps, but 857. A tourist whose paths led to the first capital of the Greek Kingdom, Nafplio, will probably be interested in counting the number of steps leading to the Palamidi fortress. However, it is worth remembering that such a climb is a real test even for a physically developed person: a steep angle, high air temperature and almost complete absence of shade - all this awaits Palamidi’s guest, who decides to independently count the number of steps.

Entrance to the huge fortress, which once protected the Venetians from the Turks, is now paid. The ticket price is symbolic, only 4 euros. This amount is quite insignificant, especially considering what a visitor will see upon entering the fort. A person walking through the fortress involuntarily has a feeling of admiration for the grandeur of the bastions, built in just three years. Having climbed to the highest point of the fortress, you can see from a bird's eye view the city of Nafplio and the picturesque sea bay spread out at the foot of the cliff.

Palamidi Fortress is a fantastic sight when dusk falls on the city and the fort is illuminated by floodlights. It seems that a flaming structure is flowing down from a high cliff, which only by its appearance could discourage the enemy from capturing Nafplion.

By the way, in the city, which, as mentioned above, was at one time the first capital of Greece, there is something to see besides the mighty Palamidi. This includes the sea fort of Burduzi and the archaeological museum located on Constitution Square, where there are unique exhibits dating back to the Mycenaean era. Also noteworthy in Nafplio are the interesting art gallery, the Vouleutiko Mosque, where the first meetings of the Greek Parliament were held, and the Church of the Transfiguration.

Attraction rating

Palamidi Fortress on the map

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Nafplio from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Nafplion.

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How to get there

Buses from Athens depart every hour from 6.00 to 23.00 from Leoforia Peloponnisou station (Terminal A). Travel time is about 2.5 hours (possibly more in case of traffic jams). Ticket price is about 15 EUR. The bus station is located on the street. Sindru, 8. From here there are buses to Epidavros, Mycenae, Tiryns and Argos. To travel around the surrounding area and other cities of the peninsula, you can rent a car at one of the rental offices.

You can take a train from Athens airport to Corinth and take a bus to Nafplio.

Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

Search for air tickets to Athens (the nearest airport to Nafplio)

How to navigate the city

The city is divided into two parts: the old one, lying around the bay, and the new one, which has grown to the north and east. The central square is Syntagma (Constitution Square).

The Old Town is a pedestrian zone.

The tourist office is located at Martiu 25. Open on weekdays from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00. Here you can pick up the brochure “Nafplion Day and Night” (in English) with up-to-date information.

Weather in Nafplio

Beaches of Nafplion

Nafplio itself can hardly be called a beach resort, however, there are opportunities for relaxing on the beach in the city. 300 meters from Syntagma Square, opposite the Akronafplia fortress, there is a small pebble beach, Arvantia.

About two kilometers east of the center, near the Palamidi fortress, lies the sandy beach of Karafon. Walking enthusiasts can reach it on foot along the coast; there is also a boat from the port and buses from the city. Cafes and taverns and water activities are present.

The resort area itself is located 11 km southeast of the city in the village of Tolo.

Restaurants

According to rumors, the best ice cream in Greece can be tasted in Nafplion. Namely, at Antica Gelateria di Roma (on the corner of Farmakopoulou and Komniou). The cafe has a lot of ice cream flavors, from which you want to try them all at once, and also has pannini and sandwiches, and aromatic coffee.

On the embankment, in the area of ​​Burbulinas Street, there are several taverns that deserve attention. These are Savouras and Arapakos, where fresh fish is excellent, Karamanlis, specializing in grilled and meat dishes, and Omorphi Poli, whose menu includes not only Greek, but also Italian dishes. At the Paleo Archontiko tavern (Sioku 7), on summer evenings you can dine on the terrace while enjoying live performances by musicians.

Shopping and shops

A must-have souvenir from Nafplio is komboloi, or rosary beads; a great variety of them are sold here. Having lost their religious significance, komboloi became simply one of the ways to have fun and relax, as well as a symbol of masculinity - among the Greeks this is an exclusively masculine attribute. The richest selection is presented on the second floor of the Rosary Museum (Staikopoulou 25): from the simplest ones, made of plexiglass, to rosaries made of semi-precious stones. Colomboi are made from ivory, shells, amber, ebony, coral, crystal - for every taste and budget. On the same street you will find a puppet shop, and even further - an icon workshop.

Honey lovers should visit the Nektar and Ambrosia store (Pharmakopoulou 6) - there is an excellent selection of beekeeping products and dried aromatic herbs. On Saturdays from 7.00 to 13.00 there is a large market in Kolokotronis Park.

Popular hotels in Nafplion

Entertainment and attractions of Nafplio

As the main eastern port of the Peloponnese, Naphlion had to have adequate defenses. The first of the bastions was the Akronafplia fortress, built on the site of an ancient acropolis. Before the arrival of the Venetians, the city was actually located within the fortress. It can be reached by elevator from Poliko Nosokomiou Square, and a staircase leads to the old gate of the fortress from Agios Spyridonos Square.

Fort Burtzi, during Venetian rule, was built on top of a cliff at the entrance to the city port. Today you can take a boat trip to the castle from the port and appreciate the view of the city from the sea.

Palamidi is the most monumental and impressive city fortress, standing on top of a 216-meter hill.

Built by the Venetians at the beginning of the 18th century and conceived as a system of individual bastions connected by walls, the fortress is rightfully considered a masterpiece of military architecture. You can get inside by following the road leading to the eastern gate or by taking the stairs on the western side, east of the Grimani Bastion. Locals claim that it consists of 999 steps, and although in reality there are fewer steps (“only” 850), climbing the stairs requires some physical training. Entrance fee: 4 EUR, for pensioners and students: 2 EUR, access is open from 8.00 to 19.00 in summer and from 8.00 to 15.00 in winter.

At night, the city lives an active life; everyone can choose a cozy bar with soft music or an incendiary disco (for example, Shiva or Liquid clubs).

Museums of Nafplion

Located in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city on Syntagma Square, the Archaeological Museum houses an extensive collection of exhibits dating back to the Neolithic era. Videos with English subtitles telling the history of the finds are broadcast in the exhibition halls. Opening hours: from 8.30 to 13.00, from Tuesday to Sunday. The entrance ticket cost is 3 EUR, for preferential categories - 2 EUR.

The permanent exhibition of the branch of the National Gallery (Alexander Soutsos Museum) is dedicated to the War of Independence; temporary exhibitions are also held. Museum address: st. Sidiras Merarhias, 23. Opening hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday - from 10.00 to 15.00, Wednesday and Friday - from 10.00 to 15.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00, Sunday - from 10.00 to 14.00. Tuesday is a day off. The entrance ticket costs 3 EUR, for preferential categories - 1.5 EUR, on Mondays admission is free.

The Peloponnese Folklore Museum (Vasileos Alexandros 1) displays a wonderful collection of Greek national costumes and other household items. Recently, part of the museum’s exhibition reflects not only rural, but also urban life in Greece, including Nafplion in the 19th century. There is a shop at the museum. Opening hours: from 9.00 to 14.30, on Sunday: from 9.00 to 15.00. The cost of visiting is 4 EUR.

In June, Nafplion hosts the Classical Music Festival.