A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nafplio vs. Calais for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Nafplio or Calais?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Calais? 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Calais?

Both Calais and Nafplio have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Nafplio is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Calais attracts visitors for its big city activities. Nafplio is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Nafplio different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nafplio is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Nafplio is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Nafplio or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Nafplio is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Nafplio or Calais Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Calais 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 Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Nafplio or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Calais?

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

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.

Calais is a great destination for shopping. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Nafplio or Calais Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Calais.

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 Calais. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Nafplio or Calais Better for Couples?

Nafplio is well known for couples. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Nafplio or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

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

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

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 Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Nafplio or Calais a more walkable city?

Nafplio is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais 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.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nafplio and Calais. In our opinion, Nafplio has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nafplio than Calais. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Nafplio than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

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 Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Calais?

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 Calais, 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 Calais has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Calais?

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.

Calais 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the romantic 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 Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nafplio and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. And not only is Nafplio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nafplio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nafplio 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 Calais would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calais than you might in Nafplio.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais 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. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Calais. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Calais. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Nafplio is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nafplio in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 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 Calais. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Calais in the Winter?

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

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 10°C (51°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Calais. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais 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 Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Nafplio is much warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Calais. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Nafplio