An aerial view of Parga and Panagia Island in the Ionian Sea, Greece

Nafplio

A harbor town on the Peloponnese with neoclassical streets and Venetian forts, a base for a night or two and for day trips to Epidaurus and Mycenae.

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Nafplio is a harbor town on the Argolic Gulf in the eastern Peloponnese, in southern Greece. It was the first capital of modern Greece, from 1829 to 1834, and its old town still has the neoclassical houses and squares from that time. Two Venetian-era forts sit close by: Palamidi on the hill above town and Bourtzi on an islet in the harbor.

Go for a slow trip built around history and the sea. The old town is compact and walkable, and the climb to Palamidi is the main physical effort. The ancient theater at Epidaurus and the citadel at Mycenae are both reachable as day trips. Plan at least one night so you see the town after the day visitors leave, and two nights if you want both sites without rushing. Spring and autumn suit walking and sightseeing best; summer is hot.

Nafplio in five

Stay a night instead of a day tripThe old town is at its best before and after the coach groups, and a base here puts Epidaurus and Mycenae within 40 minutes. A day trip from Athens leaves little time for the town.
Climb Palamidi early, or take the roadThe fortress above town is reached by a long stairway or by a road. The stairs are hot and exposed in summer, so go in the morning and check opening hours with the culture ministry.
Visit Mycenae in the morning, Epidaurus laterBoth sites have little shade. Epidaurus hosts summer performances in its ancient theater, so look up the festival schedule and book ahead if you want an evening.
Take a KTEL bus or drive from AthensBuses from Athens's Kifissos station take about 2.5 hours, and the drive is 1.5 to 2 hours. Do not plan on trains, and rent a car only if you will visit more than two sites.Getting around Greece
Swim at Arvanitia or KarathonaArvanitia is a rocky cove on the waterfront walk below the fortress. Karathona is a sandy beach a few kilometers south, reached by bike, taxi or bus.

Things to do in Nafplio

See all attractions in Nafplio

Museum · NafplioArchaeological Museum of Nafplio

Castle · NafplioPalamidi FortressDrive or take a taxi to the southeastern entrance if you want to avoid the steep climb; you can walk down after your visit.

brown concrete building near body of water during daytime

Church · NafplioChurch of Saint Spyridon

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to NafplioPut the places you like in Nafplio on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: None; Athens (ATH) is the gateway, about 2–2.5 hours by road
Getting there: KTEL bus from Athens (about 2.5 hrs) or car (about 1.5–2 hrs)
Getting around: On foot in the old town; car or taxi for Epidaurus and Mycenae
Best base: Old town near Syntagma Square or the harbor
Time needed: 1–2 nights

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Mild, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Mild, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Wildflowers
AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Easter, mild
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, ruins
JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Hot, festival
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low22°Hot, festival
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Hot, festival
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Warm, calm
OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Mild, quieter
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Rain, cool
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Mild, wet

Average daily high and low in Nafplio, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Nafplio

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 13°
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 63%

Nafplio

10:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+2

Today19°11°63%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 63%.
Tue21°12°63%Tuesday: Rain. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 63%.
Wed22°11°13%Wednesday: Fog. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 13%.
Thu18°11°11%Thursday: Fog. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 11%.
Fri16°9°2%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sat16°8°9%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 9%.
Sun16°7°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 9%.

Updated 07:31 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Nafplio

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Jun–AugAthens Epidaurus FestivalAthens, a day trip

Day trips by train

Epidaurusabout 30–40 min by carA well-preserved ancient theater known for its acoustics.
Mycenaeabout 30–40 min by carA Bronze Age citadel with the Lion Gate and royal tombs.
Toloabout 15 min by carA sandy bay with calm water and beach tavernas.

Before you go to Nafplio

Epidaurus and Mycenae toursGuided day trips with transportCompare tours

Stays in the old townNeoclassical houses and small hotelsCheck availability

eSIM for NafplioBus times and maps for the sitesRead the guide

Insurance for NafplioCover for heat and steep fortress stepsRead the guide

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Rules for Nafplio, checked

Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
Non-EU visitors may be registered at the Greek border under the EU Entry/Exit System, which records fingerprints and a photo. Check current EES guidance from the European Commission.
Archaeological sites near Nafplio, including Tiryns and Epidaurus, are run by the Greek Ministry of Culture. Check opening days and ticket rules on its official site before you go.
The emergency number in Greece is 112, which works across the EU. Save it before you travel.

Plan around Nafplio

Peloponnese

Mycenae, Monemvasia and the south

Read the guide Monemvasia

Walled medieval town, a long day's drive south

Read the guide Athens

The capital, about two hours away

Read the guide All of Greece

Entry rules, ferries and regions

Read the guide Getting around Greece

Cars, buses and ferries compared

Read the guide Best time to visit Greece

Seasons, crowds and shoulder months

Read the guide

Nafplio FAQ

Is Nafplio worth visiting?

Yes for a pretty, walkable old town, a fortress and the easiest base for Epidaurus and Mycenae. It is popular with Athenians at weekends, so book ahead for Fridays and holidays.

How many days do you need in Nafplio?

Two nights let you see the town, Palamidi and one site such as Mycenae or Epidaurus without hurrying. A single night suits a quick stop on the way to the south.

How do you get from Athens to Nafplio?

By KTEL bus from Athens's Kifissos station in about 2.5 hours, or by car in 1.5 to 2 hours. There is no train, so a bus or tour is the simplest car-free choice.

Can you visit Epidaurus and Mycenae from Nafplio in one day?

Yes, with an early start. Each is 30 to 40 minutes by car, so start at Mycenae in the morning and reach Epidaurus by early afternoon. Bring water and a hat.

When is the best time to visit Nafplio?

April to June and September to October for warm days and fewer crowds. July and August are hot, and the summer festival adds evening performances at Epidaurus.