Athens Trip Overview
This tour addresses visitors that are interested in the natural beauty, medieval history, the ancient Greek period and modern history of Greece and at the same time want to spend some time at each location in order to understand and experience Greek culture.
Additional Info
Duration: 5 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Private & Custom Tours >> Private Sightseeing Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
This tour addresses visitors that are interested in the natural beauty, medieval history, the ancient Greek period and modern history of Greece and at the same time want to spend some time at each location in order to understand and experience Greek culture.
Itinerary
Day 1: Thermopylae – Meteora – Kalambaka
Stop At: Battlefield of Thermopylae, Thermopylae Greece
We will meet the battlefield of Thermopylae’s. In the historical centre of the site you will enjoy a 3D movie, travelling through time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom under a foreign conqueror. 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: 20 minutes
Stop At: Historical Information Center Thermopylon, Lamia 35009 Greece
10 years after the Battle of Marathon, King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans heroically faced the Persian army. In the historical centre of the site you will enjoy a 3D movie, travelling through time you will feel the presence of all who died for their freedom under a foreign conqueror.
Duration: 30 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
Pass By: Kalambaka, Kalambaka, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Our trip 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 Kalabaka, a beautiful small city that is dominated by the Meteora rocks standing upon it. Reaching the small town we will settle at the hotel and then drive up around the hills for an evening photo tour on the rocks under the Greek sunset.
Stop At: Great Meteoron Monastery, Eparhiacos dromos Meteoron, Kalambaka 42200 Greece
We will visit 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. Great Meteoron is the biggest and most impressive.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Agios Stefanos, Kalambaka Greece
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.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Varlaam Monastery, Kalambaka Greece
The monastery Varlaam owes its name to the hermit-anchorite Varlaam, who first inhabited the rock in the 14th century. The history of the monastery begins substantially from the early 16th century, when the rock settled and organized their priory the Ioannina brothers Theophanes and Nektarios Apsaras, descendants of the old continent Byzantine family.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 2: Kalambaka – Delphi
Pass By: Delphi Greece
After spending sometime in this area of serenity we will drive to the site of Delphi, an ancient Greek sanctuary with a PanHellenic character dedicated to god Apollo. It functioned as an Oracle and was considered ‘the naval’ the center of the word and is today a symbol of Greek cultural unity. The scenic location allows you to have a view of the Greek mountains and two more sites the Gymnasium and the secondary sanctuary of Athena Pronea.
Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Delphi Greece
In the site you will visit the Temple of Apollo where Pytheia spoke to the oracles, the theater and the stadium.
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: Mount Parnassus, Delphi Greece
Delphi is mountainous village built on a cliff 900m above sea level very close to the Parnassus ski resort.
Stop At: Arachova, Arachova, Boeotia Region, Central Greece
Aráchova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassós in Viotia, Southern Greece. It is the most cosmopolitan winter destination in Greece, a great favorite for passionate ski lovers and celebrities, or just first-time visitors who wish to relax in a dreamy mountainous setting with modern tourism facilities. Its modern ski resort, its close proximity to Athens, and its breathtaking mountainous landscape are the strongest reason why. Apart from the mountain activities, Aráchova is also famous for its bustling nightlife and as the favorite mountain resort of Athenians.
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 3: Delphi – Nafpaktos – Ancient Olympia
Stop At: Nafpaktos Old Port, Naupactus 30300 Greece
Nafpaktos, is a small town by the Olympic Rings sea having a view towards the battlefield where the naval battle of Lepanto took place in 1571 between the Ottoman Empire and the united western powers.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Archaeological Site of Olympia, Archea Olympia, Olympia 27065 Greece
We will visit the archaeological site and the museum of Ancient Olympia. This is one of the largest sites in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Walking through the site you will pass by the Gymnasium, the Palaistra, the workshop of Phidias, the Temple of Zeus and you will end up at the Stadium where for every four years the Greeks competed for glory and for spiritual elevation honoring their cities.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Olympia, Archaia Olympia, Olympia 27 065 Greece
The museum is also quite unique as it includes the renowned statue “Hermes of Praxiteles” with its perfect analogies and tools that belonged to Phidias himself. With the tools he created one of the seven wonders of the world “the gold ivory statue of Zeus”.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Museum of the Olympic Games, Olympia Greece
The Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games hosts 463 ancient works, from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, and other museums in the Greek territory. The exhibits cover a wide chronological range, from the 2nd millennium BC until the 5th century AD. Ancient exposed in thematic units and through them yperchilietis shows the history of the Olympic games, the longest ancient institution.
Apart from ancient art, the visitor has the possibility of detailed information through the rich visual material.
After a walking in the footsteps of ancient athletes we will take our lunch at the village.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 4: Ancient Olympia – Mycenae – Tiryns – Nafplio
Stop At: Archaeological Site Mycenae, Mycenae 21200 Greece
Next day we will visit Mycenae (dated to the 2nd millennium B.C.E) which represents the era of Achilles, Agamemnon and Helen of Troy, the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lion Gate, Mycenae Greece
In the site, you will see the renowned Lions Gate, the oldest architectural sculpture in Europe.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae, Mycenae Greece
Within the site there is a modern museum exhibiting the findings of the “City Of Gold” before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb, one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Citadel and Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae Greece
Just before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb found and one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
From here we will travel through time towards a more recent history of Greece and to the city of Nafplion. Nafplion is considered the most scenic city which also functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. It offers you an impressive combination of fortresses and castles (Palamidi, Bourtzi), an enormous port opened to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements.
Lunch will be at a traditional tavern by the sea.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Bourtzi, The Harbor, Nafplio Greece
Bourtzi is a little islet with a fortress in a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea.
Stop At: Acronauplia, Nafplion 211 00, Greece
We’ll drive up until the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Tiryns, Nafplio Greece
Tiryns is a Mycenaean archaeological site in Peloponnese, and the location from which mythical hero Heracles performed his 12 labors.
Duration: 30 minutes
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 5: Nafplio – Epidaurus – Corinth
Stop At: Sanctuary of Asklepios, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
A short drive away and you will be able to see one of the most important ancient Greek sanctuaries. Dedicated to God Asclepius, he was the god of healing and medicine.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
Epidaurus is located in peaceful environment and spread out on a hilly area, its highest point being the actual theater of Epidaurus. As the best preserved ancient Greek theater (dated 4th century B.C.E.) it is proof of what miracles the ancient Greek minds could create. Test the acoustics great even today and climb up to the higher seats just to close your eyes and dream you are attending an ancient Greek tragedy.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Argous 105 Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece
Apart from its archaeological and historical interest Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece as this was where the Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Temple of Apollo, Ancient Corinth, Corinth 20007 Greece
The temple of Apollo at Corinth is one of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland. Built around 560 B.C.E., of local monolithic limestone on top of an imposing, rocky hill to the north of Acrocorinth, the Archaic temple was an emblem for the Greek city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Akrokorinthos, Corinth 200 07 Greece
Next stop will be the hill of Acrocorinth, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Loutraki 201 00 Greece
Our last stop of the day, the Corinth Canal. Eventually opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese from the rest of Greece all the while connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. Having time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge and admire the canal closer, you may go bungee jumping on some days (if you’re game).
Duration: 15 minutes
Pass By: Athens, Athens, Attica
We will drive back to Athens
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
