Should you visit Nafplio or Ios?
Should I visit Nafplio or Ios? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Nafplio
The destination of Nafplio exists as a historic seaport town on the Peloponnese peninsula. From prevailing as a major port under royal succession in the Middle Ages to standing under the Republic of Venice, Ottoman Empire, and finally becoming capital of the First Hellenic Republic and then the Kingdom of Greece, this place has seen it all. Nafplio is now the capital of the region of Argolis.
Ios
Ios is an island in the south of Greece, located in the Cyclades group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a peaceful beach getaway by day, and a lively party scene by night. While its main town is the hub for nightlife, it is also a charming place during the day, typical of a traditional Greek village with shops and cafes against a backdrop of whitewashed buildings and turquoise waters.
Which city is cheaper, Ios or Nafplio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nafplio is €89, while the average daily cost in Ios is €73. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Nafplio and Ios in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €80 in Nafplio For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €31. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Ios the cost is €62 on average.
Food
Nafplio food costs typically run travelers around €27 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
While meal prices in Ios can vary, the average travelers spends about €26 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Ios should cost around €10 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Ios is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Nafplio €27
Ios €26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nafplio
For Nafplio, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Nafplio Walking Food Tour:
$121
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Nauplio Food Tour:
$124
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Cooking Class in Nafplio:
$189
Local Transportation
Nafplio's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €37 per person, per day on transportation in Nafplio.
The average price of local transportation around Ios is €13 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nafplio
Also for Nafplio, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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3-Hours Private Transfer from Nafplio to Athens:
$666
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Nafplio to Athens International Airport Private Transfer:
$672
Is it cheaper to fly into Nafplio or Ios?
Prices for flights to both Ios and Nafplio change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Nafplio can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €18 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Ios's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €21 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Nafplio
For Nafplio, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Nafplio Train Tour:
$13
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Nafplio City Tour:
$13
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Walking City Tour of Nafplio:
$45
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Nafplio City Tour:
$52
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Tour Nafplio with an e-bike!:
$64
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Horse Riding Experience in Nafplio:
$70
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Hiking Tour in Nafplio:
$77
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Nafplio Private Gastronomy Tour:
$100
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Olive Oil Tour close to Nafplio:
$108
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From Mycenae and Epidaurus Tour:
$110
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Cycling Tour at Nafplio:
$114
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Half day tour in Mycenae and Epidaurus from Nafplio:
$128
Tours and Activities in Ios
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ios are as follows:
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From Ios to Sikinos Island & Winery Tour:
$96
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Half Day Sunset Sailboat tour (afternoon):
$210
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Ios Speed Boat Adventure:
$54
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Nafplio spend on average €5.49 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about €26 on alcoholic beverages in Ios per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Nafplio
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nafplio:
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Wine tour at the footsteps of Hercules in Nemea from Nafplio:
$188
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nafplio and Ios, we can see that Nafplio is more expensive. And not only is Ios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ios 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 Ios.
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