This ancient north-central Peloponnese city produces olives, oranges, and pistachios, while maintaining active textile industries. Home to three major universities.
Argos has been lived in for over 7,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth. You’ll find it in the northeastern Peloponnese, where Neolithic settlements, Mycenaean walls, Roman structures, and medieval fortresses sit side by side. Visit the 3rd-century BCE theater, which once held 20,000 people, or examine the detailed brick patterns of the Hadrianic Nymphaeum. Walk up Larissa Hill to reach a medieval fortress with views stretching across olive groves and citrus orchards to the Gulf of Argolis. Here, you can touch stones shaped by ancient hands and see how past and present coexist in daily life.
Ancient Sites to Explore
Start at the Roman bathhouse from the 2nd century CE, where raised floors and clay pipes show how engineers circulated hot air to heat the rooms. Just steps away, the Hadrianic Nymphaeum—a large fountain funded by Emperor Hadrian—blends carved rock walls with brick arches. On Aspis Hill, burial sites from the 14th century BCE hold pottery and jewelry from Mycenaean rulers. Near the base of Larissa Hill, the Sanctuary of Apollo includes broken columns from a Doric temple and stone benches where worshippers once gathered. Recent digs near the city center have uncovered coins, tools, and pottery fragments from Argos’ Classical era, though many artifacts still lie hidden under modern streets.
The Theater and Market Area
The 3rd-century BCE theater in Argos could seat more people than any other in Greece except Epidaurus. Its limestone rows were expanded by the Romans, who added walkways for crowds watching plays or political debates. Follow the tunnel that connects the theater to the old marketplace, active since 600 BCE. In this area, the Hypostyle Hall’s thick stone walls might mark the burial site of Danaos, a legendary Argive king. Look for grooves in the agora’s stones where vendors set up stalls selling fish, pottery, and cloth. From June to August, the theater hosts plays and music events under open skies, echoing its original purpose.
Larissa Fortress and Its History
Larissa Fortress sits atop a hill that has been fortified since the Mycenaean era. Climb the trail past crumbling Byzantine walls and a small chapel built into the hillside. At the top, Venetian-era towers give you a clear view of the Argolid plains, the Aegean Sea, and the ruins of Mycenae. The Ottomans added cannons here during their occupation, some still pointing toward the coast. Entry is free, and the mix of unrestored walls and clear signage lets you piece together the site’s history on your own. Wear shoes with good grip—the path has loose stones and steep sections.
Artifacts at the Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum occupies a 19th-century neoclassical building near the main square. Its first room displays flint tools and clay figurines from Neolithic farmers who lived on Aspis Hill. Upstairs, you’ll find bronze helmets from Argive soldiers who fought in the Persian Wars and marble statues of Roman officials who governed the city. A mosaic floor from a 2nd-century CE villa shows Dionysos riding a chariot surrounded by grapevines. The museum’s courtyard holds stone sarcophagi and inscriptions detailing laws from Argos’ democratic period. Allow at least an hour to explore the exhibits chronologically.
Markets and Food in Argos
Every Wednesday and Saturday, farmers set up stalls near the town hall to sell oranges, lemons, and olives grown in nearby fields. For a quick meal, try a gyro stuffed with grilled pork and tzatziki at Stavropoulos, a small eatery with outdoor tables. At Kombologaki Tavern, order stuffed tomatoes or lamb cooked with oregano, paired with red wine from Nemea. Cafés around Plateia Agiou Petrou serve strong coffee and baklava, with tables shaded by tall trees. Look up at the bell tower of the Church of St. Peter, which holds a relic said to be a bone from the apostle’s hand.
Day Trips from Argos
Drive 12 kilometers north to Mycenae, where you can walk through a massive gate topped with stone lions and explore underground tombs. Tiryns, 8 kilometers southwest, has a Bronze Age palace with walls so thick they’re called “cyclopean.” Wine lovers can tour vineyards near Nemea, 30 minutes west, and sample bold red wines made from Agiorgitiko grapes. The theater at Epidaurus, 40 kilometers east, is famous for its near-perfect acoustics during summer performances. For a shorter trip, hike to Panagia Katakekrimeni Monastery, carved into a cliff below Larissa Fortress, to see fading frescoes of saints.
Getting Around and Tips
Argos is a two-hour bus ride from Athens or a 15-minute drive from Nafplio. Pick up a map at the tourist office to locate ancient ruins tucked between modern shops and apartments. Visit between April and June or September and October to avoid summer heat that often reaches 40°C. Buses run regularly to Corinth, Tripoli, and Kalamata, but renting a car makes it easier to reach remote sites. Parking near the theater and museum is usually available, though spaces fill up by midday during festivals. Bring water and a hat for visits to unshaded sites like Larissa Fortress.
