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Things to do in Nafplio

Our most recommended things to do in Nafplio

From Athens: Full-Day Guided Trip to Mycenae and Epidaurus

1. From Athens: Full-Day Guided Trip to Mycenae and Epidaurus

Discover the ruins of the city of Mycenae on a day trip from Athens. Explore the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate, and the tomb of King Agamemnon. Afterwards, make a short stop in the village of Epidaurus and see its Hellenic theatre. Drive along the scenic coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, and arrive at the archeological site of Mycenae. Explore the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, including the works of the poet Homer. Continue with a brief stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. After enjoying a relaxing lunch, head to the nearby village of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage, is listed as an ancient theatre and is believed by ancient Greeks to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios. The theatre at Epidaurus is perhaps the best-preserved theatre of ancient Greece.

From Athens: Mycenae and Epidaurus Full-Day Tour

2. From Athens: Mycenae and Epidaurus Full-Day Tour

Embark on a full-day guided tour of the ancient ruins of Mycenae from Athens, with a minimized environmental footprint. Walk in what was once a thriving center of ancient Greece and visit sites, including Epidaurus and the seaport of Nauplion. During the late Bronze Age, the city of Mycenae played an important role in ancient Greece. This full-day trip from Athens provides the opportunity for you to explore this treasure of the ancient world. Traveling by air-conditioned bus, you’ll make a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, a 3.9-mile engineering wonder connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. Mycenae is the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, including the works of the poet Homer. Tour the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate and the tomb of King Agamemnon. After a relaxing lunch, you’ll continue on the drive, making a short stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. The final stop of the tour is the city of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage-listed ancient theater and believed by ancient Greeks to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios. The theater at Epidaurus is perhaps the best-preserved theater of ancient Greece and is still used today because of its amazing acoustics.

From Athens: Bus Trip to Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

3. From Athens: Bus Trip to Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

Depart Athens with your friendly guide (archaeologist) by bus from the Halandri Metro station and reach the ancient city of Mycenae. Let the Cyclopean walls take your breath, and learn about the mysterious origins of this fantastic structure. Mycenae is considered the greatest and richest kingdom of the later Bronze Age around 1350 B.C. Walk around the archaeological park, pass through the great Lionesses Gate, explore the Ancient Treasure of Atreus also known as King’s Agamemnon Tomb as well as the Tomb of Clytemnestra. Admire the Palace and the Gold Mask of Agamemnon. After Mycenae enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in the beautiful seaside city of Nafplio. Naflpio used to be the capital of Greece before Athens and its architecture has Venetian, Byzantine, Ottoman and, Modern Greek influences. Admire the main attractions like the Castle of Bourtzi, the Acronauplia and the Castle of Palamidi built on the top of the hill as well as the various picturesque squares in the city center. Finish your day with a visit to the ancient theater of Epidaurus. This site is well known as the theater with the greatest acoustics and still hosts the Festival of Epidaurus every summer.

Athens: Full Day Trip to Nafplio and Ancient Epidaurus

4. Athens: Full Day Trip to Nafplio and Ancient Epidaurus

Explore the sights of Nafplio on this guided day trip from Athens. Stay connected during the trip with WIFI on the bus. Climb to the Castle of Palamidi and admire the Bourtzi Castle and Acronauplia. Depart Athens with by bus with an archaeologist guide from the Halandri Metro station. Save time and avoid city congestion with direct departure from the highway and gain up to an hour for your excursion by meeting at the metro station. Experience local life and culture with a guided Metro Museum before departing for Nafplio. Enjoy various alternative options to discover the hidden gems of the city. Have plenty of free time to climb the 999 steps of the Castle of Palamidi (or let the bus drive you to it) and admire the wide view of the region along with the endless beauty of the Argolic Gulf from the top of the hill.  Appreciate architecture that has Venetian, Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Greek influences. Have the chance to purchase a boat trip to Bourtzi Castle. Take in views of the Acronauplia as well as the various picturesque squares in the city center.  Observe the colorful venetian houses that attract your eyes with the bougainvilleas flashing from the balconies. Enrich your trip by buying a ticket to the Komboloi Museum and the distillery of Tsipouro, Ouzo, or Mastiha (traditional liquors). Stop by cozy tavern to purchase a local lunch. Travel back in time with a visit to the ancient theater of Epidaurus which was a sanatorium that was connected intensively with the Asclepeion healing temples in ancient times. Asclepeion was the 5* hotel of the ancient times and is considered as the origin of the medical science. Feel the aura of the ancient tragedians by purchasing entrance to the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. Experience the theater with the greatest acoustic of all time which still hosts the Festival of Epidaurus every summer. Return to your meeting point in Athens at the end of your tour. 

From Athens: 4-Days Classical Tour with Meteora

5. From Athens: 4-Days Classical Tour with Meteora

Day 1: Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then, proceed to the town of Nafplio (short photo stop), drive on to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then, depart for Olympia through central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games (dinner) Day 2: In the morning, visit the archaeological site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium, the spot where the torch of the modern Olympic Games is lit and the Archaeological Museum. Then, drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea. Arrive in Delphi (dinner and overnight) Day 3: In the morning, visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, surrounded by gigantic rocks (dinner and overnight) Day 4: Visit Meteora, a striking scenery perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road to Leonida's Monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening.

Mycenae Epidaurus and Nafplio Small Group Tour from Athens

6. Mycenae Epidaurus and Nafplio Small Group Tour from Athens

Begin your day trip with a pick-up at your Athens hotel or apartment early in the morning. In just an hour from the city of Athens, you will pass through the famous Corinth Canal ( short stop ) which connects the Saronic to the Corinthian Gulf and literally divides mainland Greece from the Peloponnese. Leavie behind Corinth canal and after a 1 hour drive you will enter the region of Argolis, land of Homer’s Golden Mycenae, a Unesco World Heritage site, and go uphill to visit the archaeological site, home of the mythical king Agamemnon. Enjoy a walking tour and hear all myths and history as you pass from the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs of Agamemnon and his wife Clytemnestra and the Treasury of Atreus. The next stop is picturesque Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, with its Venetian Palamidi fortress and the fortified islet of Bourtzi  located in the middle of the harbor. There, you will have a fun break and have an optional lunch in a traditional restaurant with Greek cuisine. Enjoy some free time and walk in the narrow streets of this beautifull town with classical buildings dating back to the 16th -17th century. Continue on to Epidaurus and visit the breathtalking ancient theatre. Have a unique opportunity to hear all about the history of the 4th century UNESCO world heritage highlight and one of the best preserved classical Greek theaters still used today due to its amazing acoustics. Leaving back the Peloponnese you will take the road back to Athens. This tour will end late in the afternoon with a drop off at your hotel or apartment.

Argolis: Full-Day Tour in Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

7. Argolis: Full-Day Tour in Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

Explore Argolis and its archaeological sites on a guided tour by van or bus. See Mycenae, the Lion's Gate, Nafplio, and more as you learn about their history. Tuck into a delicious local lunch (if you select the option) in Mycenae and taste local flavors. Leave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Drive to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets.  Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean walls, the royal tombs, and so forth. Depart for Nafplio through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress.  Find numerous interesting spots of attractions all over Argolis. Leave for Epidauros to visit the 4th-century BC theatre famous for its astonishing acoustics. Return to Athens by the National road connecting Epidauros with Corinth. Enjoy lunch in Mycenae.

Athens: Peloponnese Highlights Day Tour & V.R. Audio Guide

8. Athens: Peloponnese Highlights Day Tour & V.R. Audio Guide

Embrark in our aircondironed modern bus from 4 central meeting points and travel for 1-hour to the area of Peloponnese. On the way to Mycenae, see the famous Corinth Canal and make a quick stop to admire this engineering marvel that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Continue towards Mycenae, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Visit the Mycenaean Acropolis, the tomb of Agamemnon, and the ruins of the Cyclopean walls that protected this mighty city. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Mycenae. Enjoy an audio-guided tour of the archaeological sites in 8 languages, explore the ancient world with our Virtual Reality Device.. Continue on to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, a 4th-century theater which is one of the best-preserved Classical Greek structures in existence. It is renowned for its amazing acoustics; a coin dropped in the theater's center can be heard from the highest seat. The theater seats up to 14,000 people and its entrance is flanked by restored Corinthian pilasters. It's now used for performances of Ancient Greek drama during the annual Hellenic Festival. Last but no least , make a stop in the picturesque city of Nafplion, which was the first capital of Greece after Independence and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. Its position was so strategic that the city has 3 fortresses: the massive fortress of Palamidi, the smaller Akronafplia, and the water castle Bourtzi on an islet west of the old town. Stroll through the attractive narrow streets, and admire the elegant Venetian houses, neoclassical mansions, and quayside cafes. Take the opportunity to go shopping, eat in a traditional restaurant, chill out at the cafes in the picturesque port, or when in summer take a swim in the crystal waters at Arvanitia beach. After a full day of exploring the area of Argolis-Peloponnese, filled with unforgetable memories of history and culture return to your preferred drop off point.

Nafplio Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

9. Nafplio Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

On this tour you have the chance to admire landscapes and monuments such as the Old City. See a variety of historical and traditional buildings, such as the 1st High School of Greece, the Courthouse, the Armansperg Residence, the Land gate, the Castle of Palamidi, the Lion of Bavaria, the Akronauplia, the Cathedral Church of Euaggelistria and many other striking monuments.  You will be provided with a free map of the city at the start of the tour along with free earphones which you may use to listen to the recorded tour, available in 8 languages. Enjoy the use of your daily ticket and hop on and off as often as you want. The open top buses operate during summer months from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM allowing you to enjoy the sun along with the sites. 

4-Day Tour of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora

10. 4-Day Tour of Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora

Day 1: Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive to Epidaurus, and pay a visit to the archaeological site and to the theatre, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Continue on to Nauplia for a short stop. Next, drive to Mycenae where you will visit the fascinating archaeological site. Depart for Olympia, passing through the central Peloponnese area and passing the cities of Megalopolis and Tripolis. Finally, arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight stay. There is also a possibility of staying in Nauplia instead. (Dinner included). Day 2: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia. Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel to Antirion on the state of the art suspension bridge, known as the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos, then continue to Delphi. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Delphi. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 3: First, visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka, passing through Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Arrive in Kalambaka, and savor a dinner before your overnight stay. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 4: In the morning, visit the breathtaking Meteora. In the early afternoon, start the drive back to Athens passing via Thermopylae and Kammena Vourla. (Breakfast included). This tour offers the opportunity to visit the most impressive historical Greek sites, giving you an insight into the glorious past of Greece.

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What people are saying about Nafplio

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,472 reviews

An amazing trip! Efi, our guide, was very knowledgeable about every stop and spot and we got to see so so much. The only downside is that the lunch stops, while nice, were at one specific spot picked out instead of free time to find a place in the towns, and that these stops were more tourist priced than most of Greece. Otherwise a truly amazing tour that goves you so much value, history, and appreciation of Greek history.

I had an excellent time with the tour. Vasilis, the person leading the tour, was very well-equipped with the information regarding the places that we went that day and was very accommodating to our needs. 5 out of 5

Our guide Thomas was a great storyteller and extremely knowledgeable. He wove together a continuous narrative of Greek mythology, history, agriculture, and Greek customs. He offered something for everyone.

The whole experience was amazing, the tour guide very knowledgeable and passionate about her job. Constantly explaining the sites and surrounding history in clear and concise manner.

What a great day trip! From ancient palaces and acropolis to burial mounds and theaters, you see it all on this trip.