Nafplion - former capital of Greece

"You said there is no Paradise. Yet, I live in Nauplio" (Christos Katsigiannis)

Many people, both Greeks and foreigners, are of the opinion that Nafplion is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece.

Nafplion, former capital of Greece, is today a cosmopolitan town and a great base from which to explore the Argolis region. Neoclassical buildings, historic squares, old churches and Turkish mosques tell the history of the town through the ages.

Climb the 999 steps to the Venetian fortress of Palamidi - from here the views are magnificent. Back in the town wander down through quaint alleyways to the seafront - here you'll find a good selection of tavernas and coffee shops. From here you can look towards the prison island of Bourtzi.

Nafplion is the capital of the Argolis region - this was the heart of Greece from 1600 to 1100 B.C. under the Mycenaeans. With their decline, the Dorians controlIed the fate of the area until its conquest of the country by the Romans. During the Byzantine era Argolida shared the fortune of the rest of the Peloponnese. It was ruled by the Franks and surrendered to the Turks in 1460, Nafplion, however, remained in Venetian hands until 1540. Nafplion was the capital of the newly formed Greek state from 1828 to 1834, when this role passed to Athens.

Nafplion is a great base from which to explore the stunning Argolis region - olive groves, forests, meadows, mountain villages and peaks abound; and we mustn't forget the area's beautiful beaches.

• Epidavros is what the ancients called a “sight to please the eye" and is ranked as one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. This amphitheatre was built in the 4th century B.C. and is known for its incredible acoustics. Today Epidavrus theatre comes alive every summer thanks to the Epidavrus Festival, celebrating performances of ancient drama.

• Mycenae is the centre of Mycenean culture and dates back to 3000 B.C. This area was excavated by the German archaeologist Henrich Schliemann in the 1850s. Here you can see the ruined city as well as its Acropolis, the Lions Gate, the Mycenaean Palace and the Mycenaean Tombs. The richest discovery was the 'Treasure of Atreus' or the Tomb of Agamemnon with its large, richly decorated dome. Agamemnon, son of Atreus, was the leader of the Greeks during their victorious expedition against Troy. This man's turbulent life as well as his family's fate was the main source of inspiration for 5th century dramatists whose tragedies remain unsurpassed to this day.

• Lesser known sites of historic interest in the Argolida are the World Heritage site of Tiryns, reputed birthplace of Hercules,plus a huge variety of smaller lesser known sites such as Lerna, Midea, Kazarma or the Pyramid at Ellinikon. Also pay a visit to Argos, the oldest continually occupied city in Europe.