Palamidi Fortress
2 hTeenagers and adults with good legsAll year · November to March, 8:30 to 15:30
Venetian fortress of 1714 above Nafplio, with eight bastions: climb the 999 steps or drive up. Entry €20.
From €20
How to do it
From AthensAbout 2 h by car or bus
Best timeApr–Jun · Sep–Oct
Stay2–3 nights
Without a carYes, KTEL bus from Athens
In July and August, ruins first thing. Neither Mycenae nor Epidaurus has much shade and the Palamidi staircase is in the sun. Go in when they open, at 8:00, and leave the middle hours for the sea.
What to do
What to do in Nafplio
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Mycenae and Tiryns
3 h · 24 kmAll year · November to March, 8:30 to 15:30
Citadel of the Lion Gate, Treasury of Atreus and museum for €20, 24 km from Nafplio, with Tiryns on the way for €10.
From €20
How to do it
Epidaurus theatre and sanctuary
2 h 30 · 28 kmAll year · theatre festival from late June to late August
4th-century BC theatre and sanctuary of Asclepius, 28 km from Nafplio: €20 with museum, free for under-25s from the EU.
From €20
How to do it
Itineraries
Itineraries that pass through
Days and weekends already planned out, with how to get between each stop and who to book with.
Plan the trip
Nafplio, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Nafplio
In spring and in September and October, with mild heat for Mycenae and Epidaurus and the sea already warm. July and August are for the beach and the Epidaurus festival, with a lot of sun on the ruins. In winter the town stays lively, but the sites close in mid-afternoon.
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How you travel
Nafplio your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
A base in Nafplio and the Argolid by car
With a car you see in three days what takes five by bus: Mycenae and Tiryns one morning, Epidaurus another, and the afternoons in the old town and on the beach. Traffic is not allowed inside the old town: park at the harbour and walk.
80–130 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotels on the sea below…
- Getting aroundFrom Athens, about 150 km…
- EatingOld-town tavernas, €18 to €25…
- ServicesFree parking on the harbour…
Where to sleep
- Hotels on the sea below Akronafplia, with public parking next door
- Campsite at Vivari if you prefer a beach and parking on your pitch
Getting around
- From Athens, about 150 km via the A8 to Corinth and the A7 towards Tripoli
- Three tolls: Elefsina, Isthmus and Spathovouni
- Mycenae, 24 km; Epidaurus, 28 km; Tolo, 12 km
Eating
- Old-town tavernas, €18 to €25 per person
- Fish on Bouboulinas Street, facing the harbour
Services
- Free parking on the harbour esplanade
- No passenger trains: the car or the KTEL bus
Without a car: bus from Athens and everything on foot
Nafplio is one of the few cities in the Peloponnese that work without a car. The bus arrives from Athens several times a day, the old town is explored on foot, and Palamidi, Bourtzi, Arvanitia and Karathona are all within walking distance. For Mycenae and Epidaurus there is a bus or a tour with a driver.
70–110 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepGuesthouses and small hotels in…
- Getting aroundAirport: X93 to Kifisos, then…
- EatingOld-town tavernas a few steps…
- ServicesKTEL station on Syngrou Street…
Where to sleep
- Guesthouses and small hotels in the old town, a walk from the station
- Renovated mansions near Syntagma Square
Getting around
- Airport: X93 to Kifisos, then the KTEL Argolida bus, about 2 h 10 min
- On the way back, the bus stops at Eleonas (metro, blue line) before Kifisos
- To Tolo and Drepano, six buses a day on weekdays and fewer on Saturday
- Mycenae and Epidaurus by tour from €90 with hotel pick-up
Eating
- Old-town tavernas a few steps from any accommodation
- Fish on the harbour front
Services
- KTEL station on Syngrou Street, on the edge of the old town
- Taxi from the airport: about €150 and a little over an hour and a half
Hotels on the water and dinner facing Bourtzi
The two hotels of the same group below and above Akronafplia have the bay in front of them and collect you from the airport with a driver. Spend the mornings at the sites with a private guide and the evenings dining with a view.
200–350 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepNafplia Palace, at the top…
- Getting aroundHotel car with driver from…
- EatingCircle, at the Amphitryon, for…
- ServicesPublic parking next to the…
Where to sleep
- Nafplia Palace, at the top of Akronafplia, with a pool
- Amphitryon, on the sea at the foot of the rock
- Ippoliti, a neoclassical mansion with a pool in the old town
Getting around
- Hotel car with driver from Athens airport
- Mycenae and Epidaurus privately with an official guide, from €100 per person
Eating
- Circle, at the Amphitryon, for dinner with smart dress
- Amimoni, at the Nafplia Palace, with piano at weekends
Services
- Public parking next to the Amphitryon
- Nemea wine route with hotel pick-up
Tent on the Tolo and Vivari coast
The campsites are east of Nafplio, on the coast between Tolo and Vivari, 12–14 km from the old town. From April to October it is the cheapest way to see the Argolid, with a beach by your tent. In Greece wild camping is prohibited by law, including on beaches.
35–60 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepSunset Camping, in Tolo, metres…
- Getting aroundKTEL bus from Tolo to…
- EatingRestaurant and minimarket at both…
- ServicesElectricity for tents at Lefka…
Where to sleep
- Sunset Camping, in Tolo, metres from the sandy beach
- Lefka Beach Camping, in Vivari, on terraces above a cove
Getting around
- KTEL bus from Tolo to Nafplio several times a day on weekdays
- By car, Epidaurus is about 30 km from Vivari
Eating
- Restaurant and minimarket at both campsites
- Supermarket about 5 km from Lefka
Services
- Electricity for tents at Lefka, free for charging your phone
- Lefka does not hire equipment; Sunset hires tents
Motorhome: coastal campsite and the old town on foot
Nafplio's old town does not admit large vehicles. Sleep at a campsite on the coast, 12–14 km away, and go into the city by car or bus. Outside campsites you cannot stay overnight: Greek law prohibits camping or sleeping in a motorhome outside authorised sites.
45–70 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepSunset Camping, in Tolo, with…
- Getting aroundThe road from Nafplio to…
- EatingRestaurants at both campsites
- ServicesWater and waste disposal at…
Where to sleep
- Sunset Camping, in Tolo, with motorhome pitches
- Lefka Beach Camping, in Vivari, with large pitches of 55–60 m²
Getting around
- The road from Nafplio to Tolo and Epidaurus is good and has no size limits
- In the centre, leave the motorhome outside the old town and walk
Eating
- Restaurants at both campsites
- Old-town tavernas in Nafplio for dinner
Services
- Water and waste disposal at Lefka: free from two nights, €10 without staying overnight
- Motorhome electricity at Lefka, €7 per night
Fly to Athens and a car or bus to Nafplio
Nafplio is reached by flying to Athens, with direct flights from Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and other cities. From the airport it is about 150 km and two hours by the Corinth and Tripoli motorway, with three tolls. Without a car, the X93 bus goes to Kifisos station, and from there the KTEL Argolida buses take about 2 h 10 min. There is no passenger train.
- ArrivingAthens airport (ATH), with direct…
- Getting aroundHire car at the airport…
- Where to sleepAmphitryon, on the water and…
- ServicesX93 bus from the airport
Arriving
- Athens airport (ATH), with direct flights from Spain all year
- X93 bus from the airport to Kifisos station
- KTEL Argolida bus from Kifisos to Nafplio, which is the last stop
Getting around
- Hire car at the airport for Mycenae, Epidaurus and the beaches
- On foot through the old town and the climb to Palamidi
- Local bus to Tolo and Argos from the Syngrou Street station
Where to sleep
- Amphitryon, on the water and two minutes from the centre, with a car with driver from Athens airport
- A guesthouse in the old town, if you arrive by bus and walk
Services
- X93 bus from the airport
- Amphitryon private transfer
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Nafplio for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Castles, ruins and beach over short distances
The Argolid brings together within 30 km what a child has seen in books: the Lion Gate of Mycenae, a theatre whose acoustics you test by speaking from the centre, and Venetian castles above the sea. Alternate one site each morning with the beach in the afternoon and nobody gets tired.
- What works bestMycenae and the Treasury of…
- Where to sleepTolo and Vivari campsites, with…
- EatingOld-town tavernas with oven cooking…
- Keep in mindEU citizens under 25 enter…
What works best
- Mycenae and the Treasury of Atreus, best first thing
- The Epidaurus theatre: one person speaks in the centre while the others listen from the top
- Kayaking under Akronafplia, from age 6 in a double kayak with an adult
- Karathona and Arvanitia for the afternoons
Where to sleep
- Tolo and Vivari campsites, with the beach on foot
- Ippoliti has 40 m² family suites in the old town
Eating
- Old-town tavernas with oven cooking: gemista, moussaka, lamb
- Fish at the harbour for a long dinner
Keep in mind
- EU citizens under 25 enter Palamidi and the state-run sites free: bring everyone's ID
- At Mycenae and Epidaurus there is almost no shade: hat and water
- In winter the sites close in the middle of the afternoon
What to do as a family
A flat city by the sea, with the stairway for another day
With small children Nafplio works because everything is so close: the old town is flat, the Arvanitia promenade runs beside the water and the boat to Bourtzi is a short trip that keeps them entertained. Palamidi, on the other hand, is about 850 steps without shade: not for a pushchair or a carrier in summer.
- What works bestThe Arvanitia promenade, flat, with…
- Where to sleepCampsite at Tolo with the…
- EatingOld-town tavernas with tables in…
- Keep in mindIn July and August the…
What works best
- The Arvanitia promenade, flat, with a small beach at the end
- The boat to Bourtzi castle, leaving from the harbour itself
- Tolo beach, sandy with shallow water, 12 km away
- Karathona, with trees giving shade on the sand
Where to sleep
- Campsite at Tolo with the beach a few metres away
- Small old-town hotels, to walk back for the afternoon nap
Eating
- Old-town tavernas with tables in car-free alleys
- Kipos, on Filellinon Square, with space in front
Keep in mind
- In July and August the sun is fierce at midday: beach in the morning and a stroll at dusk
- If you go up to Palamidi, drive to the east-side entrance
- Animals are not allowed in Bourtzi
What to do with young children
Steps, kayaking and Greek theatre
A teenager is hooked more by racing up the steps of Palamidi against the clock or paddling under the cliffs than by a museum. Give them the stairway, the kayak and a night of theatre at Epidaurus if you are going in summer.
- What works bestClimbing Palamidi on foot first…
- Where to sleepCampsite at Tolo or Vivari…
- EatingGyros and souvlaki to take…
- Keep in mindWith a European ID and…
What works best
- Climbing Palamidi on foot first thing, before the heat
- A guided four-hour sea kayak trip under the castles
- A performance at the Epidaurus festival, at night, in July or August
- Mycenae, with the Tomb of Atreus and its stone dome
Where to sleep
- Campsite at Tolo or Vivari, with more freedom than a hotel
- Old-town guesthouses, from where they can walk around on their own
Eating
- Gyros and souvlaki to take away in the new town
- Old-town tavernas with dishes to share
Keep in mind
- With a European ID and under 25, entry is free
- The Nemea wine route is not for them: tasting is for over-18s only
- Bourtzi can be seen in an hour: do not sell it as an adventure
What to do with teenagers
Where to stay
Where to stay if you're drivingwithout a carin styleif you're campingin a campervanif you're flying
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Amphitryon Hotel
Why we like it: Boutique hotel on the water, below Akronafplia and two minutes from the centre. It offers a car with driver to Athens airport and to the port, and the pool is at the Nafplia Palace, its sister…
Nafplia Palace Hotel & Villas
Why we like it: At the top of the rock of Akronafplia, with the bay and Bourtzi below. It is the sister hotel of the Amphitryon, a short walk away, and has the pool and the Amimoni restaurant, with piano…
Ippoliti
Why we like it: Restored neoclassical mansion on Ilia Miniati Street, a few steps from Syntagma Square and the harbour. It has a courtyard pool and 40 m² family suites.
Pension Marianna
Why we like it: Guesthouse on Ilia Potamianou Street, in the upper part of the old town, with traditional-style rooms and views of the city. You can walk to it from the bus station.
Aetoma
Why we like it: Guesthouse in a renovated 18th-century mansion, right in the historic old town. A few double rooms and breakfast, so you can walk between the square, the harbour and the Palamidi stairway.
Campsite
Sunset Camping
Why we like it: One of the oldest campsites in Tolo, with pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, bungalows and a restaurant. Tolo's shallow-water sandy beach is a few metres away. Small tent from €8 and €8 per adult in…
From €8
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Lefka Beach Camping
Why we like it: Terraced pitches above a quiet cove on the gulf, all with shade, electricity and vehicle access. It has a service area for motorhomes, a minimarket and a restaurant. Open March to October; a pitch for two…
From €28
View details
Services for this trip
Areas, for any way of travelling
| Area | Who it's for | Average night |
|---|---|---|
| Old town | No car, everything on foot, guesthouses and mansions | Medium |
| Akronafplia and Arvanitia | Hotels over the sea with views of Bourtzi | High |
| Tolo and Vivari | Beach and campsites, 12–14 km from the old town | Low |
Where to eat
Where to eat in Nafplio
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
Old-town taverna
Aiolos
What to order: kagianas (scrambled eggs with tomato) and oven-baked veal gkioulbasti with cheese and peppers.
Vasilissis Olgas 30 · from €20 · in winter it opens mostly on Fridays and weekends
Taverna with weekend music
Vyzantio
What to order: lamb fricassee and Karageorge steak stuffed with ham and cheese.
Vasileos Alexandrou 15 · from €18 · closed on Wednesdays
Savouras
What to order: the house saganaki and bouillabaisse, or the fresh fish of the day.
Bouboulinas 79 · Thursday to Monday, 12:30 to 23:00 · closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Kipos
What to order: fresh fish, local meat or a pasta dish, with a local wine.
Filellinon Square at Iatrou 1 · open all year, every day from 12:00 to 24:00
Circle (Amphitryon Hotel)
What to order: the Greek and Mediterranean menu with a regional wine from their list of regional and national wines.
Lunch from 13:00 to 17:00 and dinner from 20:00 to 23:30 · smart dress is requested in the evening
What to try
- GiouvetsiOven-baked stew with orzo-style pasta. At the harbour they make it with sea bream.
- KagianasScrambled eggs with tomato and garlic.
- GkioulbastiOven-baked veal with cheese and peppers.
- Nemea wineA red from the agiorgitiko grape, from the wineries of Nemea, north of the Argolid.
Map
Everything on the map
The places to stay and services on the map are the ones for the way you travel. Turn on the layers you want and tap a point to see its details.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Nearby
Near Nafplio
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Palamidi: walk up, drive down, or the other way round
The staircase has about 850 steps, not 999. If there are several of you, one can drive the car up to the east-side entrance and pick the others up.
- 2Buy your ticket online
Hellenic Heritage sells dated and timed tickets at tickets.hh.gr. Free days are only issued at the ticket office.
- 3Bourtzi at the end of the afternoon
The last boat leaves 50 minutes before closing, which in July and August is at 21:00. You come back with the town lit up.
- 4Bring your ID
With it, EU citizens under 25 get into the sites and Palamidi free.
Local tip
Sleep in the old town even if you have a car. At night, with no traffic and the tavernas out on the street, is when Nafplio is at its best.
We'd skip it
The day trip from Athens to Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio: you spend more than four hours on the coach and reach the sites at midday, with everyone else and with the heat.
How do you get there from Athens without a car?
By bus. There is no passenger train to Nafplio. From Athens airport, the X93 bus leaves from in front of arrivals for Kifisos station: it takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic and costs about €5. At Kifisos look for the Nafplio / Argolida sign: KTEL Argolida buses leave throughout the day, from early morning to night, and take about 2 h 10 min via Corinth and Argos. Nafplio is the last stop.
If you are coming from central Athens, it is quicker to catch that same bus at Eleonas, on the blue metro line. On the way back, get off there and carry on by metro to the airport.
And by car?
It is about 150 km and around two hours. From the airport or Athens, take the A8 motorway (Olympia Odos) towards Corinth and, past the canal, the A7 (Moreas) towards Tripoli. After the Spathovouni toll, exit for Nafplio. You pay three tolls, Elefsina, Isthmus and Spathovouni, which add up to about €8 by car and a little less by motorbike.
You can't park inside the old town. Leave the car on the free esplanade by the port, about 350 m from Syntagma Square, or next to Arvanitia beach, which has free parking at the entrance.
Mycenae and Epidaurus, in a day?
Yes, each on its own morning. Mycenae is 24 km away and Epidaurus 28 km, in opposite directions. Tiryns is on the way to Mycenae, next to the Argos road. Without a car, there are few KTEL buses to Epidaurus, almost all on weekdays, and excursions with a driver from €90 that pick you up at the hotel.
Admission: Mycenae €20 (citadel, Treasury of Atreus and museum), Epidaurus €20 (theatre, sanctuary and museum), Tiryns €10 and Palamidi €20. EU citizens under 25 get in free. In summer Epidaurus hosts the Athens and Epidaurus Festival: in 2026, from 20 June to 29 August, with night performances.
What closes in winter?
From 1 November to 31 March, Palamidi, Mycenae and Tiryns open from 8:30 to 15:30, and Epidaurus from 8:00 to 17:00. In summer Palamidi, Mycenae and Epidaurus open from 8:00 to 20:00, from May to August. The Archaeological Museum opens from 8:30 to 15:30 all year and closes on Tuesdays. All close on 1 January, 25 March, 1 May, Orthodox Easter Sunday and 25 and 26 December. In return, on the first and third Sunday of each month from November to March, entry is free.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need?
Two nights for the town, Palamidi and one of the excursions. Three to see Mycenae, Tiryns and Epidaurus without a rush and have a beach afternoon.
Can you go without a car?
Yes. The bus arrives from Athens in about 2 h 10 min and everything in the town is done on foot. For Mycenae and Epidaurus, few buses or an excursion with a driver.
How many steps does Palamidi have?
About 850 up to the entrance. The figure of 999 is a local legend. You can also drive up to the east-side gate.
Can you visit Bourtzi?
Yes, all year. You get there by boat from the port, which is paid separately, and admission costs €7.
Is there a beach in the town?
Arvanitia, 200 m long and with a blue flag, ten minutes' walk from the centre. Karathona, about three kilometres of sand, is reached by a coastal path or by car. Tolo, 12 km away, has shallow water.
Can you camp wild or sleep in a motorhome at the port?
No. In Greece wild camping and overnighting in a motorhome outside authorised campsites is banned. There are campsites in Tolo and Vivari, 12–14 km away.
What is the weather like in winter?
With short days: the sites close at 15:30 and some tavernas open only at weekends.