This distinctive city in the Peloponnese played a leading role in the most significant events of modern history.

In 1823, Nafplio was designated as the first capital of the newly established Greek state

Here, the first government was sworn in, and the first governor, Kapodistrias, was assassinated. This historic city has managed to preserve numerous attractions and beauties over time.

Nafplia, as it was known in ancient times, owes its name to Nauplius, the son of Poseidon and the daughter of Danaus, Amymone. He was known for his nautical skills, which is why the city has had a strong maritime element from ancient times until today.

Nafplio was always considered a point of great military significance

In 1388, it was captured by the Venetians, in 1540 it came into the hands of the Turks, in 1686 again by the Venetians, and in 1715 it was recaptured by the Turks until 1822.

On the night of November 29-30, 1822, after a months-long siege, Palamidi fell into Greek hands.
Since then, the city began to develop rapidly and was flooded with refugees from areas still under Turkish rule.

The first capital of the Greek State

In 1823, it was designated as the official seat of the provisional revolutionary government. In 1827, after a decision of the National Assembly, it became the seat of Greece's first Governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias, and the capital of Greece.

In 1834, the country's first king, Otto, also disembarked in Nafplio, which he kept as the capital until 1834, when Athens became the capital of the state.

Palamidi
The imposing fortress of Palamidi rises 216 meters above the city of Nafplio and can be visited by car from the eastern side.


The more daring and romantic reach the top via 999 steps. Whichever way one chooses to approach it, they will surely be rewarded, as the view from the top towards Old Nafplio, the wider area, and the Argolic Gulf is literally breathtaking.

It was built during the period 1687-1715 by the Venetians, after they captured the hill on which it stands, following a fierce battle with the Ottomans during the Venetian-Turkish War. The purpose was to serve as the main defensive support of Nafplio, which was the capital of the Peloponnese.
Palamidi is a typical Baroque fortress and consists of 8 bastions surrounded by walls. These 8 fortifications (bastions) initially had Venetian names, then Turkish, and finally ancient Greek names (Phocion, Themistocles, Miltiades, Epaminondas, Leonidas, Achilles, etc.)

During the Greek Revolution, after many efforts and failures, on the night of November 29, 1822, the Greeks captured Palamidi.
One of the fortress's bastions, called "Miltiades," was used as a prison for the hero of the Revolution, Th. Kolokotronis. The fortress also houses the historic chapel of Apostle Andrew, built during the Venetian era.

Bourtzi
Bourtzi or "Castello" (Castello dello Soglio) during the Venetian era, or "sea tower" during the 1821 struggle, is a small fortified island at the entrance of Nafplio bay.


It was fortified for the first time during the First Venetian rule (1389-1540) by the Venetian Pasqualigo.
The transformation of the castle's form into Renaissance style, according to siege needs and new requirements, can be observed at Bourtzi.

In 1715, the castle was captured by the Turks until 1822, when it came under Greek ownership.
Bourtzi in Turkish-Arabic means "island-fortress," while the island was formerly known as Saints Theodore. The Turkish name eventually prevailed.

It was an integral part of the city's broader fortification for many centuries. In the early years after the liberation of the new Greek state, the castle served as the residence of executioners because they were "hated by the inhabitants of Nafplio." In the 1950s, it operated as a hotel, which was managed by a private individual. The hotel hosted many famous personalities.

Akronafplia
The rocky peninsula of Akronafplia constituted the ancient Acropolis of Nafplio.

Akronafplia has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

It consists of three levels, each of which was a separate castle. Its walls are 85 meters high, 400 meters wide, and 900 meters long.
The first wall, of which only ruins remain, was built in the 3rd century BC. Subsequently, a fortress was built by the Franks, whose fortification was completed by the Venetians.

Below the acropolis and on the northwest side of the peninsula, the Venetians built the Toro fortress with five cannons, giving the castle the name "The Five Brothers."
In 1822, the Turks handed over the castle to then-general Theodoros Kolokotronis, who raised the flag of freedom on the ramparts. However, fate played a cruel trick on him, as about 10 years later (1833), he found himself imprisoned in the same castle.

During the Kapodistrias era, a church and a military hospital were built, and the fortification and armament were repaired.
After 1821, it was used as a military camp and prison. For many years, it housed anti-regime and political prisoners.
Later, during the reign of King Paul I, these prisons were demolished, and a hotel was built in their place.

Syntagma Square
In almost the center of Nafplio, Syntagma Square, known as Platanos Square during the revolution, is surrounded by historic buildings such as the old parliament, Ioannis Kapodistrias' palace, Theodoros Kolokotronis' house, the church of St. George, and the archaeological museum.


The old parliament (the first of the Greeks) housed the Parliament, one of the two bodies along with the Executive, created at the First National Assembly of Epidaurus in 1822. The building, which has been renovated today, used to house a Turkish mosque.

The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio is housed in a three-story stone building, exhibiting important findings from the Prehistoric and Mycenaean periods. The building was used by the Venetians as an arsenal.

Philhellenes Square
Philhellenes Square is located in front of the old town at the harbor and is surrounded by the customs office, the square of St. Nicholas with the church of the same name, and the Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies, a two-story neoclassical building from the 19th century which initially housed the town hall of Nafplio.


The name "Philhellenes Square" is due to the monument in the center of the square, erected in 1903 in memory of the French philhellenes who fought for the liberation of Greece during the Revolution. Recently, the bust of Manto Mavrogenous, who stayed in Nafplio from 1824 to 1831, was also placed there.

Three Admirals Square
Three Admirals Square is located in the center of Nafplio and was constructed during the years of Ioannis Kapodistrias after the city's liberation.


The name "Three Admirals Square" derives from the three admirals, the English Codrington, the Russian Heyden, and the French de Rigny who defeated Ibrahim's fleet in the Battle of Navarino in 1827.

West of the square stands the statue of Otto, the first king of Greece, dressed in traditional attire and with a sword, erected in 1995.

Next to Otto's statue is the first pharmacy of Greece. Approximately where Otto's statue stands today, there used to be the Government House or "Palataki" for the locals, one of the most important buildings in Nafplio, destroyed by fire in 1929. It housed the offices of the newly established Greek government and the residence of Greece's first governor, Ioannis Kapodistrias.

Today, Three Admirals Square is surrounded by significant historical and public buildings such as the first high school, the town hall, and in front of it passes the Grand Road or Vasileos Konstantinou, the most touristy street in Nafplio.

On the north side of the square is Amalias Othonos Street, where on the left stands the War Museum of Nafplio and at its end is the Palamidis Municipal Library.

Arvanitia
Between Palamidi and Acronauplia lies the historic beach of Arvanitia.


It is the closest beach to the town of Nafplio, with a length of only 200 meters.

It has been awarded the Blue Flag for its clean waters and organization.

The path leading to the historic beach of Arvanitia is considered one of the most romantic walks in the area.


It starts at the end of the promenade and ends after approximately 1 kilometer at Arvanitia Square. Along the way, you will constantly be under the cliffs of Acronauplia and you will discover the chapel of Panagia Spilia, Santa Maria Grotta of the Venetians.

Nafplio is a unique and special place for people of all ages to visit and learn about Greece's history.