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

Should you visit Nafplio or Toulon?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Toulon? 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.

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Toulon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Nafplio than Toulon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Nafplio is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and shopping. Nafplio is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Also, Nafplio is famous for Palamidi Castle. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Nafplio different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nafplio is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Nafplio is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Nafplio or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Nafplio offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Nafplio or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nafplio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Nafplio is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nafplio or Toulon Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Toulon 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 Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Nafplio or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Toulon?

Toulon is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

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.

Is Nafplio or Toulon Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Nafplio or Toulon.

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 Toulon. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Nafplio or Toulon Better for Couples?

Nafplio is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

Nafplio is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Nafplio or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Toulon are both notable 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.

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Nafplio and Toulon.

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 Toulon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Nafplio or Toulon a more walkable city?

Nafplio is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Nafplio 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.

Toulon is a very walkable city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Toulon?

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

Families should spend more time in Nafplio than Toulon. 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 Toulon. 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 Toulon 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 Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nafplio. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Toulon, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city 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 Toulon?

Nafplio is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Nafplio or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nafplio. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Nafplio. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. 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 France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Toulon?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Toulon. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nafplio is around the same temperature as Toulon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nafplio in July average around 25°C (76°F), and Toulon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the summer, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Toulon. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Toulon in the Autumn?

Both Toulon and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Nafplio is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 19°C (66°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In October, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Toulon. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Nafplio during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nafplio is much warmer than Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Toulon. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Toulon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Toulon. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nafplio is a little warmer than Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nafplio in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Toulon. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Nafplio