33002GRE
The Old Town (main area of interest) is a maze of streets full of interesting shops, cafes/restaurants and historic buildings. The town is like a seaside version of the Plaka in Athens. Main hub is Syntagma Square as well as the waterfront esplanade across from Bourtzi Island. Small and easily manageable, Nafplio was the capital of unified Greece before Athens, so full of neoclassical architecture set against imposing Palamidi Castle, the last major construction project undertaken by the Venetians in their overseas possessions (which Nafplio was for a time).
HOTELS USED BY ACISHotel Rex (coach drops off directly in front of hotel)
Hotel Agamemnon
Grande Bretagne
(Coach drops off by the harbor for Agamemnon and Grande Bretagne, 2’ walk to hotels)
SHOPPINGMain shopping streets: (parallel to each other) Staikopoulou; Konstantinou (exits Syntagma Sq); Amalias
CAFES AND RESTAURANTSFish: Along the waterfront (Bouboulinas Avenue)
Atmosphere: Syntagma SquareTavernas: Staikopoulou Street (Old Town – parallel to waterfront, Syntagma Square in between the two)Gyro places: everywhere
FREE TIME SUGGESTIONSPALAMIDI FORTRESS: Well worth the effort to visit – amazing views down onto the Town below as well as panoramic views of the surrounding area. The various remains of the Fortress exist behind the walls you see from below.Walk up the steps! (officially “999” of them, stress in advance that it is only for fit members of the group). Stairs start on Polyzoidou Street (corner of 25 March Street) At the top of the stairs you enter the outer walls of the Fortress, where an admission fee must be paid. Alternatively, you can just walk up the stairs for the view without actually entering the fortress.
ARVANITIA BEACHClosest beach to downtown (10’ walk from Syntagma Square). Rough sand. No changing facilities. Can combine a visit to Palamidi with the beach as the bottom of the 999 stairs is a 5’ walk from the beach.
WATERFRONT WALKFrom the beach you can take the (1km long) path around the headland back in to the harbor area opposite Bourtzi Castle. Lovely path for jogging as well.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, SYNTAGMA SQUARE
HIGHLY recommended, amazing artefacts from the vast number of sites dotted around Nafplio. Bronze Age, Geometric and Classical finds. Collection on 2 small floors, usually very few visitors, manageable in an hour. Closed Tuesday.
BOURTZI FORTRESS
In the centre of the harbour is an old Venetian fortress which has served as fortress, mint, prison, tollgate and luxury hotel over the centuries. Recently very well restored, easy to visit from the harbour front. It involves a 5 minute €5 boat ride and €5 entrance fee (if you want to visit the inside of the castle. Toilets available before entering the castle). Well worth it.