Nafplio - Nafplion - Navplion - Nauplia - Nauplie - Anapli

The First Capital of Greece

About Nafplio

The city of Nafplio is known as all the above names and some more to boot. The first capital of independent Greece, Nafplion is a magical, romantic, historical town with heaps of things to see and do, all just 15 minutes from Lefkos.

A cosmopolitan town, Nafplio is not restricted to a summer season and is busy with tourists all year round. Due to its ideal geographical situation it is frequented by weekenders from Athens (just a two hours away) Summer & Winter as well as tourists from all over the world. The climate in Nafplion is mild and therefore perfect for holidays in Greece any month of the year. Many people visiting, after exploring the lovely town, historical monuments and castles, use Nafplio as a base to visit some of the wonders of the Argolida county and more generally the Peloponnese. Its central location means that it is possible to reach to furthest point of the Peloponnese peninsula and return as a day trip.

The Old Town of Nafplion

Nafplio was occupied by the Franks, the Venetians and the Turkish and this is evident in the architecture of the town, the old mosque just off the square and the overhanging balconies all through the narrow streets of the old town left over from the Venetians. See the Vouleftikon, the first parliament building of the freed Greece, the Venetian Headquarters and arsenal, now the archeological museum, St Spyridon church, (1702) where the first governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was killed, complete with the bullet, The churches of St George, (17th century), the metropolis of the town, St Nikolaos, (18th century), the Jami, originally a mosque and now used as a theatre, the Frangoekklisia, the oldest church in the town, still has traces of the old Catholic (Franc) Monastery. Some other interesting buildings are: the First New Greek Gymnasium (built 1833), the old Town Hall building, the house of the Viceroy, the Alevras-Lambiris building (1830) and the old train station (1890).

Nafplion's Castles

Visit the Bourtzi castle in the harbour (probably the most photographed castle in Greece), the Palamidi castle that overlooks the whole town (999 steps up for the adventurous or a two minute car ride for those who are not), and the Acronafplia castle that used to be linked to the Bourtzi in the harbour by chain for defence purposes.

Nafplion's Harbour by Night

Old Town of Nafplio

Palamidi Castle

Archaeological Museum

Beach Road

Folklore Museum

National Art Gallery

Acronauplia


"Nafplio, located 12km southeast of Argos on the Argolic Gulf, is one of Greece’s prettiest and most romantic towns. It occupies a knockout location – on a small port beneath the towering Palamidi fortress – and is graced with attractive narrow streets, elegant Venetian houses, neoclassical mansions and interesting museums. Both overseas visitors and weekending Athenians flock to this lively, upwardly mobile place. It’s full of quayside cafes, posh boutiques and many comfortable hotels and guesthouses (but it does get somewhat overcrowded in high season and holidays). Nafplio was the first capital of Greece after Independence (between 1833 and 1834) and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. So strategic was its position that it had three fortresses – the massive principal fortress of Palamidi, the smaller Akronafplia and the diminutive Bourtzi on an islet west of the old town. With good bus connections and services, the town is an ideal base from which to explore many nearby ancient sites." What the Lonely Planet says:

Things to See

  • Syntagma Square
  • Bourtzi Castle
  • Palamidi Castle
  • Acronauplia
  • Old City
  • Archaeological Museum
  • Folklore Museum
  • Military Museum
  • Worry Bead Museum
  • Ouzo Museum
  • National Art Gallery
  • Harbour Cafes
  • Statue of Kolokotronis
  • Land Gate
  • Bavarian Lion
  • Aghios Spyridonas
  • Statue of Kapodistrias