A cosmopolitan city to be explored.
Follow a dream trail to discover Nafplio precious gems starting from the wide pedestrian streets, the large squares, elegant public buildings, Venetian houses, and neoclassical mansions. Because of its strategic position on Argolis Gulf, Nafplio had three different fortresses that are must to be visited. The first stop is the Palamidi fortress, a spectacular citadel 216 meters high, reachable by feet (911 steps above the town) or a short drive. It was built by Venetians (1711-1714) and regarded as a masterpiece of military architecture. It was also used as a prison for condemned criminals. The second one, the Bourtzi is Nafplio’s sea tower, 600m from the town’s port, served as a pirate deterrent, a home for executioners and a hotel. The third one, Acronafplia is the oldest since the Bronze Age and the whole town was restricted to within its wall at the time.
Walk through the history of Nafplio.
Visit the archaeological museum, a Venetian building where archaeological finds from the surrounding area are exhibited, spanning from the Paleolithic era, the Geometric period, the 6th century BC to the sophisticated Mycenaean era civilization. Spend some time to explore folklore culture in the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation Museum, an award-winning museum with traditional costumes and household items from the 19th and the 20th century. If you are fascinated by history, battles & wars, you should visit the War Museum which is run by the military. Visitors can enjoy paintings, military uniforms, sketches, weapons and photographs ranging from the Greek War of Independence to the Balkan Wars and the First and Second World Wars. Another exciting museum to visit is the Kompoloi museum where one can indulge in the most popular Greek souvenir - the kompoloi (worry beads). In this museum, you can also enjoy an exciting selection of 700 different types of rosaries and worry beads from different religions from around the world. If Art is your passion, then the National Gallery is the place for you to visit as you will be transported to another era viewing paintings created by the most important Greek artists of the postwar era.
If you are a beach lover, then Karathona beach (5klm from the center) and the Arvanitia beach, is what you are looking for, really close to the city. Follow a stroll that begins at the waterfront and ends up after about 1klm at Arvanitia square and enjoy the natural beauty of Nafplio.