Nafplio, Greece

Nafplio is located on northeastern Greece. It’s a picturesque seaside town surrounded by stunning landscapes which include mountains. This movie-like Greek town has very rich history dating back to when it used to serve as an important seaport since ancient times.

Also, it’s been inhabited since the Bronze Age and was ruled by various civilizations such as the Greeks, the Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Ottomans, and Venetians. 

Nafplio, Greece, played a significant role in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman empire. Its strategic location made this seaside town a crucial battleground during the war. It also became a revolutionary center early in the war. Local Greek patriots organized resistance against the Ottoman rule here. After Greeks liberation from Ottoman rule, Nafplio served as the country’s first capital from 1821 to 1834. 

Nafplio today is a captivating destination for tourists and expats alike. It offers a blend of history, culture, and natural allure. It’s known for its romantic atmosphere and scenic beauty. 

Greece Overview

Greece is world-famous for the work of ancient philosophers, like Plato, Pythagoras, Socrates, and Aristotle, to name a few. It’s the birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games, and theater.

Some Greek islands have a reputation for being expensive, even overpriced for what they offer, but in islands such as Corfu and Crete, you can enjoy a high standard of living for a low cost.

However, your lifestyle will determine precisely how much you pay, but about US$1,500 a month should be enough for a couple to live comfortably in Mediterranean paradise.

Now is the time to invest in Greece, as there’s plenty of affordable real estate deals, from restoration projects to new builds.

Plus, investing in Greek property gives you the huge added bonus of an opportunity to qualify for a residency visa, giving you access to the European Schengen Area.

Above all, a total of seven different airports and cities in the United States offer direct flights to Greece: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Newark.

Expats In Nafplio 

The expat community in Nafplio is not particularly large. However, it is diverse. Here you’ll find people from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, the United States, Australia, and other countries.

The diversity you find among expats in Nafplio contribute to a rich cultural exchange within the community as well as a welcoming atmosphere to any newcomer. 

The expats who live here have chosen this destination for several reasons. Among them are the stunning landscape, the mild Mediterranean climate, the slower pace of life, the sense of community that exists here, and the lower cost of living compared to the United States and other European countries. 

The already-established expat community in Nafplio are a supportive bunch. Whatever you need, whether it’s where to find a reliable lawyer, which real estate business or agent you should use, or where you should buy your groceries, they’ll be happy to lend you a hand.

Cost Of Living In Nafplio, Greece

Though Greece is a popular tourist destination, depending on where you decided to settle down and the lifestyle you choose to follow, you and your spouse could live in Nafplio comfortably on about US$1,700 per month.

Apartment Or House Ownership Budget (For A Couple)

Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple) In Nafplio, Greece

Penny-Pincher’s Budget (Bare Minimum Costs, For A Couple)

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Things To Do In Nafplio 

Greece in general is an incredibly popular touristic destination worldwide. That being said, Nafplio doesn’t fall behind from Greece’s most well-known destinations in terms of things to do. 

Here are a few things to do in Nafplio, Greece:

Explore The Old Town

Photographers, architecture lovers, of history buffs, will want to visit Nafplio’s Old Town and various historical sites.

The Old Town is located in the city center. It’s characterized by its neoclassical buildings, picturesque cobblestones alleyways, and all the quaint shops and cafés that align its narrow lanes. The architecture found here has traces of Venetian, Ottoman, and neoclassical styles. Many of the buildings here have colorful facades, wooden shutters, and wrought-iron balconies, all of which combined create a romantic atmosphere. It’s a great place for personal photoshoot and street photography. Just sit on the outside table of any café, order a delicious coffee, tea, or sweet or salty snack, and have your camera ready.

The Old Town also has landmarks and historical sites you can’t miss out on. Syntagma Square (the central square of Nafplio), the Vouleftikon (a former parliament building), and the Trianon (an elegant mansion which was turned into a hotel), are a few.

Head over to the Old Town at night and get a completely different experience. You’ll find tavernas and restaurants here where you can enjoy a delicious Greek dinner and local specialties. Options vary from fresh seafood, traditional mezes (small plates with various foods, similar to tapas), and mouthwatering sweet pastries for dessert.

Before leaving Nafplio, you’ll want to take a look at the small boutiques and artisan shops in the Old Town. This is where you can find unique handmade jewelry, traditional textiles, pottery, and local artwork to purchase as a souvenir for yourself or as gifts for friends and family.

Visit Historical Sites

Nafplio’s historical sites include Palamidi Fortress, Bourtzi Castle, Mycenae, and Epidaurus.

Palamidi Fortess sits on top of a hill at about 709 feet above sea level overlooking the town of Nafplio. It was built in the 18th century by Venetians when they occupied the region. Construction began in 1711 and was completed in 1714. It served as a defensive stronghold to protect the town and its harbor from invasions by both land and sea during various conflicts and occupations.

Palamidi Fortress features impressive military architecture and is surrounded by fortified walls, bastions, and ramparts. The eight bastions that compose the fortress are each named after a different hero from Greek mythology (Archilles, Militiades, Leonidas, so on).

To get here, you can walk up the 999 steps that compose its stairway or by car. Once you reach the top, you’ll have a full panoramic view of Nafplio and its surroundings. During your visit, make sure to explore the fortifications, the bastions, the interior of the buildings where you’ll find prison cells and the powder magazine, and the Church of Saint Andrew.

The Bourtzi Castle is located on a rocky islet in the harbor of Nafplio. It was also built by Venetians to fortify and protect the town from naval attacks, but it was built two centuries before the Palamidi Fortress. The Bourtzi Castle has a distinctive octagonal shape featuring sturdy stone walls, towers, and battlements. You can make your way here by boat from the waterfront promenade of town.

Mycenae is an archaeological site situated not quite in Nafplio but it is nearby. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was one of the major centers of Greek civilization during the Late Bronze Age. It has incredible fortifications and monumental architecture. Its rich archaeological finds give a valuable insight into the culture, society, and history of ancient Greece.

Among the most notable discoveries made here are The Lion Gate, the Treasury of Atreus (aka the Tomb of Agamemnon), and the Grave Circle A (a royal cemetery containing a wealth of grave goods and artifacts). You can visit the on-site museum to view the displays of artifacts and finds from the excavations.

The Epidaurus is another archaeological site you can visit while in Nafplio. This is also another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Epidaurus was an important religious and healing sanctuary in ancient Greece.

It was dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. Its most famous feature is the ancient theater, considered one of the finest examples of classical Greek theater architecture, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and perfect symmetry.

This theater can seat about 14,000 people, and it’s still used for performances of ancient Greek drama, music festivals, and other cultural events today. The Epidaurus also has an on-site museum where you can view the artifacts and finds from excavations done at this sight.

Visit Nafplio’s Beaches

Nafplio, along with its surrounding areas, has gorgeous beaches for you to visit and relax at.

Arvanitia Beach is a small beach located near the Old Town of Nafplio. It’s an ideal location if you want to be within walking distance from the town center and still enjoy a good swim, a sun bath, or leisurely walks along the waterfront promenade.

Karathona Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Nafplio. It’s easily accessible from the city center by car, bus, or bike. It has crystal-clear water, beach bars, restaurants, and water sport equipment rental places. If you and your family members or friends are water sport enthusiasts, this is a great choice.

Tolo Beach is in the village of Tolo, about 15 minutes by car. This beach is known for its shallow water, gentle waves, and scenic surroundings. It’s a great place to relax.

On the beach you’ll find sunbeds, umbrellas, taverns, and cafés.

Taste The Local Cuisine

Nafplio has numerous restaurants, taverns, and eateries where you can have a taste of the local cuisine. Traditional dishes you should add to your list of foods to try are moussaka, souvlaki, Greek salads, and fresh seafood.

Traditional taverns in the Old Town of Nafplio are great places to start. We are talking about charming taverns and restaurants that serve authentic Greek cuisine. And, if you look for places with outdoor seating, you’ll be able to enjoy your meal while soaking up the atmosphere of the historic area.

Take your pick from one of the restaurants that line Nafplio’s waterfront promenade and enjoy an exquisite meal prepared with freshly caught seafood. Many of the restaurants here specialize in traditional Greek dishes with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Head over to Psaromachalas, a neighborhood in Nafplio known for its seafood restaurants and fish taverns. This has become a popular choice among seafood lovers whenever they wish to enjoy an authentic meal with a lively atmosphere and waterfront location. Try the grilled octopus, fried calamari, shrimp saganaki, or fish souvlaki.

Going to local markets and food shops is generally a great choice when aiming to have the most authentic food experience possible.

Plus, the farmers’ market will have tons of local fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, olives, and olive oil for you to try. Specialty food shops also set up stands at the farmers’ market and sell local delicacies such as honey, pastries, and herbs.

Safety In Nafplio

Nafplio is a small and well-maintained town with a low crime rate. This is considered a safe place for foreigners. However, any place in the world can have petty theft and some crime.

It’s important to take common-sense precautions no matter what. Here are a few examples…

Avoid wandering around alone in poorly lit streets and alleyways at night, lock your house before leaving, and make sure no valuables are in sight in your car and lock it well.

Also, do not wear flashy jewelry, keep your bag, purse, wallet, and phone with you, and don’t carry large amounts of cash.

If you use public transportation, make sure to place your bag in front of you rather than on your back or behind you. Do not keep your wallet and phone in your back pockets.

Last, but not least, stay up to date with local news.

Health Care In Nafplio

Overall, the health care system in Nafplio provides accessible and comprehensive medical care to residents and visitors.

Public health care in Nafplio is free for all citizens and legal residents. The public hospital is right downtown and, for most, walking distance or a short car ride away. However, you’ll likely want to opt for private health care and pay for international health care coverage.

Private health care offers medical services to anyone who has private health insurance or can pay out of pocket. Care in the private sector will be more specialized and you’re more likely to find English-speaking professionals.

Private health care facilities include hospitals, clinics, and medical centers providing a range of services such as consultations, diagnostic tests, surgeries, and specialized treatments.

Most importantly, private health care providers often operate on an appointment-based system (much like anywhere else in the world).

You can also make your routine health trips in Athens, which is not a bad idea. They have the best doctors and dentists there, and the prices are generally the same. It’s also where you will have to go for any specialist or special treatment if necessary.

Visa And Residency Information For Nafplio

When you visit Greece, you get 90 days (about 3 months) on your tourist visa. This is the usual tourist stay time for all of the Schengen area.

Greece is part of the European Union, so it’s governed by the EU laws. It’s important to note this because many people forget this and travel to other European countries without realizing their time is up.

Once you obtain another type of visa you can stay for as long as you want, up until the expiry date.

For residency visa options, Greece has the Digital Nomad visa, Work Permit visa, Financially Independent Resident visa, and of course, the Golden Visa.

The process is not easy and it’s time consuming.

Weather In Nafplio

Nafplio, Greece, enjoys a Mediterranean climate. In short, it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Summer runs from June to August. It’s warm and sunny and temperatures range from 77°F (25°C) to 95°F (35°C). July and August are usually the hottest months and heat waves may occur. The sea temperature during this season is warm making it ideal for swimming and water sports. This is the busiest season for tourists.

Fall runs from September to November. Temperatures range from 68°F (20°C) to 86°F (30°C). The temperature gradually cools during this season and the tourist season starts winding down.

Winter in Nafplio is from December to February and it’s mild and relatively wet compared to other parts of Greece. Temperatures during this season typically range from 46°F (8°C) to 59°F (15°C).

Spring arrives in March and lasts until May. This is beautiful time to visit Nafplio. The weather is very pleasant, flowers are in full bloom, and there are fewer crowds than during the summer. The temperature during this time ranges from 50°F (10°C) to 68°F (20°C). The temperature during May gets even warmer, 59°F (15°C) to 77°F (25°C).