Strolling in the old city of Nafplio
One of the best characteristics of Nafplio is that everything in the Old Town is within walking distance. In fact you can walk from one end to another in less than 15â, and thatâs why you can see couples in love, happy kids, and large groups of friends everywhere in the town, at the port, in the alleys, always walking around and enjoying every part of the town. Because of the small distances and the paved ways, there are few areas cars are allowed to pass, and there is no bus service in the old part of town, only the central station that takes you to the new part of the town and the rest of the prefecture. So, leave the car in the parking and enjoy walking around Nafplio all year round. Alternatively, you can take the horse carriage or the small train for a tour in the town.
Some distinquished buildings are
the First New Greek Gymnasium built 1833
the old Town Hall building Iatrou building
the house of the Viceroy
the Alevras-Lambiris building 1830
the old train station 1890
Palamidi
Climb 999 in reality 857 stairs to the castle of Palamidis. You may get tired but the view is said to be worth it. We walked the paved road down to the crossing and went right down to "Karathona Beach". From "Karathona Beach" there is a walking path along the coast-line back to "Arvanithia Beach" and Nafplio. Its a nice scenic walk and takes about 1 hour.
Psaromachalas
During your strolls in Nafplio, it is worth adding 15 minutes to your schedule to walk around Psaromachala meaning fishermonger's, the area under the rocky hill of Acronafplia. In contrast with the large, classical style mansions and open spaces of the main parts of the old town, here you will see small, white houses, with yards filled by flowers, narrow alleys and stairways, cats lurking and mewing, and in general the feeling of a small, traditional neighborhood, reminding to many the Greek islands. Add to the picture some larger mansions that have been renovated and turned to guesthouses and hotels and you have a unique part of Nafplio, with great view and good hospitality.
Enjoying the sea
Very close to the town is the quiet sandy beach of Karathona, just south of Palamede castle hill. There the locals gather to enjoy swimming in this blue flagged (http://www.blueflag.org/M...) clean beach.At the back of the castles, 10 minutes walk just south of the town, is also the Arvanitia beach.Even more south, approachable by local bus or car, there is a series of marvelous beaches, very popular during the summer.
Daily Cruises in the Argolic Gulf
If you have time you van try this cruise, giving you the pleasure to enjoy the sea and the seaside attractions of the area, including a bath stop! On the promenade where the boats for Bourtzi depart, usually once a day in summertime.
entertainment
In the town there are two cinemas, both on 25 Martiou Str,
One serving during wintertime, by the fire brigade, near the bus station and
One serving during summertime, a must go open air, well in the greek open air cinema tradition. Usually it hosts all latest productions. It is located at the other end of the 25th Martiou str, at the east end of the park, just underneath Palamede castle. Usually starting on 9p.m. Tel 2751068855.
There is also a theater, the Trianon, on Syntagma sq., serving various plays during all year long.
festivities
Around Holy Easter moving fiest there are several local festivities:
50 days before, Apokria fiest the Greek Carnibal, with masqueraded parades, music and events around the town
49 days before, the Kathari Monday the Greek Mardi Gras, with outdoor picknicking, kite flying, music
7 days before, start of the Holy Week, having on of its most beautiful moment on
2 days before, Holy Friday, a large parade out of each of the trhee main churches of the town, leading to
day 1, the Holy Easter Sunday
7 days after, Sunday, the burning of Judas, at the nearby Asini Village
50 days after, the Monday of the Holy Spirit, a celebration of two days starting on Sunday in the nearby village of Lygourio and of Agia Triada.
Other festivities are:
25 March, National day celebration and religious fiest
The first Sunday of May is the fiest of artichoke, in the nearby village of Iria
On the last week of June, the Nafplio Festival (http://www.nafplionfestiv...), a week of classic music concerts in the historic sites and castles of the place, very much worth attending. For 2010 it will take place during 18-27 of June.
On the 15th of August, the day of Madonna, a large fiest with religious parade around the town,