When you hear the accolade “palace that floats above the city,” you get a pretty good idea of how special Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio truly is. It’s a commanding presence, sitting high up on the skyline as it beckons to travelers below to scale its steep hill and reveal the splendor of the horizon.
If you are planning to go to Nafplio, just know that the irresistible magnetism of this fortress will likely pull you in at some point on your trip. And you won’t regret it! You’ll experience some interesting Greek history, and also get the very best view in all of town. So if you want to be prepared and know what to expect, here’s everything you need to know to visit this impressive castle on a hill!
Palamidi Fortress History
Palamidi Fortress (sometimes also called Palamidi Castle) is an impressive fortress build in the town of Nafplio, Greece. It was created by the Venetians during their second occupation of this area, and while it is a very large fortress it was actually completed in a very short time—only around 4 years of construction!
Soon after its completion, the Venetians were defeated by the Turks and Palamidi remained in their hands all the way up until 1822 when the Greeks overpowered the Turks and captured the fortress. Nafplio was actually one of the first places in Greece to win their independence!
The next stage of Palamidi’s life was when it was used as a prison for around a hundred years. You can actually go in and explore some of the jail cells, including the one where the famed freedom fighter and Revolution leader Theodoros Kolokotronis was held.
Climbing the Steps to Palamidi Fortress
While people like to say that Palamidi is the palace that floats above the city, the reality is that it’s very much so connected to earth by a ton of stairs. Locals say there’s 999 steps to the top, but in reality there’s more like somewhere between 850-915 steps (Reports vary. I tried counting and lost track when I took a moment to turn around and admire the view 😂)
Regardless, there are a lot of steps to get to the top. But it sure is worth it to wind your way along the stairs and experience each step of the way as the view gets better and better!
The brilliance of the water coupled with the bright red roofs makes a divine pair as you look out over the coast. Greece is known as the land of myths and gods, but nowhere is this as readily apparent as in the town of Nafplio on your way up to Palamidi! The vibrant blues and greens in the wide expanse of endless sea make it seem as if at any moment Poseidon might actually rise out of the ocean with his mighty trident or the Nereids might surface and sing with their melodious voices.
Pops of color in purples and pinks dot the landscape as flowers push their way into vivid life. Here, in this attractive seaport town, landscape and stories breathe into being. And it’s these stories you get to experience at Palamidi Fortress!
Be sure to stop and admire the alcoves (and catch your breath!) on the way up. There are perfect little rock windows where you can see the town and the water castle Bourtzi, as well as some delightful platforms where you can move off of the stairs and enjoy gazing out over the ocean for a while.
I highly recommend taking this hike up the steps to get to the fortress, because there’s nothing as breathtaking or heart-stopping as the sweet reward of turning to see the panoramic sea as your heart pounds in your chest from the effort of the climb. But if you have accessibility issues (or just want to be lazy 😉) you can drive to the back of the fortress and skip the hike altogether while still seeing the castle at the top. I think the effort is part of the charm of visiting here, but if you feel otherwise or need it for accessibility then it’s good to know there’s another option!
Once you’re at the top, you can go inside the fortress and walk along the stone and see the well-preserved ruins here. You should also marvel at the eight bastions that were re-named after Greek leaders and heroes after the Greeks captured the fortress from the Turks. The Greek names of the bastions today are Epaminondas, Miltiades, Leonidas, Phocion, Achilles, and Themistocles…as well as one named after St Andrew and one after Robert, a French philellene (supporter of Greek independence) who died in the battle of the Acropolis.
While you’re here, you should also wander across its multitude of platforms to see the city from all sides, walk higher up the hill, and make the slightly claustrophobia-inducing crawl into the tiny jail cells that housed prisoners—most notably the Revolution leader Kolokotronis.
But whether you come for the history and to explore this impressive fortress, or simply to admire the equally impressive views, Palamidi is well worth seeing during your time in Nafplio!
Tips for Visiting Palamidi Fortress in Nafplio
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions and things you may be wondering about before you visit Palamidi!
How to Get to Palamidi Fortress
There are two ways to get to Palamidi Fortress, as touched upon above. The first way (my preferred and recommended way!) is to climb the “999” steps to the top. It’s not actually quite 999 steps, but it still is a lot! This climb allows you to get all the best views as well as to have a delightful little hike on your way up to the fortress. If you choose this route, be sure to check opening hours on the sign at the bottom of the stairs before you begin climbing!
Another option, though, is to drive up to the back of Palamidi Castle. You’ll take the road near Bastion Phokion (Epar.Od. Nafpliou – Frouriou Palamidiou on Google Maps) as you make your way to here.
Palamidi Castle Entrance Fee
Although the hike up the stairs is free, there is a fee to enter Palamidi Castle once you make it to the top. When I went in 2017, the cost was 8 euros per person (unless you are under 18 or a full-time student).
Palamidi Castle Hours
Palamidi’s hours of operation are usually 8am-8pm between April and October, and 8:30am-3pm November through March. Be sure to check with the sign at the bottom of the stairs if you plan to hike, though, just in case there is a change in schedule.
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