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 see ancient Corinth & the Canal, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Thermopolis, Meteora and many other places.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 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 see ancient Corinth & the Canal, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Thermopolis, Meteora and many other places.
Itinerary
Day 1: 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.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Argous 105 Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece
The ancient city of Corinth was located on the narrow strip of land connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, known as the Isthmus of Corinth. 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 gulf and vice versa. It became one of the most important trade powers in ancient Greece and had an extensive network of colonies. It was also the location of countless ancient myths, like the myth of Sisyphus and there were games like the Olympics held in the devotional area of Isthmia. Although the city was destroyed by the Romans, who built a new city in its place.
With a professional guide, we see extensive ruins columns of the Temple of Apollo that testify to Corinth’s great prosperity. These have been uncovered since 1896 by the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the Greek Ministry of Culture. 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
We travel to Epidaurus and see the world-renowned Epidaurus theatre. Built in the 4th century BC, it is famous for its acoustics, which 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 Homeric city 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.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Karamitsos Winery, Bogazi, Nemea 20500 Greece
We visit Nemea, an ancient wine-making region of Greece. Nemea is home to a grape variety named “Agiorgitiko” that is at least 3,000 years old. Due to the different microclimates in the region, there are a variety of different wines produced here, from fruity and light to mature and full-bodied. At the winery we discover how wine is made and try three different types of wine. It will be accompanied by a selection of delicious local “mezes”, which is a selection of local foods like 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, 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:
• 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 2: 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: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: We will have breakfast at the hotel.
• Dinner: We will have lunch or dinner at a traditional Greek tavern at Delphi 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 3: 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 will 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 4: 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.
