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

Should you visit Nafplio or Ravenna?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Ravenna? 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 food, beaches, and shopping.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a off-the-beaten-path, charming, and authentic town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Ravenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Ravenna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nafplio. Although Nafplio and Ravenna are both popular with visitors, Nafplio has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nafplio is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Ravenna is known for its small town charm. Nafplio is more touristy than Ravenna and is known for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. It is also home to Palamidi Castle. Ravenna is popular for its many stunning mosaics which date back to the early Christian and Byzantine empires.

How is Nafplio different from Ravenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Ravenna and Nafplio.

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.

Many visitors head to Ravenna specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Most sights in town are centered around the the beautiful mosaics. Neonian Baptistery is a good place to begin your visit. Other highlights include San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo.

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

Both Nafplio and Ravenna 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, Ravenna makes for a great culinary experience. The region is most known for its first course dishes, so pasta lovers will enjoy dining on homemade egg pasta dishes that are served with meat or cheese sauces. You'll also find lots of grilled meats and many great desserts.

Is Nafplio or Ravenna Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Nafplio has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Ravenna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find most of the pubs and clubs in town around Marina di Ravenna. There are a couple of places that attract a crowd, but many are open only during the summer months.

Is Nafplio or Ravenna Better for Beaches?

Nafplio is a good destination for the beache. However, Ravenna 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.

Ravenna is not a beach destination.

Is Nafplio or Ravenna Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is a very popular place for its old town. However, Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Ravenna does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Ravenna?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Nafplio and Ravenna.

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.

Ravenna is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice shopping streets in town where you can buy locally made mosaics. You'll also find art studios and artisan shops, as well as your typical souvenir shops and clothing stores. Via Cavour, via Diaz, and via Cairoli are some of the most popular shopping streets.

Is Nafplio or Ravenna Better for Families?

Ravenna is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Ravenna. In town you'll find mosaics, museums, and a charming town, and ten kilometers outside of town you'll find Italy's largest amusement park - Mirabilandia. The city is also filled with parks where kids can explore and learn, and the food, like any Italian city, is very kid-friendly.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nafplio. 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.

Is Nafplio or Ravenna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nafplio and Ravenna 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 Ravenna frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Many visitors to Italy don't add this charming town to their itinerary, but for couples who want to experience a small town setting with beautiful art and architecture, then Ravenna is a great option. There are parks to explore and great restaurants to experience as well.

Is Nafplio or Ravenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Ravenna 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.

Ravenna is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a bit off-the-beaten path, so you won't find a large number of hostels or a lot of backpackers to hang out with. That doesn't mean it won't make a great addition to your itinerary though.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Nafplio and Ravenna.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

You'll find some public transit in Ravenna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses in and around town are managed by START ROMAGNA and offer access to many nearby towns.

Is Nafplio or Ravenna a more walkable city?

Nafplio is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Ravenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Ravenna is a very walkable destination. There are care-free areas to the town that can only be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ravenna or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Ravenna?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Nafplio than Ravenna. 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 Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

In Nafplio, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Ravenna is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Ravenna?

In Nafplio, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Nafplio has to offer.

Ravenna 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. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ravenna has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Ravenna?

Nafplio 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.

Ravenna 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 Ravenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nafplio. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nafplio. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ravenna. Since Ravenna is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Ravenna?

Ravenna has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Ravenna, 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 Ravenna?

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 Ravenna in the Summer?

Both Ravenna and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Ravenna because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nafplio is generally around the same temperature as Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Ravenna. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Ravenna in the Autumn?

Both Ravenna and Nafplio during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Ravenna this time of year.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Ravenna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Ravenna fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Ravenna. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Ravenna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Ravenna. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ravenna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ravenna. In the winter, Nafplio is much warmer than Ravenna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Ravenna averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Ravenna. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Ravenna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Ravenna. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Ravenna in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Ravenna. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Ravenna fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Nafplio usually gets less rain in April than Ravenna. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Ravenna receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ravenna and Nafplio