Visit Delphi the famous oracle! Explore the mysteries of the ancient world!

Highlights of our private shore excursion to Delphi

• A private full day tour with an English speaking driver from Athens to Delphi
• Drive through the picturesque landscape of Central Greece
• Drive through Arachova, a famous ski resort
• A typical Greek lunch with traditional food you will love
• The archaeological site of Delphi, the Museum and the Temple of Apollo.
• Travelers can customize the tour within the itinerary!

Starting from Athens we will be travelling through Sterea Ellada till we reach Delphi. The Region of Central Greece till we reach Delphi. The Region of Central Greece colloquially known as Ρούμελη (Roúmeli)) is one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. The region occupies the eastern half of the traditional region of Central Greece, including the island of Euboea. To the south it borders the regions of Attica and the Peloponnese, to the west the region of West Greece and to the north the regions of Thessaly and Epirus. Its capital city is Lamia. It is divided geographically into the East and West, with the natural border between them the southern part of the Pindos mountain range. We will pass by Theves, Livadia, and Arachova. Arrive at Delphi and visit the archaeological site!

It happened on April 25, 1944. The partisans of ELAS (Greek People’s Liberation Army), the largest Resistance organization in Greece, had managed to capture 17 German officers on this very road that connects Livadia with the village of Distomo, the site of one of the most heinous Nazi crimes in the country, which was to take place a month and a half later.

The ELAS men wrote a letter to the German headquarters in Livadia demanding the release of 32 Greek prisoners. The Nazi response turned to bite them back: within a few hours, the Nazis transported 136 Greek prisoners (the vast majority of them were at the age of their 20s) to Karakolithos and executed them on the spot.

This monument was erected for the remembrance of the unjustly executed Greek patriots of that day, in the area of Karakolithos (Black Stone, in Greek).

In the monument’s lower section, the metal bodies of the male figures, pierced by bullets, symbolize the foundation on which the Greek Resistance stepped and grew.

Arachova is a mountainous village nestling picturesquely at the foot of Mt. Parnassos 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, Arachova is also famous for its bustling nightlife and as the favorite mountain resort of Athenians. It is located 35 km west of Livadeia.

It was in Arachova that Georgios Karaiskakis (1780-1827) defeated the Turkish army led by Moustafabei in November 1826.

Discover today, the traditional character of the village by taking leisurely walks through its narrow cobblestone streets. Enjoy hot and sweet or soft and fruity drinks in cafés, or traditional kafeneia (coffee shops).

Visit the Navel of the Earth! At the foot of Mount Parnassos, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary was for many centuries the cultural and religious center and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world. The history of Delphi begins in prehistory. In the beginning, the site was sacred to Mother Earth and was guarded by the terrible serpent Python, killed by Apollo. Apollo’s sanctuary was built here by Cretans who arrived at Kirrha, the port of Delphi, accompanied by the god in the form of a dolphin. This myth survived in plays presented during the various Delphic festivals, such as the Septerion, the Delphinia, the Theophania, and of course, the famous Pythia, which celebrated the death of Python and comprised musical and athletic competitions.

The temple of Apollo, the most important building in the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, dominates the temenos from its central position. This is where the statues and other offerings to the god were kept, and where the cult rituals, including that of divination, took place. Also, here was the chresmographeion, or archive, destroyed in 373 BC, which contained the lists of victors of the Pythian games.

According to the legend, the first temple of Apollo at Delphi was made of laurel branches, the second of beeswax and feathers, and a third of bronze, while the fourth was built by the legendary architects Trofonios and Agamedes aided by Apollo himself. This was probably the stone temple destroyed by fire in 548 BC. Its replacement, built with contributions by both Greeks and non-Greeks, was completed around 510 BC by the Alkmaeonid family of Athens. This was a Doric peristyle temple, with six columns at the end and fifteen at the sides.

The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, the site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculptures, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. These reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years in the eighth century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

The museum is housed in a two-story building with a total surface area of 2270 square meters, with fourteen exhibition rooms, 558 square meters of storerooms and conservation laboratories for pottery, metal objects and mosaics. A new lobby, cafeteria and gift shop were created during the museum’s latest refurbishment.

After your visit at the archalogical site of Delphi,we will drive to the modern village of Delphi. Optional here you can taste the local cusine in a restaurant with breathtaken views of Itea and Ionian Sea surrounded by a great olive grove. At a stone’s throw from the archaeological site, you can visit present-day Delphi town, lying at the foot of Mt. Parnassus, near Arachova town. Choose the area for your winter holidays as it is close to Parnassus ski centre, or visit it any other time of the year and explore the beauty of nature and the nearby beaches. It’s situated at a conveniently short distance from the mountain, the woods, the archaeological sites that are famous the world over, and some beautiful beaches.

The tholos of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, clearly visible from above, is perhaps the most characteristic monument at Delphi and the most important building of this small sanctuary. Located between the later temple of Athena and the Treasury of Massalia, this circular building of unknown purpose is a masterpiece of Classical architecture. It is thought to have been connected with chthonic cults, although Pausanians, who saw its ruins in the second century AD, do not refer to it as a temple.

According to Vitruvius, this impressive building was raised in 380 BC on plans by the architect Theodoros of Phocea or Phocis, who even wrote a book about the way it was built. The tholos is a synthesis of most styles of Classical architecture. It rests on a three-stepped podium and the twenty Doric columns of the outer peristyle supported a Doric frieze of triglyphs and metopes with relief decoration. Inside the cella were ten engaged Corinthian columns

After the your visit at the archaeological site of Delphi, we’ll take the way back to Athens using the same way. End of our service.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Dress code is formal
• At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
• Athens International Airport transfers can be arranged on request at an extra cost!
• Important note: You will have a professional English-speaking driver with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums according to the program. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you’d like to have one, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
• We suggest that you have your admission tickets pre-purchased as there is a chance not to find availability, please note that we can buy the tickets for you in advance -under a small service fee

• Group up to 3 p. / Sedan
  Add
  PERSONAL AND PRIVATE: This is a private tour just for you, your family, and your friends
  ROUTE PLANNER: We will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Athens where your tour starts and we will drop you off back
  TRAVEL WITH STYLE: Groups of 1-3 Mercedes sedan or similar, 4-7 Luxury Mercedes Benz Minivan, 8-15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter A/C, Leather Interior
  Pickup included
• Group up to 7 p./ Minivan
  Add
  PERSONAL AND PRIVATE: This is a private tour just for you, your family, and your friends
  ROUTE PLANNER: We will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Athens where your tour starts and we will drop you off back
  TRAVEL WITH STYLE: Groups of 1-3 Mercedes sedan or similar, 4-7 Luxury Mercedes Benz Minivan, 8-15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter A/C, Leather Interior
  Pickup included
• Group up to 11 Minibus
  Add
  PERSONAL AND PRIVATE: This is a private tour just for you, your family, and your friends
  ROUTE PLANNER: We will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Athens where your tour starts and we will drop you off back
  TRAVEL WITH STYLE: Groups of 1-3 Mercedes sedan or similar, 4-7 Luxury Mercedes Benz Minivan, 8-15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter A/C, Leather Interior
  Pickup included
• Up to 15 passengers/Minibus
  Add
  PERSONAL AND PRIVATE: This is a private tour just for you, your family, and your friends
  ROUTE PLANNER: We will pick you up from your hotel or accommodation in Athens where your tour starts and we will drop you off back
  TRAVEL WITH STYLE: Groups of 1-3 Mercedes sedan or similar, 4-7 Luxury Mercedes Benz Minivan, 8-15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter A/C, Leather Interior
  Pickup included

• A professional English speaking driver / guide
• Piraeus port pick up /drop off
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle appropriate for the size of your group
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Athens

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
• Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost
• Food and drinks

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HOTEL MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: We will meet you at the main entrance of your hotel. Please inform the porter that you are expecting your tour driver to call for you. If you are staying in a small hotel, please inform the receptionist instead. 

CRUISE PORT MEETING INSTRUCTIONS: Please disembark and walk outside the terminal exit door, where our driver/guide will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name on it.
• Please note: This voucher will not be accepted if presented directly at the venue.
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• If you have not already specified, you MUST advise supplier as soon as possible your Ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and departure time so that appropriate arrangements can be made

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Athens Tours Greece.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Athens.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 5 valid reviews on TRIPADVISOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.