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

Should you visit Nafplio or Chartres?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Chartres? 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 beautiful, picturesque, and romantic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Nafplio and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nafplio. Although Nafplio and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Nafplio has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nafplio is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Nafplio is more touristy than Chartres and is known for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. It is also home to Palamidi Castle. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Nafplio different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nafplio is great for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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

Nafplio is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Nafplio has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Nafplio or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Nafplio for the nightlife scene. 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Nafplio or Chartres Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is a popular place for the beache. However, Chartres is not a beach destination.

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.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Nafplio or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is great for its old town. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Chartres?

Nafplio is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nafplio. 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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nafplio or Chartres Better for Families?

Nafplio is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Nafplio offers lots of family activities. 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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Nafplio or Chartres Better for Couples?

Nafplio is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

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.

Chartres is a good city for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Nafplio or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Chartres are both good 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.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

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

Chartres 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.

Chartres offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

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 Chartres a more walkable city?

Nafplio is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

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.

Chartres is a very walkable destination. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nafplio or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nafplio than Chartres 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 Chartres.

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

The beautiful city of Nafplio offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Chartres, you'll find food and museums. This town 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 Chartres?

Nafplio is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nafplio, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Chartres, you'll find museums and food. 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 Chartres has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Chartres?

Nafplio is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Chartres 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 Chartres?

Nafplio is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chartres. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Nafplio and Chartres, we can see that Chartres 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 Chartres Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Chartres?

Chartres has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Chartres, 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 Chartres?

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 Chartres in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Chartres. The summer months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chartres this time of year.

In July, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Chartres. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Chartres. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town atmosphere.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Chartres. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Chartres in the Winter?

Both Chartres and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Chartres in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Chartres can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nafplio is much warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Chartres. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Nafplio during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the spring, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Chartres. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Nafplio