Old fishing village, stretching along a beautiful sandy beach and inhabited by friendly locals. The crystal clear sea will enjoy swimming, fishing and all kinds of water sports. Modern tourist center of the archaeological site - Ancient Asini, Epidaurus, Tiryns, Mycenae, Argos, Nafplion offers the opportunity to visit with local buses, guided tours, cars, motorbikes.

a body of water with blue sky and clouds

Island Romvi

It is the large island opposite Tolo, about 1.6 square kilometers. In Romvi are damaged walls and ruins of old houses. Old was the shipyard for fishermen. On the back side there is a beautiful beach which is only accessible by boat. For the story in the medieval text Chronicle of Monemvasia found in Iviron stated that after the conquest of the Peloponnese by the Slav inhabitants of Argos fled to the nearby island GRO which likely corresponds to Romvi.pan>

Island Daskalio

Island with low scrub vegetation. At the top there is a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Renovated, according to an inscription in the temple by Cretan refugees in 1869. The church is vaulted basilica with a pitched stegi.Gia the name of the island there are two views: a) in accordance with the prevailing tradition in the island operated seminary, seminary, hence name Daskalio b) Daskaleio name is a corruption of Scogio di Tolon, as it was called port Daskaleioy by sailors and modern Italian geographers.

Island Koronisi

We nod to the small lighthouse of Romvi that points out to the seafarers the sharp cape and we start heading towards the third isle of Tolo, lilliputian, craggy Koronisi. Its rocky slopes are bathed by waterfalls of prickly pears and on its top shines the completely white chapel of Agioi Anargyroi. It looks like an overdecorated crown and at nights it seduces the romantic souls that are mesmerised by its soft lighting. The chapel was built by the first Cretans who settled in Tolo after 1830. It gives an amazing view to Tolo and the Argolic Gulf, and many people choose it for their marriage ceremony. The inhabitants of Tolo are absolutely right... Without its isles the tourist king of the South would look empty...

Ancient Asini - Kastraki

Assini is not famous only for it's delicious mandarins. Once you visit it you will be impressed by it's history and archaeological monuments. Let's explore some of them. The big village called Tzeferaga Assini is just a few kilometers away from Nafplio (10 km) near the tourist Tolo and close to Drepano. During the ottoman period the village was called "Tzeferaga" by Tzeffers Aga, who was the commander of the region. In 1902 renamed in Assini, from ancient name of Assini, ruins of which, are preserved on the beach Kastraki (or Paliokastro just before Tolo). You can also see the Acropolis of Assini. In the Mycenaean era Assini was a great town and it was the grand port of Mycenae. 700 BC was plundered by the Argious who the only that they left behind was the temple of Apollo Pythaea. After that the residents of Assini left their land and became settlers in Messinia. The excavations of the Swedes, by the King Gustav in 1922, have highlighted the myth of Assini. Homer mentioned Assini it in the Iliad epic as people of Assini along with their king had taken part in the Trojan war.
In Barbunas hill you can see the famous caves where they say that it was hidden the king of Assini, when the enemies chased him. It is said that as the soldiers were looking for him, an officer watching prevented one soldier to look for him in the caves assumming thet if the king went to that way the webs of the spiders would have gone. So the spiders saved the king!

Ancient Theatre of Argos

With a capacity of 20,000 seats approximately, it counts among the largest ancient theatres in Greece. Nestling in the southeastern side of the castle hill, so as to be linked to the agora, it overlooked the ancient city and was visible from the Argolic gulf. Preexisting small sanctuaries interspersed on the same spot, including those of the Dioskouroi and Zeus Eubouleus, remained untouched during construction of the monument. Built during the Hellenistic period, in the early third century BC, it replaced the oldest theatre of the town, which lied about 100m to the south and was built in the fifth century BC, probably in order to host music and drama contests during the Panhellenic Nemean games, which were then transferred definitively to the town of Argos from the sanctuary of Zeus in Nemea; almost simultaneously, the Heraian games were also transferred to Argos. According to evidence, the oldest Nemean competition taking place in the theatre of Argos in 205 BC involved guitar players and singers. The monument also hosted political conferences, such as the regular Sessions of the Achaian Sympoliteia (League) during the second century BC.

Castle of Argos

The castle of Argos stood on the acropolis of the settlement of the same name. Traces of it may now be seen in the area of the Stavros (Holy Cross) Monastery. The settlement of Argos, held by some sources to have been founded and inhabited by Dorians (Epidaurians or/and Argives) until the 15th century, has disappeared completely. It is thought to have occupied the plain south of the acropolis hillock, in SW Nissyros. The acropolis of Argos apparently dates to the same period as Palaiokastro at Mandraki. It controlled the sea between Nissyros and the neighbouring islands to its SW as well as the volcanic carldera, being within sight of the castles of Emboreio, Nikia and Parlettia. The castle of Argos is one of the five castles mentioned by the Italian traveller and cartographer Christoforo Buondelmonti in 1420

Ancient Theatre of Epidauros

In a canyon, in 340 BC, an Argos architect Polykleitos the Younger, built, according to Pausanias, the theatre of Epidaurus. Among all the ancient theatres, Epidaurus theatre is the most beautiful and best preserved. Destined for the fun of the patients of Asklipieio, it had a capacity of 13,000 spectators. It was divided into two parts: A 21-rows of seats part, aimed for the citizens and a 34-rows of seats part aimed for the priests and rulers. The superb acoustics as well as the very well preserved construction, contributed to the creation of Epidaurus Festival S.A., an institution that contributed to the cultural revival of the theatre. Great actors have acted at such as Alexis Minotis, Thanos Kotsopoulos, Anna Synodinou, Thanasis Vengos and the famous Greek soprano Maria Kallas.

Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus

In the peaceful hinterland of Epidaurus, with its mild climate and abundant mineral springs, is the sanctuary of the god-physician Asklepios, the most famous healing centre of the Greek and Roman world. The sanctuary belonged to the small coastal town of Epidaurus, but its fame and recognition quickly spread beyond the limits of the Argolid. It is considered the birthplace of medicine and is thought to have had more than two hundred dependent spas in the eastern Mediterranean. Its monuments, true masterpieces of ancient Greek art, are a precious testimony to the practice of medicine in antiquity. Indeed they illustrate the development of medicine from the time when healing depended solely on the god until systematic description of cases and the gradual accumulation of knowledge and experience turned it into a science.

Mycenae

Mycenae 'Rich in Gold', the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization, while the myths related to its history have inspired poets and writers over many centuries, from the Homeric epics and the great tragedies of the Classical period to contemporary literary and artistic creation. Perseus, son of Zeus and Dana?, daughter of Akrisios, king of Argos and descendant of Danaos, is traditionally considered as its mythical founder. Pausanias (2, 16, 3) reports that Perseus named the new city Mycenae after the pommel (mykes) of his sword, which fell there, or after the Perseia spring, discovered there under the root of a mushroom (mykes). According to the myth, Perseus's descendants reigned at Mycenae for three generations. After the last of them, Eurystheas, died childless, the Mycenaeans chose Atreus, son of Pelops, father of Agamemnon and Menelaos, as their king.

Hydra

Reaching the port, Hydra island looks glamorous like an art-paint, with grey, white and blue colours above the blue of the sea, an exemplar of architectonics and aesthetics. The town of Hydra island, which is the centre of the whole island, is built amphitheatrically around the port, combining nature and architecture. From your very first visit, a magic feeling surrounds you. Perhaps it's in the unique architecture and graphic scenes throughout the Island, or perhaps it's in its long history and rich heritage, or even - a fusion of all. A stroll through the town's picturesque cobble stone streets, will convince you of its uniqueness. The visitor, coming for the first time, is impressed from the view of the tall buildings and Manors, which exist in the port. Right and left from the entrance of the port, there are the Parapets with the Canons, which protected the town. Today, the port of Hydra is filled with little and big yachts, boats and cruisers. You can walk to the port, the heart of the town, take a stroll at the tourist shops, admire the old Manors and visit the Museum of Hydra island.

Spetses

Spetses, an island boasting a long naval tradition, is famous for its significant contribution to the 1821 War of Independence. It was here that the revolution flag was raised on 3rd April 1821. The island has managed to retain its individual traditional character thanks to its well-preserved grand captain mansions, still bearing eloquent witness to the island's glorious past. The picturesque old harbour and Dápia, a tourist and commercial centre where the heart of the island's entertainment beats, are the trademarks of the town of Spetses. Take a romantic trip around the island in horse-drawn carriages and admire the grand mansions adorning the narrow cobbled streets of the island. You can visit Spetses during September, when "Armata", a truly impressive re-enactment of a naval battle takes place ever since 1931. If you are a sports lover, you definitely don't want to miss the unique athletic events organised every year in April "Spetsathlon" and October "Spetses Mini Marathon", where thousands of participants take place. Spetsathlon, the biggest triathlon in Greece, receives athletes from every corner of Greece and the world who enjoy the Swimming, Biking and Running races. On the other hand, Spetses Mini Marathon gathers athletes and visitors that enjoy running and swimming races for the young at heart!

Castello dello Soglio was the first name of the Venetian castle, which along with Palamidi, is considered one of the landmarks of Nafplio. Nevertheless, the name that finally prevailed is Bourtzi, which in Turkish means « Island - Fort ».With the Venetian «castle of the throne» there is always a dilemma for you: Is it better to gaze it from a distance- like a postcard that never fades- or to wander in its microcosm and smell strong smells of history? What is certain is that just looking at it is not enough; just like everybody else , you will probably want to know its history. Bourtzi was built on the islet of St. Theodoroi in1473 by the Italian engineer Gabelo and that is why its first name is Italian. Moreover, if you have heard people refer to Nafplio as «the chain harbour» (Porto Cadena ), this is because there was, indeed, a mobile chain which connected Acronafplia with Bourtzi and whose purpose was to protect the harbour and the city from sea invaders. As years passed by, the Venetian castle was used in a variety of ways. Being, initially, the first prison of Kolokotronis (best-known hero of the Greek revolution against the Turks) and the residence of the executioners of Palamidi, it later offered housing to the Greek government twice. During the 30s it operated as a centre of the Greek national tourist organisation and from 1960 to 1970 as a luxury hotel and restaurant.

Or otherwise known as the 999 steps! If you are an extreme person and the winds don't favour for kite surf, you can take the steps up to Palamidi and keep yourself in excellent shape at the same time. And, to be frank, the stairs are only 857!To be more serious, the idea is not so extreme, considering that you can make resting stops along the way, seating on the larger steps and having the unique view of Nafplio and of the sea as a reward. There is, however, the option that the majority of the visitors prefer; get inside your car and drive to the east side of the castle. Well done! You have just arrived to one of the most important and best-preserved castles in Greece, an exquisite example of Venetian architecture of the 18th century. The hill at which the castle is located was named after Palamidis, the hero of Homer's Epics. It is said that, in 1686, the Venetian Commander-in-Chief Morosini envisioned the construction of the castle, whose architectural design was undertaken by governor Grimani. In 1715, just one year after its completion, it was occupied by the Turks and just one century later it finally came to the possession of the Greeks.

a person standing on a stone wall overlooking a city

Akronafplia is the imposing rocky peninsula that once was the Acropolis of Nafplio. The Turks used to call it "Its-Kale" that means "inside the fortress". How to get there: You can approach the castle and admire the unique view with many ways: You can go east at Staikopoulos Park and from the Arvanitias square, or you can walk through the "dromoskala" of the Catholic Church and the gate of the Castle of Toroni.

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