Day 1 in Nafplio

Welcome to the small town of Nafplio, Greece`s first capital. Upon arrival, make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

We recommend starting your afternoon wandering the picturesque streets of old town, commonly referred to as `one of the most beautiful towns in Greece`. Begin at Syntagma Square to admire all the impressive buildings that surround it, including two mosques from different periods of Ottoman rule. One of these was also used as the parliament building during the period when the city was the capital of Greece. The square is also a great area to enjoy lunch at one of the many open air cafes while taking in the ambiance of the town.

We highly recommend a walking tour, a fun introduction to Nafplio. A tour will provide an expert guide to lead you through secret passageways while showing off the main sights of the city as well. Or, enjoy a self-guided tour strolling through the beautiful alleys, lanes and streets, charming old buildings, impressive public parks and squares, and the myriad monuments and historic sites.

After exploring the Old Town, make your way to the Palamidi Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Greece. Built in 1686 by the Venetians, the castle stands 708 ft above sea level. If you`re up for the hike, climb the 900 plus steps to the top, where breathtaking panoramic views await, as well as enchanting baroque-style archways along the way. What`s fascinating is it was so well designed all attempts to conquer it were unsuccessful. Until the Greeks came and managed to take It over in 1822 during the Greek Revolution. The castle is preserved in excellent condition and is one of the most important achievements of the Venetian fortification architecture. Give yourself some time to take it all in.

Spend your first evening in town enjoying a relaxing dinner at one of the extensive selection of restaurants in town. Afterward, make a stop for a gelato before heading back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Day 2 in Nafplio

What better way to start the day than with a morning stroll by the sea? The old town, built on a peninsula, will make you feel as though you are on an island. Strolling the Arvanitia promenade is a `must do` while visiting Nafplio. In the port, the view of the `Bourtzi`, a medieval castle built by the Venetians on the islet of Saint Theodoros, is the first thing you`ll notice.

Next, grab some breakfast before making your way to a few of the museums in area. There are so many noteworthy museums in town that can provide further insight into the area`s culture and history. The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio exhibits important artifacts from the Prehistoric and Mycenaean Era, the War Museum was the former site of the first Military School in Greece, and the Komboloi Museum boasts an impressive global collection of worry beads, which Nafplio is especially known to produce. Last but not least, the Nafplion Museum of War, an annex of the Athens War Museum, has been operating since 1988 in an impressive building of Venetian architecture.

Spend the remaining part of your afternoon enjoying one of the beaches of the area. Nafpolio` beaches are definitely worth a visit, offering a relaxing break to your cultured trip. Just a short walk from town you can find the Karathona Beach, a beautiful cove, with beachside cafes and traditional taverns. You`ll find the clearest water around here, as it is an credited `Blue Flag` beach, making it perfect for swimming. Also popular in the area are Arvanitia, just 10 minutes south of town, and Neraki Beach, both just as beautiful as the next and offer a great spot to enjoy a sunset.

After an enjoyable day, head back to the seafront for a relaxing dinner. If time and energy allow, wander back to the old town for a drink before heading back to your hotel to call it a night.

Day 3 in Nafplio

On your last day in Nafplio, take a taxi boat from the harbor front promenade to visit the Bourtzi Fortress, located on the islet of Agioi Theodoroi. A Trademark of the city of Nafplio, located in the middle of the harbor of the city. It was built to ward off pirates, and then later on, became a residence for executioners of Palamidi prisoners. From 1930 to 1970, it was used as a hotel, where visitors could check into the castle overnight.

In the afternoon, visit the Fougaro area for lunch. In recent years, the Fougaro has become a new modern landmark. The word means smokestack and the place was once a tomato canning plant. It has been impressively renovated into a creative arts and cultural space perfect for taking in some local artwork, relaxing with a lovely meal or for sipping a coffee.

Enjoy the remaining part of your day by grabbing a bicycle (free in front of the town hall) and take a ride a bit further out of the city, the surrounding natural scenery outside of town is beautiful. The area brings rolling hills and mountains, rugged rocky peninsulas and shorelines, and captivating sea colors in the bays, beaches, coves and harbors that indent the Argolic gulf coasts. A bike ride will offer a great opportunity to get some exercise and fresh sea air while enjoying the tremendous views of coastal landscapes.

Finish your last day cooking with the locals. Eating a traditional Greek meal is one of the top things to do in Nafplio (like any other Greek destination), and learning how to make it will give you an even better appreciation. The local cuisine of Nafplion is as rich as one would expect from a Greek region. The local dishes of Nafplion, such as bogana -milk lamb with whole potatoes, cooked in a hut and usually served as the main course in weddings- and goges -handmade pasta of Argolida that is traditionally cooked during Greek Halloween- are deliciously unique and a must-try for visitors looking to eat their way through Greek culture. Experience the best of the local culinary scene by joining a hands-on private cooking lesson in Nafplio led by an expert chef.

Additional Days in Nafplio

Should you be able to spend additional days in Nafplio plan a day trip (within an hour or so drive away). A few towns to consider: Two modern towns bear the name Epidavros: Palaia (Old) Epidavros and Nea (New) Epidavros. The ancient theater of Epidavros is famous for its perfect acoustics, symmetry and beauty is also used today for drama festivals.

Delphi is one of the most popular and most important archaeological sites in the country, once considered the center of the earth and once the home of the most important ancient Greek oracle.

Mycenae was a powerful citadel town in its glory days. It was so influential, it lended its name to an entire historical period called the Mycenaean period.

Nemea is another important archaeological site which was once a religious sanctuary where pan-Hellenic athletic games were held every two years during ancient times.

And lastly, Porto Heli is a very beautiful summer resort town on the Peloponnese coast.

Your Last Day in Nafplio

Take a last look around, and say goodbye to beautiful Nafplio. Depart your hotel where you will head home or make your way to more Greece adventures. Savor the memories of a very special time in Nafplio.