The floating fortress in the heart of the Argolic Gulf
A landmark between sea, history, and city panorama…
Directly off the coast of Nafplio, just a few minutes from the harbor, rises one of the city’s best-known sights: the small island fortress of Bourtzi. Surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Argolic Gulf, the fortress looks like a stone guardian that has watched over the entrance to the old town for centuries. Even from the shore it is an eye-catcher – especially in the warm light of early evening, when the walls are reflected in the sea.
The castle was built by the Venetians in the 15th century and originally served as part of an elaborate defense system to protect the harbor of Nafplio.
Today it is one of the region’s most iconic photo motifs and a popular excursion destination for visitors who want to combine history and sea views.
Walk · Boat ride · Fortress in the water
The history of the island fortress
Bourtzi was built around 1473, when the Venetians recognized the strategic importance of the small islet off the coast.
The fortress was designed to control the harbor and ward off enemy ships at an early stage – among other things through cannon positions and a chain connection to the mainland intended to secure the harbor entrance.
Over the centuries, the castle’s function changed several times: it was a military outpost, later the residence of the city executioner, and for a time even a small hotel.
This eventful history has given the island a special atmosphere – between strict military architecture and an almost surreal sense of seclusion.
Visiting Bourtzi Castle
The visit begins at the harbor of Nafplio. From there, small boats depart regularly and take visitors to the island fortress in just a few minutes. The crossing is part of the experience: as the old town slowly grows smaller, the view opens up to the sea and the surrounding fortifications.
Once on the island, a short walk leads through the compact complex. The paths are manageable, yet every corner offers new perspectives on the coast, the harbor basin, and the surrounding mountains. Especially impressive is the view back toward Nafplio – one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the entire Peloponnese.
Inside the castle, restored rooms, old walls, and platforms can be explored. The complex is not large, but that is exactly what makes it so appealing: Bourtzi is a place you experience less as something to “visit” and more as something to feel – between wind, waves, and history.
A place through the ages
Bourtzi is now fully restored and open to the public.
The fortress no longer serves a defensive purpose, but stands as a cultural symbol of Nafplio – a place that reveals the city’s history like few others.
While stays here were once often marked by military severity, today the focus is on the experience: taking photos, strolling, lingering, and enjoying the interplay of architecture and landscape.
Sunset over Nafplio
Bourtzi shows its most beautiful side especially in the late afternoon. When the sun sinks behind the mountains and the light glides over the water, the small fortress seems almost to float. Seen from the harbor, it creates a panorama that belongs among the most famous images of Greece.
A visit to Bourtzi Castle is therefore more than just a short excursion – it is a moment in which history, sea, and city come together in a quiet, impressive image.
