Greece / The Peloponnese / Nafplio (Mycenae & Epidaurus)Nafplio (Mycenae & Epidaurus)
Venetian Harbour Town, Mycenae and the Theatre of Epidaurus
Greece's first capital, a harbour town of Venetian lanes and neoclassical squares under the Palamidi fortress (999 steps) and the island castle of Bourtzi. The base for the Argolid's sights: Mycenae with the Lion Gate and the Treasury of Atreus (30 minutes), and the 4th-century BC theatre of Epidaurus (40 minutes), still used for summer performances. About two hours from Athens by KTEL coach; a hire car makes the sights a single day. No railway since the Argos line closed.
Highlights
- Climb the 999 steps to Palamidi
- Mycenae's Lion Gate
- Theatre of Epidaurus
- Boat to Bourtzi castle
- Evening in the old town
- Corinth Canal on the way
Things to do
- Mycenae: Lion Gate, palace and Treasury of AtreusMorning · 3h
- Theatre and sanctuary of EpidaurusAfternoon · 2h 30m
- Palamidi fortress climbMorning · 2h
- Old town walk and the Arvanitia promenadeEvening · 2h
- Swim at Tolo or Karathona beachAfternoon · 3h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – June, September – October
Heads up
Summer Heat
July and August bring heatwaves of 35-40 °C and more to the mainland and the big islands. See ancient sites at opening time (they have little shade, and can close at midday in extreme heat), rest in the afternoon, carry water, and book rooms with air-conditioning.
Worth knowing
Wildfire Season
From July to September hot, dry winds spread wildfires in Attica, the Peloponnese, Halkidiki and the islands; in 2023 thousands of tourists were evacuated from resorts on Rhodes. Follow the 112 emergency text alerts (sent in English), obey road closures and evacuation orders, never light a fire or barbecue outdoors, and check the fire-risk map before hiking. Travel insurance should cover cancellations.
- Orthodox Easter (Pascha) — Greece's biggest festival: candlelit Good Friday processions, the midnight Resurrection service on Saturday with fireworks and church bells, and lamb roasts on Sunday. Corfu's is the most famous, with clay pots thrown from balconies on Holy Saturday morning. Greeks travel home, so ferries, flights and hotels fill, and shops, museums and sites close or shorten hours from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Book well ahead.
- Athens Epidaurus Festival — Summer performances in ancient theatres: music, dance and theatre at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus under the Acropolis, and ancient Greek drama on weekend nights in the theatre of Epidaurus, 40 minutes from Nafplio. Book seats early; coaches run from Athens and Nafplio on performance nights.