A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nafplio vs. Heidelberg for Old Town, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Nafplio or Heidelberg?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Heidelberg? 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a historic, quaint, and energetic town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Nafplio and Heidelberg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Heidelberg?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nafplio. Although Nafplio and Heidelberg are popular destinations, Nafplio has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nafplio is very popular for its museums and beaches, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nafplio is famous for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. It is also well known for Palamidi Castle. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town.

How is Nafplio different from Heidelberg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nafplio is a great city for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Nafplio. 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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Nafplio and Heidelberg offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Nafplio has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Nafplio or Heidelberg Better for Nightlife?

Both Nafplio and Heidelberg have superb 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 Heidelberg know how to have a good time. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Nafplio or Heidelberg Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is a good destination for the beach. However, Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Nafplio or Heidelberg Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg can be explored in its historical center. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 Heidelberg?

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

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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Nafplio or Heidelberg Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Heidelberg.

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 Heidelberg. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Is Nafplio or Heidelberg Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nafplio and Heidelberg make for a superb place to visit.

Nafplio makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Couples visit Heidelberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Is Nafplio or Heidelberg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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 Heidelberg Better for Students?

Heidelberg is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nafplio is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Heidelberg. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

Nafplio is not popular with students.

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

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg a more walkable city?

Nafplio is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Heidelberg is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Heidelberg or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Heidelberg?

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

Families should spend more time in Nafplio than Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg.

One day in Nafplio or Heidelberg?

With museums and nightlife around the picturesque city of Nafplio, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Heidelberg, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Heidelberg?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Nafplio, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

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

Five days in Nafplio or Heidelberg?

Nafplio, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Heidelberg is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Heidelberg?

Nafplio is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Heidelberg. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nafplio and Heidelberg, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Heidelberg?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?

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 Heidelberg in the Summer?

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

Nafplio is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Heidelberg this time of the year. In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Heidelberg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Heidelberg. The autumn months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.

In the autumn, Nafplio is much warmer than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nafplio in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°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 Heidelberg. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Heidelberg. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Heidelberg in the Winter?

Both Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Heidelberg. In January, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 10°C (51°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Heidelberg in the Spring?

Both Heidelberg and Nafplio during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the spring for the natural beauty.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the spring, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in April than Heidelberg. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Nafplio