Franchthi Cave & Paralia

Argolis


Atmospheric Franchthi Cave is one of Greece’s oldest and most significant Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic sites, with occupation dating back over 40,000 years. The remarkable finds have revealed the transitions between all eras: the way hunter-gatherers lived from fishing, then organised themselves in groups, and finally transitioned to tool-using farmers. Many of the excavation's findings are in the archaeological museum in Nafplio. Offshore, you can snorkel among a submerged Neolithic settlement, Paralia; the shoreline was a further 7km away back then.

Signage in English is excellent and there's a small jetty. To get there, follow the signs to the cave for 4km (signs are 5km before Kranidi if coming from the north) to a beach. From here, you must walk along a trail over rocks for about 500m (these are marked by red painted arrows). At the time of research you could enter the cave freely. If this changes, access will be via the Municipality of Ermionida. You can get quite a good look through the security fencing.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Argolis attractions

1. Didyma Caves

3.85 MILES

Off the main road between Kranidi and Epidavros, near the village of Didyma, are the Didyma Caves – two extraordinary sinkholes. They collapsed thousands…

2. Bouboulina’s Museum

10.74 MILES

The mansion of Spetses’ famous daughter, the 19th-century seagoing commander Laskarina Bouboulina, has been converted into a museum. Entry is via 40…

3. Spetses Museum

11 MILES

Small, fascinating collections are housed in the old mansion of Hatzigiannis Mexis (1754–1844), a shipowner who became the island’s first governor. They…

4. Theatre of Epidavros

12.31 MILES

Built of limestone, yet one of the best-preserved Ancient Greek structures in existence, this late-4th-century-BC theatre is the undisputed highlight of…

5. Epidavros Museum

12.39 MILES

Found between the Sanctuary of Asclepius and the Theatre of Epidavros, this museum houses statuary (mostly copies) that once adorned the Temple of…

6. Epidavros

12.39 MILES

In its day Epidavros, 30km east of Nafplio, was famed and revered across the Mediterranean as a place of miraculous healing. Visitors came great distances…

7. Sanctuary of Asclepius

12.54 MILES

The Sanctuary of Asclepius was dedicated to the god of healing. The ruins include the huge katagogeion, a hostelry for pilgrims and patients; the large…

8. Citronne

18.54 MILES

This bright and cheerful local gallery shows artists from around Greece.