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

Should you visit Nafplio or Varna?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Varna? 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 Varna?

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.

Varna

Varna is a coastal city on the Black Sea. It's the third largest city in Bulgaria and many people consider it the summer capital of the country. It's a major tourist destination and it can make for a relaxing escape at the beach if you're in Bulgaria during the summer. It is the only city in Bulgaria that cruises visit, and as such, it's tourist infrastructure has grown. In addition to being a tourist destination, Varna is also a business and university center, seaport, and the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours in Bulgaria, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Bulgaria.


Which place is cheaper, Varna 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 Varna is €61. 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 Varna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nafplio 50
    Varna 33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nafplio 100
    Varna 66
Compare Hotels in Nafplio and Varna

Looking for a hotel in Nafplio or Varna? 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 Varna


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 Varna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nafplio 46
    Varna 8.77

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 Varna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Varna:

  • Varna to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $644
  • Varna Airport - Ravda | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $136
  • Varna Airport - Nessebar | Airport Transfer,Taxi, Bus, Van Service | Book Now: $131
  • Private Transfer from Varna to Burgas (BOJ) Airport: $128
  • Private Transfer from Varna Airport (VAR) to Burgas Cruise Port: $65
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Varna City: $22
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sveti Vlas: $109
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sunny Beach: $219
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Sozopol: $155
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Saints Constantine and Helena: $25
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Pomorie: $118
  • Private Transfer from Varna (VAR) Airport to Obzor: $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Nafplio or Varna?

Prices for flights to both Varna 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
    Varna 22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nafplio 22
    Varna 8.04

Tours and Activities in Nafplio

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

  • Nafplio Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: $11
  • Highlights Walking Tour: $59
  • City Walking Tour: $86
  • Mycenae-Nafplio-Epidaurus Private Full Day Tour with Sedan: $91
  • From Nafplion: Mycenae, Corinth Canal and Epidavros Day Tour: $182
  • Visit Ancient Corinth Mycenae Nafplio Canal Private Tour 8H: $188
  • Mycenae Epidavrous Nafplio Isthmus Canal Full Day Tour 8 H: $199
  • From Hydra Island Private-Tour to Nafplio, Epidaurus&Mycenae: $385
  • Argolis: Full-Day Private Peloponnese Tour from Athens: $427
  • From Athens: Peloponnese Full Day Private Tour & Audio Tour: $503
  • Peloponnese: Mycenae Nafplio Epidaurus Private Tour & Audio: $503
  • Athens: Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio Day Tour: $524

Tours and Activities in Varna

Here are a few actual costs in Varna for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Action Aqua Park Entrance Ticket: $25
  • Audio Guide for All Varna Sights, Attractions or Experiences: $15
  • Bulgaria Day Bike & E-bike Tours - country & sea: $63
  • E-Motorcycle Tour in Old Rock Monastery and Old Roman Fortress : $114
  • From Hiking and Climbing Day Tour: $74
  • From Rock Sanctuaries Hiking Tour: $74
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the North of Varna: $206
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour to the South of Varna: $206
  • Full-Day Small-Group Tour of Bulgaria by Minivan with Lunch: $87
  • GPS & Video guided Tour to The North Coast Of The Black Sea: $183
  • Guided Nessebar Sightseeing Tour with Pick Up: $108
  • Half Day Private Bicycle Tour in Varna: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nafplio 6.86
    Varna 8.00

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 Varna

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

  • Private Exploration: French Influence in Varna + Walking + Wine tasting tour: $53
  • Bulgarian Wine Tasting & Art Gallery Experience in Varna: $53
  • Varna Exquisite Wine Tasting: $64
  • Private Varna Gourmet Tour with Superb Wine Tasting: $64
  • The Ultimate Private Varna Walking, Culture & Wine Tasting Tour: $75
  • E-bike & Wine Tour to the Bulgarian Coast: $104
  • Varna Gourmet Tour including Wine Tasting: $127


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

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


Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Varna?

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

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 Varna in the Summer?

Both Varna and Nafplio during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Varna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Varna. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varna receives 268 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets less rain in July than Varna. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Varna receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Nafplio or Varna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Varna. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Nafplio is a little warmer than Varna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nafplio in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Varna averages at about 14°C (57°F).

In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Varna during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Varna receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Varna. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Varna receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nafplio 19°C (66°F) 
    Varna 14°C (57°F)

Should I visit Nafplio or Varna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Varna. The winter months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Nafplio often gets more sunshine than Varna. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varna receives 83 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Varna. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Varna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Nafplio or Varna in the Spring?

Both Varna and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nafplio this time of year.

Nafplio is a little warmer than Varna in the spring. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Varna fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives more sunshine than Varna during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Varna receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Varna. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Varna receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nafplio 15°C (58°F) 
    Varna 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Varna and Nafplio

Nafplio Varna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 102 mm (4 in) 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 6°C (43°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 15°C (58°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 25°C (76°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 154 mm (6.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)