Hotels in Nafplio

Nafplio: Greece's First Capital on the Argolic Gulf

Nafplio served as the first capital of modern Greece from 1828 to 1834, making it one of the most historically layered towns in the Peloponnese. The Palamidi Fortress, completed by the Venetians in 1714 and reached by 999 stone steps, rises 216 metres above the sea and dominates the skyline from every angle. Below it, the Bourtzi — a small castle on an islet 400 metres offshore — guarded the harbour entrance from the 15th century onward. The Old Town sits on a narrow peninsula between two bays, its neoclassical mansions and Ottoman-era mosques compressed into roughly 15 walkable blocks.

Where to Stay in Nafplio

Most hotels cluster in three areas: the Old Town (pedestrianised lanes, close to Syntagma Square), the Akronafplia promontory above it, and the quieter Pronia neighbourhood to the west. Boutique conversions of 19th-century townhouses dominate the Old Town. The Akronafplia area suits travellers wanting sea views without the evening foot traffic below.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Nafplio sits 141 km south-west of Athens; direct KTEL buses depart from Athens' Kifissos terminal roughly every hour and take about 2.5 hours.
• Palamidi timing: Visit before 10:00 to avoid midday heat on the staircase climb.
• Beach access: Karathona Beach, 3 km east of the Old Town, is reachable on foot along a coastal path.