Nafplio Book Exhibition 2026: July 31 - August 23 | City of Nafplio

If you find yourself in Nafplio between July 31 and August 23, you'll notice something different along the pedestrian street at Onassi Square: dozens of publishers' stalls, set up right in the shadow of Palamidi Castle, staying open until midnight.

This is Nafplio's annual Book Exhibition — one of the most significant in Greece and a long-running cultural institution in Argolida.

When and Where

The exhibition opens on Friday, July 31 and runs through Sunday, August 23, operating daily from 7:30 PM to midnight on the pedestrian street at Onassi Square. Admission is free. This year's event is co-organized by the Municipality of Nafplio and the Panhellenic Federation of Publishers and Booksellers (POEV).

What You'll Find There

Dozens of publishing houses present thousands of titles — literature, history, children's books, essays, poetry. The Municipality and POEV pavilion specifically features books by members of the Argolida Writers and Literary Association, works by any author born or living in the region, and publications dedicated to Nafplio itself. Authors give daily presentations, meet readers in person, and sign copies of their books.

Worth a Visit, Even If You're Not a "Book Person"

The experience isn't only for people hunting a specific title. Walking the pedestrian street on a summer evening, with the moon rising over Palamidi and the stalls lit up, is reason enough on its own — an easy, free way to see the old town in a livelier, more local mood, away from the purely touristy routes.

Practical tip:
If you're staying in the center, pair the walk with a visit up to Palamidi Castle earlier in the afternoon (before it closes), then come back down in the evening right as the exhibition opens — you get the fortress lit up from above, and the book festival below, on the same day.

FAQ

Do I need a ticket for the Nafplio Book Exhibition?
No, admission is free for the entire duration of the event.
What are the opening hours?
Daily from 7:30 PM to midnight, from July 31 through August 23.
Where exactly is the exhibition held?
On the pedestrian street at Onassi Square, in Nafplio's old town, near Palamidi Castle.
Can I meet authors in person?
Yes, daily book presentations and signing sessions with the authors themselves are held throughout the exhibition.