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

Should you visit Nafplio or Urbino?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Urbino? 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 picturesque, romantic, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Nafplio or Urbino?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nafplio. Although Nafplio and Urbino are popular destinations, Nafplio has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nafplio is more touristy than Urbino and is known for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. It is also well known for Palamidi Castle. Urbino is famous for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Nafplio different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is great for its historical sights. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nafplio. 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.

Urbino is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.


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

Nafplio
Urbino

Both Nafplio and Urbino offer a number of excellent 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, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Nafplio or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Many people head to Nafplio for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Nafplio or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is a city with good options for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Nafplio. 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.

Urbino is not a beach destination.


Is Nafplio or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town.

Nafplio is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Urbino?

Nafplio
Urbino

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Nafplio and Urbino.

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.

Urbino is a great destination for shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Nafplio or Urbino Better for Families?

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Nafplio offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.


Is Nafplio or Urbino Better for Couples?

Nafplio
Urbino

With fun activities for couples, both Nafplio and Urbino make for a excellent 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 Urbino frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Nafplio or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Nafplio is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Nafplio or Urbino Better for Students?

Nafplio
Urbino

Urbino is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Nafplio is not popular with students.

Urbino is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

Nafplio is not popular with students.


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

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Nafplio offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Nafplio or Urbino a more walkable city?

Nafplio
Urbino

Nafplio is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Nafplio is a very easy city to get around 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Urbino?

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

Families should spend more time in Nafplio than Urbino. 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 Urbino. 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 Urbino 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.


  • How many days in Nafplio or Urbino? Ideal Length of Stay
    Nafplio 2-3 
    Urbino 1-2

One day in Nafplio or Urbino?

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 Urbino, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino, 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 Urbino has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Urbino?

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.

Urbino 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Urbino. 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Urbino 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 Urbino is €118. 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 Urbino in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nafplio 50
    Urbino 53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nafplio 100
    Urbino 106
Compare Hotels in Nafplio and Urbino

Looking for a hotel in Nafplio or Urbino? 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 Urbino


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 and Urbino Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nafplio 46
    Urbino 44

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 Urbino

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

  • Private Transfer from Borgo Maggiore to Rimini (RMI) Airport: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Nafplio or Urbino?

Prices for flights to both Urbino 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
    Urbino 39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nafplio 22
    Urbino 15

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 Urbino

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Urbino.

  • E-BIKE Tour San Marino for couples: $114
  • Entrance Ticket - Titanus Museum: Multimedia Experience: $8.68
  • From Montefeltro Tour with Truffle Lunch: $396
  • Guided Tour of San Marino at Sunset with aperitif included: $184
  • Guided group tour of Ducal Palace and National Gallery: $94
  • Private Guided Tour with Aperitif in Winebar in San Marino: $92
  • Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site: $172
  • Private tour with Welcome KIT in San Marino: $136
  • San Marino Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Tour: $8.97
  • San Marino’s Starlit Stroll: A Christmas Walking Tour: $153
  • San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • San Marino: Food Tasting Tour: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nafplio 6.86
    Urbino 14

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


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


Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Urbino?

Urbino has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Urbino. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Urbino for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Urbino in the summer. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Urbino fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Urbino. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nafplio 25°C (76°F) 
    Urbino 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Urbino. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Urbino because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nafplio is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nafplio in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Urbino averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Urbino. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nafplio 19°C (66°F) 
    Urbino 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

It's quite cold in Urbino in the winter. In January, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 10°C (51°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

It's quite rainy in Nafplio. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Urbino. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nafplio 10°C (51°F) 
    Urbino 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Nafplio during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Urbino for the natural beauty.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Urbino in the spring. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Nafplio usually gets less rain in April than Urbino. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nafplio 15°C (58°F) 
    Urbino 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Urbino and Nafplio

Nafplio Urbino
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in) 5°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)


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