A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Nafplio vs. Aegina for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Nafplio or Aegina?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nafplio or Aegina? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a picturesque, romantic, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Aegina

Aegina is a vibrant, fun, and active island. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Aegina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Aegina?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nafplio. Although Nafplio and Aegina are popular destinations, Nafplio has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nafplio is very popular for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Aegina attracts visitors for its small town charm. Nafplio is famous for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. It is also well known for Palamidi Castle. Aegina is famous for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens.

How is Nafplio different from Aegina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aegina and Nafplio. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nafplio or Aegina?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Aegina and Nafplio.

Nafplio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

Many visitors head to Aegina specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

Is the Food Better in Nafplio or Aegina? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nafplio is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Nafplio is an experience not to be missed. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Nafplio or Aegina Better for Nightlife?

Both Nafplio and Aegina have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

Nafplio has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

Is Nafplio or Aegina Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Aegina are nice choices.

Nafplio is a good option for a beach vacation. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Many people head to Aegina to enjoy the beach. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Is Nafplio or Aegina Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Aegina?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Nafplio and Aegina.

Nafplio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Aegina is a great destination for shopping. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Is Nafplio or Aegina Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Aegina.

Nafplio is a family-friendly city. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Aegina. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Nafplio or Aegina Better for Couples?

Nafplio is a great destination for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Nafplio frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Nafplio or Aegina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Aegina are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

Aegina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Is Nafplio or Aegina Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Nafplio and Aegina.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

You'll find some public transit in Aegina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Nafplio or Aegina a more walkable city?

Nafplio is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Nafplio on foot is easy. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Nafplio Worth Visiting? and Is Aegina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aegina or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Aegina?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nafplio or Aegina to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nafplio than Aegina because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 1-2 days is enough time in Aegina.

Families should spend more time in Nafplio than Aegina. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nafplio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Nafplio than Aegina. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nafplio that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nafplio than Aegina if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Nafplio.

One day in Nafplio or Aegina?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nafplio. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Aegina, you'll find nightlife and food. This island offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Nafplio or Aegina?

Nafplio is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Aegina, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Aegina has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Aegina?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nafplio. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Aegina is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Nafplio or Aegina?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Nafplio. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aegina. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Aegina. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nafplio and Aegina, we can see that Nafplio is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Nafplio would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nafplio than you might in Aegina.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nafplio Expensive? and Is Aegina Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Aegina?

Nafplio has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Aegina, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Nafplio or Aegina?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nafplio or Aegina in the Summer?

Both Aegina and Nafplio during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Aegina this time of year.

Nafplio is cooler than Aegina in the summer. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Aegina fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aegina. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aegina receives 357 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Aegina. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Aegina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Aegina in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Aegina. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aegina for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Nafplio is around the same temperature as Aegina. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nafplio in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Aegina averages at about 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Aegina during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Aegina receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Aegina. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Aegina receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Aegina in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Aegina. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Aegina in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Nafplio is generally around the same temperature as Aegina. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 10°C (51°F), and Aegina fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aegina. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aegina receives 143 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Aegina. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Aegina receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Aegina in the Spring?

Both Aegina and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Aegina for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Aegina in the spring. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Aegina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Aegina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Aegina during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Aegina receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Aegina. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Aegina receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aegina and Nafplio