Nafplio waterfront view to the Bourtzi sea fortress 

Back again: Exactly two years ago, we travelled to Nafplio for the first time and spent a full week exploring areas in and around the town. We liked it so much we decided it was high time to come back for a return visit. And here we are, enjoying Nafplio just as much as we did the first time. It truly is one of our favourite places in all of Greece.

Below are some sights and scenes from our first couple of days in the historic Old Town district of the picturesque seaside town.  I will publish more images in separate posts.

A canopy of bougainvillea in a lane in the Old Town district of Nafplio

Cafes and palm trees along the Nafplio waterfront promenade

A rustic building on a street corner in the Nafplio Old Town

The MSC Poesia cruise ship, viewed from the Arvanitia coastal promenade.  Daytrippers from the cruise gave the Old Town a lively buzz, but didn’t overcrowd the streets or make the town feel uncomfortably busy in any way.

The Banieres swimming area on the Nafplio waterfront is a popular place for locals to sunbathe or take a dip in the sea

One of the colourful pedestrian streets in the commercial area of the Old Town

The Palamidi Castle (top) and the historic Land Gate, the original main entrance to the Nafplio Old Town

An evening view of the Old Town, from a point roughly two-thirds of the way up the nearly 1,000 steps to the Palamidi Castle

A steep flight of steps leading to the mountaintop Palamidi Castle. I counted 80 stairs on this particular stretch of the climb to the top.

It’s much easier to reach the Acronauplia fortress, one of the three castles at Nafplio, since considerably less stair climbing is involved. This is the stepped path leading from the upper Old Town to one of the Acronauplia entrance portals.

Coast and sea views from the Acronauplia fortress

Acronauplia fortress views of the sea, coast and Arvanitia beach

Part of Arvanitia, a stone and pebble beach that’s popular with locals and tourists alike since it’s only a short walking distance from the Old Town

From a vantage point in the Acronauplia fortress, a view of Syndagma Square (upper right) and the first Greek Parliament building — the building with the domed roof at center left.  Nafplio was the capital of Greece from 1823 until 1834, when the Parliament was relocated to Athens. 

A quiet morning moment at Syndagma Square, which is lined with cafes, shops, restaurants and the archaeological museum (top)

A street in the pedestrianized commercial area of the Old Town

A long flight of steps on a hillside lane in the Old Town

Part of Kapodistriou Street, where our accommodations were located

A lane near the top of the Old Town’s hillside area

A peek at the exterior of the Catholic church in the Old Town

Philellinon Square and the memorial to the French soldiers who fought for Greece in the country’s war of independence

A restaurant patio along one of the main pedestrian streets in the commercial heart of the Old Town

Steps in a narrow hillside lane in the Old Town

Nafplio waterfront view to the Bourtzi sea fortress

People can take a small excursion boat to visit the castle. The trips are offered daily and cost €4.50 per person; they include a 20 minute stop for a walkabout on the castle islet (the interior of the fortress is closed for maintenance construction) and a short ride along the waterfront so passengers can enjoy sea views of the Old Town.

The Arvanitia coastal promenade and the Banieres swimming area of Nafplio

A tree-shaded section of the Arvanitia coastal promenade that leads from the Nafplio Old Town to Arvanitia beach

View from the promenade toward Arvanitia beach and the Palamidi Castle, partially visible on the mountain peak at upper right

The waterfront promenade is lined with palm trees on one side, and boats on the other

A rustic corner building on a hilltop in the Old Town