There are cities that are simply beautiful. And then there are places where it feels as though time has stood still. Nafplio is one of them.
Set on the shores of the Argolic Gulf, this charming town in the Peloponnese has everything we love about Greece: the sea, winding old streets, colorful houses, Venetian architecture, and imposing fortresses rising above the town.
But Nafplio’s greatest charm lies in its history.
The First Capital of Modern Greece
Today, Greece has Athens, but there was a time when Nafplio was at the heart of the newly independent country.
After the Greek War of Independence, Nafplio became the first capital of the modern Greek state in 1827. In 1828, Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of independent Greece, arrived here. The town remained the capital until 1834, when the capital was moved to Athens.
So behind its beautiful façades and elegant squares lies a place where the foundations of modern Greece were being shaped.
A Fortress Above the Town
The most iconic landmark of Nafplio is Palamidi Fortress, built by the Venetians in the early 18th century.
Perched around 216 meters above the town, the fortress consists of eight powerful bastions and offers one of the most spectacular views in the Peloponnese.
To reach it, you have to climb its famous staircase.
And here comes a little historical myth: people often say there are 999 steps. In reality, there are around 857.
Still, 857 steps are more than enough to make you feel like a hero when you finally reach the top.
And the reward is worth every step: a breathtaking panorama of red rooftops, the deep blue bay, and the tiny fortress of Bourtzi standing in the middle of the sea.
Bourtzi — Guardian of the Harbour
Just offshore from Nafplio stands Bourtzi, a small fortress built on the islet of Saint Theodore.
The Venetians built it in 1473 to protect the entrance to the harbour. At one time, a massive chain was stretched between Bourtzi and Akronafplia Fortress, blocking enemy ships from entering the port.
Today, Bourtzi looks almost romantic — surrounded by blue water and passing boats. It is hard to imagine that this peaceful little fortress once played such an important role in the town’s defence.
A City with Venetian Soul
Nafplio changed hands many times throughout its history. Franks, Venetians, and Ottomans all left their mark on the city.
The Venetian influence is especially striking. Narrow streets, elegant façades, flower-filled balconies, and Syntagma Square can make you feel as though you have wandered into a small Italian town that somehow found its way to Greece.
And perhaps that is what makes Nafplio so special: it cannot be defined as purely Greek, Venetian, or Eastern. It is a beautiful blend of different eras, cultures, and stories.
A Place to Simply Slow Down
But perhaps the best thing about Nafplio isn’t the number of sights you can see.
It is a city you don’t simply visit — you feel it.
You can spend hours wandering without a map, drinking coffee by the harbour, discovering hidden courtyards, watching the boats, and waiting for the evening sun to turn the fortress walls golden.
Nafplio doesn’t shout about its history.
It simply lets it live here — in the stone, in the old streets, in the fortresses, and in the reflections on the sea.
And when it is time to leave, you will probably find yourself looking back one more time.
Because somehow, it feels as though this city still has stories left to tell.
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