Peloponnese places · Nafplio
A Venetian harbour town under a rock fortress, with castles in the bay, lanes full of bougainvillea and some of the best strolling in Greece. A local’s guide to what is worth your time.
The short answer
Nafplio sits on the Gulf of Argolis, an hour or two south of Athens. It served as the first capital of the new Greek state in the early 1830s, and it still has the grand squares, neoclassical houses and Venetian walls to prove it.
Most people come for a day and wish they had stayed two. There is a fortress to climb, a castle you can see from every terrace, a flat seaside path for sunset and an old town where it is a pleasure to be lost.
We run a small hotel on the quieter east coast, about an hour and three quarters south, so Nafplio is one of our favourite days out. This is the guide we would give a friend.
Written by the Sampatiki Suites team. Updated September 2026.
Best for
Wandering, castles, sunsets
Time needed
One day, better two
The big climb
Palamidi, about 900 steps
From our coast
About 1 hr 45 by road
What to see
You can do most of these on foot, and many are within ten minutes of each other.
The fortress
A Venetian hilltop fortress built in the 1680s, reached by a long stone staircase that is famously counted as 999 steps, though the real number is nearer 900. Go early or late to avoid the heat, and allow an hour or two at the top for the views over the whole gulf.
The castle in the bay
A small island fortress just off the harbour, built by the Venetians to guard the port. You can reach it by a short boat ride, and it looks best from the waterfront at dusk.
The old hill
The oldest part of the town, with walls that were rebuilt by Byzantines, Franks and Venetians in turn. It rewards a slow walk with views back over the old town.
The sea path
A flat, easy walk of around twenty minutes around the foot of Akronafplia, with the sea on one side and pine and rock on the other. It ends at the small Arvanitia beach, so bring a swimsuit.
The living room
The heart of the old town, with cafés and the old Venetian arsenal that now houses the Archaeological Museum. A good place to sit with a coffee and watch the town go by.
The story
The church where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first head of the Greek state, was assassinated in 1831. A short stop that explains why the town matters.
The quirky one
A small museum devoted to worry beads, which is far more fascinating than it sounds, and cheap to enter.
The lanes
Bougainvillea, balconies, shuttered houses and small shops. Pick any lane going uphill from the harbour and follow it.
The longer beach
A long beach a short drive or a pleasant coastal walk from the town, good for a swim away from the old town crowds.
The best hour
Walk the harbour front as the light turns gold and the Bourtzi lights come on. Then have dinner nearby.
Our tip
Climb Palamidi first thing in the morning, then spend the middle of the day in the shade of the old town.
The old town and the Bourtzi at dusk.
A little history
Nafplio has been fought over for centuries. The Venetians held it, the Ottomans took it, and the Venetians took it back, leaving the fortresses and the harbour walls you see today. When the Greek War of Independence ended, it became the first capital of the new state, from 1829 to 1834, before the court moved to Athens.
That history is why the town has so many neoclassical buildings, wide squares and small museums for its size. It feels like a capital that decided to stay a village.
Eat and drink
Eat in the old town rather than on the very edge of the harbour. Tavernas a street or two back from the waterfront tend to be calmer, better priced and busier with locals. Order grilled fish, seasonal greens and whatever the cook recommends, and finish with a coffee in Syntagma Square.
In summer and at weekends, Athenians fill the town. Visit midweek or in spring and autumn and you will have the lanes almost to yourself.
Our tip
Book a table in the evening in high season, especially at weekends.
One day or two
One day
Climb Palamidi in the morning, have lunch in the old town, walk the Arvanitia promenade in the afternoon, and watch the sunset on the waterfront.
Two days
Spend the first day as above, and use the second for the museums, Karathona and a trip to the ancient sites at Epidaurus and Mycenae, or Tolo beach.
Nafplio and the east coast
Nafplio is the best-known base on the Argolic Gulf, and it is a good place for culture, dinners and short walks. If you want long, quiet beaches, mountain trails and a slower pace, head south along the coast to Leonidio after a night or two. It takes about an hour and three quarters, and the road itself is part of the trip.
That is the combination we recommend: two nights in Nafplio for the town, then three or four on the east coast with us for the beaches, the trails and the red cliffs.
From us at Sampatiki
After a day among the fortresses, come south for a slower pace: sea-view suites, a pool and a spa, and breakfast built around local produce. We can help you plan the drive and the days out.
Keep exploring
Questions
Is Nafplio worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most attractive towns in Greece, with a Venetian fortress, a castle in the bay, a lovely old town and a seaside walk, all within walking distance of each other.
How many days do you need in Nafplio?
One day covers the main sights. Two days lets you slow down and add Karathona, the museums and a trip to Epidaurus or Mycenae.
How many steps are there to Palamidi?
The staircase is traditionally said to have 999 steps, but the real number is nearer 900. You can also reach the fortress by road, if you prefer not to climb.
What is Nafplio famous for?
It was the first capital of modern Greece, in the early 1830s, and is known for its Venetian fortresses, its harbour castle, its neoclassical old town and its easy, romantic atmosphere.
Can you swim in Nafplio?
Yes. There is a small beach at the end of the Arvanitia promenade and a longer one at Karathona, a short drive or walk away.
When is the best time to visit Nafplio?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, with warm days and fewer visitors. Summer is hot and weekends are busy with visitors from Athens.
How far is Nafplio from Leonidio?
About an hour and three quarters by road. It makes a good day out from the east coast, or the first stop on a trip south.
Where should I stay on the Peloponnese east coast?
Nafplio suits culture and dinners. For quiet beaches and mountains, Leonidio and Sampatiki are about an hour and a half to two hours south. Our hotel has eleven sea-view suites, a spa and an early breakfast.
Stay with us
Eleven sea-view suites, a spa and a breakfast built around local produce, a few minutes from Leonidio.
Prices and Taxes: 1.1 All room rates and charges are subject to applicable taxes and fees as mandated by local authorities. 1.2 The hotel reserves the right to adjust prices based on seasonal demands, events, or any other relevant factors.
Payment and Terms at Check-in/Check-out: 2.1 Payment is required in full at the time of check-in. 2.2 Accepted forms of payment include cash, credit cards, and other methods approved by the hotel. 2.3 Early check-in or late check-out may be subject to additional charges.
Traveling with Minors: 3.1 Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. 3.2 The hotel reserves the right to request proof of age for minors.
Accessibility or Special Needs: 4.1 Please inform the hotel in advance of any special needs or accessibility requirements. 4.2 The hotel strives to provide accessible accommodations, but availability may be limited.
Parking: 5.1 Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 5.2 The hotel is not responsible for any loss or damage to vehicles parked on the premises.
Hotel Events: 6.1 The hotel may host events that could impact guest services. 6.2 Guests will be notified of any major events that may affect their stay.
Dispute Resolution/Issues: 7.1 Any issues or disputes should be reported to the front desk immediately for resolution. 7.2 If resolution cannot be reached, guests agree to pursue dispute resolution through arbitration.
Use of Personal Information: 8.1 The hotel collects and processes personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws. 8.2 Personal information is used for booking, communication, and internal marketing purposes.
Liability: 9.1 The hotel is not liable for loss, theft, or damage to guests’ personal property. 9.2 Guests are responsible for any damages caused to hotel property.
Force Majeure: 10.1 The hotel is not liable for any failure to perform its obligations due to unforeseen circumstances beyond its control.
Third Party Rights: 11.1 Only registered guests are entitled to hotel services and amenities.
Waiver: 12.1 Failure to enforce any provision of these terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.
Severance: 13.1 If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
By booking a stay at our hotel, guests agree to abide by these terms and conditions. The hotel reserves the right to amend these terms as necessary, with any changes being effective upon posting.
