Walking Routes – Paths

The Famous Round of Arvanitia.

The Famous Round of Arvanitia is one of the most popular destinations for those who love walking. It is a small path parallel to the sea with amazing view and a lot of places with staircases that allow you to go closer to the sea surface.

It is one of the most popular paths of Nafplio as it goes all the way round underneath the Acronafplia Hill. As you walk you have the hill all the way to the end at the one hand while at the other you have the Argolic Gulf.

Some of the most well-known places that deserve your attention are the light house and little further down as you walk the cave.

In the beginning of the path you will meet the “Banieres”, The “Yacht Club” with the natural swimming pool.

At the very end of the Hill is the “Panagitsa Lighthouse” from where you can enjoy the amazing view to both Palamidi Castle and the Bourtzi Fortress.

The path is paved with plates.

The Round of Palamidi Hill

The Round of Palamidi Hill is a gravel path 2,6km long, that you will really love. It is the path that connects the two main beaches in the city of Nafplio, Arvantia and Karathona beach. As you walk at your left hand is the Palamdi Hill while at your right hand you have the sea.

A lot of locals use this path for walking in order to walk at an open space in the nature. While walking you will meet three small beaches, that you can swim as well.
At the parking lot of Arvanitia beach, there is some equipment for exercise as well that you can use for free.

While walking you will meet different types of trees as you are in the nature and also you will meet a lot of pickle pear, aloe and lots of pines.

The Acronafplia Path

As you visit Nafplio, if you stop outside of the city and look ahead you will see two hills. The lower one at your right is the Acronafplia Hill, the Hill at the edge of Nafplio.

There are different ways to go to the very top, where “The Clock” is located.

The most well-known ways to go to the Hill for those who love walking are either from the Arvanitia Parking lot or from downtown Nafplio following the path from the staircases.

Either, or you will be able to enjoy the most amazing view of the city and the whole Argolic Gulf. The road is paved and while walking you will be able to take photos from natural windows and balconies with the old city of Nafpio, the Arvanitia Beach or the Palamidi Hill being on the background.

The total distance from the parking of Arvanitia till the very end, where the heliport is located, is aprox 1km but keep in mind that the road is uphill.

The Palamidi Hill

The highest hill in the city of Nafplio is the Palamidi Hill, named by the biggest Castle, the Palamidi Fortress, total high of 216 metres.

In order to go to the highest point of the hill you have two options.

The first option is to go from the staircases that start from downtown Nafplio and lead to the highest point of the Hill, right at the castle. Kepp in mind that there are a lot of staircase (aprox 40min walk), the locals still say that there are 999 steps. We are not sure exactly how many staircases are there but we know that you will enjoy one of the best views that you ever had of the combination of the sea and mountains!

The second option is to take the way that cars use in order to go to the Palamidi Castle, aprox 6kms from downtown Nafplio. Actually this route is exactly the same one as if you want to reach Karathona beach by car.

The paths at Karathona Beach

So for some locals Karathona is the most popular beach close to Nafplio because there is a big parking lot across the beach, so they do not have to walk a lot. At the same time Karathona provides some amazing options for those who really love walking.

The first option is to walk from downtown Nafplio, aprox 5km total going uphill towards Palamidi Castle and then downhill towards Karathona.

The second option is at the right of Karathona Beach as you go there, where is located the famous path that connects the Karathona and Arvanitia beaches.

Once you are at the Karathona beach looking towards the small island in the middle of the gulf, at you left hand you will see a small port and on otp of this a small church, the Sant Konstantinos. Once you are at the church, looking again towards the gulf, at your very left there is a small path that goes to another small Church, the Saint Nicholas Church. It is a small gravel road that goes parallel to the sea, aprox 500m long.

The third option that you have once you are in Karathona beach is to walk to the path that connects the St. Ioannis Church and the Churck of “Panagia Katakrimeni”.

St. Ioannis Church is the church that is located in the middle of the hill on top of the Karathona beach and the churck of “Panagia Katakrimeni” is the church that is “hidden” inside the Hill. Please keep in mind that this path is a gravel road with some rocks as well and is very popular for climbing as well. The total distance is aprox 600m.

The path next to the “Erasinos  river”.

Another option for those who love walking is the path next to the Erasinos river. The place where the river meets the sea is located at Nea Kios, a small village aprox 7 kms West from Nafplio.

The first option is to walk around the small port of Nea Kios and the head towards the river. So, there is a gravel road parallel to the river that leads to one of the most popular Greek taverns of the area, 35 years old and total distance of aprox 4,5 kms.

It is a nice path with small houses all the way long that will travel you to another era.

If you feel that you are not tired there is another option to extend your walking towards a small village, called Kefalari for a total route of another 2,7kms. Over there you will be able to visit the natural spring right next to the church of “Zoudoxu Pigis”. Part of the church is built inside the rock so it deserves a walk inside.

Please keep in mind that the water is full in the winter while at the summer time, due to slow raining there might not be water at all. Still it will be a nice walk in the nature and you will have options to see something different!

Monastery of Panagia – St Marina Church

Another path that is ideal for those who really enjoy walking to the hills, is the path that connects the Monastery of Panagia and the St Marina Church. The total distance is aprox 4kms and the road is mainly gravel road with small stones. By choosing this option you will choose to walk into the nature at one of the highest hills in this area.

Monastery of Panagia – Prophet Elias Church (Assini)

If you choose the path on the other direction of the Monastery at the East, you have the option to walk up to the Prophet Elias Church at the hill next to the Assini Village, for a total distance of aprox 4kms. You do not have to see a lot at this gravel route but walking in the nature and also the view from the Prophet Elias Hill is really amazing. You will be at the highest point of the area and you can enjoy amazing view!
This path is used by the Greek Army sometimes for training their soldiers.

Metamorfosi Sotiros Church

If you feel that walking is your sport then you can walk to the “Metamorfosi Sotiros Church” close to Tolo village. The suggestion for this route starts right from the Vida Residential Apartments and goes all the way through the city for a total of 8,2kms total. The first stop will be at the Monastery of Panagia and then you go all the way through the hills close to the area of Nafplio and the final destination is the Metamorfosi Sotiros Church.

There is also a Castle next to the church so you will also have the chance to see something from the ancient Greece!

If you want to explore all the above paths, we can support you with great accommodation in Nafplio: