Nafplio, Greece - Best vacation in Nafplio - Explore East Peloponnese

Nafplio, Greece – it is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece and an ideal destination for family and couple vacations. Located at the East side of Peloponnese, Nafplio is not only an amazing place to visit but it can is also a great base for you to explore the most beautiful side of Peloponnese region.

Nafplio is located 120 Km away from Athens (140Km away from Athens airport), at the Argolis Gulf, the east side of Peloponnese region.

Nafplio was the first capital of Greece and currently Nafplio is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece and an ideal destination for thousands of visitors every year, especially families with kids and couples.

At this article, we will present you Nafplio city and some great destinations close to Nafplio – all of them located at the East Peloponnese. You can either combine all these destinations and create a long vacation with your beloved one or you can use Nafplio as your base and explore all the other destinations on daily trips (this is how we visit all these places as locals).

The places we will present at the article are: Nafplio, Spetses island, Portoheli, Hydra island, Poros island and Palaia (old) Epidaurus. The 3 islands are part of Argosaronic gulf islands, all of them small islands and extremely beautiful.

The full map of the locations we suggest you

Nafplio, the most beautiful city in Greece

Nafplio is the most beautiful city in Greece and one of the most romantic places you ever visited.Nafplio is an ideal places for both families with kids and couples. The city is family friendly and in the same time, Nafplio can be a great romantic place for couples who really want to enjoy some great time together.

2 castles, 1 fortress, 2 must see archeological sites, more than 15+ different beaches, a picturesque old city downtown full of pedestrian streets and squares, many hidden paths next to the see, great spots for city views, best dining options – all these make Nafplio a top destination for your holidays.

Nafplio, Greece – it is a city full of pedestrian streets. More than that, Nafplio has some really amazing paths that you will love. Nafplio has many landmarks that deserve your time to visit. Palamidi castle, Acronafplia castle, Bourtzi fortress and an amazing old city downtown. Nafplio offers a big range of dining options. Many nice restaurants and cafes with great city views are located across the city’s old downtown and port. Nafplio is a city of history. There are many archeological sites and museums inside the city but the 2 MUST SEE archeological sites are Ancient Mycenae and Ancient Epidaurus, both located on a short distance from Nafplio.

Nafplio is located close to Nemea and Argos, where some of the most well known wineries of Greece are located.

Nafplio and all the area close to the city is full of amazing beaches. Karathona, Arvanitia and many many more.

How to reach Nafplio from Athens

Well Nafplio is only located 1:45 hours away from Athens airport. Click the below button for the full directions on the google maps.

What to do in Nafplio

Nafplio offers you a big range of different options. You can enjoy the amazing beaches in and close to the city, you can walk the old city downtown and visit the city’s two castles. You can also visit the Archeological sites, in and close to Nafplio or you can choose to be lost in some of the many dinning options you will have.

We created a full guide with everything you might need to know for Nafplio, before you visit it and during your days in the city. Find below your full guide

As we mentioned earlier, Nafplio is also a great place to use as your base to explore to East side of Peloponnese region. Let’s explore the areas that deserve your time to visit!

Spetses Island

One of the most beautiful islands to visit in Greece. Small, with amazing natural beauty and architecture, with no cars, an original concept of the Greek island. Spetses do not offer an extreme night life, but they offer amazing food – especially seafood – amazing beaches and of course a very elegant concept of vacation, simple and unique.

From Nafplio you have to drive until Kosta port. Then with small boats in less than 10 min you arrive at the main port of Spetses (no need to book any tickets, there are always taxi-boats available). The closest beach is Agia Marina beach. If you like riding, you can hire bikes or motorbikes and drive to back side of the island at the Agioi Anargiroi beach. Do not miss the chance to enjoy fresh seafood at Patralis restaurant.

In case of you choose to spend some days in Spetses, choose to stay close to city new port or close to the city old port. You can consider both areas “downtown” and you will be close to everything on a walking distance.

Portoheli

Porto Heli is a summer resort town in the municipality of Ermionida in the southeastern part of Argolis, Greece. It is situated on a bay of the Argolic Gulf, 6 km south of Kranidi and 40 km southeast of Nafplio. The island of Spetses is located 6 km south of Porto Heli. There are ferry connections from Porto Heli to the islands of Spetses, Hydra and Poros, and to Ermioni and Piraeus. There is a small private airport, Porto Cheli Airport, south of the town.

The ancient city of Halieis (named Halike by Pausanias), excavated by Michael H. Jameson, is situated near Porto Heli.

It offers the holiday visitor a choice of water sports, sandy beaches and nightlife. Due to the beautiful climate with plenty of sunshine and light winds, the bay is ideal for all kinds of water activities. It is an area of great natural beauty, especially along the coastline with its numerous sheltered coves and crystal clear water.

Hydra Island

Hydra island belongs to Argosaronic Gulf islands and it is very unique as per its beauty. Small, without cars, with an amazing downtown. You can drive from Nafplio to Metohi port and from there in 20 min with a small boat you arrive to Hydra main port. You can walk all the small pedestrians streets around the port – downtown or get the local bus to visit the beaches. Do not miss to visit the Gatto Nero Hydra restaurant!

In case of you choose to spend some days in Hydra, make sure to stay close to the port, because the islands has no streets and the whole city centre is on the hill, so every time you want to go out…you will have to walk up to hill to return at your room!

You can check the boat trips from Metohi to Hydra at the islands official website HERE.

Poros Island

Poros island is located opposite of Galatas city. Once you arrive at Galatas, you simply take one of the small taxi boats and in 3 minutes you will arrive at Poros. Make sure to enjoy some of the below beaches at Poros: Mikro Neorio Bay beach, Love Bay beach and Calypso beach. The port is full nice restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seasfood!

If you decide to spend some days in Poros, make sure to stay anywhere between the Poros port and the “Poros beach” on the right side of the port.

Palaia (Old) Epidaurus

Palaia Epidavros or Palaia Epidauros (also Palea Epidavros and Palea Epidauros is a small town in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnese . Today also called Archaia Epidauros, it is built in the same place where was located the ancient city of Epidauros, on top of and surrounding a small peninsula between two bays, on the coast of the Saronic gulf.

At the foot of the akropolis of Ancient Epidauros is located the so-called “Small Theatre of Epidauros” (not to be confused with the more famous theatre at the Sanctuary of Asklepios in Epidauros, some 10 km to the South-West Theatre of Epidaurus). This smaller theatre was built in the middle of the 4th century BCE.

Since Palea Epidauros is a coastal town, there are a number of beaches. The most famous is Kalamaki beach. Other beaches are Polemarcha beach and Gialasi beach.

Nafplio and all the places of the East Peloponnese region at this article are family friendly places, ideal for family and couple vacations. All of them located very close to Athens, so be sure that you will not have to drive long distances. For those of you, who do not really enjoy being on a ferry for long hours, this trip is ideal! You combine many different places and islands, which are connected with small taxi boats (short distance from the mainland ports).

We hope this article was useful for you! In case of you need more information or any kind of advice or assistance, feel free anytime to contact us. You can click the below button to live chat with us – we will be more than happy to support you enjoy a unique vacation with your beloved ones!

Or you can always send us email at vida@vida-hospitality.com or text us/call us at +30-6979005260 (and WhatsApp/Viber).

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