Greece · Archaeology

9-Day Classic Greece Tour through the Peloponnese and Ancient Olympia

9 Days Round trip from Athens Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Mycenae, Tiryns, Mystras, and Olympia across the Peloponnese
  • 02 Walk through Nafplio and Argos and discover their fortified landscapes and ancient heritage
  • 03 Trace Spartan history in Sparta and stand at the monument of King Leonidas
  • 04 Discover the vast ruins and defensive walls of Ancient Messene, one of the largest classical cities in Greece
  • 05 Experience Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games and one of Greece's most important sanctuaries
  • 06 Visit Ancient Corinth and admire the Corinth Canal, an engineering marvel connecting two seas

Explore Classic Greece on a 9-day journey from Athens through the Peloponnese, uncovering the Bronze Age legacy of Mycenae and Tiryns, the fortified landscapes of Nafplio and Argos, and the Spartan history of Sparta and the Byzantine stronghold of Mystras. Continue to the monumental ruins of Ancient Messene and the sacred sanctuary of Olympia, birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games. The journey also includes Patras with its Roman sites, castle, and grand cathedral, before concluding at Ancient Corinth and the dramatic Corinth Canal, which links the Ionian and Aegean seas and reveals the engineering ambition of modern Greece.

Explore Classic Greece on a 9-day journey from Athens through the Peloponnese, uncovering the Bronze Age legacy of Mycenae and Tiryns, the fortified landscapes of Nafplio and Argos, and the Spartan history of Sparta and the Byzantine stronghold of Mystras.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Athens, Patras, Corinth, Argos, Sparta, Nafplio, Mycenae, Ancient Corinth, Olympia, Mystras, Tiryns, Loutraki
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Athens to Mycenae and Coastal Nafplio

  • Depart from Athens and drive to Mycenae.
  • Explore the Mycenae archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • Visit the Mycenae Museum to gain a deeper understanding of Mycenaean civilization.

  • Continue to the coastal town of Nafplio.

Check in and stay overnight in Nafplio.

2
Day 02

Fortified Nafplio and Ancient Argos

  • Explore the fortified town.
  • Visit Palamidi Fortress for panoramic views.

  • Walk through the historical fortifications of Akronafplia.

  • Drive to Argos and explore its archaeological site.

  • Return to Nafplio and stay overnight.

3
Day 03

Tiryns and the Legacy of Sparta

  • Depart from Nafplio and drive to Tiryns.
  • Explore the Tiryns archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

  • Continue to Sparta.

  • Visit the monument of King Leonidas.

  • Explore the archaeological site of Sparta.

Stay overnight in Sparta.

4
Day 04

Byzantine Mystras and Sparta

  • Drive to Mystras.
  • Explore the Mystras archaeological site and its Byzantine monuments.

  • Visit monasteries and admire preserved artworks.

  • Return to Sparta.

  • Visit the Olive Oil Museum.

Stay overnight in Sparta.

5
Day 05

Ancient Messene to Olympia

  • Depart from Sparta and drive to Messene.
  • Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Messene.

  • Visit the Messene Museum.

  • Walk along the walls of Ancient Messene.

  • Continue to Olympia.

Stay overnight in Olympia.

6
Day 06

Ancient Olympia and Its Sacred Heritage

  • Explore the Olympia archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Visit the Olympia Museum.

  • Learn about the ancient Olympic Games and their historical significance.

Stay overnight in Olympia.

7
Day 07

Olympia to Historic Patras

  • Drive from Olympia to Patras.

  • Visit Patras Castle overlooking the city.

  • Explore the Roman sites of Patras.

  • Visit the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.

Stay overnight in Patras.

8
Day 08

Patras to Loutraki via Rio Fortress

  • Visit the Patras Archaeological Museum.
  • Drive to Rio Fortress.

  • Learn about its Ottoman history and strategic importance.

  • Continue to Loutraki.

Stay overnight in Loutraki.

9
Day 09

Ancient Corinth and the Corinth Canal

  • Visit the Corinth Canal viewpoint.
  • Explore the Ancient Corinth archaeological site.

  • Visit the Ancient Corinth Museum.

  • Drive back to Athens and conclude the tour.

Mycenae citadel, Palamidi Fortress, Olympia sanctuary, Corinth Canal

Where this trip takes you

Mycenae citadel, Palamidi Fortress, Olympia sanctuary, Corinth Canal

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Athens 12 cities · 9 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transportation with a driver
  • Transportation in an air-conditioned minivan
  • Transportation exclusively for your group, with no other travelers
  • Company tour guide
  • Tour guide available with you at all times
  • Accommodation in 3-star hotels or guesthouses
  • Accommodation with breakfast only
  • Accommodation in double rooms
  • Accommodation always includes internet, provided by the property
  • English-speaking driver and guide

What's Not Included

  • Lunch and dinner
  • Accommodation in single rooms
  • Hotel tourist tax
  • Entry fees and tickets
  • Flight tickets
  • Ferry tickets
  • Travel insurance
  • Country visas

Know before you go

  • This tour is offered during the off-season period from September 1 until March 22 of the following year. We recommend planning your travel outside the high season to avoid heat and crowds while ensuring all attractions remain open. It is especially suitable for elderly travelers who require reduced sun exposure and moderate temperatures.

  • A minimum booking lead time of 30 days before the tour start date is required.

  • This experience operates as a fully private tour, with participation limited to your group only.

  • Bookings are available for a minimum of 1 person and a maximum of 5 people.

  • An exclusive solo tour option is available, where a single traveler receives a fully private experience without sharing the vehicle. This is reflected in the pricing for one participant.

  • A mandatory single supplement applies for solo travelers requiring a private room, except when the booking is made for one person.

  • Tour services are available in English and Spanish.

  • The itinerary can be customized based on travel plans, personal interests, and schedule preferences.

  • Daily breakfast only is included. Guests are encouraged to explore local cuisine independently for lunch and dinner due to single-night stays in each location.

  • Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking driver. Flexible stops for photography, rest, or coffee breaks are available upon request.

  • Accommodation is included in 3-star hotels with breakfast, typically located outside historical pedestrian centers. Upgrades to more centrally located or higher-quality hotels are available upon request.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup is available from any hotel or location in Athens or the surrounding area.
Tour start
Athens, Greece
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 days finish where they began, in Athens.

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Starting from

EUR 6,204 /person
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Estimated room rates

Single Room €6,204.00 — €11,218.00
Double Sharing €6,204.00

When

Travellers

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