Home › Nafplio › How many days
How many days in Nafplio? 3 days with Mycenae and Epidaurus
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Nafplio, Greece's first capital after independence (1829-1834), is the most elegant small town on the mainland and the perfect base for the Argolid, the cradle of Mycenaean Greece. Three days gives one to the town itself and its two fortresses, one to Mycenae and Tiryns, and one to the ancient theatre of Epidaurus. It is about 1h45 from Athens by car, and you can stop at the Corinth Canal and Ancient Corinth on the way.
Short answer
Two days covers the town, Palamidi, Mycenae and Epidaurus at a quick pace. Three lets you add Tiryns, a beach afternoon and long dinners in the lanes.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The old town, Palamidi and Bourtzi
Morning. Climb to Palamidi, the Venetian fortress of 1711-1714, before the heat: locals say there are 999 steps, though the real count is fewer, around 850-900. The ticket is about €10, or you can drive up the back road. Allow 1.5 hours for the bastions and the view over the Argolic Gulf.
Afternoon. Walk down into the old town: Syntagma Square with the Venetian arsenal (now the Archaeological Museum, with the Dendra bronze armour), the church of Agios Spyridon, where Greece's first governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, was assassinated in 1831 (the bullet hole is still in the wall), and the bougainvillea-covered lanes below Akronafplia.
Evening. Walk the Arvanitia promenade, a 1 km path around the base of the Akronafplia rock to the little beach, at sunset. Then take a short boat from the port to Bourtzi, the island castle in the harbour, or just watch it light up from the waterfront.
In summer, climb Palamidi before 9:00. There is almost no shade on the steps.
Day 2: Mycenae and Tiryns
Morning. Drive 30 minutes north to Mycenae (about €20; open from 8:00). Enter through the Lion Gate (around 1250 BC), see Grave Circle A, where Schliemann found the 'Mask of Agamemnon', and climb to the palace on the summit. The museum is included. Down the road, the Treasury of Atreus, a vast beehive tomb, is on the same ticket.
Afternoon. On the way back, stop at Tiryns (a few euros, 10 minutes from Nafplio), with Cyclopean walls so huge that the ancients thought giants built them. It is almost always empty.
Evening. Swim at Karathona beach, 15 minutes from town by car or a 40-minute walk along a coastal path, then dinner in the old town.
Mycenae is on a bare hill. Start at opening, bring water and a hat, and see the museum last, in the cool.
Day 3: Epidaurus
Morning. Drive 40 minutes east to the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus (about €20). The 4th-century BC theatre, with 55 rows for about 13,000 people, has acoustics so perfect that a coin dropped on the stage can be heard from the top. The sanctuary itself was the most famous healing centre of the ancient world.
Afternoon. Continue to Ancient Epidaurus (Palaia Epidavros) on the coast, a fishing village with a small sunken theatre by the sea, and swim at Kalamaki beach.
Evening. In July and August, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival stages ancient Greek drama in the theatre on Friday and Saturday nights. Book weeks ahead; buses run from Nafplio and Athens.
Watching a tragedy under the stars at Epidaurus is one of the great experiences in Greece, even if you do not understand Greek; many performances have surtitles.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, see Nafplio and Palamidi on Day 1, and Mycenae in the morning and Epidaurus in the afternoon on Day 2. You lose Tiryns and the beaches.
Got extra days?
From Athens, break the journey at the Corinth Canal (6 km long, 80 metres deep; free to watch from the bridge) and Ancient Corinth, with the Temple of Apollo and Acrocorinth's fortress above. The wine villages of Nemea are 40 minutes from Nafplio.
Where to stay in Nafplio
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | New town / Pronoia | Cheaper hotels, parking, 10 minutes' walk to the old town. | €60-100 |
| Mid-range | Old town | Restored mansions in the lanes, walk to everything. | €100-180 |
| Mid-range | Tolo | Beach resort 12 km away, good for families. | €80-150 |
| Comfort | Akronafplia hotels | Cliff-top views over the gulf and Bourtzi. | €250-600 |
Getting around
Nafplio's old town is walkable and largely closed to cars; park at the port car parks. KTEL Argolida buses from Athens (Kifissos station) take about 2-2.5 hours and also run to Mycenae and Epidaurus, but not often. A rental car is the easiest way to see the sites; driving from Athens takes about 1h45 on the motorway (with tolls).
What to eat in Nafplio
The Argolid grows Greece's oranges and some of its best wine. Try Nemea Agiorgitiko red, Argos oranges and fresh orange juice in winter, and kagianas, scrambled eggs with tomato. Tavernas in the old town serve grilled meat, gemista (stuffed tomatoes and peppers) and bougiourdi (baked feta with tomato and chili). For dessert, Antica Gelateria di Roma on Komninou Street has made Italian gelato in Nafplio for years. The fish tavernas of Tolo and Drepano serve the catch of the Argolic Gulf. A dinner costs €18-28 per person, less outside the old town.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October, with highs of 20-28°C, ideal for the archaeological sites. July and August are hot, often above 35°C inland, but bring the Epidaurus Festival. Nafplio is a favourite weekend escape for Athenians, so weekends are busier than weekdays all year.
Month-by-month weather for Nafplio →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €35 | €70 | €170 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €70 |
| Sites & tickets | €15 | €25 | €40 |
| Transport (bus or car share) | €10 | €25 | €45 |
| Total per person, per day | about €80 | about €155 | about €325 |
Approximate 2026 prices. Greece adds a per-room climate resilience fee each night, highest from April to October.
Before you go
Common questions
Can I do Nafplio as a day trip from Athens?
Yes, but it is a long day: about 2 hours each way, with time for Nafplio and one site. Staying at least one night is far better.
Which site is better, Mycenae or Epidaurus?
Mycenae for the Bronze Age history (the world of Agamemnon), Epidaurus for the theatre and its acoustics. They are 1 hour apart; with a car, you can do both in one day.
Are there beaches near Nafplio?
Arvanitia (small, in town), Karathona (long and sandy, 15 minutes) and Tolo (resort town, 20 minutes).
Is there a combined ticket?
Ticket prices for the main sites rose in 2025. Check the official e-ticket site for current prices and any combined tickets before your trip.
Is Nafplio good for families?
Yes: the old town is car-free and safe, Arvanitia's promenade is flat and easy, and Karathona and Tolo have calm, shallow beaches. Children usually enjoy the climb to Palamidi and the boat to Bourtzi, and the sites at Mycenae are compact.
Where do I park in Nafplio?
Cars cannot enter most of the old town. Use the large free or low-cost car parks along the port (Bouboulinas Street) and below Akronafplia, and walk in; in August, arrive before 10:00 or after 19:00 to find a space.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, by a travel-agency planner based in Greece. Prices and opening hours are approximate for 2026; confirm on the official Hellenic Heritage e-ticket site, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival and KTEL Argolida websites before booking.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan may earn a commission; the price you pay is the same. How we make money.
