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

Should you visit Nafplio or Kotor?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Kotor? 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 romantic, beautiful, and picturesque city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kotor

Kotor is a remote, dramatic, and scenic coastal town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Nafplio and Kotor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Kotor?

Both Kotor and Nafplio have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Nafplio is better known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping, while Kotor is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nafplio is more touristy than Kotor and is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Kotor is well known for its medieval old town and its dramatic setting on the coastline surrounded by limestone cliffs.

How is Nafplio different from Kotor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nafplio is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kotor 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, Kotor is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food is fresh and hearty, with many dishes including meats, cheeses, and bread. Popular local dishes include börek, black risotto, and pasulj (a type of baked beans prepared with meats and spices). Seafood is an obvious choice around town as well. Ask for whatever is fresh and enjoy a delicious meal. There are also a number of dessert cafes where you can enjoy pastries at a very affordable price.

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 Kotor Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is well known for nightlife. However, Kotor is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Kotor doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It has some of the best nightlife in Montenegro, but outside of the summer months you'll find things are very calm. Head to the old town for the highest concentration of bars and clubs.

Is Nafplio or Kotor Better for Resorts?

Kotor is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Nafplio is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Kotor as a resort destination, but it has a few places. The town has mostly boutique hotels and apartments, particularly if you want to stay in old town.

Nafplio is not a resort destination.

Is Nafplio or Kotor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kotor is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nafplio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Kotor has a few good snorkeling spots. It's possible to book snorkeling trips with a local vendor, or you can pack your own mask and snorkel and venture into the water on your own.

Nafplio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nafplio or Kotor Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Kotor are notable 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 Kotor to enjoy the beach. Like many parts of the Mediterranean, the beaches are rocky and pebbly. Many of the beaches are small and quiet, giving them a personal and discovered vibe which many travelers appreciate.

Is Nafplio or Kotor Better for its Old Town?

Kotor 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 Kotor can be explored in its historical center. The city walls and compact historic area make the old town a unique place to explore.

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 Nafplio or Kotor Better for Hiking?

Kotor is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. However, Nafplio is not a hiking destination.

People visit Kotor specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The dramatic cliffs and sea views create some of the most beautiful coastal hikes that you'll find. Trails range from walking paths to more strenuous routes like the Ladder of Kotor Hike, which has many switchbacks and stunning views.

Nafplio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Kotor?

Nafplio is very good for shopping. However, Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Nafplio is a great destination for shopping. 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.

Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Nafplio or Kotor Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Kotor.

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 Kotor. Kids will enjoy wandering the streets of old town, exploring the city's fortress, or making their way around the city walls. There are a few beaches to explore, but they are a bit rocky. It's also fun to get out on the water on a boat ride.

Is Nafplio or Kotor Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nafplio and Kotor make for a great 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 Kotor frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The charming old town, picturesque views, and quaint personality of the town make this a great couple's get away. Whether you want to lounge on the water's edge or soak up the unique culture, there are many hidden sides to the coastal town.

Is Nafplio or Kotor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kotor 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 Kotor. The town is affordable and reasonably accessible, making it a great option for backpackers. It's not as touristy as some of the more popular coastal towns in the area, so you can enjoy a bit of authenticity without spending big bucks.

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 Kotor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nafplio is very good for its public transit. However, Kotor is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kotor. Cars aren't allowed in the old town, but you can travel to nearby town's by bus. Most leave from the town's main bus station with higher frequency during the summer months.

Is Nafplio or Kotor a more walkable city?

Nafplio and Kotor are world-class when it comes to walkability.

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

Getting around Kotor on foot is easy. The old town is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kotor or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Kotor?

It's fun to spend time in either Nafplio or Kotor. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Kotor due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nafplio, and 3-4 days is enough time in Kotor.

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

Couples should spend more time in Kotor than Nafplio. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kotor that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kotor 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 Kotor.

One day in Nafplio or Kotor?

In Nafplio, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Kotor is a small town with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This coastal town 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 Kotor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nafplio. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Kotor might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Kotor?

Nafplio is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Nafplio. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Kotor 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 Kotor?

You'll find food and shopping around the picturesque destination of Nafplio. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kotor. Since Kotor is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Kotor?

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

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 Kotor in the Summer?

Both Kotor and Nafplio during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kotor for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nafplio is around the same temperature as Kotor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nafplio in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Kotor averages at about 26°C (80°F).

In Kotor, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kotor. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Kotor. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Kotor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Kotor. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kotor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 19°C (66°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kotor 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 Kotor during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Kotor. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Kotor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Kotor. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Kotor for the cuisine during these months.

Nafplio is much warmer than Kotor in the winter. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Kotor fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Kotor. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets less rain in January than Kotor. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Kotor in the Spring?

Both Kotor and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nafplio is around the same temperature as Kotor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nafplio in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Kotor averages at about 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Kotor during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In April, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Kotor. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kotor and Nafplio