Athens Trip Overview
Spend three days touring one of the most beautiful locations in Greece on a journey through the olive groves, orchards, and blue Aegean views of the famous Peloponnese countryside. Discover the Medieval town of Nafplion, with its hilltop castle and charming Venetian streets full of boutique craft shops; enjoy the stunning castle town of Monemvasia perched on a huge rocky islet surrounded by the deep blue colors of the Aegean Sea, and wonder through the well preserved labyrinthine ruins of the Byzantine city of Mystras.
World-class local highlights such as the Great Classical Greek Theatre of Epidaurus and the Corinth Canal are not forgotten along the way, whilst a visit to the fascinating Museum of the Olive adds some further cultural depth to round off this unique trip.
Flexible booking options allow you to include additional elements such as Lunch Style, Professional Archaeological Guides, Admission Tickets, and Hotel Type, whilst all aspects may be further tailored on request.
Additional Info
Duration: 3 days
Starts: Athens, Greece
Trip Category: Private & Custom Tours >> Private Sightseeing Tours
Explore Athens Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Athens, Attica, Greece
Spend three days touring one of the most beautiful locations in Greece on a journey through the olive groves, orchards, and blue Aegean views of the famous Peloponnese countryside. Discover the Medieval town of Nafplion, with its hilltop castle and charming Venetian streets full of boutique craft shops; enjoy the stunning castle town of Monemvasia perched on a huge rocky islet surrounded by the deep blue colors of the Aegean Sea, and wonder through the well preserved labyrinthine ruins of the Byzantine city of Mystras.
World-class local highlights such as the Great Classical Greek Theatre of Epidaurus and the Corinth Canal are not forgotten along the way, whilst a visit to the fascinating Museum of the Olive adds some further cultural depth to round off this unique trip.
Flexible booking options allow you to include additional elements such as Lunch Style, Professional Archaeological Guides, Admission Tickets, and Hotel Type, whilst all aspects may be further tailored on request.
Itinerary
Day 1: NAFPLION & THE ARGOLIS REGION
Stop At: Corinth Canal, Isthmia, Loutraki 201 00 Greece
Our first stop at the narrowing between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese is at the impressive Corinth canal. Finished in 1893 and one of the wonders of its time, stop to view this narrow passage with flotillas traversing beneath the narrow passage and learn all about its many interesting ill-fated and varied Histories, from ancient times to the present.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos), Argous 105 Ancient Korinthos village, Corinth 200 07 Greece
After a short drive further into the Peloponnese we stop to explore the beautifully preserved remains of Ancient Corinth, one of Greece’s most powerful and influential city-states of Antiquity. Stroll through the streets, temples, markets, and fountains in the footsteps of the Classical Greeks, Ancient Romans & St. Paul before you. Refreshments & rest stops are also on hand at the local Cafes at its entrance if needed.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mycenae, Mycenae, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
Next we come to the imposing remains of Ancient Mycenae, one of the most important sites in the development of Ancient Greece and central to the ‘Mycenaean period,’ from 1600 to 1100 BC which formed the first major widespread civilisation in Europe at the time. Of further significance is that the citadel was home to the palace of the legendary Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War and its status was confirmed with the excavation of many tombs which yielded over 15Kg of gold and other priceless treasures, many of which you will see in its modern on-site museum after passing through the 20-foot-wide (6-meter) city walls, and entering through the gigantic lions gate before reaching Agamemnon’s throne room.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Ethniki Odos Isthmou Archaias Epidavrou, Epidavros 210 52 Greece
After the many sites of the morning, we arrive at one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, the historic port city of Nafplio by the sea. Nafplion has a definite artistic feel with enchanting narrow streets of Neoclassic & Venetian architecture, upmarket local craft & clothes shops, and is packed with cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes & which line the marina with views to the Venetian castle of Bourtzi in the bay. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in this charming old town.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Nafplio, Nafplio, Argolis Region, Peloponnese
After the many sites of the morning, we arrive at one of the most beautiful towns in Greece, the historic port city of Nafplio by the sea. Nafplion has a definite artistic feel with enchanting narrow streets of Neoclassic & Venetian architecture, upmarket local craft & clothes shops, and is packed with cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes & which line the marina with views to the Venetian castle of Bourtzi in the bay. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in this charming old town.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Nafplion. We choose a 4-Star or Boutique Style Hotel, centrally located within easy walk of all amenities
Day 2: MONEMVASIA
Stop At: Mystras, Mystras, Sparta Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
After breakfast we visit the 800 year old ruins of the Medieval city & UNESCO site of Mystras, once seat of Byzantine power in the region & replete with palaces, residences, mansions, churches and monasteries, water & drainage works, commercial workshops, extensive streets & fortifications. This city was abandoned quicky and so is still well preserved. Wandering though its ruins & streets its easy to travel back to a time when its warriors rode out to fight, its artizans filled its markets, and imagine how its population went about their daily affairs in this beautiful hillside setting.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, 129 Othonos Amalias Street, Sparta, Sparta Municipality 231 00 Greece
After Mystras we visit the Museum of the olive for an immersive look into the history & culture of olive oil production.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Monemvasia, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
In the afternoon we finally come to Monemvasia or ‘The Gibraltar of the East. Sitting on a plateau 100 meters above sea level you will find a remarkable walled city, constructed, and added to by the Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans until its liberation in the Greek War of Independence in the early 19th century. Originally only reachable by ship, we can now traverse the long narrow causeway onto the rock & up to the imposing walled entrance where we must continue on foot into the old and well-preserved city. A delight and a living history in which to wander you can enjoy its twisting labyrinthine streets, heritage buildings, multi coloured bougainvillea-covered guesthouses and sea views. For our accommodation, we choose one of the best-preserved and renovated examples of the many old stone ‘Captains mansions’. This is a perfect place to get lost, regenerate & unwind.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: A Traditional renovated Mansion, Boutique Style Hotel or 4-Star Hotel
Day 3: MONEMVASIA
Stop At: Monemvasia, Monemvasia, Monemvasia Municipality, Laconia Region, Peloponnese
We leave you to enjoy the day in Monemvasia, exploring its alleyways & sea views before your return in the afternoon.
Duration: 5 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
