Athens Trip Overview
Looking for something a little more personalized? Greece’s expansive history is reflected in its countless archaeological and cultural sites, which can be found all over the country. Some are incredibly famous, but many others await. With its abundant history, Greece houses relics and remains from all eras, including 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites! More than a collection of age-old monuments and pristine islands, Greece has an extraordinary variety of landscapes. Whether it be the fairy tale landscape of Meteora, the stunning sea view of Sounio, the rugged terrain of the Peloponnese, or the wonder of Delphi – one of the most famous historic sites in Greece – some exploration outside of Athens is well worth it! Take some time to travel back thousands of years in history and discover some of the extraordinary sights and tastes of mainland Greece like a local, with a local.
We visit Athens Hihglights, ancient Corinth & the Canal, Epidauvrus, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and many other places.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Historical & Heritage Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
Looking for something a little more personalized? Greece’s expansive history is reflected in its countless archaeological and cultural sites, which can be found all over the country. Some are incredibly famous, but many others await. With its abundant history, Greece houses relics and remains from all eras, including 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites! More than a collection of age-old monuments and pristine islands, Greece has an extraordinary variety of landscapes. Whether it be the fairy tale landscape of Meteora, the stunning sea view of Sounio, the rugged terrain of the Peloponnese, or the wonder of Delphi – one of the most famous historic sites in Greece – some exploration outside of Athens is well worth it! Take some time to travel back thousands of years in history and discover some of the extraordinary sights and tastes of mainland Greece like a local, with a local.
We visit Athens Hihglights, ancient Corinth & the Canal, Epidauvrus, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and many other places.
Itinerary
Day 1: ATHENS – SOUNIO CAPE
Stop At: Acropolis, via Dionysiou Areopagitou str., Athens 105 58 Greece
Undoubtedly the most famous landmark of Athens – and the pride of Athenians – is the Parthenon, atop Acropolis Hill. It is the ancient temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess Athens is named after. It is visible from most of central Athens and is surrounded by the city’s charming and picturesque historical centre.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Arch of Hadrian (Pili tou Adrianou), Leoforos Amalias, Athens Greece
The monument known as Hadrian’s Arch, a distinctive Roman structure dedicated to Theseus and Hadrian, the founders of Athens.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Temple of Olympian Zeus, Leoforos Vasilissis Olgas Leoforos Amalias, Athens 105 57 Greece
Next is the Temple of Olympian Zeus, with only a few of its original 104 columns standing.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Leoforos Vasilissis Amalias Syntagma Square, Athens 100 28 Greece
We watch the Changing of the Guard – at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – in front of the Parliament. These guards, known as Evzones, are the elite force of the Greek Army and were known for their bravery and honour until World War II. Their uniform was introduced by King Otto of Greece and was inspired by the traditional clothes of the mountain warriors and bandits who formed the resistance to the Ottoman Empire.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Panathenaic Stadium, Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue opposite the statue of Myron Discobolus, Athens 116 35 Greece
We will also see the stadium that held the first modern Olympics in 1896.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounio, Sounio 195 00 Greece
Travelling along the coast, we head to the southernmost tip of the peninsula of Attica, Cape Sounion, a getaway close to Athens and famous for its beaches, fish restaurants and the striking ruins of the Temple of Poseidon. Set high atop a cliff rising above the Aegean Sea, the temple forms part of a trio of ancient sites, including the Acropolis, and the Temple of Aphaea on the Greek island of Aegina. Equal distances from each other as the crow flies, on a clear day you may be able to see all the monuments from the others. Sounio is also where Aegeus tragically fell from the cliffs when he saw the black sails that his son had forgotten to change, therefore believing he had died. The Aegean Sea was thus named after him. It is a beautiful place to watch the sunset, the white marble columns framed by the sky and the lovely blue sea!
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner: We have dinner at a traditional Greek tavern.
Accommodation included: We stay overnight between Sounio and Porto Rafti or central Athens in a 3- or 4-star hotel or a small boutique hotel.
Day 2: Ancient Corinth, Corinth Canal, Epidavros, Nafplio, Mycenae.
Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Loutraki 201 00 Greece
We first go to the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow piece of land connecting mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. There we will see the manmade canal which connects the Corinthian and the Saronic Gulfs. The canal was finished in 1893, but its history dates to as early as 602 BC. It has a length of over 6km, and its sides are 78m tall at the highest point. There are bridges across the canal for cars and people to pass, and which sink up to 12m underwater to let boats through. See and learn the history of the Corinth Canal.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Argous 105 Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece
The ancient city-state of Corinth was located on the narrow strip of land connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, known as the Isthmus of Corinth. It is a site of extraordinary history, being inhabited for the first time in the Neolithic Period. In ancient times the city grew wealthy due to this strategic location and its control of the transportation of ships from the Corinthian to the Saronic Gulfs and vice versa. It became one of the most important trade powers in ancient Greece, rivalling Athens and Thebes, and had an extensive network of colonies. In 400 BC it had a population of 90,000 people. It was also the location of countless ancient myths, such as the myth of Sisyphus. The city was destroyed by the Romans, who re-built a new city in its place.
With a professional guide, we see extensive ruins of the Temple of Apollo that testify to Corinth’s great prosperity. It is also one of the places that Saint Paul visited and wrote letters to.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
Epidaurus, the famous theater. Built in the 4th century BC, it is famous for its acoustics – they are so perfect that words spoken on stage can be heard perfectly wherever you are in the audience.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Archaeological Site Mycenae, Mycenae 21200 Greece
The kingdom of Mycenae was one of the first great centres of the Greek culture; settlement on this site dates back to the second millennium BC. According to Homer, Mycenae was the seat of Agamemnon, who led the Greeks against the Trojans to take back Helen, the wife of his brother Menelaus. The ruins of the ancient city are famous for the amazing “Cyclopean walls” – so named because the later Greeks thought that only a Cyclops could move such huge rocks into place. You will see the Lion Gate, which formed the entrance to the royal court and palace. Nearby there are the tombs of legendary figures such as Aegisthus and Clytemnestra.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Karamitsos Winery, Bogazi, Nemea 20500 Greece
We will visit Nemea, an ancient wine making region of Greece (for a wine tour). Nemea is home to an grape variety that is at least 3,000 years old, which is called “Agiorgitiko”. Due to the different microclimates in the region, there is a variety of different wines produced here, from fruity and light to mature and full-bodied. At the winery, they will explain to us how the wine is made, and we will get to try 3 different types of wine. It will be accompanied by a selection of delicious local “mezes” , which is a selection of local foods similar to tapas and have a full meal (lunch or dinner).
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Palamidi Castle, Eikostis Pemptis Martiou, Nafplio 211 00 Greece
Stepping forward in history, we see the Palamidi Castle in Nafplio (the first Capital of modern Greece), built by the Venetians and famous for supposedly having 999 steps. According to legend, there were once 1000 steps leading to the castle, but one of them was crushed by Theodoros Kolokotronis, a leader of the Greek war of independence, during celebrations for a victory against the Ottomans.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: We have breakfast at the Hotel.
• Dinner: We have dinner at the winery Karamitsos or at a traditional Greek tavern.
Accommodation included: We stay overnight at Epidaurus or Nafplio in a 3- or 4-star hotel or a small boutique hotel depending on availability.
Day 3: Ancient Olympia, Arachova, Delphi.
Stop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Archea Olympia, Olympia 27065 Greece
We head to the valley of the river Alfios where a professional guide accompanies us to see the ruins of the ancient Olympia, the historic site of the Olympic Games. This was the greatest of the Panhellenic Games and every four years Greeks from all the different city-states would put aside their disputes and come together to compete.
The importance of Olympia can still be seen from its ruins, including the Temple of Zeus, which once contained a 13 meter statue of the god made of gold and ivory, the Temple of Hera, the stadium and the Shrine of Pelops. Even today, the Olympic Flame is lit in Olympia and then taken on a relay across the world to end up in the city hosting the Olympic Games.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
We will stop over in the picturesque mountain resort of Arachova, which is one of the most popular places near Athens to go skiing in the winter. There we will have a chance to relax, enjoy the beautiful views, or have a coffee at one of the many cafés.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast: We have breakfast at the Hotel.
• Dinner: We will have lunch or dinner at a traditional Greek tavern at Delphi, Galaxidi or Arachova (your decision).
Accommodation included: We stay overnight at Galaxidi or Delphi in a 3- or 4-star hotel or a small boutique hotel, depending on availability
Day 4: DELPHI, THERMOPOLIS, METEORA (Kalambaka).
Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas – Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
Along with a professional guide, we visit Delphi – considered the religious centre of the ancient Greek world and the seat of Pythia, the greatest oracle. Located on the slopes of Mount Parnassus, the ruins of the Sanctuary of Apollo overlook the timeless beauty of the ancient landscape. People from all over Greece would travel to ask advice from Pythia, the oracle of Apollo. In fact, in some of the most important moments in history, her words had a great effect on the course of events, and it is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Temple of Apollo is the centre of an extensive archaeological site that includes the Treasuries of the Siphnians and the Athenians, a theatre, and a stadium. We also visit the museum, which houses the famous Delphic Charioteer and the statue of Antinous, the lover of Hadrian.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Thermopylae Museum, Thermopylae Greece
We then visit the site and museum of Leonidas’ 300 Spartans stand against the mighty army of the Xerxes of Persia – Thermopylae, or the “Hot Gates”. The Spartans and their allies lured the Persian army to this narrow pass between the cliffs and the sea and although they were defeated, their bravery allowed the other Greek city-states to mobilise and finally defeat the Persians at the Battle of Salamis.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Kalambaka, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Finally we reach the village of Meteora (Kalambaka), were we stay.
We will have dinner and enjoy the view of the monasteries (that we will visit the next day) from the village.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: We have breakfast at the Hotel.
• Dinner: We will have lunch or dinner at a traditional Greek tavern at Delphi or Meteora (your decision).
Accommodation included: We stay overnight in Kalambaka-Meteora in a 3- or 4-star hotel or a small boutique hotel depending on availability.
Day 5: METEORA, return to Athens.
Stop At: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
At the stunning, fairy tale landscape of Meteora, we visit at least three monasteries (or more, time permitting), two of which are guided with a professional guide, before having a meal and returning to Athens late in the afternoon.
Duration: 6 hours
Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
You will get to see at least 3 monasteries (if there is time even more), 2 of them will be guided with a professional guide.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
You will get to see at least 3 monasteries (if there is time even more), 2 of them will be guided with a professional guide.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), Kalambaka Greece
You will get to see at least 3 monasteries (if there is time even more), 2 of them will be guided with a professional guide.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Monastery of Rousanou, Μετεώρων, Kalampaka 422 00, Greece
You will get to see at least 3 monasteries (if there is time even more), 2 of them will be guided with a professional guide.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: We have breakfast at the Hotel.
• Dinner: We will have dinner at a traditional Greek tavern and return to Athens late afternoon dropping you off where you wish.
No accommodation included on this day.
