After meeting your driver you will depart Athens and drive along the coast. You will access the peninsula by crossing the awe-inspiring Corinth Canal. You will realize the enormity of the achievement as you will have the opportunity to photograph it en route. After the Corinth Canal, you will continue on to Nafplio.
Named after the mythical Nafplios, son of Poseidon, Nafplio first started to develop in the 7th century BC and since then it has known prosperity and progress but also invasions and occupation by many foreign conquerors.
Nafplio today is a charming town, built by the seaside on the feet of two fortresses, Palamidi and Akronafplia and is full of neoclassical buildings, paved squares, and picturesque alleys.
Your first visit of today is the Palamidi Fortress. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715). The bastions of the fortress were originally named after the Venetian provveditori. However, when it fell to the Ottoman Empire, the bastions were given Turkish names. Lastly, when the Greeks overthrew the Turks the bastions were renamed after Greek saints. One of the bastions, called the“Miltiades”, was used as the prison cell of Theodoros Kolokotronis, a hero of the Greek Revolution. The fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Nafplio and the surrounding country.
After this visit, you meet your driver again to drive you back to Nafplio port where you will enjoy a 5 min boat ride to the castle of Bourtzi located in the middle of the harbour of Nafplio. The Venetians completed its fortification in 1473 to protect the city from pirates and invaders from the sea. The Greeks regained it from the Turks on June 18, 1822, from where they assisted in the siege of Nafplio. Until 1865 it served as a fortress. It was then transformed into residence of the executioners of convicts from the castle of Palamidi. From 1930 to 1970, it served as a hotel.
Now, you will be free to explore on your own this beautiful town, explore its alleys, sit by the waterfront at one of the many ouzeris overlooking the small island of Bourtziand taste the traditional mezedes of sea food and not only, taste the best Gelato in Greece.
After your walking tour in Nafplio we return back to Athens.
Entrance fees into Palamidi fortress are 4 Euro pp.
Free admission for:
- Journalists
- Persons under 18 (with current identification to prove age)
- University students from Greece and the E.U
Free admission (for all) on the following dates:
- 6 March
- 5 June
- 18 April
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
SUMMER PERIOD: 1 April – 31 October
WINTER PERIOD: 1 November – 31 March
Opening hours for the archaeological area of Palamidi Fortress:
- Winter Period: 08:00-15:00
- Summer Period: April 2016: 08.00-19.00
May until october 31st 2016: 08:00-20:00
Restrictions
- Please note that on this tour, your driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb to the top of Palamidi Fortress or inside any other site or museum. If you want a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you can hire one at extra cost.
Special Notes
- Comfortable clothing and sensible, flat-soled walking shoes are recommended. Sun glasses and sun screen are suggested.
- Photography is permitted throughout the tour.
Tips
- Our prices are much better in comparison to those of the big tour operators, because we are ourselves the tour operator and we do not use third party providers.
- It’s always a great idea to bring a bottle of water and sunscreen with you because in the warmer months it becomes quite hot and sunny.
- A hat to protect your head and shade your face is also recommended when spending a significant amount of time in the sun.
- The area inside the old town of Nafplio can become quite crowded, especially during the peak travel months, so be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you.
- Do not accept ‘gifts’ from street vendors approaching tourists. They may offer you roses, but if choose you accept, you will be expected to pay or give a tip for them.
