Nauplia

Tenders arrive at the pier in this busy harbour, close to the walkable town. Turn right as you leave the tender dock and, within a few meters, reach the old town with its many cafés, restaurants and rather upscale tourist shops.

Bring a printable map.

Nafplio—also called Navplion, Nauplia or Navplio—stands on the eastern Peloponnese shore. Its name comes from the old Venetian Napoli di Romania, itself from the Greek nea poli, meaning new town, and Romania was the area's name in late Byzantine times.

Nafplion remains a working fishing and transport port, but tourism is now the main local employer. There are two beaches on the far side of the peninsula from the town's main body and plentiful local accommodation. The railway station has daily trains to and from Athens (OSE).

Two fortresses stand on hilltops, with a miniature castle on an island in the harbour.

Nauplion is a medium-sized town in the central eastern Peloponnese, beautifully positioned on the rocky Argolic Gulf, with its mighty castle facing calm blue water.

With marble paving, dramatic castles and remarkably unified architecture, Nauplion (Náfplio) is mainland Greece's most elegant town. Akronafplía and Palamídi fortresses defend it to the south, Bourtzi castle to the north; it occupies the northern side of a peninsula at the head of the Argolic Gulf.

Hop-on/hop-off buses (8 Euro) leave from the tender dock every half hour while a cruise ship is in town. Following a short city tour, they reach the striking Palamídi fortress above town. Entry costs 8 Euro, or 4 Euro for children and those aged 65+.

The same company runs a small tourist train (4 Euro) over much the same route, but without the Palamídi fortress.

Taxis also offer tours.

Napflion is a lovely small city for wandering. Climb to the fortress if you wish—there are 857 steps—or simply explore the lanes and sit in the square.

Cycling around town has recently become much easier: the municipality lends bicycles free for a day from in front of Town Hall, beside the KTEL bus station.

Epidaurus is one of Greece's best-known ancient sites. The Greeks considered it the birthplace of Asclepius, god of healing, and it became renowned for a sanctuary with distinctive spa medical facilities and treatments. Its 3rd century theatre is one of the best-preserved classical Greek structures and has extraordinary acoustics: a coin dropped at the centre of the 14.000 seat theatre can be heard from the highest seat. In summer, special performances take place there.

Mycenae is famed through Homer's stories of war-time glory and may date to the 14th century BC. The area's advanced Bronze Age Mycenaean civilisation was based here. Tours of the ruins pass through the Lion Gate into the citadel, or Acropolis (high city), believed to have carried the Royal House of Atreus insignia, and also include the Cyclopean Walls, Circle of Tombs and well-preserved Beehive Tomb.

The town is known for kombolois, or worry-beads, made from amber and other materials. There is a kombolois museum as well as numerous shops.

The currency is the Euro.

Public Services open Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 2.00pm. Retail Stores & Specialty Shops trade Monday to Friday, 9am – 1.30pm and again from 5pm – 9pm; on Saturdays, 9am – 2pm. Supermarkets open Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm, and Saturdays, 9am – 6pm. Most Tourist Shops and Convenience Stores have no official opening hours and normally stay open from dawn until well after midnight in summer.