Nafpaktia, Greece: Day Trips from Nafpaktos

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Come travel off the beaten path in Nafpaktia, Greece. On delightful day trips from Nafpaktos, discover hidden gems of nature, culture, and community.

Nafpaktia (Ναυπακτία) surrounds the historic medieval city and thriving modern town of Nafpaktos, Greece. It’s a delightful and diverse area to explore on a half or full-day trip.

Dramatic mountains with bucolic villages rise above Nafpaktos, a Venetian gem. Beautiful beaches, coastal communities, and another medieval castle – oh yes, different from the Castle Nafpaktos! – stretch along the Gulf of Corinth.

Let’s uncover together these hidden treasures in the Nafpaktia Mountains and on the Nafpaktia coast in Western Greece.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Mountainous Nafpaktia, Greece

Rugged nature and tight-knit community define Orini Nafpkatia (Ορεινή Ναυπακτία), better known as Mountainous Nafpaktia.

Mountainous Nafpaktia Nature

The Nafpkatia Mountains encompass dense forests, deep gorges, and green valleys. Rivers, streams, and waterfalls flow through the verdant landscape.

Hiking trails meander throughout these rugged mountains. There’s a scenic trail for the kind of fresh-air activity or high-energy outdoor adventure you prefer.

Take a pastoral stroll and do a little forest bathing. Or lace up your boots and grab your trekking poles for some serious hiking and mountaineering.

Climb aboard a mountain bike for a challenging ride. Launch a raft or kayak for an easy and enjoyable paddle on the Evinos River.

The Evinos River runs about 57 miles (92 m) through the mountains and valleys and empties into the gulf.

Crossing the Evinos and other rivers, arched stone bridges were hand-built by master masons in the 18th and 19th centuries.

These handsome arched bridges resemble those in the Zagorochoria, a UNESCO Greek landmark off the beaten path in the Region of Epirus.

Address: Evinos Artificial Lake Dam | Epar. Od. Nafpaktou – Platanou – Psilou Stavrou | 30025 Nafpaktia, Greece

Mountainous Nafpaktia Villages

Narrow old roads and ancient paths twist and turn through the Nafpaktia mountains, connecting numerous little villages.

These charming villages honor centuries of heritage, culture, faith, and resilience. Whether the village size is small or tiny, the residents offer genuine philoxenia – that is, Greek hospitality.

Traditional stone buildings, tiled roofs, brightly colored balconies, cobblestone streets, and folk art retain the quaint allure of an earlier age.

Ano Chora, Kato Chora, Ampelakiotissa, and Platanos are among the most visited locales, particularly Ano Chora and Kato Chora.

Ano Chora proudly displays the beloved Mercedes bus, painted in cream and turquoise, that long provided public transportation between Nafpaktos and Mountainous Nafpaktia.

The old-fashioned bus is super cute – and a favorite Instagrammable spot! Look for the permanently parked bus by Agia Paraskevi Church.

You’ll find historic monasteries – some active and inhabited, others in ruin – churches, and perhaps even an ancient hermit’s cave.

Here in the Nafpaktia Mountains, the past is always present.

Travel Tips for Mountainous Nafpaktia

The driving distances from Nafpaktos to Mountainous Nafpaktia, and then between the mountain villages, are short.

The drive from Nafpaktos to Ano Chora, for instance, is approximately 32 miles (52 km); from Ano Chora to Planatos, approximately 29 miles (68 km) additional.

However, the driving time takes longer because of the nature of mountain roads and mountain weather. And oh yes, mountain traffic! After all, you never know when a flock of sheep or goats may cross the road.

So, a full-day trip, or even an overnight trip, is a good plan to take full advantage of Orini Nafpaktia.

Of the rustic Orini Nafpaktia communities, Ano Chora offers the most tourist services, especially for an overnight stay.

The small boutique hotel Ta Petrina offers year-round accommodations in Ano Chora.

Vintage decor and rich wood paneling create a cozy ambiance. Some rooms feature a romantic four-poster bed and a stone-built fireplace.

Address: Ta Petrina | 30023 Ano Chora, Orini Nafpaktia, Greece

Check the best rates for your stay.

Coastal Nafpaktia, Greece

Nafpaktia Greece day trips from nafpaktos enjoy this wonderful coastline

Monastiraki Nafpaktos

A quick drive east from Nafpaktos Port, Monastiraki Nafpaktos is a seaside village with a little blue lake. The lake is a small body of water separated by the stone beach from the sea.

On one end, Blue Lake Nafpaktos is a popular seasonal beach bar for summer fun, food, drinks, and music all day and night. Blue Lake has a reputation as a swanky spot to see and be seen, so the place gets packed.

Sunbeds, cabanas, and umbrellas are available by advance reservation or early arrival to the organized beach.

Address: Blue Lake Nafpaktos Beach Bar | Parathalasso | 33056 Monastiraki Nafpaktos Greece

Located on the opposite end of the small blue lake, Monastiraki Beach is the public beach. A slim channel between the lake and the sea separates the party side from the family side.

Nafpaktia locals frequent this quiet end of the pebble beach. A parking lot, shade trees, and calm waters make this area a family-friendly environment.

Address: Monastiraki Beach | Epar.Od. Monastirakiou-Malamata, | 33056 Monastiraki Nafpaktos Greece

Rio-Antirrio Bridge, Nafpaktia

Day trip from Nafpaktos to Patras involves crossing the Rio-Antirio cable suspension bridge

A short drive west from Nafpaktos brings you to Greece’s most famous bridge, a source of tremendous national pride.

The Charilos Trikoupis Bridge, better known as the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, is a monumental modern landmark visible from Nafpkatos Port. And also, rumor has it, from space.

The Rio-Antirio Bridge spans the Gulf of Corinth and the Gulf of Patras. In short, the bridge connects Western Greece and the Peloponnese Region.

On August 7, 2004, Olympic torchbearers were the first to cross the bridge on Opening Day, right before the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. At 1.4 miles (2,252 m) full length, it made headlines as the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge.

It’s won international awards for state-of-the-art engineering and operations. The result overcomes major challenges – such as distance, depth, winds, earthquakes, and more – along with awe-inspiring aesthetics.

You can either drive or walk across the bridge. But, alas, you can’t ride a bicycle.

So, to walk across the bridge, take the footbridge from the Toll Plaza to reach the protected pedestrian sidewalks flanking the westbound and eastbound sides.

Address: Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge | Gefira Charilaos Trikoupis, Ionia Odos A5 | 30020 Antirrio Nafpaktia, Greece

Antirrio, Nafpaktia

Until the Rio-Antirrio Bridge opened in 2004, ferries exclusively carried all vehicles from the small town and Port of Antirrio to Patras.

Ferries still sail daily for trucks, drivers, cyclists, and anyone who enjoys an inexpensive and scenic water crossing.

Antirrio Castle is a medieval fortress constructed after the Ottomans captured Nafpaktos in 1499.

Later, the Venetians conquered the castle. Then the Ottomans recaptured and held Antirrio Fortress until the Greek War of Independence liberated Nafpaktia in 1829.

Within the citadel, the handsome Lighthouse of Antirrio dates from the late 19th century. You can walk the walls to the base of the stone-built pharos.

The stalwart lighthouse makes a dramatic contrast – and also a fantastic Instagramamble photo – against the bridge’s colossal pier and soaring central span.

Address: Antirrio Castle, Antirrio Lighthouse, and Antirrio Port | 30020 Antirrio Nafpaktia, Greece

Fascinating Fact: Antirrio Castle

From ancient times of mythology to the modern independent nation of today, Greece builds age after age on layer upon layer. Thousands of years of history, culture, artistry, and community are literally everywhere under your feet.

Including here at Antirrio Castle on the Corinthian Gulf.

Greek archaeologists uncovered evidence of ancient Molykreia. Firstly, the historian Thucydides mentions Molycreia in The Peloponnesian War; then, the geographer Strabo describes this Corinthian settlement.

These layers of ancient, medieval, and modern eras continue through today.

In July 2024, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture announced a plan to renew and enhance Antirrio Castle into an improved and accessible site for cultural special events.

Longer Day Trips from Nafpaktos

Galaxidi, a seaside town adjacent to Nafpaktia, an easy day trip from Nafpaktos Greece

If you’d like to explore more beyond Nafpaktia, two of the most famous landmarks in Greece fall within longer day trips from your home base, Nafpaktos.

Within the same Region of Western Greece is Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Modern Olympic Games. The Archaeological Site of Ancient Olympia is unique not just in Greece but also in the entire world.

In the nearby Region of Central Greece, Delphi was the most important pilgrimage destination in the ancient world. Today, Delphi is Greece’s most popular historic landmark outside of Athens, the Greek capital. Only the Ancient Acropolis of Athens gets more visitors than the Archaeological Site of Delphi.

As an added bonus for a day trip from Nafpaktos, the cute coastal town of Galaxaidi is on the route between Nafpaktos and Delphi.

Both Ancient Olympia and Delphi are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And yes, both can also be visited as a day trip from Athens.

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FAQs

Where is Nafpaktia Greece located?

Nafpaktia, Greece, is located in the Western Region of Greece. It’s on the mainland about 152 miles (245 km) from Athens Airport to Nafpaktos, the main town in Nafpaktia.

What does Nafpaktia mean in Greek?

The municipality of Nafpaktia is named after its main town, Nafpaktos (Ναύπακτος). Some say Nafpaktos means “shipyard” from the Ancient Greek for “ship” (ναύς) and “to fix or build” (πήγ / πήγνῠμαι).

What is Nafpaktia Greece known for?

Nafpaktia is known for the fairytale town of Nafpaktos, a Venetian gem with a medieval port and castle. Nafpaktia is also known for traditional village life and outdoor adventure in the Nafpaktia Mountains and the Evinos River.

Why visit Nafpaktia Greece?

The top attraction in Nafpaktia, Greece, is Nafpaktos, a Venetian gem of a town with a unique place in medieval history. The beautiful Nafpaktia Mountains, Evinos River, and beaches are also well worth a visit.


All opinions expressed are Spotlight Sojourns’ own.

All content and images are original, created with care by yours truly, Marilee Kostadimas and Paul Kostadimas, not AI. We’re the Hidden Gemologists of Spotlight Sojourns: Award-winning travel experts, storytellers, and advocates of meaningful travel. Because meaningful travel is part of a meaningful life. And stories enrich the meaning.

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