A Travel Price Comparison for Greece Nafplio vs. Athens for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Nafplio or Athens?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Athens? 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. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Athens

Athens is a ancient, vibrant, and energetic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Athens: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Athens?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens. Although Nafplio and Athens are popular destinations, Athens has more sights and attractions for tourists. Athens is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Nafplio attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Nafplio is famous for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Athens is famous for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also well known for The Acropolis.

The Acropolis

How is Nafplio different from Athens?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Athens 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 Athens?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Many visitors head to Nafplio specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

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

Athens is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Athens is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Nafplio makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Nafplio or Athens Better for Nightlife?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Athens is a world class party destination. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

The people in Nafplio know how to have a good time. 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.

Is Nafplio or Athens Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Nafplio offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Nafplio or Athens Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

The rich history of Athens can be explored in its historical center. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Athens?

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

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.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Nafplio or Athens Better for Families?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nafplio. 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.

Is Nafplio or Athens Better for Couples?

Nafplio is great for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Nafplio is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Is Nafplio or Athens Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Nafplio is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

Is Nafplio or Athens Better for Students?

Athens is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Nafplio is not popular with students.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Nafplio is not popular with students.

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

Athens is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Athens offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

You'll find some public transit in Nafplio, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

Is Nafplio or Athens a more walkable city?

Nafplio is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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

Athens is very walkable. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Athens or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Athens?

Both Nafplio and Athens have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than in Nafplio. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 3-7 days is enough time in Athens.

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

Couples should spend more time in Nafplio than Athens. 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 Athens than Nafplio 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 Athens.

One day in Nafplio or Athens?

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.

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Nafplio or Athens?

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.

Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Nafplio or Athens?

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.

Athens is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Athens has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Nafplio or Athens?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque 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 Athens. Because Athens is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 comparing the travel costs between Nafplio and Athens, we can see that Athens is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Athens?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Athens, 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 Athens?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nafplio or Athens in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Athens. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens 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 Athens during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 357 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Athens. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Athens receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Athens in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Athens. The autumn months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Athens. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 206 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Athens. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Athens receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Athens in the Winter?

Both Athens and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Athens during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Athens receives 143 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Athens. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Athens receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Athens in the Spring?

Both Athens and Nafplio during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the spring, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Athens. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Athens receives 226 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets more rain in April than Athens. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Athens receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Athens and Nafplio