VISIT A MUSEUM

Whether you are interested in archeology or folk costumes, kombolois or ouzo, you'll find at least one museum to visit in Nafplio.

The Archaeological Museum is a must. This large and rigorous building was originally a Venetian arsenal. The museum was closed for several years for renovation, but reopened in 2009 and now stands as a delicious and contemporary frame around the many finds from excavations in Argolis. A true experience! Entrance 6 E (2022).

(Syntagma Square)

The Folklore Museum was voted Museum of the Year in 1981, and the exhibitions haven’t changed much since then. But that's okay for a museum that displays many a fascinating and instructive tableaux, ranging from interiors, great costumes, furniture, musical instruments, jewelry and tools, to name just a few of the many objects you find here. Decent museum shop on the first floor.

(Street: Vas. Alexandrou)

The War Museum covers the recent war history of the area - the liberation wars in the first part of the 1800s and World War II. Weapons, uniforms, pictures and texts are among the exhibited material. The building also has an interesting history, housing Greece's first military academy from 1828.

(Street: Amalias)

The Komboloi Museum is, as far as we know, the only one of its kind in the world. Shop on the ground floor, a museum in the second, both filled to the brim with beautiful kombolois. Kombolois are worry beads, the small "pearl chains" particularly elderly Greek men can be seen with. The beads’ purpose is to help you calm down and get rid of your worries. In many other countries, kombolois have a religious significance, and such kombolois are also exhibited in the museum. The beads are made of materials like amber, mastic, ivory and coral, and the oldest komboloi here is 300 years old. So many wonderful kombolois in one place!

(Street: Staïkopoulo)

In a beautiful neoclassical building from 1907, you’ll find Nafplio’s branch of the National Gallery. It houses a permanent exhibition, including older paintings from Nafplio, and sometimes exhibitions from the parent museum in Athens.

(Street: Sidiras Merachias)

Karoni’s Distillery Museum exhibits equipment dating from 1880 until present day, Karoni being one of Greece’s oldest distilleries. This family business produces Nafplio’s own ouzo by the same name, easily recognizable in the shops with its label picturing a drawing of Bourtzi. Tsipouro and liqueurs are other products that are manufactured here. The museum (and distillery) is located just outside Nafplio, in Agia Paraskevi, you’ll find signs that lead you there if you follow the 25. Martiou Street up the hill towards Palamidi. If you are a group, call 27520 24968 for guiding, if your just 3-4 people in your company, no need to call ahead.

By the way, Karoni gets some of the water used in the production from the natural spring in nearby Agia Moni, you could continue there after your distillery visit, walking on small roads winding among the olive fields.