Nafplio
With its castles standing guard as witnesses of its rich history, Nafplio has been a favorite destination for travelers through the ages. Located less than two hours from Athens, this city, the first capital of the Greek state, is full of history and attractions as well as vibrant and romantic spots and landscapes of extraordinary beauty.
The highlight of the city is the Old Town, with its colorful mansions and narrow alleys, which is bounded by the sea and the walk to Arvanitia on one side, and Akronafplia Castle and Kolokotronis Park on the other. Holding a place of honor on the tourist’s map of Nafplio, two striking fortresses (which are also called castles) provide evidence of the passage of the Venetians through the area.
Bourtzi occupies an islet a short distance from the port and is accessible by boats that run back and forth on the short route all day. Palamidi stands above the town of Nafplio, impressive due to its size and architecture.
In almost every narrow alley of Nafplio, a little piece of history lurks. For example, there is the church of Saint Spyridonas, at the entrance of which Ioannis Kapodistrias was murdered. The reign of King Otto also bequeathed to the city monuments such as the Lion of the Bavarians and historic buildings such as the Armansperg Residence.
Nafplio became a tourist attraction fairly early, and for that reason it has a well developed infrastructure. Old mansions have been converted into guesthouses, while new luxury hotels have been built. From Constitution Square (Plateia Syntagmatos) to the sea, four or five narrow streets with different colored mansions, balconies full of flowers, and more recently guesthouses, tavernas, and bars, are filled with people, especially on weekends. King Otto, Queen Olga, Dimitrios Ypsilantis. All the small streets that were once inhabited by noble families and wealthy captains today house visitors, who give them even more stories to tell.
Tolo
With a long sandy beach and easy access just a short distance from Nafplio, Tolo has been a holiday destination for both Greeks and foreigners for many years. The sandy beach and clear, shallow waters make it an ideal destination for families and also for anyone in the area who wants to dive into its clear blue waters.
The surrounding area also holds rich historical and archaeological interest, since the Ancient City of Asini is not far away.
The nearby villages of Argolida (which is also called Argolis) are mainly small settlements among orange groves near the sea. Nea Kios is famous for its fish market, Agios Andrianos for its monastery, and Tiryntha (or Tiryns) for its ancient Acropolis - an important monument which has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The area is ideal for swimming. The most famous beaches are the beach of Tolo, Karathona Beach, and Myloi Beach.
