Nafplio and Monemvasia hold two of Greece's most beautifully preserved old towns, their streets shaped by centuries of Venetian and Byzantine influence.
Widely considered one of the most romantic towns in Greece, Nafplio's old quarter is a maze of neoclassical mansions, Venetian architecture, and narrow pedestrian lanes leading down to a harbor promenade. Syntagma Square, the town's elegant central plaza, is lined with cafes and was the site where Greece's first constitution was declared after independence.
Connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, this fortified medieval town sits hidden on a rock outcrop, invisible until you round the final bend, hence its nickname the "Gibraltar of Greece." Cobblestone lanes wind past stone houses, Byzantine churches, and boutique guesthouses up to a clifftop fortress, with sweeping sea views the entire way.
Tips for Squares & Streets
- Monemvasia's old town is car-free, park at the causeway and walk in
- Nafplio is best explored on foot in the early evening when the harbor promenade fills with locals