Nafplio planning help

Are you spending any other time in Athens before visiting Hydra?

I don't think it's worth the effort for Nafplio.

If Nafplio is a must an option is to do a day trip from Athens to Nafplio.

There are several buses throughout the day to/from Nafplio so you could leave in the morning spend a few hours wandering around to experience the town then return late afternoon and still have plenty of time for a night out in Athens.

Athens deserves more time than most people think as there is a lot to see, do and experience which could fill your remaining time easily.

A lot depends on what other time you have planned for Athens before Hydra.

We’re not really sure what you would be interested in doing if you stay in Nafplio. It’s certainly a good base for visiting Epidaurus and Mycenae and a good first stop if you’re planning to explore the Peloponnese. But if you only spend one night there, you’re not really going to get much out of your stay other than the round-trip drive from Athens. So, in my opinion, just like Tommy, I don’t think it’s really worth it. You could just as easily spend those 2 days enjoying Athens instead.

As for staying near the airport, There aren't really any worthwhile hotels near the airport aside from the Sofitel right across from the terminal, which costs around €300 a night.

With all the other hotels that are more or less close to the airport you’ll be in a pretty uninteresting suburb with no real services, restaurants, or anything else nearby, and you’ll still have to pay for a transfer of at least 15 minutes to get to the airport. So there’s really no advantage to staying near the airport instead of staying in Athens even if you have an early morning flight.

We often have flights out of Athens around 8 a.m., or even earlier, and all you have to do is pre-book a taxi. The drive early in the morning takes about 40 minutes. So, basically the only thing you’ll gain by staying near the airport is about 20 extra minutes of sleep in a place where there’s really nothing to do.

I gave you some suggestions in response to your other message. You didn’t like any of them?

We’ll have spent 4 -1/2 days in Athens prior to Hydra plus 4 days in Rhodes
Rick had given Nafplio a 3-star so I was trying to fit it in before leaving.

It’s sort-of an awkward amount of time.
We arrive back from Hydra on the 26th just after the clocks set back and a day before the National Holiday.

Does that change opinions?

The public holiday, Ochi Day, will be on Wednesday 28th, the day of your return flight. There will be traffic and transport disruptions in the city center, but since you are leaving early, it shouldn't affect you.

The switch to winter time happens in the night from Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 (1 hour backward), which doesn't change daily life all that much. The main thing is that you remember to set your watches. The time on smartphones should update automatically.

It is up to you to decide what you want to do but keep in mind that what Rick Steves mentions is only a brief selection of a few places out of dozens. Just like with the Greek islands, he only talks about 4 islands out of... more than 150 that can be visited.
Plenty of forum members will be able to confirm this for you.

Don't let this stop you from taking some initiatives and don't let yourself be confined by a small selection. There are tons of places he could have given 3-stars to if he had gone there.

How about going to Delphi instead? It is a one night destination. And then stay near the airport your last night.

Nafplio just doesn’t make sense for one night. But if you are determined, you can rent near the port and then return the next day at the airport. You will have less than 24 hours in Nafplio unless you relish driving back to Athens in the dark.