Your guide to the Mediterranean Yacht Show 2024

The summer charter season kicks off in customary fine style with the Mediterranean Yacht Show (MEDYS). During the final few days of April, the Greek Yachting Association brings together some of the very best superyachts available to charter both in Greece and elsewhere in the Eastern Mediterranean, at this industry-only trade event.  

Running from 27 April to 1 May, this annual show is well attended by industry professionals who take the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the designs, layouts, facilities and crew aboard the leading charter yachts available for the upcoming season. Armed with first-hand knowledge, they can then provide clients with a more knowledgeable service when it comes to choosing the right yacht for their Eastern Mediterranean yacht charter.   

Where is the Mediterranean Yacht Show?  

The Mediterranean Yacht Show is held in the Port of Nafplion on the Greek Peloponnese peninsula. This port town is located close to the Argolic Gulf’s northern end and is just 56 miles southwest of the Greek capital Athens. For yachts visiting from the West Mediterranean, the Corinth Canal is conveniently located 30 miles to the north of Nafplion, while the popular cruising grounds of the Cyclades lie just to the east.  

When is the Mediterranean Yacht Show?  

Held over five days from 27 April to 1 May, the Mediterranean Yacht Show is one of the highlights of the spring season yachting calendar. Preceded by the MYBA Charter Show in Barcelona and followed by the TYBA Yacht Charter Show in Turkey, together the trio mark the beginning of the Mediterranean charter season.   

Ready to showcase the very best of Greece and the Greek yacht charter market, this trade-only luxury yacht charter show gives industry professionals the chance to get up close to the stunning charter fleet that is available for the forthcoming summer months. It is one of the most important yachting events for superyacht charter brokers, who come from all over the world to gather vital information for the season ahead.  

Where can I get tickets?

The Mediterranean Yacht Show is a business-to-business, industry-only event connecting brokers and other industry professionals from around the world. Should there be any yachts of interest, speak to your Burgess charter expert who will be able to tour the yacht on your behalf, interview the captain and crew, and discuss any specific requests.  

Yachts attending the Mediterranean Yacht Show  

At the time of writing, 90 Greek-flagged yachts have registered to participate in the Mediterranean Yacht Show, with a cumulative length of over 3,400m. Ranging from the 34m (111.5ft) WHITE PEARL to the 85m (278.8ft) O’PTASIA, the diverse fleet of yachts includes everything from catamarans, classic and modern sailing yachts, fast sportsters, displacement motor yachts and megayachts. The following yachts are just a cross-section of what the show has in store. 

MEGAYACHT

At 2,350GT and 85m (278.8ft) in length, O’PTASIA is the largest and most advanced yacht to be built by the Greek shipyard Golden Yachts. Sophisticated styling plus a host of entertainment options both on and off the water make her ideal for large family gatherings. Sleeping 12 guests and with a crew of 29, O’PTASIA is available in the East and West Mediterranean throughout the year priced from EUR 800,000 per week, plus expenses.  

SPORTS YACHT

The 32.8m (107.6ft) BIANCA is equipped with luxurious amenities and powerful speed for effortless cruising from bay-to-bay, with a crew of six on hand to cater for every need. She cruises at 23 knots and has a maximum speed of 28 knots, with twin MTU engines powering her through the East Mediterranean waters. Prices from EUR 70,000 per week low season, plus expenses, for up to 12 guests. 

SEMI-DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHT

With a newly boosted watertoy inventory, the 45m (147.6ft) BELLA STELLA is the ultimate family yacht charter for the Eastern Mediterranean. With fabulous and refreshed ocean inspired interior designed by Sara Economou, she presents a balance between comfort and luxury. Prices from EUR 126,000 per week, plus expenses, for up to 12 guests.

SAILING YACHT

Perini Navi is famous for delivering some of the most beautiful sailing yachts in the world, and the Perini fleet includes the beautiful 36m (118ft) GITANA. Over the years this exceptional sailing yacht has become a much-loved sight in the Eastern Mediterranean and offers wonderful performance and service to her up to nine guests. Substantially refitted in 2015, she has since then been beautifully maintained by her owner, captain and crew of seven. Prices from EUR 57,000 per week, plus expenses.  

Attending exhibitors

With 31 exhibiting companies and 610 trade visitors (brokers and other industry professionals) registered for participation in the Mediterranean Yacht Show, attendees can expect to find all the information required to plan ahead for the summer season. From yacht chandlery to the finest linen companies, wine provisioning, chauffeur services and watersports specialists, the show attracts a myriad of different businesses who come from far afield to meet other industry experts and discuss future requirements.  

What else can I do in Nafplion?

For those attending the show or planning a yacht charter in the area, Nafplion has plenty to offer all those who step ashore. Built on a peninsula and in a well-fortified position, the city has been inhabited since ancient times and still has the architectural remnants of the Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian and Ottoman empires. 

As an important seaport, the city was ruled by a succession of warring Italian royal houses during the Middle Ages. It eventually became part of the Republic of Venice and then later was conquered by the Ottoman Turks and became part of the Ottoman empire. It was in the 19th century though that it really became prosperous, when Nafplion became the first official capital of the newly established Greek state, the First Hellenic Republic.  

Nafplion was where the country’s first king was crowned, and where its first prime minister was brutally assassinated. Today, Nafplion is however better known for its charming town centre and the Venetian architecture and neo-classical buildings that were built for the merchants, scientists, scholars and wealthy Greeks who settled here.  

Explore the old town  

Often described as the Venetian empire’s ‘Naples of the East’, the old town of Nafplion is like a bigger version of Plaka in Athens, but without the crowds. The streets are barely visited by vehicles, and instead are best discovered on foot or by bicycle. The main square, known as Syntagma Square, is one of the best-preserved 19th century town squares in all of Greece. Paved in marble, before being renamed it was originally known as Platanos Square owing to the huge Plane Tree which still sits proudly at its centre. Surrounded by historical buildings housing a variety of cafés, boutiques, bars and restaurants.  

Syntagma is where you will find locals going about their daily chores in the early morning and of course socialising in the evening. Alternatively, the big square at the waterfront is also a great place to head for a sun downer at one of the cafés or bars that has views over the Bourtzi. This fortified isle, which has become a kind of mascot for the city, was first built on and fortified by the Venetians in the 15th century to protect the entrance to the harbour. It has at various times been a prison, a hotel, and is currently a music venue with a unique outlook.  

Climb to Palamidi Fortress

Dominating Nafplion, the Palamidi Fortress sits above the old town and is a landmark symbol for the freedom of Greeks. Built by the Venetians in the early 18th century, and later adapted and further expanded by the Ottomans, the imposing stone building is made up of three separate fortresses walled together.  

There are allegedly a total of 999 steps leading up to the fortress, which is open to visitors from sunrise to sunset during the summer months. It is well worth the climb for the spectacular views over the city, the bay and the surrounding countryside, and be sure to count those steps!  

Try the local cuisine

The wider area of Nafplion produces a wide variety of produce commonly found in the Mediterranean diet, including fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Seafood is also of course plentiful, and a fresh catch is always available at any of the seaside tavernas.  

Locally grown artichoke is one of the main ingredients used in many local recipes, including home-made pastas and trachanas (sour milk and wheat boiled together and then dried in the sun to form the base of a soup). Honey-based pastries and other local sweet treats are also part of the local diet.  

For a true taste of Nafplion, why not reserve a table at the family owned Mezedopoleio O Noulis. Serving authentic Greek cuisine, Noulis offers seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients, including local dishes such as lamb with artichokes, and octopus in red wine sauce.  

For seafood, head to the nautically themed taverna Arapakos on the waterfront. Here the menu features catch of the day along with traditional accompaniments such as taramosalata and tzatziki.