5 Days Private Ancient Cities Tour of Greece from Athens

Corinth Canal - Ancient Olympia

After crossing the famous Corinth Canal we will head to the birthplace of the Olympic Games where we will overnight.

Corinth Canal

On the way passing coastal villages and the island of Salamis (set of the historical naval battle between the Athenians and Persians). Our first stop is the Corinth Canal. Finally opened in 1892, and separating the Peloponnese Peninsula from the rest of Greece while connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You’ll have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge and admire the canal closer. (If you’re game) on some days bungee jumping is an option. 

Archaeological Site of Olympia

We will visit the archaeological site and the museum of Ancient Olympia. This is one of the largest sites in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. Walking through the site you will pass by the Gymnasium, the Palaistra, the workshop of Phidias, the Temple of Zeus and you will end up at the Stadium where every four years the Greeks competed for glory and for spiritual elevation honoring their cities. 

Archaeological Museum of Olympia

The museum is also quite unique as it includes the renowned statue “Hermes of Praxiteles” with its perfect analogies and tools that belonged to Phidias himself. With these tools he created one of the seven wonders of the world “the gold ivory statue of Zeus”. Apart from ancient art, the visitor has the possibility of detailed information through the rich visual material. 

Museum of the Olympic Games

The Museum of the History of the Ancient Olympic Games hosts 463 ancient works, from the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, and other museums in the Greek territory. The exhibits cover a wide chronological range, from the 2nd millennium BC until the 5th century AD. Ancient exposed in thematic units and through them yperchilietis shows the history of the Olympic games, the longest ancient institution. 

Mystras - Sparta

After breakfast we will head to Mystras, the ghost city that will travel you in Vyzantine era and to Sparta, where Leonidas reigned, where we will overnight. 

Mystras

Reaching Mystras you will automatically understand why this location stands so unique within the Greek sites. Known as the ghost city, fortified on a citadel, Mystras is one of the two locations in Greece that preserves not only medieval churches but also ordinary houses, mansions and palaces of the Byzantine Empire in combination with Frankish elements.  

Archaeological Site of Mystras

Walking in the site on the upper point you will reach the citadel and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding areas while walking down hill you will meet the palaces and the Royal courtyards. Although known as the ghost city most of the monasteries are still in use and the monks will gladly show you around their small society. Before you exit you will come across the chapel of St. Demetrios, on its floor survives a plaque depicting a two head eagle (the symbol of Byzantium). It was on this very plaque that Konstantine Palaiologos kneeled before he was crowned the last emperor of the Byzantium.  

Acropolis of Ancient Sparta

Following that we will spend the rest of our time in Sparta known as the eternal rival city of the Athenian Democracy. Sparta revolved around a different Cosmo theory for the ancient Greek standards. Initially known as the birth place of Helen of Troy and the Kingdom of Menelaus (in Mycenaean period), Sparta was organized as a purely military society in the ancient Greek period. It was the city of the two Kings were a few aristocrats ruled and of course the city where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans marched from to face the Persian army Thermopolis in 480 BCE. 

Leonidas Monument

Continuing we will pass in front of the stadium where the statue of King Leonidas stands marking the ending point of Spartathlon race (Athens – Sparta 245,3 km).

Museum of Olive

We will visit the museum of (olive and) olive oil and learn interesting things about greek olives and olive oil. 

Monemvasia

Monemvasia is a living old city, developed on an island that is connected to the Greek mainland. A fortress and a prosperous city of the Byzantine empire Monemvasia (literally means one entrance) still survives, the narrow streets, the mansions, the small houses, the churches, the wall, the gate and the citadel, the city is still inhabited. Here history comes truly alive, we will spend our day at Monemvasia where you can have lunch by the sea upon the old wall and walk in the city continually discovering new points of interest and overnight.

Agia Sofia Church

Agia Sofia (St Sophia's Church), the main sanctuary in Monemvasia's upper town, is a large Byzantine church built on the edge of a cliff with a vertiginous view of the bay below. Beyond the Venetian loggia that makes up the façade, the interior is palpably calm and refreshing. Admire the impressive dome, finely sculpted marble capitals and fragments of 13th century frescoes.

Nemea - Mycenae -Tiryns - Nafplio

This day we will visit Argolida Region that is full of hidden treasures date back to the 2nd millenium B.C. We will end to Nafplio, maybe the most beautifull town of Greece, to overnight.

Ancient Nemea

Nemea is an ancient site in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese. The small village of Archaia Nemea is immediately southwest of the archaeological site, while the new town of Nemea lies to the west.

Archaeological Museum of Nemea

Nemea is mainly known for the Nemean Games, its ancient Greek stadium and the Temple of Zeus but, it is also famous for its vineyards. Nemea has the most wineries in Greece as grape growing has been a tradition here since ancient times. Back at the site apart from the museum and the sanctuary, the stadium makes the difference. Nemea has one of the best preserved stadiums found so far and it is located on a higher level. Of special interest is the tunnel through which the athletes entered the stadium. 

Archaeological Site of Mycenae

Next we will visit one of the Unesco protected monuments. Mycenae (dated to the 2nd millennium B.C.E) represents the era of Achilles, Agamemnon and Helen of Troy. You will visit the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace. This citadel gave its name to a whole era! 

Lion Gate

In the site, you will see the renowned Lions Gate, the oldest architectural sculpture in Europe.

Archaeological Museum of Mycenae

Worth visiting is also the museum exhibiting the findings of the “City Of Gold". 

Treasury of Atreus

Just before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb found and one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.

Tiryns

Tiryns is a Mycenaean archaeological site protected by Unesco along with Mycenae, and the location from which mythical hero Heracles performed his 12 labors. 

Nafplio

We will move towards a more recent history of Greece and the city of Nafplion. Considered as the most scenic city, Nafplion functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. This romantic city offers you an outstanding combination of fortresses and castles (Palamidi, Bourtzi), a huge harbour open to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements. After walking around the picturesque old city we will stop for lunch at a traditional tavern by the sea.  

Acronafplia

We’ll drive up until the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.

Bourtzi

Bourtzi is a little islet with a fortress in a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea.

Epidaurus - Corinth - Athens

First stop, the most famous healing centre of Ancient Greece with its unique theatre, Epidaurus. After that we will head to Ancient Corinth, one of the wealthiest cities in antiquity before we return to Athens. 

Epidaurus Archaeological Site

After just a short drive you will be able to visit one of the most important ancient sanctuaries dedicated to the God Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine, located in an ideal environment and spread over a hilly area.

The Theatre of Epidaurus

The highest point is the theater of Epidaurus. The best preserved ancient Greek theater dated 4th century B.C.E. It is proof of what fantastic miracles the ancient Greek minds could create. You can test the acoustics, great even today. Climb up until the upper seats just to close your eyes and dream you attended an ancient Greek tragedy. 

Ancient Corinth

Ancient Corinth, located at the foot of the hill includes the Roman Agora, the temple of God Apollo and a small museum. Apart from its archaeological and historical interest though the site is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece. In this amazing place Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period. 

Temple of Apollo

The temple of Apollo is one of the earliest Doric temples in the Peloponnese and the Greek mainland. Built around 560 B.C.E., of local monolithic limestone on top of an imposing, rocky hill to the north of Acrocorinth, the Archaic temple was an emblem for the Greek city of Corinth, reflecting its growth and prosperity.  

Acrocorinth

Ancient Corinth is dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece. A quick stop for some photos of the breathtaking view.

Athens

We will drive back to Athens.