When you think of Athens, Greece, the first thing that comes to mind probably isn’t the quaint town of Nafplion – but it should be! Located just 45 minutes from Athens by car, Nafplion offers visitors some of the best views and cultural experiences in all of Greece. Here are three ways to explore Nafplion like an insider and get the most out of your visit!

Nestled in between Messinia and Argolis is one of Greece’s hidden gems. Nestled on a small peninsula that juts out into the Ionian Sea, Nafplion has long been known as an area with picturesque beaches and amazing views. Today it continues to be a popular destination for Greeks and travelers alike. To help you plan your trip we’ve gathered together some tips so that you can make sure not to miss anything!

Where to stay in Nafplion

Athens doesn’t need an introduction: With its history and culture, it’s one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. What most people don’t know is that from Athens you can easily visit places like Delphi or Meteora. What many tourists also don’t know is that their trip in Greece should not be complete without spending at least a couple days in a small coastal town such as Nafplion. This is exactly what we did when visiting last spring.

Where to eat

Tavernas line Kapodistriou Avenue and offers mouth-watering traditional Greek food at affordable prices. Try Pastitsio (baked pasta with meat sauce), Moussaka (baked layers of eggplant and ground beef), or a juicy gyro sandwich with tzatziki sauce. Pefkakia is another local favorite.

What to do

The most popular thing to do in Nafplion is visit its castle. Visitors can also explore some ancient ruins nearby or enjoy a day at one of several beautiful beaches near town. To get away from it all, there are several hiking trails leading up into hills and gorges surrounding Nafplio. But perhaps best of all, visitors have an excellent opportunity to sample traditional Greek cuisine while they’re in town.