Nafplio

Nafplion is a small, cozy town on the coast of the Argolicos Gulf of the Aegean Sea. This is not a beach resort, but if you are traveling around Greece, be sure to stop here, at least for a day.


The founding date of the city is not known, but excavations have shown that it existed as early as 1200 BC. Like other coastal cities, Nafplion changed owners many times throughout history. Since 1204 the French crusaders ruled here, in 1388 they sold it to the Republic of Venice. In 1711-1715 the Venetians built the Palamidi fortress, but a year later the Turks seized it and settled here for the next hundred years.

The fortress played an important role during the Greek revolution of 1821. The rebels managed to quickly dislodge the Turks and made Nafplion their base. For 13 years the city remained the capital of Greece until 1834, when King Otto moved the capital to Athens.

Nafplion has a small and well-groomed promenade (45 on the map). There are not so many tourists here, so you can still sit in a cozy restaurant and slowly walk along the sea at sunset.










There is also an old town.




At the end of the promenade there is a small and uncomfortable beach, as well as a footpath that leads around the peninsula (48).


If you turn left and reach a small square, you can take the free elevator to the top of the mountain (49).


Upstairs is the Nafplia Palace Hotel (booking.com). At first we planned to stay there, the location was perfect, but after we saw the prices (from 600 euros!) we changed our mind. Too fashionable for such a small town. Here it is, on the top of the mountain.




Therefore, we stayed in a regular, budget hotel in the old town - Park Hotel (booking.com). As elsewhere in the city, there is no dedicated parking spots there, you can leave the car somewhere here N 37 34.017 E 22 48.152.

Upstairs, near the Nafplia Palace, there are few excellent viewpoints (20).




There are several fortifications in Nafplion. In addition to the walls from which the two previous photos were taken, there is also a small Venetian fortress of Bourtzi. It was built in 1473 to protect the city from the Ottoman Empire. Now it is a tourist site that can be visited by boats that depart from the city center. And just incredibly photogenic place.






The third and main fortress is Palamidi, located high on the mountain. After the Greek Revolution it served as a prison. In the second half of the 19th century the executioner of this prison lived on an island in the fortress of Bourtzi.






You can climb here on foot (13) or go by car, parking is here N 37 33.683 E 22 48.276. Views from the top are breathtaking.








Exit to the exit :)


There is no normal beach in the city only two parodies near points 48 and 16. The nearest good beach is Karathona Beach, located 4 kilometers from Nafplion. You can reach it by walking the trail along the coast which starts after point 16. Or by car to N 37 32.717 E 22 49.300.

Getting there: from terminal A of the Kifissos bus station in Athens (schedule).