Peloponnese – Greek Diaspora Travel
Nafplio Greece Attractions
Top 7 Nafplio Greece Attractions
Nafplio, modern Greece’s first capital city is a picturesque town filled with attractions to explore. The port city is adorned by neoclassical mansions, elegant Venetian architecture, and fascinating museums. Nafplio is a popular destination for locals from Athens and other nearby areas of Greece, as well as for tourist worldwide.
Here are the top 7 Nafplio Greece Attractions:
1. Palamidi Castle in Nafplio
Located at the top of the hill overlooking Nafplio is the Palamidi castle. The fortress was built in 1686 by the Venetians and was so well designed that it took until 1822 for the walls to be breached for the first time. During the Greek War of Independence, Greek troops managed to storm the fortress in one night, forcing the Turkish soldiers within to surrender without a fight. The 999 step hike is worth the panoramic views that await at the top, boasting spectacular views of Nafplio and the Argolic Gulf.
2. Archaeological Museum of Nafplio
As you will find in this list, there are many noteworthy museums in Nafplio, but the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio is the most renowned of them all. The museum contains important artifacts from the Prehistoric and Mycenaean Era, dating as far back as 32,000 BC. Also housed here is the only existing Mycenaen bronze armour, as well as funereal offerings and ceremonial clay masks.
3. Bourtzi Fortress in Nafplio
The Bourtzi fortress in Nafplio looks as if it is floating in the middle of the water. It’s another fortress built in 1473 by the Venetians and has served as a pirate deterrent, a home for executioners, and a hotel. Today, it serves predominantly as a tourist attraction and often hosts music festivals. You can reach the islet by boat, which regularly depart from the northeastern end of Akti Miaouli during the summer.
4. War Museum of Nafplio
The War Museum of Nafplio was the former site of the first Military Academy in Greece. The museum houses a collection of historic paintings, uniforms, sketches, weapons, and photographs from the Greek War of Independence (1821-32), the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922), and WWII.
5. Komboloi Museum of Nafplio
The Komboloi Museum of Nafplio showcases an impressive collection of approximately 1,000 worry beads from around the world. The worry beads date as far back as 1700 and are from Greece, Asia Minor, Turkey, Syria, Eqypt, and Persia. The beads are made of rare materials such as amber, seashell, coral, and crystal. You can also pick up your own worry beads here, Greece’s most popular souvenir – the ‘komboloi’.
6. Karathona Beach in Nafplio
Karathona Beach in Nafplio is beautiful sandy beach, just a 10-minute walk from the Palamidi castle. It boasts a Blue Flag accreditation, meaning it’s globally recognised for its cleanliness and beauty.
7. Day Tour
There is so much to do and see in Nafplio and the surrounding area, so booking a tour is a good way to do it in a short period of time. A private walking tour is a great introduction to the city and a great way to soak in the historical significance of Nafplio. There are also a plethora of great food, wine, and history tours available from Nafplio.
Other Notable attractions that didn’t make the list include the Saint Spyridon Church, Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation Museum, National Gallery – Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Akronafplia Fortress, Arvanitia Beach, Old Train Station, and Town Hall.
Hot tip: Napflio is a great base for exploring the Pelopennese. Book your accommodation here and hire a car, a driver, or book tours to nearby locations such as Epidauros, Olympia, Mycenae, Monemvasia, Argos, Corinth, Tripoli, Sparta, Kalamata, and Patra. The nearby islands of Spetses and Hydra are also worth a visit as well as wineries such as Domaine Skouras, Gaia Wines, and Tselepos Winery.
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