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Landmark· Nafplio· Greece — Ionian, Saronic & Argolic

Bourtzi Castle

37° 34.2′ N · 22° 47.4′ E

The postcard islet fortress in Nafplio's harbour mouth, begun by the Venetians in 1471 to a design by Antonio Gambello and later home to the executioners of Palamidi, then a hotel from the 1930s to the late 1960s. Restored and reopened, it now hosts concerts and exhibitions.

Ionian IslandsSaronic Gulf & Argolic

Practical

Coordinate is the centroid of the mapped castle (OSM). Wikipedia's infobox coordinate for Bourtzi is wrong (it plots ~25 km south) — ignore it. Shuttle boats run from the Nafplio waterfront: €5 adults, €3 children; admission €7 full, €5 reduced (Ephorate of Antiquities of Argolida, 2026). Hours: May daily 9am–6pm; June Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, weekends and holidays 9am–8pm; July–August daily 9am–9pm; September daily 9am–8pm; October weekdays 9am–5pm, weekends 9am–6pm; November–December 9am–5pm. Closed Jan 1, Mar 25, May 1, Orthodox Easter Sunday, Dec 25–26. Café 'Alos' on the islet. Lift to the first floor. The Venetians surrounded the islet with an underwater boulder barrier — keep well clear in your own boat and use the shuttle.

Best for

Short boat hop to a Venetian sea-fort with a café

Nearby