"Nafplio - the days of the storm" Nafplio by Spincat

Nafplio Travel Guide: 230 reviews and 701 photos

It looks very peaceful here, doesn't it? Blue skies, glittering sea, mountains rising peacefully.. etc etc... a beautiful port perfectly situated at the start of the Peloponnese.

During the day we explored all corners of this city.
The old part of the town is very like the area known as 'Plaka' in Athens, but even lovelier. Much of it is very steep - streets are mostly made up of challenging stairways and steps.
Below, there's a marble square, old drinking fountains, an old mosque, a very good archaeological museum - and the Palamidi Fortress, hanging over the city (see 'four things we never did in Nafplio'). There's also a smaller fortress in the harbour.

Mt picture was taken along the waterfront - this is a working port, and you can walk along the sea to an area of bars and restaurants that are very popular with local people. As well as being a lovely city in its own right, this makes for a good base to explore the many sites such as Mycenae, Epidarus and Tiryns and the wonderful sountryside and beaches nearby.

Don't miss: the archaelogical museum, the komboli museum / shop and the walk to a lovely beach and little church about 2 kilometres away to the east of the town.

Mycenae in a blizzard

So far so good. Were you wondering about the snow storm?

This is Mycaenae pictured in a blizzard. As we climbed the citadel the snow, just a few flakes at first, became a flurry and then a whiteout .. yelling into the void from the top of an ancient mound!

It was March 2003: snow in Greece, a strike in Athens, burning of flags in the main square... my country had decided to join the invasion of Iraq. It should have been a beautiful holiday but every morning and every night, in a state of disbelief, we put the satelitte TV channels on.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A beautiful town, with a lively working port and very pretty backstreets. A fantastci base for Tiryns, Mycenae, Epidaurusand other sites. plenty to do in town too: museums, a fort, good places to eat and attractive walks.
Cons:Quite a lot of traffic congestion in the modern part of town: not great for driving around; a few rip off tourist places - but very few

Last visit to Nafplio: Mar 2003
Intro Updated Mar 7, 2007
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Reviews (3)

Four things we never did in Nafplio Things to Do (2)

1) I never climbed up to The Palamidi Fortress, even though I really really really meant to! The fort dominates the town... more travel advice

Komboloi museum Things to Do (2)

I wasn't sure about this beforehand. How interesting could a museum of worry beads possibly be? Aut as soon as I looked... more travel advice

Well equipped apartments in charming... Hotels (1)

All the information for booking these two apartments is on the website I've given below. UPDATE as of Nov 2006. The... more travel advice

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Comments (8)

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iandsmith Dec 21, 2008 at 8:54 PM

There I was, thinking I'd noted a gross misspelling when I'd really come across a place I'd never heard of. Thank you for the enlightenment.
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uglyscot Mar 18, 2008 at 12:34 AM

The museum with the prayer beads sounds great. Beads have been a big thing in the Sudan since early times, and there is a thriving bead market in Omdurman. The amber - was it real Baltic amber, o the opaque more resinous kind?
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janetanne Mar 28, 2007 at 5:12 PM

Napflio certainly has a charm of its own. Not walking up those 999 steps is something I never regreted not doing:):) Hope to meet you in Greece one day.
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nickandchris Nov 22, 2006 at 8:13 AM

Well, you'll just have to go again!! There were loads of nightclubs on the western coastal approach to Nafplion. Seemed really strange, seeing them all there.
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craic Oct 21, 2006 at 11:42 PM

oh i love the list of things you didn't do - i am so lazy i have lists and lists and lists of things i didn't do
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jelw Mar 19, 2006 at 6:36 AM

The couple graced us with gifts from their garden. Almond, fig, garlic etc. Then inside, by the 4 sided fireplace we had a crust of bread w/ olive oil, glass of great homemade wine (heady stuff) and more conversation. A beautiful, relaxing day.
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TheWanderingCamel Feb 11, 2006 at 7:52 AM

It was a tent for us in Nafplion - no storm there but a monster one a few nights later in Olympus .... love the area, would love to go back one day. leyle
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FruitLover Jan 14, 2006 at 10:08 AM

Hi Sarah, I hope to climb The Palamidi Fortress next week. but not go swimmimg. Looking forward for [hopefully] snowfalls in Greece. Thanx for lovely page and helpful tips! Avraham