Nafplio, a trip to the charming first capital of Greece
This is the most up-to-date guide on the internet for Nafplio, I am living in Nafplio for several years so everything you read is information from a local.
More about Nafplio:
This is where the title of the most charming city in the Peloponnese belongs, with its narrow streets being warm nests of romance at any time of the year. A favourite destination for a trip from Athens, which as the first capital of the modern greek state from 1823 to 1834 has many historical sights that we will see one by one. As a local I consider the best time to visit is from the end of April when the bougainvillea blooms and the scenery becomes even more romantic.
There are many food options. See below for the places I recommend for coffee, drinks, pizza, italian food, sweets, ice cream, breakfast and burgers.
Below is a list of the hotels I recommend you to stay at:
- (€€) Ilion Suites (⭐ 9.1) I consider it one of the top stay options both for the interiors that refer to the 19th century when Nafplio was the capital and because it is near the city center
- (€€€) 3 Sixty Hotel & Suites (⭐ 9.3) the most luxurious stay option in the city in a central location with top-notch amenities
- (€€€) Ippoliti Hotel (⭐ 9.2) luxury of another era in the harbour of Nafplio with a view of Bourtzi
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Top stay option is 3 Sixty Hotel & Suites
For coffee - drinks
- harbour (limani) the obvious option for a coffee with a view of Bourtzi, a classic hangout for any time of the day from morning until late at night. The most popular is of course the first row of tables which have the best view. In winter I consider that the best option are the narrow streets of the city and Syntagma Square
At the harbour (limani)
- Syntagma Square I recommend Xenon which makes delicious loukoumas
- I also recommend the Mavros Gatos coffee bar where the music turns loud at night, Teory, Rosso and BluBlanc on Arvanitia beach
At Mavros Gatos
For pizza - italian food
- Carrera's a classic value, for many years it has been making the best pizza in Nafplio with rich flavour and generous portions. In addition to pizza you may order calzone and pasta
- Scuola for pizzas and pasta
- Itria an italian gastronomy restaurant for delicious pasta and pizza
For sweets
- Pergamonto here you will find the best loukoumas in Nafplio, people order this as well as the handmade baked sweets. From what I have seen it is closed in the winter.
For ice-cream
- Antica Gelateria di Roma handmade ice cream in many flavours. There is usually a queue but it is worth it. Some believe it is the best ice cream in Nafplio...
- Koustenis ...but others believe that the best ice cream is from Koustenis. The choice is yours
For breakfast
- Arko the best breakfast in Nafplio behind Kolokotroni's square. For croissants, savory and sweet pastries. Specialty is the croissant of the champions
- breakfast is also served at Xenon, Sokaki, Rosso, Mamma's (behind Kolokotroni's square) and all the cafes at the harbour
For burger
- Quinn's if you are a burger lover then you must visit it! An authentic fast food restaurant with burger, club sandwich, chicken and many more options
Beaches - beach bars
Arvanitia
Below the castles of Akronafplia and Palamidi is the nearest beach, with crystal blue waters and a pleasant natural environment. The beach has coarse pebbles and is small, while most of it is a concrete platform from where you enter the sea with an iron ladder. Don't be discouraged by the sight of the concrete. At first, it made a bad impression on me, but later when I saw how beautiful the waters are I changed my mind. It also has showers.
The beach bar BluBlanc offers food and is a very nice spot for a drink in the evening, but the best time is definitely at dusk.
At BluBlanc
Karathona
Its sandy beach attracts the residents of Nafplio, which is why it is packed with people. However it is so large that it never gets cramped, and most of it is free space without sunbeds. Here you can stay until the sunset, and if you are near a beach bar you will see it hearing the sound of music. If you want peace just move away. The beach bars I prefer are Sambala and Asimakopoulos. The beach has showers. Avoid the right edge as there have been cases of sea anemone stings that have caused severe irritation and resulted in hospitalization.
The hotel I recommend you to stay at:
- (€€) Ilion Suites (⭐ 9.1) I consider it one of the top stay options both for the interiors that refer to the 19th century when Nafplio was the capital and because it is near the city center
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Churches
- Agios Georgios the city's cathedral with an impressive history. Here Palaion Patron Germanos' (the priest who blessed the weapons of the Revolution) funeral took place in 1824, Kapodistrias' in 1831 and Dimitrios Ypsilantis' in 1832. In 1833 the first king Otto was welcomed. It is not open to the public thus you can visit it during the divine liturgy
- Genesio of Theotokos a historic church open to visitors until late at night for a candle. Agios Anastasios of Nafplio was hanged on the olive tree by the Turks. A red ribbon commemorates the spot on the tree where he was hanged
Museums
- Archaeological museum exhibits findings from the archaeological sites of Argolida, the Franchthi cave, Tiryns, Midea, Dendra, Prosymni, Asini, Kazarma, Epidaurus, Alieis at Porto Heli and Ermioni, in a venetian building of 1713 that was the fleet's warehouse
- Folklore Museum traditional costumes and everyday items
- Komboloi Museum the only komboloi museum in the world. The exhibits include komboloi and prayer beads from 1550 to 1950. You will also learn how the two are connected and about the meaning of the komboloi. You must make a reservation in advance to visit it
- War museum weapons, uniforms and archival material from the modern military history of Greece. The exhibits of the Evelpidon School (military school) hold a prominent place as this building was the first to house it
- National Gallery, Nafplio Branch with several well-known paintings mainly related to the Greek Revolution. Periodic exhibitions are also held
Below is a map of Nafplio with the main points of interest:
For holidays with children
An ideal destination for families with young and older children because it has playgrounds and activities. At first there are three playgrounds: a small one at the end of the harbour, one at the courts and a large one at the junction of Endekati street, suitable for older children. Also the activities: the train that passes through the city's sights, the bicycles for four people that are rented at the harbour as well as the museums I mentioned above and the attractions. I also believe that the sweets and ice creams that are sold will definitely pique their interest.
Nearby destinations
There are many more destinations in Argolis for all seasons. Concerning islands I recommend Poros, 1Β½ hours away and easy access by the sea. Spetses is also 1Β½ hours away but you should inquire in advance about the ferry schedule. I also recommend Porto Heli, Epidaurus, Ermioni and Paralio Astros. Don't forget to include in your program a visit to the archaeological sites of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Tiryns and the underrated Argos. If you want mountain then Levidi in Arkadia is 1 hour away.
Epilogue
As an epilogue I want to express in my own words why Nafplio became the first capital. The books state that it was because of its geographical location and harbour, but perhaps that is not the whole truth. I see that there are large turkish and venetian buildings that were used to house the government, ministries and public services: the Parliament, the Court of Audit, Agios Georgios housed the Ministry of Education, the prisons were in Palamidi fortress. Several more were built. It also had walls, which were later demolished, and this offered security when the ottoman threat was still visible. The rest of the cities of the Peloponnese that had been liberated, Tripoli, Corinth, Patras, Kalamata, Argos, did not have all of these.
Finally I would like to mention the archaeologist Evangelia Deilaki, who fought against many obstacles to have Nafplio declared a protected area and become what we know today. Even the locals are not particularly familiar with this story, I know it because Deilaki was my wife's grandfather's supervisor in archaeology. An indication of the hostility she faced is that there is nothing in Nafplio that reminds us of her contribution, not even a street that bears her name.
