7 Best Things to Do in Nafplio with Kids

Nafplio waterfront and Old Town in Greece with Palamidi Fortress overlooking the town

If you’ve been thinking about visiting Nafplio, you may be wondering whether Nafplio with kids is actually worth it. If you’re looking for a beautiful and family-friendly destination in mainland Greece, Nafplio should be at the top of your list. We visited for the first time last year with our 5-year-old, 3-year-old, and 10-month-old and ended up spending a full week exploring the town and surrounding area. Between the charming architecture, stroller-friendly streets, beautiful waterfront, and plenty of parks and open spaces for kids to play, it quickly became one of our favorite destinations in Greece.

In fact, we enjoyed Nafplio so much that we’re already planning a return visit this year. Whether you’re visiting as a day trip from Athens or spending several days exploring the region, Nafplio offers the perfect mix of history, beaches, family-friendly attractions, and laid-back Greek charm.

More Mainland Greece Travel Guides

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Is Nafplio Worth Visiting with Kids?

Absolutely. After spending a week in Nafplio with our 3 kids, it quickly became one of our favourite family destinations in Greece.

One of the things I loved most about Nafplio was how easy it was to explore with young children. Unlike many destinations in Greece, much of the town is relatively flat and stroller-friendly, making it easy to wander the waterfront, explore the charming Old Town, and stop for a meal without constantly navigating steep hills or endless stairs.

Beyond its beautiful architecture and picturesque streets, Nafplio offers plenty to keep kids entertained. I was surprised at how many playgrounds we saw. There’s also family-friendly beaches nearby, and wide waterfront promenades that are perfect for walking with little ones. In the evenings, there were lots of families gathered around the large park and waterfront area, where parents enjoy a coffee or drink while children were riding their bikes and scooters along the wide pedestrian walkways. We were surprised by just how many local families and visitors were out every evening, giving the town a lively yet relaxed atmosphere that felt incredibly welcoming.

We also found Nafplio to be much less hectic than many of Greece’s popular islands, while still being lively enough to not feel boring.

Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, a family road trip through the Peloponnese, or a destination to pair with Athens, Nafplio is a fantastic choice. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we’re already planning a return visit this year.

Don’t lose this post! Pin it for later!

Collage of Nafplio, Greece, including a child overlooking the waterfront, views of the Old Town, the harbor, and a child playing at a park. — Planning a family trip to Nafplio? Our guide shares the best things to do with kids, from beaches and parks to exploring the Old Town and waterfront.

Best Things to Do in Nafplio with Kids

After spending a week in Nafplio with our three children, these were our favorite family-friendly activities and the places we think are worth adding to your itinerary.

Explore Nafplio Old Town

One of the best things to do in Nafplio with kids is simply wander through the Old Town (what the Greeks call a volta). With its colorful buildings, lively squares, and pedestrian-friendly streets, it’s the kind of place where you can slow down and explore without a strict itinerary.

Our kids loved stopping for ice cream, watching the horse-drawn carriages pass by, and exploring the narrow alleyways lined with shops and cafes. Because much of the Old Town is free from traffic, we found it much less stressful than many other destinations in Greece. It was easy to let the kids walk, explore, and enjoy themselves without constantly worrying about cars.

The streets are also surprisingly stroller-friendly, which made it easy to navigate with younger children.

Play at the Playground at Kolokotronis Park

Child playing on the playground at Kolokotronis Park in Nafplio, Greece — Our eldest having fun at Kolokotronis Park Playground.

We ended up at the playground at Kolokotronis Park every day after the beach since it was right on our way into town. It was an easy stop to make before heading into Nafplio for the evening, and the kids were always happy to go.

The playground is a good size with lots of different activities, so there was plenty to keep all three of our kids busy. It was also usually full of other kids, which gave it a really lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

There’s a beautiful view in the background, and the open space just outside the playground is great for kids who want to ride their bikes or scooters. Just be careful you don’t get run over by the kids flying around on their bikes and scooters—they are definitely not timid riders! 😂

Between the playground, bikes and scooters, there were always families around, making this a great spot to stop with kids when you’re spending the evening in Nafplio.

There’s also cafes and restaurants just outside the park so if your kids aren’t too young you can leave them to play while having a drink or some dinner.

Walk Along the Waterfront

If you only do one thing in Nafplio with kids, make it an evening walk along the waterfront. This quickly became one of our favorite parts of the day, and honestly, it’s one of the things I miss most about Nafplio.

After spending the day at the beach, we’d head back to town, grab a coffee or ice cream, and wander along the promenade before dinner. As the sun started to set, the whole area came alive. Kids were riding their bikes and scooters up and down the wide pedestrian walkways, playgrounds were full, and families gathered outside the cafes enjoying the cooler evening temperatures.

I loved how it felt like we were getting a glimpse into everyday life rather than just another tourist destination. Instead of rushing from one attraction to the next, we’d slow down, let the kids play, and soak up the atmosphere. It was such a simple part of our trip, but it’s one of the memories that has stuck with me the most.

Visit Palamidi Fortress

Palamidi Fortress overlooking Nafplio, Greece — Palamidi Fortress above Nafplio, Greece.

Perched high above Nafplio, Palamidi Fortress is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks and well worth a visit with kids. The views from the top are incredible, stretching over the colorful Old Town, Bourtzi Castle, and the Argolic Gulf.

If you’re visiting with young children, I’d recommend driving to the top rather than climbing the famous 999 steps. You’ll still get to explore the fortress and enjoy the panoramic views without exhausting everyone before you’ve even made it inside.

Our kids loved exploring the stone passageways, courtyards, and lookout points, and it felt more like an adventure than a history lesson. There’s plenty of space for children to wander, and the fortress is large enough that you can easily spend an hour or two exploring at your own pace.

Just keep in mind that the ground is uneven in places, so a baby carrier is much easier than a stroller inside the fortress.

You can find current visiting information and opening hours on the official archaeological site.

Spend an Evening at Filion Fun Park

Kids riding bumper cars at Filion Fun Park in Nafplio, Greece — My husband and son having fun playing bumper cars at Filion Fun Park in Nafplio.

We actually stumbled across Filion Fun Park on our first night in Nafplio while we were out for a walk after dinner. As soon as the kids saw the bumper cars, they immediately started asking if we could go.

A few nights later, we set aside about half an hour to stop by before heading home, and it ended up being a fun way to end the evening. The kids loved the bumper cars, played a game of basketball, and there were a few other arcade games as well. It also wasn’t too busy when we visited, so they were able to hop on the rides without much waiting.

Take a Boat to Bourtzi Castle

Bourtzi Fortress on the water in Nafplio, Greece, viewed from Palamidi Fortress — The view we had of Bourtzi Fortress when we walked up above the town.

You can’t miss Bourtzi. The small Venetian castle sits on an island just off Nafplio’s waterfront and is one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks. While it’s beautiful to admire from shore, I think it’s worth taking the short boat ride across, especially if you’re visiting with kids.

For our children, the boat ride was just as exciting as the castle itself. Even though it only takes a few minutes, it was enough to make the visit feel like a little adventure. Once you’re there, you can wander around the fortress, enjoy the views back toward Nafplio, and watch the boats coming and going from the harbor.

It’s not the kind of attraction where you’ll spend half a day, but that’s exactly why I liked it. We went after we came back from the beach before heading out for dinner. It’s open until 9 in July and August but closes earlier in the off season so double check the hours before making your plans.

Check the current boat schedule and visiting information before heading over, as times can change seasonally.

Spend a Day at Karathona Beach

Three young children playing in the sand at Karathona Beach near Nafplio, Greece, a calm and family-friendly beach with shallow water. — A relaxing day at Karathona Beach with our kids.

If you’re visiting Nafplio with kids, I’d highly recommend spending at least one day at Karathona Beach. We originally planned to try a few different beaches during our week in Nafplio, but after our first visit, we kept finding ourselves coming back.

We also spent a day at Tolo Beach, but if I’m being honest, Karathona was an easy winner. Tolo felt much busier, parking was harder to find, and we were even told that if we left our rented umbrella unattended for more than an hour, it could be given to someone else because of how crowded the beach gets. As parents of three young kids, that wasn’t exactly the relaxing beach day we were hoping for, especially when we have 2 kids we’d put for a stroller nap after lunch.

Karathona had a much more relaxed atmosphere. We ended up chatting with several Canadian families during our visits, and I loved that it had a nice mix of locals and visitors without ever feeling overcrowded. There are large dirt parking lots directly behind the beach, so finding parking was easy, and the calm, shallow water made it a great spot for kids to splash and play.

By the second day, we weren’t even debating which beach to visit anymore, we just kept coming back to Karathona.

Why We’d Visit Nafplio Again

After spending a week in Nafplio with our three kids, it’s safe to say it exceeded our expectations. Between the stroller-friendly Old Town, beautiful waterfront, family-friendly beaches, and relaxed atmosphere, it ended up being one of our favorite destinations in Greece.

In fact, we loved it so much that we’ll be returning for another week this summer. This time, we’re planning to use Nafplio as a base to explore nearby Ancient Epidaurus and Mycenae while still spending plenty of time at Karathona Beach and enjoying our evening walks along the waterfront.

If you’re looking for a destination that combines history, beaches, great food, and a genuinely family-friendly atmosphere, I can’t recommend Nafplio enough. It’s the kind of place that’s easy to settle into, and after one visit, I have a feeling you’ll already be planning your next one too.