What to see in Nafplio - The 8 best sightseeings
1. Palamidi fortress
More about Nafplio:
One of the largest and best preserved fortresses in Greece and rightfully the top attraction in Nafplio. It is a marvel of venetian fortress architecture with overlapping bastions that follow the slope of the terrain. It has a reputation for being impregnable and the two times it was captured, in 1715 and 1822, it was by treachery.
The venetians built it so that whoever held the fortress would also be the master of Nafplio, which is why it had such great importance. It was built in record time, from 1711 to 1714 under the venetian Proveditor Agostino Sagredo, however the Venetians withdrew without a fight a year later, in 1715, to give way to the Turks.
A larger bastion is Agios Andreas with the homonymous church inside. The view is rather impressive both towards Nafplio and also southwards looking towards the Argolic Gulf, an opportunity for photos at the gates with the sea in the background.
The tour requires hiking but is worth it, but avoid the very hot days of the summer. The best spots for photos are the gate of Agios Andreas with the lion of Venice and the bell tower with Nafplio in the background.
In 1822 it was taken by surprise after a long siege by Staikos Staikopoulos, whose statue is located at the gate of Land. With the birth of the greek state it was converted into a prison for convicts. Theodoros Kolokotronis was also imprisoned there, but not in the dark dungeon of Agios Andreas as is believed but in the Miltiades bastion.
If your legs can afford it, you can climb the 999 steps, which are actually 857, it takes effort of course, but the view of Nafplio will compensate you. Otherwise go with your vehicle from the road that leads to Karathona.
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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2. Bourtzi fortress
The sea fortress that was guarding Nafplio harbour today beautifies the city with the wonderful spectacle it offers. Initially there was an island there that was first fortified during the first venetian rule in 1473 and acquired its current form during the second venetian rule after the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1698. At that time the harbour was closed with a chain, which is where the name Porto Cadena came from.
You can visit it by boat that leaves from the harbour every half an hour. There is nothing special to see in Bourtzi except to climb the tower to see the view and take photos.
After the liberation of Greece it was the residence of the guillotine executioner as he was a convict and hated by the residents of Nafplio which is why he lived there in isolation.
3. Syntagma square
The heart of the city for centuries, the center of secular life with the most important buildings located here. It took its current name from the events of September 3, 1843 with the concession of Constitution by king Otto, just like Syntagma Square in Athens.
The buildings of the square are:
- venetian warehouse of the fleet of 1713 today an archaeological museum
- Trianon a 16th century mosque that is now used as a theater
- The Parliament a muslim madrasa, or seminary, of 1730. The first greek Parliament was housed there. According to legend during the second turkish occupation two venetians arrived in secrecy in Nafplio with the intention of taking a treasure that they had buried during the venetian occupation at that point. The turks noticed them and killed them, but later the Agha repenting for his act built the madrasa
- National Bank building of 1936 is the only building in Greece that has been built as a Mycenaean palace
It has several cafes where you can sit for coffee and food.
4. Agios Spyridonas - site of Kapodistrias' assassination
Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor, was assassinated at its entrance on September 27, 1831, as the inscription testifies. A bullet from the event is preserved in the glass case. It is worth entering the church which was built in 1702.
5. Akronafplia
Don't forget to climb up to Akronafplia to see a complex of castles built in various periods by the venetians and turks. Many visitors visit it on foot to see the sights and admire the view and I believe that this is the best way to explore it.
As you go up you will come across the gate that looks out to sea, a favourite spot for photos, there is no way you won't see it. At the clock tower you will find the best view of the city. Something that few people know is that at the highest point are the unseen ruins of a World War II artillery battery, apparently built by the german occupiers which overlooks south to the Argolic Gulf.
You can go from Arvanitia by following the uphill to the Xenia's hotel ruins. There is another shorter route that only locals know, but I warn you that it is uphill. You start from Agios Spyridon Square, go up the steps of Potamianou Street, next to the Ottoman fountain, pass the Grand Sarai Hotel and the Fragoklisia and continue up until you reach the venetian gate. Once you have passed through it you have entered Akronafplia.
6. Kolokotronis statue
A majestic statue of general Theodoros Kolokotronis placed on a magnificent marble pedestal designed by Lazaros Sochos. It was cast in Paris and unveiled in 1901.
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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7. Land Gate
The main gate of the city was the Land Gate, the original was demolished along with the city walls at the end of the 19th century. The current one is a faithful copy. It was the epicenter of turkish and venetian sieges throughout the centuries. The votive inscription in latin refers to the conquest of the Peloponnese by the venetian general Francesco Morosini.
8. 5 Brothers bastion
All roads end at the 5 Brothers bastion. This strange name is due to the 5 cannons that guarded, along with Bourtzi, the entrance to the harbour and is located in the only part of the walls that was not demolished. There is the sea gate, the second gate of the city.
