Athens Trip Overview
The site of Sparta is completely surrounded by major mountain ranges. In contrast to other ancient Greek cities, Sparta was not a compact fortified city-state center with monumental civic and religious buildings. It was a loose collection of smaller villages spaced over a large rural area and 6 low hills. The highest of these knolls served as the acropolis and location for the Temple of Athena Chalkioikos. In the Hellenistic period a theatre, stoa and agora were built near the acropolis but the Temple of Athena and the earlier remains at the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia on the West bank of the Eurotas are almost the only archaeological remains from Archaic and Classical Sparta.
The complex of the ruins of Mystras offers the image of a city with a brilliant destiny that was deserted by men and threatened by the return of encroaching vegetation which is splitting the walls and covering the slopes, thus destroying here and there fragile traces of history. In 1989 the ruins including the fortress palace , churches and monasteries were named a Unesco World Heritage Site!Visit the mystical tower of Mystras and let yourself be captivated by this destination’s medieval splendour. Wander around the castle city and sense through the silence the city’s sheer grandeur.
Stroll leisurely through the “Kastro” ( the Frankish Castle ) the Upper Town and Lower Town whose architecture creates a dreamy setting. With your minds eyes visualize Frankish princes and princesses living in palatial mansions;foreign delegations arriving bearing gifts and peasant pilgrims or traders filling the bustling streets.
Monemvasia in Greece is one of the most romantic places in the country. A medieval castle Town exclusively carved on the slopes of a rock. This fantastic place was originally constructed in the Medieval Ages and has been continuously inhabited since then.A World Cultural Heritage monument and a major attraction for every traveller in the Peloponnese and the whole of Greece it has a unique magical atmosphere and a fascinating history. Monuments and churches are scattered through out the old town.
An important archaeological collection is housed in the old mosque in the Square of Elkomenos Christos. Today most of the old mansions have been converted into guesthouses and boutique hotels. Authentic tavernas, fabulous restaurants and cosy coffee shops also add to the spark of Monemvasia. Outside the Rock, there is a new modern town with many tourist facilities. Built in the shadow of the Rock on which the Medieval fortress stands, the new town of Monemvasia has become a lively tourist destination in its own right. A large variety of hotels restaurants and coffee bars attract thousands of visitors all year round . Both within and around Monemvasia are a number of excellent clean,crystal clear beaches.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Multi-day & Extended Tours >> Multi-day Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
The site of Sparta is completely surrounded by major mountain ranges. In contrast to other ancient Greek cities, Sparta was not a compact fortified city-state center with monumental civic and religious buildings. It was a loose collection of smaller villages spaced over a large rural area and 6 low hills. The highest of these knolls served as the acropolis and location for the Temple of Athena Chalkioikos. In the Hellenistic period a theatre, stoa and agora were built near the acropolis but the Temple of Athena and the earlier remains at the sanctuary of Artemis Orthia on the West bank of the Eurotas are almost the only archaeological remains from Archaic and Classical Sparta.
The complex of the ruins of Mystras offers the image of a city with a brilliant destiny that was deserted by men and threatened by the return of encroaching vegetation which is splitting the walls and covering the slopes, thus destroying here and there fragile traces of history. In 1989 the ruins including the fortress palace , churches and monasteries were named a Unesco World Heritage Site!Visit the mystical tower of Mystras and let yourself be captivated by this destination’s medieval splendour. Wander around the castle city and sense through the silence the city’s sheer grandeur.
Stroll leisurely through the “Kastro” ( the Frankish Castle ) the Upper Town and Lower Town whose architecture creates a dreamy setting. With your minds eyes visualize Frankish princes and princesses living in palatial mansions;foreign delegations arriving bearing gifts and peasant pilgrims or traders filling the bustling streets.
Monemvasia in Greece is one of the most romantic places in the country. A medieval castle Town exclusively carved on the slopes of a rock. This fantastic place was originally constructed in the Medieval Ages and has been continuously inhabited since then.A World Cultural Heritage monument and a major attraction for every traveller in the Peloponnese and the whole of Greece it has a unique magical atmosphere and a fascinating history. Monuments and churches are scattered through out the old town.
An important archaeological collection is housed in the old mosque in the Square of Elkomenos Christos. Today most of the old mansions have been converted into guesthouses and boutique hotels. Authentic tavernas, fabulous restaurants and cosy coffee shops also add to the spark of Monemvasia. Outside the Rock, there is a new modern town with many tourist facilities. Built in the shadow of the Rock on which the Medieval fortress stands, the new town of Monemvasia has become a lively tourist destination in its own right. A large variety of hotels restaurants and coffee bars attract thousands of visitors all year round . Both within and around Monemvasia are a number of excellent clean,crystal clear beaches.
Itinerary
Day 1: Sparta – Mystras
Stop At: Sparta, Sparta, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
Pickup from your chosen hotel in Athens
Drive to Sparta
Visit the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia a cult center associated with the rites of passage the young Spartans underwent through their rigorous training / agogi.
Visit the Sanctuary of Apollo of Amyklae, a significant political and religious center of Sparta throughout antiquity.
Explore the Menelaeinn at ancient Therapni. Here is attested from at least the 8th century BC the cult of the mythical King of Sparta Menelaus and his wife Helen of Troy!
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Sparta, 71 Agiou Nikonos btwn Dafnou & Evangelistria, Sparta, Sparta Municipality 231 00 Greece
Visit the Spartan Archaeological Museum. Its neoclassical building was constructed between 1874 and 1876 in the center of the city and it has been declared a ‘listed’ building for it’s architectural and historical interest.
Visit the archaeological museum houses thousands of finds from the ancient acropolis of Sport known as the Lakedaemonia. The collection’s pieces date from the Neolithic Age to the late Roman Period.
Drive to Mystras
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Mystras, Mystras, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
Must see Byzantine churches… Cathedral of Agios Demetrios , Church of Agioi Theodori, Church of Agia Sofia, Church of Panagia Hodegetria, Church of Panagia Pantanassa, Monastery of Panagia Perivleptos
Visit the Mystras Archeological Museum
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Despot’s Palace – Palace of Byzantine Emperors, Lower Town 231 00, Greece
Visit the Palace of Despots
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Monemvasia, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
Drive to Monemvasia
Check-in at your chosen hotel
Late lunch at a traditional restaurant inside the “Rock”
Free time to wonder through the cobblestone alleys of the medieval city
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Monemvasia
Stop At: Monemvasia, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
Breakfast at Monemvasia
Discover “The Rock”: You will feel overwhelmed by the magical rawness, wildness, history and profound romanticism!
Explore the marvelous Medieval castle: Discover the Christos Elkomenos Church featuring the heavily guarded icon of the Crucifixion. The Ritsos family residence together with a total of 40 churches will captivate you.
St.Sofia
Vathysfero cafe: Enjoy your refreshments and delicious Greek delicacies while gazing out to the Myrtoan sea.
Lunch at Matoula’s enjoying authentic “village style” delicacies captivated by the breathtaking panoramic views.
Drive back to Athens
Duration: 8 hours
Stop At: Athens, Athens, Attica
Return to your chosen Hotel, Airbnb or apartment in Athens
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
