PeloPonneseArGOLISPeloPonneseBEACHESPeloPonneseNA
fPLIOen skulls, black coral inlaid with mother-of-
pearl and carved ivory among the adjacent
collection of prayer beads belonging to as-
sorted religions.
National Gallery – Alexandros
Soutzos Museum GALLErY
(www.nationalgallery.gr; Sidiras Merarhias 23;
adult/concession €3/2, Mon free; h10am-3pm
Mon, Thu & Sat, 10am-3pm & 5-8pm Wed & fri, to
2pm Sun) This arm of the Athens National
Gallery is housed in a stunningly restored
neoclassical building. It features numerous
seascapes and different thematic takes on
the 1821 Greek War of Independence, in-
cluding paintings by Theodoros Vryzakis
and Dionysios Tsokos, who are considered
the most important Greek artists of the
postwar years.
Church of Agios Spyridon CHurCH
This 18th-century church was the site of an
assassination of great political significance
to the Greeks. On 9 October 1831 Ioannis
Kapodistrias, elected the first president of
an independent Greece in 1828, was stabbed
and shot near the door of the church by
Konstantinos and Georgios Mavromichalis,
brother and son of the leader of the Maniots.
They had had a bitter disagreement with Ka-
podistrias over the spoils of victory.
Cruise to Saronic Gulf Islands B OAT TOu r
(%27250 59430; http://www.pegasus-cruises.gr; adult/
child €34/17; hlate Apr-late Sep) Pegasus Cruis-
es offers popular full-day trips to the islands
of Hydra and Spetses from Tolo, 10km south-
east of Nafplio. The tour stops for a couple
of hours in each place. You can get to/from
Tolo by taxi (around €12) or bus, depending
on the schedule. There are at least two week-
ly departures (more in July and August).
Tickets are available at travel agencies.Nafplio Bike BICYCLE rENTAL
(www.nafplio-bike.gr; Kipou 2; per day €15; h9am-
9pm Mon-Sat) This is the place to hire city
and trekking bikes. Hourly rates available.r Beaches
Arvanitia Beach BEACH
This small pebble beach is just five minutes’
walk south of town, tucked beside the Ak-
ronafplia fortress, past the Land Gate. For
a scenic stroll, take the blustery, cactus-
adorned path that skirts the headland from
the bottom of the promenade.Karathona Beach BEACH
A gorgeous pine-tree-lined 3km path runs
from the car park next to Arvanitia Beach to
the long, sandy Karathona Beach. It’s a flat,
easy walk, though the beach could be clean-
er. Don’t feel like walking? Take 25 Martiou
east of town to the end of the road.z Festivals & Events
Nafplio is a good base for visits to Epidavros
in July and August for performances at the
famous ancient theatre (p 144 ) during the
Epidavros Festival, part of the larger cultural
Hellenic Festival (p 94 ).Classical Music Festival MuSIC
(www.nafplionfestival.gr; hlate May-Jul) Nafplio
hosts a classical-music festival, featuring
Greek and international performers.NAFPLIO’S BOUTIQUE SLEEPSNafplio’s streets burst with boutique hotels. These renovated former mansions vary in
style, though most have four to eight (rather compact) rooms with contemporary, period
or kitsch furnishings. Prices include cable TV. Note: all have steep internal stairs. We love
the following places:
Aetoma (%27520 27373; http://www.nafplionhotel.com; Plateia Agios Spiridonos 2; d incl breakfast
€75-120; aW) Intimate and comfortable, the Aetoma has dark, heavy and stylish furnish-
ings, and hospitable owners who go out of their way to be helpful. Generous traditional
breakfast included.
Adiandi (%27520 22073; http://www.hotel-adiandi.com; Othonos 31; d incl breakfast €75-110, s/
ste incl breakfast €65/130; aW) Rooms in this fun place are individually decorated with
bright colours, artistic door bedheads and marble sinks. A funky cafe-cum-breakfast-
room is downstairs.
Amymone (%27520 99477; http://www.amymone.gr; Othonos 39; d incl breakfast €75-105, s/ste incl
breakfast €65/130; aiW) Amymone is all about stencilled art, faux graffiti and Blaxploi-
tation silhouettes on funky door bedsteads. Will appeal to pop art fans. Mod cons and an
excellent breakfast included.