The Archaeological Museum is accommodated in the impressive, symmetrical, stone Venetian building which covers and encases the central, Syntagma Square on its west side. It was first constructed in 1713, during the second reign of the Venetians, under the Naval Proveditore Augustine Sagredo to be used as the navy’s depository (according to the marble inscription fitted on the building’s frontage, written in Latin). It is widely known as one of the best well-preserved Venetian buildings in the whole of Greece. Definitely do not miss to visit.

Take a stroll in the old Staikopoulou Street, filled with antique shops and taverns. It’s a great opportunity to do some shopping as well as commute with the local shopkeepers. Vasileos Konstantinou Street dubbed as the ‘High Street’, is considered the main road of Nafplio that stretches from Syntagma square to the Town Hall. Starting from the square and heading down, it’s a great place to discover local shops, cafes and the majority of the local residences.

Located in the area where the first Army Cadet School was, the War Museum was inaugurated at the end of 1988. The Museum narrates the history of the Army Cadet School and the contemporary history of the Greek state, as well as the participation of the citizens of Argolida prefecture in all rebellious acts, from the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire to the liberation from the occupation troops (Second World War). Divided into two floors, the Museum follows a thematic presentation of the Greek state fights and struggles.

The fort of the Palamidi, which has been preserved in excellent condition, is one of the greatest achievements of Venetian fortification architecture. The hill of Palamidi, which takes its name from the Homeric hero Palamidis, does not seem to have been systematically fortified until the second Venetian occupation. The construction of the fort was basically carried out during the time of the Venetian General Naval Proveditore, Agostino Sagredo, from 1711 to 1714, marking the fort not only as a major achievement in terms of its fortifications but also in terms of the construction speed. The engineers Giaxich and Lasalle designed a fort that was based on a system of mutually supporting and mutually defending bastions. The total of eight bastions is self-contained so that if one of them was breached, the rest could continue their defense. This archaeological site is an absolute must during your visit to Nafplio.

The fort on the sea, which is known as ‘Bourtzi’, meaning tower (in Turkish), has become the Nafplio trademark. Bourtzi is on a small island, in the middle of the city’s harbor, where there was once a Byzantine church consecrated to Saint Theodoros.

This is the home of Agamemnon, the ancient king who united and commanded the Greeks during the Trojan War. The ruins of Mycenae were thought to be a myth until Heinrich Schliemann proved otherwise. At one time the city overlooked a large bay which is now the plain of Argos. The site is impressive and features the Palace of Agamemnon, the Treasury of Atreus, and the tomb of Clytemnestra, the wife of the great king who stabbed him to death in his bath for either being unfaithful, sacrificing their daughter to get favorable winds for the journey to Troy, or both. The famous Lion’s Gate is the oldest monumental sculpture in Europe and is said to be the coat of arms of Atreus, the mythical king of Mycenae. The ancient site is best visited in the winter and spring when it is covered in green grass and colorful wildflowers. But even in the summer, it is an essential stop and the views are spectacular. The newly opened museum on the site is well worth going to. There is a small very touristy town nearby with restaurants and souvenir shops. Mycenae is about a half-hour from Nafplio. It is an important attraction in all tours of the Argolis and the Peloponnese.

This is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in all of Greece and should not be missed. Home of the 3rd Century Theater, the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were performed here until the 4th century BC and then continued in 1955 to the present during the Epidaurus festival that takes place from the beginning of July to the end of August. The theater is perhaps the most acoustically perfect in all of Greece, a fact illustrated by a history teacher who dropped a pin which the students could hear from the top seats. The God Asclepius, son of Apollo was worshipped here and Epidaurus is acknowledged as his birthplace. Struck dead by a thunderbolt from Zeus for bringing back the dead, he was transformed by Apollo into the constellation of Serpentaria. The symbol of Asclepius is the snake coiled around the rod which is familiar to anyone who has studied medicine or been to a doctor. There was at one time a hospital at the sanctuary to Asclepius. In ancient times athletes competed at the festival of the Asclepias in the stadium and poets in the odeon whose ruins still exist.

Locals’ favorite spot, along with the natural beach of Arvanitia, Karathona turns you off from the stress of everyday life, and makes you part of an image, almost exotic, in a few minutes! These are the good things about Nafplio. One minute you’re downtown, next remoteness. And what remoteness! The beauty of the city’s longest beach stretches behind the Castle of Palamidi, a length of approximately three kilometers. In order to get there, you can drive, or you can continue your walk, from Arvanitia square. When you reach the beach for the first time, with a quick view you may understand why Karathona is the local’s favorite beach: palm trees, eucalyptus, and the Mouse (island) offer a characteristic relaxation feeling.

In summer, the beach fills (often muggy) with people sitting on deck chairs under umbrellas, drinking refreshments in the bars or eating in the traditional taverns. Also, a perfect beach to spend a summer evening with your friends.

This museum is on the first floor of a building on 25 Staikopoulou Street. The ground floor is a workshop making, repairing and selling worry beads. On the first floor, you can see a unique collection of over 1000 kompoloi from different cultures dating from the 1700 – 20th century, made of amber, sea shells, horns, elephant tusks, coral, crystal, etc. For sure, something different to visit.

The Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation was established back in 1974. Its primary aim is the research, study, demonstration, and conservation of the Hellenic cultural activity. It is located on King Alexander’s 1 street and has been awarded the European Museum of the Year Main Award in 1981. The newly presented exhibition “The Best of PFF” (Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation) aims at demonstrating the depth and wealth of the foundation’s collection, which numbers more than 27.000 different items. Since 2006, the exhibition entitled “Hellenic Urbanism: Nafplio 1822-1922” has opened its curtains in the already renovated interior of the foundation. Prepared to be a permanent exhibition, it mainly encompasses urban Nafplio and the peripheral regions.

The department of the Art Gallery in Nafplio was founded in 2004. The building, courtesy of the Municipality of Nafplio, was restored and equipped museum-like. The neoclassical building where the gallery is held houses a collection of works of art dedicated to the liberating cause of the Greeks against the Turks which underlines and provides the aesthetic element to the historic note of the city of Nafplio. The aim of this paintings collection seeks to glorify the struggles of the Greeks and their ongoing yoke.

The Arvanitia Promenade, as it is characteristically known by local residents, is one of the most popular walks in Nafplio. It starts at the end of the shore and leads to Arvanitia Square, a total distance of about 2 kilometers. The whole of the route is dominated by the rock of the Acronafplia with its impressive walls. About halfway through the walk, one comes across a small church perched on the rocks; a favorite place to visit for residents and visitors alike. The walk comes to an end in Arvanitia Square. According to local tradition, this area was given the name of Arvanitia because Kapetan-Pasha (the Turkish commander) threw that stones to the Albanian mercenaries (Arvanites) who had overrun the area in 1779. In reality, the name is due to the fact that Albanians (Arvanites) had inhabited the area outside the walls and to the east of the Gate since before the first Venetian occupation. Further down from the square there is an organized beach area (Arvanitia), where you can go to relax, sunbathe and swim.

Nafplio’s town beach is called Arvanitia, a beach with gravel and small rocks pleasantly situated between Palamidi and Karathona beach, in the south end of the town. The beach offers sun loungers & parasols, a cozy cafe, toilets, dressing rooms, etc. in the summer season. It is also fun to dive and swim from the low cliffs nearby. The beach area was upgraded significantly in 2014, with a substantial amount of fine gravel at the water’s edge so that it is easier to get into the water. And on summer evenings, this the best place for parties!