Pack the walking shoes because Nafplio’s Old Town district is best viewed from the top of the hill. On the way up look back at the deep aqua Argolic Gulf and an island fortress in the sea. Picturesque red-tiled rooftops and winding cobblestone streets take your breath away (along with the climb). Walk back down to the village for shopping and restaurants or along the sea front for an evening stroll.
Classic Greek and Venetian Influence
Nafplio’s history includes periods of neo-classical, Byzantine and Venetian occupation. Bits of architecture from all the periods remain but the Venetian influence with colorful buildings and winding cobblestone streets make Nafplio a unique Greek/Roman combination.
The most interesting district in Nafplio is the Akronafplia, or Old Town. The Palamidi Palace, a Venetian era (1686-1715) stone fortress towers above the village and claims to have 999 steps to the top. The view from above is worth the climb and encompasses both the inland Argive grasslands and the distant Aegean Sea across the gulf. Remnants of prison cells, stone walls and walkways can easily be explored on foot and spark images of early Greek times.
Where to Stay
Booking a room online can be risky. A picture of a room may look fabulous, the reviews favorable, but when you get there it’s not what you imagined. The Akronafplia Pension, in the Old Town district of Naplio holds no surprises. The hilltop location provides the best views in town, looking across rooftops to the bay, you feel as if you’re in the clouds. The rooms are decorated in classy warm amber and gold decors and feature fireplaces and balconies. You will have to schlep your bags from a deserted parking lot over a cobblestone walkway. The town is downhill (that means coming home after dinner can be a strain). But the ambiance, the privacy, the breakfast brought to your room each morning and the overall beauty of this B&B are worth it. Besides, you get a little exercise each day.
The Greeks love to cook and the Nafplio locals can boast about the many quality restaurants – fish and seafood, lamb and beef dishes, pasta (the Roman influence) and breads, pastries and baklava. The village shops sell pottery, leather handbags and jewelry – perfect for browsing and walking off the scrumptious Greek cuisine.
There are buses in Nafplio and you can drive a car around town. But the charm of this historic Greek seaport deserves a slower pace, and walking allows time to absorb all the stunning beauty that beholds Nafplio.
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