Nafplio is arguably the prettiest town in the Peloponnese. Perched on a headland near-mythical Mycenae and ancient Epidaurus, washed by the sea on three sides, dominated by two castles, the setting is all you could hope for. Its historic pedestrianised centre is full of pastel-painted mansions, bustling streetside tavernas (a couple of which are actually rather good), and a marble-paved piazza that could be Tuscany - if you replaced the iced coffees and Karelias with cappuccini and gelati. There's a harbour with bobbing fishing boats, an instagrammable island with a prison-castle, and a small pebble beach shaded by pines - which could, at a pinch, be Croatia. (And yes, there's the concrete shell of an old hotel - just to remind you that you are definitely in Greece).
3Sixty, meanwhile, is arguably the prettiest hotel in Nafplio. Set in a handsome 19th-century townhouse painted a trendy grey, it occupies its own mini-block (hence 360°) one lane back from the seafront. The ground floor is an achingly hip cafe-restaurant offering Greek fusion food and late-night DJs. Upstairs are 7 parquet-floored suites, furnished with chandeliers, Italian beds and designer fireplaces. Some have balconies overlooking bougainvillea'd lanes, others top-dollar TVs disguised as mirrors. We've been waiting years for a true boutique hotel in this civilised town; now it's here, you'll need to move fast to get a room.
Highs
- We loved the suites' high ceilings, tall windows and elegant airiness: rare in a Greek city hotel
- Some suites have sofabeds or sitting rooms if you need extra space
- The buzzy café-restaurant serves upscale un-Greek fare: think wagyu steaks, tuna tartare, fine wines and cocktails
- You're a block from the seafront, a block from Syntagma Square, and a minute's walk from the one driveable road through town
- Nowhere in Greece combines ancient and medieval history, beach- and town life quite like Nafplio
Lows
- Unsurprisingly the town does get busy with weekending Athenians and school parties (less so in summer)
- Parking in the old town is tricky; be prepared for a short walk to the hotel
- Don't expect white-on-blue Greek simplicity: these suites are opulent, bordering on bling
- As befits a small town-centre hotel, there are no gardens, pool or guest lounge
Best time to go
Nafplio is popular all year round, especially among Greeks. Weekends fill up with Athenian couples on romantic breaks; midweek sees some school groups - but both drop off in summer. We love it best in April and October, but midsummer is good too - plenty of swimming and al fresco living.
Our top tips
If you come without a car (there are 10 daily buses from Athens) and fancy stretching your legs, walk east out of town to the art centre of Fougaro - you'll see its tall chimney - which also rewards you with a café, library and occasional workshops. A little further southeast is the pretty little monastery of Panagia, with a cypress-shaded chapel just above: the perfect picnic spot.
- Boutique Hotel
- 7 rooms
- Restaurant (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
From the double-height lobby, a sweeping staircase spirals up to six first-floor suites (there's also a lift) and one second-floor junior suite (no lift). There are 3 categories based on size: Junior, Queen and Family. Our favourites are the 2 corner Queens: chartreuse-accented 103 and super-spacious 106.
Expect parquet floors with shaggy rugs, high ceilings with Hermes-curtained windows, contemporary glass-fronted fireplaces, a creamy grey colour palette, and high spec furnishings - including dark leather sofas, Milanese Rugiano beds and triple-decker Cocomat mattresses. It all feels plush and peaceful, with a touch of bling in the chandeliers and giant mirrors (some of which cleverly hide an internal TV). Queen and Family suites have sitting rooms whose sofa converts to a single or double bed.
Some bathrooms are large, with jacuzzi tubs and twin sinks; others are smaller (but still perfectly functional) with hydromassage showers. The top-floor Junior has a large sea-view balcony with an outdoor jacuzzi, perfect for honeymooners.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
With its giant Anglepoise lamps, striking equine artworks and mirror-panelled walls, the ground floor restaurant is a bold contemporary departure from the jumble of trad tavernas which line Nafplio's lanes. And that's reflected in the menu too. You'll find a wide range of steaks (from porterhouse to wagyu) and meats (perhaps tuna tartare, beef carpaccio or duck fillet with celeriac puree), many of them arranged on slates or stacked with decorative leaves. There's an impressive 80-bottle, largely Greek wine list, and a dessert menu which rather relies on creams and chocolate. Expect to pay around €50pp including wines; more if you kick off with one of their glam cocktails (the Skyfall gets a thumbs up). We found the staff friendly and obliging, though others mention a certain stuffiness; for sure, this is not the sort of place you wander into wearing shorts and flip flops.
If you want something more casual, there are dozens of streetside tavernas within a short walk, serving Greek staples like saganaki cheese, grilled octopus, stuffed tomatoes, fried whitebait and herby pies. Head east to the new town for more unusual local fare, including goges (cheesy pasta), bogana (slow-cooked milk-fed lamb with potatoes), or artichoke hearts. Pidalio and Menta are the nearest, and reliably good.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Nafplio's pedestrian centre is made for lazy hand-in-hand wandering: ice cream stalls (Roma is famous), bars (don't miss Karonis ouzo distillery), and no end of tempting little shops selling art, sandals, olive-wood bowls, herbal infusions, you name it
- Stretch your legs on the waterside path around the headland (great sea views), ending with a dip from the town's small pebble beach; or continue 2.5km to sandy Karathonas beach if you're energetic
- Still not tired? Climb the stepped path (999 of them, supposedly) up to spectacular Venetian castle of Palamidi, where folk hero Kolokotronis languished; or explore gentler Acronafplia fort just above town
- Drive out to the ancient healing centre and breathtaking theatre of Epidvaros (30 mins), or the myth-rich citadel of Mycenae, home of Agamemnon's palace and beehive tombs
- There are watersports at Tolo, Mycenean ruins at Asini, giant Cyclopean walls at Tiryns, and wineries all around (Koroniotis does a good tasting)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tennis
Kids
The large Family Suite and smaller Queen Suites make 3Sixty a good option for families with an older child or two. It's probably not the best place to bring a toddler, given the smart decor and expensive fittings, though they can provide cots. The town of Nafplio is full of interest for children of all ages, from ice cream parlours to castles and seawater swimming pools.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Family Suite (sleeps 4) and the Queen Suites (sleep 3) are best for families.
Families Should Know:
Nafplio is a small safe city with everything in walking distance, including clean and lovely beaches, and the centre is pedestrianised
Distances:
- Airport: 1hr45m (Athens)
- Hospital 2 minutes by car
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
3Sixty Hotel & Suites is in the historic town of Nafplio (or Nauplion) in the Peloponnese, 1hr 45mins' drive from Athens.
By Air
Athens (167km) is your best bet; or try Kalamata (140km; fewer flights).
From the Airport
Nafplio is about 1hr 45mins' drive from Athens, following a motorway past Corinth towards Tripolis and then a country road; see our car hire tips. Bear in mind that parking in Nafplio can be tricky, so if you're just coming to visit the city you could take a taxi or a public bus (8+ departures daily).
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Athens 167.0 km ATH
- Kalamata 140.0 km KLX
Other:
- Beach 5.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape