Sea Kayak Nafplio - Medieval Castles Tour
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Nafplio, Greece
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
A one-time capital of Greece, Nafplio is a charming port town in the Peloponnese. On this tour, even less experienced paddlers can get active out in the calm waters of the Argolic Gulf. Enjoy views of the town’s fortresses—Akronafplia, Palamidi, and Bourtzi—as you learn about their rich history from your guide. There are plenty of breaks to snorkel, with a camera provided for you to capture key moments.
- Enjoy a guided kayak trip, an adventure suited to all abilities
- Paddle out amid the calm waters, away from the onshore crowds
- Learn about Greek history—ancient and modern—as you explore the Aegean
- Safety gear, dry bags, snacks, and a camera for guests’ use are provided
What's Included
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Photos and Videos sent to you at a later date
- Camera for your own use during our relaxing or snorkelling periods
- Big dry Bag to keep your necessities dry
- Snorkels and masks
- Expedition style shade shelter during our relaxing periods
- 1st Aid and Sea Kayak safety equipment carried by your guides
- Personal Insurance
- Transfer back to Nafplio (when the tour is unidirectional)
- Sea Kayak handling/safety briefing
- Transportation to meeting point
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- PanExpeditions - Sea Kayak NafplioKarathona Beach, Nafplio 211 00, Greece
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
Bourtzi (Pass By)
Akronafplia Fortress (Pass By)
Palamidi Castle (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Doug_W
We had a fantastic day with Alex and Olivier. Beautiful sunny day with calm seas. Alex was passionate about the history of Nafplio and we enjoyed learning about the history of the fortresses. Both guides also gave helpful tips with kayaking technique which was great. We have some kayaking experience and appreciated learning a few things to make kayaking easier. Enjoyable beach break to swim, snorkel and enjoy fresh melons and orange cake. We highly recommend this tour.
Reviews
5.0
based on 169 reviews
Kailey_D, Oct 2025
If you like learning and being active, this is the tour for you. Alex was a wonderful guide into the history of the forts in the area, and also took great photos of us while we went. And he had to take the pics, because kayaking was our main focus. He really made the experience special by having us imagine we were in the shoes of the attacking forces. Truly a unique experience I’d suggest to anyone.
Doug_W, Oct 2025
We had a fantastic day with Alex and Olivier. Beautiful sunny day with calm seas. Alex was passionate about the history of Nafplio and we enjoyed learning about the history of the fortresses. Both guides also gave helpful tips with kayaking technique which was great. We have some kayaking experience and appreciated learning a few things to make kayaking easier. Enjoyable beach break to swim, snorkel and enjoy fresh melons and orange cake. We highly recommend this tour.
Karen_M, Sep 2025
Excellent tour! Kayaking along the coast is peaceful and beautiful. Our tour guide Oliver was wonderful. We especially enjoyed the history he shared with us as he pointed out the forts of Nafplio. The snorkeling in the pristine waters, followed by a refreshing snack of fresh watermelon and melon, and the most delicious homemade orange cake was so appreciated! It was just me and my husband in this tour, so it was very much tailored to us. I highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
♥️
Andrea_J, Jul 2025
Very informative and knowledgeable tour guide in Alex. The whole crew were great including an experience with some sea urchins. Fantastic for our 2 boys who thoroughly enjoyed discussing battle tactics and getting a glimpse into the medieval times whiles burning off some energy and learning how to kayak.
Tanya_S, Mar 2025
Alex and Dante were fantastic. Their extensive knowledge of kayaking, the history of the area, and concern for our comfort and safety was amazing. The beauty of the seas and the surroundings was magical and one of the best things excursions we've ever had. Please thank Alex's mother for the delicious homemade snacks.
Kathleen_M, Oct 2024
We had a perfect day kayaking with Alex. He really brought the history of the region to life while sharing his knowledge with us. The kayak trip includes a stop to swim and snack on homemade treats. Truly a highlight of our trip to Greece:
Mary_H, Sep 2024
Wonderful experience kayaking amidst the castles with an expert, professional guide. Very personalized and fun.
Brad_H, Sep 2024
What is one of the highlights of our trip? Our group had only six people with two guides. They were fabulous. We were the old folks early 70s the two young couples, but didn’t have any trouble keeping up absolutely breathtaking beautiful Clearwater stopped on the beach and had a snack, snorkeled for about an hour would recommend this highly
Christina_L, Jul 2024
Alex and his crew provided a great day on the water with so much knowledge of the area. We were able to see a lot of Nafplio history by kayak. We would stop and gather at each spot where we were told the history and stories of each location. On the way back we were able to take a break with some delicious snacks, snorkeling, enjoying the water and the great company of the staff and others on the tour. The staff was always attentive to everyone’s needs, provided instructions on kayaking and the safety while doing it and really made our experience better than we anticipated. We would highly recommend this to individuals or families visiting.
Dina_O, Jul 2024
Alex and his guides were great! Alex was full of interesting information and enthusiasm as he shared the history of Nafplio's castles and wars. He made sure everyone had an enjoyable, comfortable time and kept everyone safe. There was pretty much one guide for each double kayak of guests. They took tons of pictures of our adventure, which made it easy to just enjoy the tour (while paddling or rafting together to listen). There was plenty of time to enjoy a private beach where Alex provided sanitized snorkels/masks and yummy snacks (his mom's delicious orange pound cake and fresh watermelon/honeydew). Overall, an excellent, memorable experience well worth doing. Thank you Alex!
Debra_M, Jun 2024
Everything was perfect! Our tour guide was great. We were confused when our ship docked, as we thought someone would be there to pick us up. Texted the tour guide & he gave us location, so we grabbed a cab. We were 1/2 hr late, but patiently waited.
I’m wondering where the pictures are that were taken during the kayak trip
EVAMAN_L, Jun 2024
The guide Stephanie and my daughter were on the same kayak and we had a 'dragon boat' race back to shore. And they WON!
Diane_P, Jun 2024
Due to a last minute change in weather, Alex had to cancel the kayaking part of the tour, but offered to share Nafplio's history with us through a walking tour at no cost. His indepth knowledge of the area gave us a great understanding of the town's history. Would love to return and repeat the tour on the kayak. Thank you Alex!
Kristin_O, May 2024
Myself, my husband, and two adult twenty-somethings absolutely loved this excursion. It was one of our favorites while touring Greece and Turkey. We enjoy both history and outdoor activities, and this was the perfect combination of the two things. I read reviews for this excursion and now I understand why there are soooo many good ones!
The host/guide, Alex, is clearly very passionate about the history of Nafplio.
We kayaked along the shores of the gulf and viewed the acropolis and other medieval structures, while making short stops to listen to Alex tell of the history and significance. The tour makes a stop at a small beach where we were provided with snorkeling gear and a lovely snack of melons and homemade dessert bread.
Alex was also very communicative ahead of the tour. He reached out to all participants with additional meeting instructions, a weather report, etc. He gave very clear instruction on kayaking and safety.
We arrived in the city at the cruise port/pier, and were able to secure a taxi to the meeting area on the nearby beach for 15 euros each way.
My only recommendation is for future participants to bring some sort of a water shoe/sport sandal that can be worn on the beach. I only had some inexpensive flip flops with me and it was quite difficult to stand or walk on the pebbly shore. The small rocks that make up the beach are quite different from the sand we're accustomed to. A person needs a solid surface to maintain their footing.
Rod_S, May 2024
Alex gave us a great kayaking tour. It was informative and fun. We enjoyed getting to snorkel and swim during the tour. The snacks provided were yummy. He also helped us after the tour to get directions and taxis.
Highly recommend this tour!
Jeremy_C, May 2024
Alex was an excellent guide. He knew the history of the area well along with being an experienced kayaker and guide. We felt very safe, well instructed, and taken care of. It’s a bit of work kayaking, but worth it for the view. His mother’s orange cake didn’t hurt either!
NanL_S, May 2024
Despite a windy day for kayaking, Alex insured we felt safe and helped us get the most out of the tour. He clearly loves Greek history, and his passion and energy (and his mother's orange cake) all helped make this a great way to explore Nafplio. Highly recommended!!
Lindsey_J, Apr 2024
This was so lovely! The tour guide was personable and convened their knowledge in such an engaging way. The homemade snacks were so sweet. 10/10 would recommend
Susan_K, Oct 2023
Do this tour. A highly original way to learn the history of beautiful Napflio . 9 participants embarked on a four hour adventure in kayaks, hugging the coastline and stopping for on-water history lessons from our incredibly knowledgeable guide Alex. He is a master story teller, pacing the information so we could absorb it, all the time watching out for us in regard to our control of the kayaks. ( he is highly certified in this as well. ) simple delicious snack part way through when we stopped at a small beach. No skill required. Very memorable trip!
Gina_B, Sep 2023
Alex was fantastic! All of the history and stories made this spectacular. Loved swimming in the sea too.
Steve_K, Aug 2023
After two weeks in Greece, this was absolutely a highlight for us.
Alex is an incredibly engaging, passionate and wonderful guide - we learned so much and did so via the fun of kayaking.
It’s not too challenging and makes for a great experience for all!
Julie_N, Aug 2023
This was a perfect day for us and everything it promises. Clear and easy instructions for non-kayakers were given at the beginning and everything we needed was provided. The views were exceptional and our guide Alex was very knowledgable and entertaining, providing local and historical information with humor. The visit to a small sandy cove for snacks and snorkerling was a chance to relax and absorb the amazing experience. We were very pleasantly suprised at the quantity and variety of fish we were snorkeling with. We cannot imagine a better way to see the fortress sites of Nafplio and could not have asked for a better host and guide.
Heather_B, Aug 2023
This was a really fantastic part of our holiday.
Quite apart from the beautiful surroundings and general peacefulness of being on the sea in a kayak Alex , our guide, brought local Greek history to life.
Paddling between viewpoints we were told about the battles for control of Nafplion between the Venetians, Ottomans and Greeks.
Alex was excellent at setting the scene for the attacking and defending forces. He had obviously read widely and was able to answer all questions.
We were captivated by the stories and after the kayaking was finished we drove up to Palamidi Castle.
Really excellent day. Thanks Alex.
Jill_H, Jul 2023
Alex is knowledgeable and passionate about the history of Nafplio and Greece! The tour was a great way to see Nafplio and the castles by water. It was an easy outing with beautiful sights all around. And the snacks midway through were an added bonus!
Mitchell_R, Jul 2023
Alex was amazing. Our ship didn’t dock in time to be there exactly at 9am so he waited until we got there around 920. He was so nice. He was very careful to explain all the safety issues. Then his tour was fantastic and he was so knowledgeable and his explanations just brought everything to life. Antonia was wonderful. The little beach they brought us to was incredible and then they offered us fruit and homemade pound cake. The whole experience was awesome. I highly recommend this tour to everyone.
grahamrandlivecouk, May 2023
We really enjoyed this experience. Alex is an excellent leader sharing both his considerable knowledge and his enthusiasm both in history and the environment. Would happily recommend this trip. Don't hesitate, this one of our best days in this lovely area.
Frances_D, Aug 2022
Loved the history lessons about the forts. It really helped me appreciate what I was seeing and understand something of the backstory.
Pia_G, Sep 2021
We had an awesome time in and outside the Kajak. Alex and Pan were great, they took enough time to explain anything you needed to know and were always there to help us. It was a fantastic experience and if you're lucky you'll get a homemade cake from Alex' mum, it was delicious. Were already looking forward to go on another tour with Alex, he's a funny, open and very friendly guy with special skills for taking great pictures that will remind us on the trip for quite a while. Thanks for everything!
Anick_S, Sep 2024
Guide très accueillant. Nous a donné de bons trucs pour rendre l'expérience mémorable. Une magnifique immersion dans l'histoire des guerres et des forteresses de Nauplie. Paysage magnifique. Ensuite plongée en apnée et collation sur une petite plage privée. Activité fortement recommandée.
stphanie_p, Jul 2023
Des paysages magnifiques dans un calme absolu . Un guide Alex passionnant et passionné. Ce sortie en kayak de mer restera un très beau souvenir . Pas besoin d’être sportif pour profiter de la balade .
From $93.89
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Water Tours
- Half-day Tours
- Catamaran Cruises
- Sailing
- Cruises & Sailing
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- Private Sightseeing Tours
- Nafplio
- Water Tours - Corinth
- Half-day Tours - Corinth
- Catamaran Cruises - Corinth
- Sailing - Corinth
- Half-day Tours - Loutraki
- Water Tours - Saronic Gulf Islands
- Half-day Tours - Saronic Gulf Islands