Visiting Nafplio, Greece on a Cruise Ship? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Author: Janice Vazquez | Last updated: December 6, 2023

the white buildings are covered in orange roofs, green mountain, and the sea — *View of nafplio*

Nafplio is a charming coastal town located in the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece. It is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Greece with a rich history and a picturesque old town that features narrow streets, elegant Venetian buildings, and a historic fortress. The town was once the capital of Greece and played a crucial role in the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule in the 19th century. Today, visitors travel to Nafplio for its historical landmarks, stunning scenery, and cultural heritage.

When visiting Nafplio via a cruise ship, it’s important to plan your activities carefully to avoid missing your departure time. To ensure a seamless trip, this travel guide provides useful tips and recommendations for exploring all that Nafplio has to offer.

Important Things to Know when visiting Nafplio via Cruise Ship

Nafplio has one Port: Nafplio Port (https://goo.gl/maps/rUnzNzh9GzKx6Wv16). Due to the size of the cruise ships, they cannot dock directly at Nafplio’s ports. Therefore, passengers must utilize the cruise’s tender* boats to reach the ports.
Proximity to Shops: There are an abundant number of cafes, shops, and restaurants within walking distance of the port.
Proximity to Car Rental: Several car rental options are available within walking distance from the port. We rented a car from Staikos Rent a Car & Travel Agency, which was only a 5-minute walk from the port.

*Note: A tender boat is a smaller craft that runs back and forth from a larger yacht or ship.

Best Places to Visit in Naflplio

1. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Nafplio

the bronze Armour at Archaeological museum of nafplio — *Bronze Armour*

archaeological museum of nafplio front entrance — *The front entrance*

The Archaeological Museum of Nafplio is a compact yet impressive museum that boasts a permanent exhibition of findings from the prehistoric times to historical times. Among the remarkable items exhibited are rare Mesolithic objects from the Fanchthi cave, Bronze Armor from the Mycenaean tomb, and a Panathenaic amphora (vase) created by the Mastos Painter. This museum is a must-visit destination for those passionate about Greek history, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the ancient Greek civilization.

Visit:

Admission: April – October – 6 euros, November – March – 3 euros
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Monday: 8:30 AM -15.00 PM, closed Tuesday
Time Needed: 1 hour
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/g1tBu2PWgAnBi3LSA?g_st=ic

2. View the Church of Saint Spyridon

information panel about kapodistras assassination — *Information Panel*

bullet hole in a frame on the wall of the church of saint spyridon — *Bullet hole in a frame on the wall of the church of saint spyridon*

Situated in the historic Old Town of Nafplio, the Church of Saint Spyridon is notable for its association with the assassination of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece. You can discover the story behind the tragic event at this site. Remarkably, the bullet mark left by Kapodistrias’ attackers remains visible outside the church to this day. The bullet mark is preserved in a brass and glass casing situated on the right-hand side of the entrance.

Visit:

Admission: N/A
Opening Hours: Not specified
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/bLeuQhNPSWmT5S dJ8

3. Fortress of Palamidi

A stone block with an information panel depicting the Bastion of Leonidas in text and images — *Bastion of Leonidas Information Panel*

the entrance consists of white stones and entry way to Fortress of Palamadi — *Entrance of Fortress of Palamidi*

The Fortress of Palamidi is a Venetian castle that was built in the 1700s to protect the city from invading forces. There are several buildings to explore such as the church, a powder magazine, and the prison of Katalanos. Beyond its historical significance, the fortress offers stunning views of Nafplio and the Argolic Bay, making it a perfect destination for relaxation and reveling in its beautiful surroundings.

Visit:

Admission: April – October – 8 euros, November – March – 4 euros
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6 PM
Time Needed: 2 hours
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/zVfCRyvS2AM2BH ez6

4. St. George Holy Orthodox Metropolitan Church

the exterior building of St. George Holy Orthodox Metropolitan Church has white columns, two stories, and a bell tower — *The front entrance*

copy of the last supper painting on St. George Holy Orthodox Metropolitan Church — *The Last Supper painting*

The St. George Holy Orthodox Metropolitan Church was built before the Venetian rule (16th century and is the main church of the town. The church boasts a copy of the last supper, held funerals of heroes such as The Greek revolution and First Governor of Greece. Back in the day, the first King of Greece, Otto would visit the church on Sundays and go to liturgy. To this day, you can still see his throne in the church.

Visit:

Admission: N/A
Opening Hours: Not specified
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dBReCvGTmNzvXLDY9

Best Places to Visit near Nafplio

1. Archaeological Museum of the Asclepieion of Epidaurus

Three Statues of people found at the Temple of Artemis ad a corinthian column — *Statues found at the Temple of Artemis*

The white side of building is decorated with circular plates and supported on corinthian columns — *Foundation of Propylaia, the entrance building to the Sanctuary of Asklepios*

The Archaeological Museum of the Asclepieion of Epidaurus is a small museum that contains model reconstructions, ancient exhibits and ancient artifacts discovered after the excavations of the Sanctuary of Asklepios. Among the fascinating exhibits on display are statues, a reconstructed temple, architectural components, building inscriptions, and ancient medical tools. This museum is a must-visit destination before exploring the archaeological site, as it provides valuable insights into the site’s historical significance.

Visit:

Admission: April 1 – October 31 – 12 euros, November 1 – March 31 – 6 euros (includes Epidaurus archaeological site)
Opening Hours: Apr – Oct – 8:00 AM – 19:00 PM, Nov – Mar- 8:00 AM – 17:00 PM
Time Needed: 30 minutes
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/3LshorgVWw7tF V2YA

2. Archaeological Site of the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus

seats made out of stone and in a circular structure on a sunny day with clouds — *Ancient Theater of Epidaurus*

Grassy field with stone seating and a mountain — *The Stadium*

The Archaeological Site of the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus was the most important healing center of the entire Greek and Roman worlds. People from all over the world would come to this sanctuary to seek treatment for their ailments. Within the site, there are several buildings to explore such as the Temple of Asclepius, the main holy site of Asclepius, the Stadium, where athletic games were held every four years, the Tholos, a circular chamber, the Katagogion, a guesthouse that had 160 rooms. However, the most notable structure is the well-preserved ancient theater of Epidarus, renowned for its remarkable acoustics. Overall, the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, as it provides a fascinating glimpse into the practices, beliefs, and medical treatments of the past.

Visit:

Admission: April 1 – October 31 – 12 euros, November 1 – March 31 – 6 euros (includes Epidaurus archaeological site)
Opening Hours: Apr – Oct – 8:00 AM – 19:00 PM, Nov – Mar- 8:00 AM – 17:00 PM
Time Needed: 2 hours
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/bar4gh6nqpP1Jwbb8