Nafplio Day Trip from Athens: Greece's Most Beautiful Town

Nafplio is consistently voted Greece's most beautiful town — and a day trip from Athens (2 hours by road or bus) reveals why. This neoclassical coastal gem was Greece's first capital after independence, and its layered Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek architecture combined with a spectacular harbour setting creates an elegance rare in the Mediterranean.

The old town's narrow lanes are a parade of neoclassical mansions, Venetian portals, and Ottoman fountains. The magnificent Palamidi fortress looms above on a 216-metre cliff — 999 steps up (or drive around the back) for views encompassing Nafplio's harbour, the Argolic Gulf, and the mountains of the Peloponnese. The Venetian Bourtzi fortress sits on a tiny island in the harbour, reachable by short boat trips from the waterfront.

Beyond architecture, Nafplio is an excellent food destination. Harbour front tavernas serve grilled octopus and fresh catch with local Argolid wine, while the old town hides excellent zaharoplasteia (pastry shops). Nafplio is also the base for visiting nearby Mycenae (30 minutes) and Epidaurus (45 minutes) — combining all three makes for a magnificent full day. The KTEL bus from Athens Kifissos terminal runs regularly.