Under $100: Nafplio, Greece

Nestled on the beautiful Argolic Gulf, Nafplio is a seaport town in the Greek Peloponnese. The quaint fishing and transport town is ideal for the young traveler, as it sees far fewer tourists than other Greek cities but still offers the rich history, culture and delicious food and wine the country is known for.

Start your day at Mitato, a quaint, laid-back café offering the best Souvlaki plates in Nafplio and delicious coffee. Kick off free sightseeing with a walk through the picturesque narrow streets of Aeronauplia, the oldest part of the city, where you’ll find the ancient walls of the Acron Auplia and the Church of Agios Spyridonas, built in 1702. The newer parts of town offer a combination of well-preserved, traditional architectural style influenced by the Venetians, as well as modern-era Neoclassical buildings. The town’s National Bank of Greece building is one of the only in the world to have been built in the Mycenaean Revival architectural style.

Palamidi © Olivier Meerson | Dreamstime

To take in Nafplio’s rich history, visit the Nafplio National Gallery, only €3 for entry. For €6, you can visit Archaeological Museum of Nafplio, which houses impressive collections from ancient cities dating from 1800 BC, including the oldest complete set of bronze armor found in Europe. Karonis Distillery and Museum is a hidden gem where you can taste wine, ouzo and tsipouro and learn about the rich history of ouzo making, all for only a few euros.

Enjoy lunch at Scuola Pizza-bar, an affordable option for fresh salads, hearty authentic pasta dishes and gourmet pizzas.

Nafplio offers two beaches on either side of the peninsula and a sunny and mild climate, perfect for taking in the town’s natural beauty. Visit Arvanitia Beach, a Mediterranean gem offering stunning views of Nafplio Bay and the Palamidi Fortress. The beach is a great spot for a swim with crystal-clear water. The beach is walkable from Nafplio on a scenic ocean walkway eliminating the costs of taxis or shuttles. To see even more of the island’s natural beauty, take a Grecopaths bike tour from a variety of price points.

© Milan Gonda | Dreamstime

For dinner, visit Ano Kato located on the outskirts of town, widely known and loved by locals and tourists alike for their gourmet burgers. End your meal on a sweet note with an ice cream or gelato from Dodonis.

Transportation throughout Nafplio is a breeze with the KTEI Argolida, an affordable public bus that goes everywhere in the region as well as to other Greek city centers. The town also offers a large number of affordable accommodations, but is also the perfect place for a weekend or daytrip while visiting other areas of Greece.

With unspoiled destinations, countless charming cafés and museums, picturesque streets and stunning natural beauty, Nafplio is a wonderful place to visit on a budget.