Athens Trip Overview
This classical Greek 3-day tour from Athens, with airport pick-up and drop-off included, combines five stunning archaeological and historical UNESCO sites of Greece in the Peloponnese and Delphi areas: Mycenae, Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, Ancient Olympia, Hosios Loukas Monastery and Delphi as well as spectacular Corinth Canal, mystical Ancient Corinth, seaside Tolo, medieval Nafplion, jaw-dropping Rio-Antirio Bridge, port town Nafpaktos, traditional Galaxidi and Arachova with special options to enjoy hiking in the one million olive trees valley in Delphi or take an olive oil and olives tasting tour.
As this is a private tour, our guests enjoy luxury travelling at the fertile countryside of Peloponnese and Delphi with stops-as-you-go, to get acquainted with the local ways and Greek culinary delights.
For your 2-night accommodation: 4-star or Boutique hotels (depending on availability and season).
A tour that will make you love Greece forever!
Additional Info
Duration: 3 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
This classical Greek 3-day tour from Athens, with airport pick-up and drop-off included, combines five stunning archaeological and historical UNESCO sites of Greece in the Peloponnese and Delphi areas: Mycenae, Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, Ancient Olympia, Hosios Loukas Monastery and Delphi as well as spectacular Corinth Canal, mystical Ancient Corinth, seaside Tolo, medieval Nafplion, jaw-dropping Rio-Antirio Bridge, port town Nafpaktos, traditional Galaxidi and Arachova with special options to enjoy hiking in the one million olive trees valley in Delphi or take an olive oil and olives tasting tour.
As this is a private tour, our guests enjoy luxury travelling at the fertile countryside of Peloponnese and Delphi with stops-as-you-go, to get acquainted with the local ways and Greek culinary delights.
For your 2-night accommodation: 4-star or Boutique hotels (depending on availability and season).
A tour that will make you love Greece forever!
Itinerary
Day 1: Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Acrocorinth, Epidaurus, Tolo, Mycenae, Nafplio
Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Loutraki 201 00 Greece
Start your tour with a morning pick up from your residence and set off towards the Peloponnese peninsula. Driving for about an hour we reach our first stop at Corinth Canal, an awe-inspiring engineering miracle, six and a half km long, separating the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Because of its width, only small and narrow cargo and cruise ships still make a voyage through the canal regularly.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Argous 105 Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece
Very close to the Canal lies the ancient city of Corinth. The site, first excavated in 1892 CE by the Greek Archaeological Service, is dominated by the Doric peripteral Temple of Apollo (c. 550-530 BCE). The majority of the other surviving buildings date from the 1st century CE in the Roman era and include a large forum, a temple to Octavia, baths, the Bema where St. Paul addressed the Corinthians and the Asklepeion temple to Asclepius.
The Museum offers a variety of ancient artefacts found in the area of Corinth.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
Leaving Corinth and going deeper into the Peloponnese, we reach 75 minutes later the stunning Sanctuary of Asclepios at Epidaurus, a UNESCO listed site.
The theatre of Epidaurus represents the finest and best-preserved example of a classical Greek theatre.
At the site you will visit:
the vast ancient theatre (you can practice its notorious acoustics)
the Tholos
the Stoa of Abaton
the Stadium and
the on-spot Museum.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Archaeological Site Mycenae, Mycenae 21200 Greece
After this fascinating site, we head to Tolo, a beautiful seaside village, well known for its fish and seafood, and where we will enjoy our fresh Greek lunch.
Next is another UNESCO site, the archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns, the kingdom of famous Agamemnon, leader of the Greek army at Homer’s Iliad epic poem. The archaeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns are the imposing ruins of the two greatest cities of the Mycenaean civilization, which dominated the eastern Mediterranean world from the 15th to the 12th century B.C.
Mycenae entrance is through the imposing Lion Gates, you walk by the graves of kings and the cyclopean architecture of Treasury of Atreus. A really powerful site.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
Finally, we set off of towards the medieval, seaside city of Nafplio, driving through dense orange and olive groves. Nafplio is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, the former first capital of the country, built in neoclassical architecture with narrow cobblestone alleys and surrounded by three formidable castles. You will walk on the main Syntagma Square with two old Turkish mosques, many cafes and little taverns and stroll at the promenade overlooking Bourtzi castle.
Accommodation at a 4- star or Boutique Hotel like Ippoliti in Nafplio.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Nafplio at a 4-star or Boutique hotel like Ippoliti Hotel
Day 2: Ancient Olympia, Rio-Antirio Bridge, Nafpaktos, Galaxidi, Delphi
Stop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Archea Olympia, Olympia 27065 Greece
After your breakfast at the hotel, we set off for the 2-hour drive to Ancient Olympia, another UNESCO site. You will visit the museum and the famous archaeological site of the ancient Olympic Games.
Olympia lies in the fertile valley of Alpheios river and it was the most celebrated site of Ancient Greece.
As you stroll by the ancient paths you will visit the Doric Temples of Zeus and Hera, the Bouleuterion, the Prytaneion, the Stadium, the Gymnasium, the Palestra, the Workshop of Pheidias and so many other stunning ancient buildings.
At the museum, you will admire masterpieces such as the Nike of Paionios and the breathtaking Hermes and the Infant Dionysus statue.
You can have your lunch in one of the local traditional taverns in the picturesque modern Olympia village.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Achaia Clauss Winery, Petroto of Patras, Patras 26500 Greece
After Olympia, as an option, we offer free of charge a 1-hour visit to the oldest Greek winery, the Achaia Clauss for wine tasting and interesting facts on Greek wine varieties and methods. After the winery, we head northwest to another engineering miracle, the Rio Antirio Bridge. Crossing it, we leave the Peloponnese behind us and enter the mainland towards Delphi. The first stop is Nafpaktos, a scenic little Venetian port and castle, a popular escapade for a romantic weekend.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Rio-Antirrio Bridge (Charilaos Trikoupis), Gefira Charilaos Trikoupis, Antirrio Greece
After the winery, we head northwest to another engineering miracle, the Rio Antirio Bridge. The Rio-Antirrio Bridge, also known as the “Charilaos Trikoupis” bridge, was completed in 2004 for the Olympic Games. The bridge is named after the Greek Prime Minister who envisioned the connection of the Peloponnese with Western Greece in 1889.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Nafpaktos Old Port, Naupactus 30300 Greece
Crossing the Rio Antirio Bridge, we leave the Peloponnese behind us and enter the mainland towards Delphi.
The first stop is Nafpaktos, a scenic little Venetian port and castle, a popular escapade for a romantic weekend. You can stroll the beautiful town and have a coffee or tea at the port.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Galaxidi, Galaxidi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
Next, we drive to Galaxidi and Delphi where you stay overnight at 4-star or Boutique hotels, like Ganimede in Galaxidi – its breakfast is totally yummy – or Nidimos in Delphi, depending on availability.
Galaxidi is a pretty seaside resort atmospheric like a Greek island and close to Delphi area.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Galaxidi or Delphi at a 4-star or Boutique hotel like Ganimede or Nidimos.
Day 3: Visit Delphi, Arachova, Hosios Loukas Monastery
Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas – Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
After your rest and breakfast at your hotel, your driver picks you up and transports you to Delphi, a remarkable archaeological site and museum.
Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered to be the centre of the Ancient World. Leaders, Kings, and Marshals would consult Pythia, before taking any important decision. Thus, the site became massively rich and powerful and the excavated buildings prove its past wealth and abundance. Our guests will witness the Temple of Apollo, the Amphictyonic Council, the Siphnian Treasury, the Theatre, the Tholos, the Gymnasium and the Stadium, which are some of the important buildings on the site.
The museum exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary and oracle, covering the long period from prehistory to late antiquity. Some of the masterpieces of the permanent collection include the famous Charioteer, the Sphinx of the Naxians, and the statues of Kleobis and Biton.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
For lunch, we have chosen the best quality traditional food, service, and high hygiene taverns in the area.
Traditional Tavern “To Patriko mas” combine an astounding view of the vast valley and sea with exceptional food and service.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
After your lunch, we will make a stop at Arachova, a very popular ski resort village to view the local artefacts and embroiders, and taste famous formaella local cheese production, and olives.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Monastery of Hosios Loukas, Distomo 32005 Greece
After Arachova, we stop at another UNESCO site, the Hosios Loukas monastery, where you can admire the amazing mosaics and frescoes from the early 10th c AD. The frescoes of the crypt were cleaned in 1960 and until then they were covered in plasters. It is one of the most important monuments of Middle Byzantine architecture and art.
Leaving the monastery, we will drive through the countryside and bring you back to your residence, port, or drop you off at the airport without any extra charge.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
