Why Honeymoon in Nafplio
Nafplio is one of the prettiest towns in Greece and one of the easiest to enjoy. The old town is compact and almost entirely walkable. Mornings are for coffee in Syntagma Square, which is lined with Venetian-era buildings. Evenings are for a slow walk along the waterfront to watch the light change on the Bourtzi, the small castle in the bay.
It is also the best base for the classical sites of the Argolid. Mycenae and the ancient theater at Epidaurus are each about half an hour away. The vineyards of Nemea are a short drive north.
Unlike the islands, Nafplio does not shut down in winter. It is a weekend escape for Athenians, so restaurants and hotels stay open much of the year. That makes it a strong choice for a spring or fall honeymoon.
When to Go
April, May, June, September and October are the best months. Days are warm, evenings are pleasant for dining outdoors and the archaeological sites are comfortable to explore.
July and August are hot, often very hot inland at Mycenae and Epidaurus. Plan sightseeing for early morning and save the afternoon for the beach or a siesta. Summer is also when the Athens and Epidaurus Festival usually stages ancient drama in the theater at Epidaurus, which can be the highlight of a trip. Check the program well ahead.
Winter is cool and sometimes rainy but still lively on weekends. Couples looking for a quiet city break with good food and wine can come any time, though beach days require summer. The grape harvest in Nemea runs in late summer and early fall.
Where to Stay
Stay in the old town. Small boutique hotels fill restored mansions and townhouses, many with balconies over the lanes or views up to Palamidi. Rooms are often small and stairs are common, so check the details if you have heavy luggage. Parking is easiest at the edge of the old town. Rates are much gentler than on the big-name islands, so this is a good place to book the best room in the house.
For more space, a few hotels sit on the Akronafplia hill above town with views over the bay. You will walk down to dinner and take a taxi or a long stair climb back.
Couples who want a luxury resort can add a few nights on the coast farther south. Amanzoe, near Porto Heli, is about an hour and a half by car. Another option is a small hotel or villa near the beaches of Tolo, about 15 minutes away.
Romantic Things to Do
Climb the long stairway to Palamidi fortress early in the morning. Locals say there are 999 steps. The real number is lower, but your legs will not argue. The view over the town and the bay is the reward. You can also drive up.
Walk the Arvanitia promenade around the base of the Akronafplia headland at sunset. It is an easy, flat path above the water, ending at Arvanitia beach.
Take a short boat trip out to the Bourtzi in the harbor. Its access has varied over the years, so ask locally what is running.
In summer, see a performance at the ancient theater of Epidaurus under the stars. Visit Mycenae, with its Lion Gate and royal tombs, early on a weekday. Spend an afternoon tasting wine in Nemea.
Getting There and Around
Fly into Athens and drive or take a private transfer to Nafplio, which takes about two hours on a good highway via Corinth. KTEL buses run from Athens' Kifissos bus station and take around two hours. Renting a car is the best option, since the archaeological sites and wineries are spread out.
The old town itself is pedestrian-friendly. You will not need the car once you arrive. Park at the large lots by the harbor.
On the drive from Athens, stop at the Corinth Canal for a look from the road bridge. Combine Nafplio with Athens at the start or end of a trip, or continue into the Peloponnese for Monemvasia or the Mani. Ferries to the Saronic islands leave from nearby ports in summer, but check schedules carefully.
Food and Drink
Nafplio's restaurants range from simple tavernas to modern Greek cooking. Tables spread into the lanes around Syntagma Square and down by the harbor. Order grilled fish, local lamb and dishes built on Argolid vegetables. The region is famous for its oranges. Fresh juice is everywhere in winter.
The Peloponnese is one of Greece's best wine regions. Nemea is known for Agiorgitiko, a red grape that makes everything from fresh rosé to deep aged reds. Many wineries welcome visitors for tastings, though booking ahead is wise.
Finish an evening with gelato or loukoumades, small honey-soaked doughnuts. A café on the waterfront with a view of the Bourtzi lit up at night is the right place for a last drink.
Honeymoon Tips
Climb Palamidi early. The stairway faces the sun. Midday summer heat makes it hard work.
Visit Mycenae and Epidaurus on separate mornings rather than squeezing both into one hot day.
Book festival tickets for Epidaurus as soon as the summer program is announced. Performances often sell out.
Arrange wine tastings in advance. Smaller wineries in Nemea may not have staff on hand for walk-ins.
Pack comfortable shoes. The old town's marble lanes are polished smooth and can be slippery after rain.
Two nights is the minimum for Nafplio. Three or four lets you settle in and add a beach afternoon at Karathona or Tolo between the sites.
