Bourtzi

A short hop out to the island

Bourtzi is the little Venetian fortress that sits on its own islet in the middle of Nafplio’s harbour — the postcard shape you see from every café on the waterfront. Getting there is half the fun and refreshingly simple: a shuttle boat from the quay runs through the day in season, the crossing takes only a few minutes, and it costs around €7 return, with a small separate entry fee once you land. There’s no need to book; you turn up at the harbour, hop on the next boat, and you’re across before you’ve settled into your seat.

Once there, you can wander the compact ramparts and chambers of the fortress, which has done time as a stronghold, a prison and, oddly, a hotel over its long history. It’s small, though, so don’t arrive expecting a sprawling castle. The genuine prize is the view back at the old town: the tiled roofs, the Venetian quay and the great rock of the Palamidi rising behind, all framed by open water. That’s the shot people make the trip for.

Keeping it in proportion

Be honest with yourself about scale and you’ll enjoy it. Allow 30 to 40 minutes for the whole outing, boat included, and remember the shuttle runs to a loose rhythm rather than waiting on you — leave a little slack for the boat back. Sailings depend on the weather and thin out or stop outside the main season and in rough seas, so it’s a fair-weather add-on rather than a guaranteed fixture.

Verdict: Bourtzi is a pleasant, cheap little excursion best treated as a quick photogenic add-on to a day in Nafplio rather than a sight in its own right. If the sea’s calm and you’ve an hour spare, the short crossing and the view of the old town from the water are well worth your €7 — just don’t build the day around it. Pair it with a stroll along the waterfront and the climb or drive up to the Palamidi for the fuller picture of the town.