Historic Nafplio
Normally, we learn our way around a new place by taking a guided walking tour. But guided tours of Nafplio were few, and expensive. We tried the super-touristy “Fun Train” (really a road tram) which was only €5 per person for a twenty minute ride, setting our expectations low to match the price and duration. It was a nice ride, and even a bit fun as the train went through the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Town (the pedestrians looked as surprised as we were). But unfortunately we couldn’t understand most of the audio narration, and it was hard to take good photos from a moving train. So I’m trying something different - piecing together my own little overview of Nafplio, using photos from our walks around the city, with some help from Gemini and ChatGPT.
Nafplio is a small (population ~20,000) city in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Old Town Nafplio sits on a peninsula jutting out into Nafplio Bay.
Through the centuries, Nafplio was, by turns, part of several different empires: the Byzantine, the Venetian, the Frankish, and the Ottoman. It was the first capital of modern Greece, and today it is the capital of the regional unit of Argolis. The result of that rich history is an intriguing mix of styles and cultures.
The most prominent landmarks in Nafplio are two hilltop fortresses and a castle in the harbor:
Acronauplia is a Venetian castle and fortress complex built during the 13th-16th centuries, on the site of an ancient walled city.
Palamidi is an 18th century Venetian fortress, much larger and higher than Acronauplia.
Bourtzi is a 15th century Venetian castle on a small island in Nafplio Harbor.
Old Town Nafplio has narrow flagstone streets lined with shops, cafes, and tavernas, and a wide promenade along the harbor. The buildings are a charming mix of Venetian, Ottoman, and neoclassical styles. The views of the mountains and the bay are stunning. It’s easy to see why Nafplio is one of the top tourist destinations in Greece.
