Getting from Crete to Nafplio

If you are heading to Nafplio from Crete you are going to one of the finest destinations on the Greek mainland, a neoclassical town of narrow lanes and elegant mansions on the Argolic Gulf that served as the first capital of modern Greece, with the Venetian fortress of Palamidi above it and Mycenae, Epidaurus and Tiryns all within easy reach.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Crete to Nafplio. The town sits on the Argolic Gulf and is accessible only by road. Getting there by sea means taking the overnight ferry from Crete to Piraeus and then travelling south through the Peloponnese, which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours from Athens.

Getting there by air

Nafplio has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Flying from Crete to Athens takes around 50 minutes and then the drive or bus to Nafplio takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. Total travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Your best option

Fly to Athens and drive or take the KTEL bus to Nafplio. If you want flexibility for exploring Mycenae, Epidaurus and the wider Argolis region, rent a car in Athens or at the airport on arrival. The sites are spread out enough that a car makes a significant difference.