Greece · Archaeology

Private Tour of Blue Lake, Sanctuary of Hera, Mycenae, Corinth & Isthmus Canal from Athens

9 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Athens. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private 9-hour tour from Athens through Corinth and Mycenae
  • 02 Visit the Isthmus Canal and Ancient Diolkos
  • 03 Explore Ancient Corinth, including the Temple of Apollo and Agora
  • 04 See Acrocorinth and enjoy panoramic views over the region
  • 05 Discover legendary Mycenae, the kingdom of Agamemnon
  • 06 Visit the Mycenaean Archaeological Museum and royal tombs
  • 07 Stop at the Sanctuary of Hera, Blue Lake, and Malagavi Lighthouse
  • 08 Enjoy free time for a swim and local seaside delicacies

Discover some of the Peloponnese’s most remarkable historic and scenic sites on this private full-day journey from Athens. Travel from the engineering marvel of the Isthmus Canal to Ancient Corinth, where the Temple of Apollo, the Agora, and the legacy of St. Paul bring the ancient city to life.

Continue to legendary Mycenae, the kingdom of Agamemnon, to explore its great citadel, royal tombs, museum, and monumental remains from the late Bronze Age. Along the way, take in the dramatic heights of Acrocorinth before heading to the Sanctuary of Hera and Blue Lake, where coastal views, local flavors, and time by the water add a refreshing finish to the day.

Discover some of the Peloponnese’s most remarkable historic and scenic sites on this private full-day journey from Athens.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Ancient Corinth
Languages English, Greek

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Canal, Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Temple of Hera & Blue Lake Itinerary

Isthmus Canal

  • Visit the Isthmus Canal, one of the most important projects and 19th century engineering masterpieces, playing a catalytic role for the Mediterranean trade.
  • Visit Ancient Diolkos, a paved trackway in Ancient Greece which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth.

Mycenae

Rich in gold! King Agamemnon's mythical kingdom sung in Homer's epics. It is the most important and richest center of the late Bronze Age.

  • The Lions Gate: The main entrance of the Bronze age citadel of Mycenae erected during the 13th century BC.
  • Grave Circles A and B: Royal cemeteries situated to the south of the Lion Gate and outside the Bronze Age citadel.
  • The Cyclopean Walls: The main characteristic of the Mycenean walls is that they are made of huge limestone boulders. Only the mythical Cyclopes had the strength to move the enormous boulders that made up the walls of Mycenae and Tiryns.
  • The Royal Palace: Consisting of domestic apartments, the Throne Room Suite, the Grand Staircase, a collection of rooms for officers or palace officials and the Forecourt.
  • The Treasury of Atreus: A large tholos or beehive tomb constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC.
  • Tomb of Clytemnestra: A Mycenean tholos type tomb built in 1250 BC named after Clytemnestra the wife of king Agamemnon and leader of the Greeks in Trojan war.
  • The Mycenean Archaeological Museum: The most important Mycenean artifacts are exhibited here. You will be dazzled by the gold grave goods, burial masks, jewellery, weapons, worship idols and frescoes. 

Acrocorinth

Visit Acrocorinth, the acropolis of ancient Corinth, a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth. It is one of the most impressive and dominant acropoleis of the Peloponnese.

  • Gates: A system of 3 circuit walls reinforced by towers.
  • Keep
  • Peirene Spring: Located within the encircling walls, a gift of Asopus to Sisyphus.
  • Temple of Aphrodite: On the highest of the two picks of the mountain are traces of the temple of Aphrodite on the site.
  • Frankish Tower: At the SW edge of the precipitous rock fortified during Frankish times forming the inner keep of the fortress. Remains of churches, mosques, houses, fountains and cisterns are preserved here.  
  • Views of Geraneia Mountain: Enjoying breathtaking views of the Corinthian gulf and the SW coast of the Peloponnese.

Ancient Corinth 

  • Hadgimoustafa spring: a fountain built during the Ottoman empire.
  • Ancient Corinth Archaeological Museum: Housing a large collection of artifacts from the local site and from smaller sites in the neighboring area.
  • Temple of Apollo: One of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland with monolithic columns, rare in the ancient world, built around 560 BCE.
  • Agora: A rectangular construction 160 m long and 70 m wide, consisting of central shops, small temples and altar and the renowned podium or Bema from where Apostle Paul addressed the Corinthians in 52 AD.
  • Roman buildings.
  • Bema or Pedestal
  • Theatre and Odeon/Asklepieion
  • Lechaion road: Facing the Corinthian gulf leading to the port of Lechaion.
  • St. Paul's church: Admiring a magnificent mosaic mural depicting Saul's vision from Christ as he was travelling to Damascus to persecute the Christians. 
  • Treat yourself to an authentic "village style" lunch on a magnificent terrace overlooking ancient Corinth's archaeological site and the temple of Apollo.
  • Stroll amongst the village shops where you can treat yourself and buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.

Sanctuary Of Hera

  • Malagavi Lighthouse.
  • Heraion / Blue Lake.
  • Taste delicious authentic delicacies from the local fish tavernas. 
  • Enjoy your refreshing swim and bathe under the Helenic sun. 

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Athens. 4 cities · 9 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Fully Private Tour
  • English speaking tour driver well-versed in Greek history. (Note: Not licensed to enter sites)
  • Pick-up and drop-off service: Athens Hotel, Airbnb residence or Port
  • Transportation via modern, first-class private vehicle
  • All vehicles with WiFi, A/C, Bottled Water
  • Optional service to secure your entrance tickets beforehand; additional charges apply post-booking5

What's Not Included

Entrance fees for the sites: Ancient Corinth site & Museum - 8 euros per person, Mycenae site & Museum - 12 euros per person

Accompanying licensed tour guide for on-site and/or museum visits. Additional fees vary based on engagement time, and the service is subject to availability

Airport pick-up and drop-off (additional cost)

Food & Drinks

Tips and Gratuities

Know before you go

  • Exclusive Experience: This is a private, personalized tour tailored exclusively for you and your group.
  • Booking Confirmation: Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
  • Child Seats: Book in advance if you require child seats.
  • Pick-Up and Drop-Off: Our proficient English-speaking tour drivers will greet you at your hotel's lobby or the entrance of your Airbnb, apartment, or villa. We ensure timely pickups and drop-offs at your preferred location.
  • Expert Insight: Although our tour drivers are deeply knowledgeable about both ancient and modern Greek history, they are not licensed guides and cannot accompany you inside archaeological sites. For a more detailed exploration, we offer local licensed tour guides at an additional fee ranging from €170 to €300, based on availability.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Athens.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Athens..

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