One of the most beautiful cities across the country attracting both natives and tourists is the historic city of Nafplio. This car free city with a wonderful collection of neoclassic houses, winding streets, beautiful flowers and plants is also of historical importance as being the capital of Greece prior to Athens. The house of Parliament and Syntagma square stand proudly at the centre of the city being the place where Ioannis Kapodistrias operated as the head of state and finally was assassinated. On a hill that outdoes the area is housed the Venetian fortress of Palamidi to offer inspiring views. With a perfect system of synchronized fortification, Palamidi is a typical baroque fortress to host the castle and the temple of St Andreas which served as prison of the National hero of the 1821 Revolution against the Turks, Kolokotronis. A small fortified islet right across the city’s harbour, Bourtzi is the landmark of Nafplio. As part of the wider fortification of the city since the Venetian domination to later alter into Renaissance style, was thereafter occupied by the Turks to become house of executioners and during the 50’s one of the most unique hotels in Greece. Palamidi nowadays hosts cultural events and life concerts during the summer period. In Nafplio one can also find the First Greek High scho Heli full of yachts during the summer period, with modern tourist infrastructures and leading hotels to also host international conferences and congresses, alool, built in 1833 in neoclassical style with pediment endings high at the roof and doorposts with helmets on the columns at the corners, a currently historical preservable monument.

However, it is not only the archaeological and historical significance of Argolida that raises the interest of a visitor; its picturesque cities and villages are equally attractive. A big summer resort built in an enclosed sheltered from wind bay is Porto Heli full of yachts during the summer period, with modern tourist infrastructures and leading hotels to also host international conferences and congresses, also found at the wonderful seaside village of Kandia. Another picturesque bay is the one of Tolo with a great selection of taverns and restaurants along the beach. Assini is the perfect place for romantic travellers, source of inspiration of one of the most beautiful poems by the Nobel prize-winning poet George Seferis. Other popular destinations of the area are the traditional village of Kranidi, amphitheatrically built in a hill, with traditional houses, churches and monasteries, while Ermioni, known for its naval heritage and temple of Poseidon, as well as the Taxiarchon church, is built on the ancient site of Hermione. Finally, hidden gens of the area are to be discovered by ecotourists such as the village of Didima, being an odd geographical phenomenon since part of the area had sunk into the ground, creating a large round chasm, surrounded by churches and narrow paths.