Day 183 – EU – Greece [Astros to Nafplio]

23/08/20

36km

  From Astros (Greece) to Nafplio (Greece)

Europe

A shorter and very scenic run to Nafplio – starting a new week of running that will end in Athens and Marathon

This morning’s start felt like the end of a mini-holiday break in Astros. I left my friends behind temporarily, as we’ll all meet again next week in Athens. I headed out shortly before sunrise for what would be a fairly flat run, on the coastal road around the Northern tip of the Argolic Gulf, where Nafplio is located.

The road was very scenic, passing by a series of small seaside villages: Vervena, Xiropigano, Kiveri, Miloi, Nea Kios – leading to Nafplio. These are again familiar places as Nafplio featured in the road trip we took 30 years ago as a family. It was the perfect route to restart the run, a bit shorter than usual, mostly flat. Exactly what I needed after the late dinners of the past two days!

Nafplio is the first city I cross where I see a lot of non-Greek tourists (many French actually). The city is beautiful, with the Castle of Palamidi overlooking the area and the fortifications of the old town very well preserved. The old centre is paved with marble, small pedestrian streets at the back of the hill where the Akronauplia stands, with tavernas setting their tables outdoors. Out at sea, in the middle of the harbour, sits the Bourtzi Venetian castle, not connected to land in any way. A surprising and very pretty sight.

This week’s runs will see me go through Epidavros, Corinthos, Athens and the village of Marathon itself. A lot to look forward to!

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: