A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nafplio vs. Mamaia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nafplio or Mamaia?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Mamaia? 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.

Where Should I go: Nafplio or Mamaia?

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.

Mamaia

The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest.


Which place is cheaper, Mamaia or Nafplio?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nafplio is €112, while the average daily cost in Mamaia is €60. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nafplio and Mamaia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nafplio 50
    Mamaia 23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nafplio 100
    Mamaia 46
Compare Hotels in Nafplio and Mamaia

Looking for a hotel in Nafplio or Mamaia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nafplio


Hotels in Mamaia


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nafplio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nafplio 46
    Mamaia 25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nafplio

Also for Nafplio, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Athens: Bus Transfer to/from Nafplio: $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia

Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
  • Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
  • Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Nafplio or Mamaia?

Prices for flights to both Mamaia 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nafplio 34
    Mamaia 21

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nafplio 22
    Mamaia 12

Tours and Activities in Nafplio

For Nafplio, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Argolis: Full-Day Private Peloponnese Tour from Athens: $427
  • Athens: Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio Day Tour: $524
  • From Athens: Peloponnese Full Day Private Tour & Audio Tour: $503
  • From Hydra Island Private-Tour to Nafplio, Epidaurus&Mycenae: $385
  • From Nafplion: Mycenae, Corinth Canal and Epidavros Day Tour: $182
  • Mycenae Epidavrous Nafplio Isthmus Canal Full Day Tour 8 H: $199
  • Mycenae-Nafplio-Epidaurus Private Full Day Tour with Sedan: $91
  • Nafplio Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: $11
  • City Walking Tour: $86
  • Highlights Walking Tour: $59
  • Peloponnese Tour 2-Day Itinerary: $1,444
  • Peloponnese: Mycenae Nafplio Epidaurus Private Tour & Audio: $503

Tours and Activities in Mamaia

For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
  • One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175
  • Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nafplio 6.86
    Mamaia 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Nafplio

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nafplio:

  • Nafplion: Nemea Vineyards Wine Tour: $171
  • "Wine tasting Tour in Nemea and Visit tour in Nafplio": $295

Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia

Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nafplio and Mamaia, we can see that Nafplio is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Mamaia.

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



When is the best time to visit Nafplio or Mamaia?

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 Mamaia in the Summer?

Both Mamaia and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Mamaia. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Mamaia fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Mamaia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Mamaia during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Mamaia receives 320 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Mamaia. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nafplio 25°C (76°F) 
    Mamaia 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Mamaia in the Autumn?

Both Mamaia and Nafplio during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Mamaia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Mamaia fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Mamaia. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mamaia receives 182 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Mamaia. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nafplio 19°C (66°F) 
    Mamaia 14°C (56°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Mamaia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Mamaia. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Mamaia can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Nafplio is much warmer than Mamaia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Mamaia averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Mamaia during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Mamaia receives 83 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Mamaia. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nafplio 10°C (51°F) 
    Mamaia 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Mamaia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Mamaia. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Mamaia. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Mamaia fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the spring, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Mamaia. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mamaia receives 180 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets more rain in April than Mamaia. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nafplio 15°C (58°F) 
    Mamaia 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Mamaia and Nafplio

Nafplio Mamaia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 1°C (33°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in) 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (56°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 8°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 4°C (38°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)