Athens Trip Overview
This tour is offered to our guests who wish to explore some of the most famous sites but would also like to visit parts of Northern Greece such as Thessaloniki (our second largest city) and regions that have remained untouched by tourism like Pelion. It is a way to see two main sites representing different parts of Greek history.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
This tour is offered to our guests who wish to explore some of the most famous sites but would also like to visit parts of Northern Greece such as Thessaloniki (our second largest city) and regions that have remained untouched by tourism like Pelion. It is a way to see two main sites representing different parts of Greek history.
Itinerary
Day 1: Parnassus – Delphi – Kalambaka
Pass By: Mount Parnassus, Delphi Greece
You will have a breathtaking view of the mountains full of olive trees literally in front of you.
Pass By: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
We will drive to the ancient site of Delphi, a famous sanctuary with a PanHellenic character dedicated to Apollo. It served as an oracle and was considered ‘the naval’ the center of the world. Today Delphi is a symbol of Greek cultural unity. The scenic location allows you to have a soothing view of the Greek mountains.
Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Delphi Greece
Meanwhile, at the site you will visit the temple of Apollo where Pythia spoke to the oracles.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Delphi Archaeological Museum, Ethniki Odos Amfissas – Livadias, Delphi 330 54 Greece
While in the museum you will be able to see the famous charioteer and Gold Ivory statues.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
Following we will continue with a drive through the mountains, not taking the national highway, to see the real Greek country side. Passing by the cities of Lamia, Trikala and Karditsa we will reach Kalambaka, a beautiful small city that is dominated by the Meteora. You will have time to take an evening walk and enjoy a local dinner after settling at the hotel.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Kalambaka – Vergina
Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
On the following day we’ll start in the morning for a visit to the monasteries and a closer look at the holy rocks. On the rocks that are like suspended in the air (that’s what Meteora means) there is one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox Monasteries still in use. Meteora combines natural beauty and cultural heritage a fact that make them a unique destination between the world’s monuments.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Agios Stefanos, Kalambaka Greece
Visit Agios Stefanos or Roussanou nunnery. The Holy Monastery of Agios Stefanos is one of the few female monasteries of Meteora. The exact date of the monastery’s construction is unknown but according to some evidence it was built in the 15th century.The beautiful wall-paintings of the Catholicon were executed in 1560. Visit Roussanou for a different view of the surrounding cliffs and the adjacent Monasteries. Follow the pathway from this monastery to the upper main road and discover an off-the-road panoramic view point spot that allows you to walk on bear rocks!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Aigai Theater, Vergina 59031 Greece
The city of Aigai, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia, was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern Greece. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai (Vergina), Imathia, Vergina 590 31 Greece
You will be able to visit the museum that developed around the original location of the Royal Tombs full of their golden belonging and more importantly you will face the imposing tomb of Philip II, father of the Alexander the Great.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Pella – Thessaloniki
Stop At: Archaeological Site at Pella, Pella Greece
Pella is one of the most important sites of the Hellenistic Period. It was chosen to be the capital of the huge Macedonian Empire in the end 5th century BCE. The archaeological site consists of public baths, sanctuaries, villas of wealthy Macedonians with unique mosaic decoration and of course the Agora of the city. The city originally covered an area of 400 hectares and it gradually became the cultural and commercial center of the empire. More importantly Alexander the Great was born in Pella.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Pella, Pella 58005 Greece
The museum of Pella is a modern museum that opened in 2009 and has nothing to envy from other Greek museums located in big cities.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Region, Central Macedonia
Thessaloniki we will have a traditional northern Greek lunch at the region of “Ladadika”. In the afternoon we will drive around this beautiful city to see all the highlights of the co-capital. The White Tower, the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda, the Roman Agora and the cathedral of the Patron Saint Demetrius, the city wall and the Ano Poli (upper City) that offers you a breathtaking view of the city and the Aegean Sea. The rest of the day will be free to enjoy more of the city at your own pace visit museums, walk in Aristotelous Square or visit the central commercial streets.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: White Tower of Thessaloniki, Leoforos Nikis Leoforos Nikis, 54640, Thessaloniki 546 40 Greece
The White Tower of Thessaloniki is a monument and museum on the waterfront of the city of Thessaloniki, capital of the region of Macedonia in northern Greece. The present tower replaced an old Byzantine fortification, known to have been mentioned around the 12th century, that the Ottoman Empire reconstructed to fortify the city’s harbour sometime after Sultan Murad II captured Thessaloniki in 1430. The tower became a notorious prison and scene of mass executions during the period of Ottoman rule.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Rotunda, Pl. Agiou Georgiou Rotonta 5, Thessaloniki 546 35 Greece
The emblematic monument of Thessaloniki, was constructed in the early 4th century AD, on the turning point between the pagan with the Christian world, probably as a temple for ancient cult worship or as a mausoleum for Constantine the Great (306-337).
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Arch of Galerius, Thessaloniki Greece
One of the most characteristic monuments of Thessaloniki is the Arch of Galerius, located on the upper side of the Via Egnatia, a short distance from the Rotunda. (The Rotunda is a building with internal niches, serving as a place of worship).
The Arch of Galerius is a glorious monument, whose purpose was not practical, but memorial and honorary. It is a triumphal arch built shortly before 305 AD to honor the Roman Emperor Galerius, after the final victory over the Persians. The triumphal arch that was positioned perpendicular to the ancient Egnatia, which crossed the city (west to east) forming a part of the Roman Palace of Galerius, which was developed through the current squares of Navarinou and Hippodrome.
Duration: 20 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Dion – Pelio
Stop At: Dion Archaeological Park, Dion 60100 Greece
Next we will drive towards the site of Dion following the national highway, reaching the village of Dion we will find the site and the archaeological museum of Dion, an ancient Greek city named after Zeus (in Greek Dias) that preserved its importance in the Macedonian Period. There Philip II and his son Alexander the Great made sacrifices to the Gods after conquering the Ancient Greek world and from there Alexander The Great started his expedition towards to Asia. It was a city with of a huge strategic importance according to the Macedonian Kings. Today you can visit sanctuary of Isis and other Egyptian Gods, the oldest sanctuary of Goddess Dimitra, a Hellenistic theater, a roman theater and a stadium, the mansion of Dionysos with its wonderful mosaic decoration and many more public and private buildings.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Dion, Dion Greece
Located in the present-day settlement of Dion, only 500 meters from the entrance of the archaeological space, the museum displays finds from various excavations over the years. The finds have been organized according to the areas from which they were excavated on the site, and include discoveries from ancient Pydna and other archaeological spots in Pieria. In the basement visitors can watch an educational film titled «Daily Life in Ancient Dion», and screenings of audiovisual materials related to ancient Dion and Olympus.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Pelion, Pelion, Magnesia Region, Thessaly
Mt Pelion stands towering above Volos and is full of small traditional villages offering a view of the city and the Pagasitikos Gulf. Greek mythology tells us that this mountain with its picturesque villages was the residence of the Centaurs. At Pelion, you will taste an authentic traditional lunch in one of the quaint villages and we will drive around to see several parts of Pelion ending up at the village we are going to overnight in.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Thermopylae – Athens
Stop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae Greece
On our way back we will visit the battlefield of Thermopylae, where in 480 BC Leonidas and his 300 died for freedom.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Leonidas Monument, Lamia, Thermopylae 350 09 Greece
To complete the visit you will see the statue of Leonidas standing right opposite Kolonos Hill where the persisting Spartans left their last breath.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Historical Information Center Thermopylon, Lamia 35009 Greece
In the historical center of the site you will enjoy a 3D movie, traveling through the time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom under a foreign conqueror.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Kamena Vourla, Greece
Heading back to Athens we will stop at the coastal town of Kammena Vourla, where we will enjoy a relaxing, traditional Greek lunch by the sea. And to terminate the tour we will drive back to Athens safe and sound.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
