Highlights
- Visit numerous ancient & historical sites & get a taste of the countryside
- Admire the temple of Apollo at Corinth, one of the earliest Doric temples
- Discover Lion Gate, the oldest architectural sculpture in Europe
- See the fortresses and castles of Nafplio
Description
This tour is the best way to visit numerous ancient and historical sites while also getting a taste of the Greek countryside in a single day. During the drive along the coast, you will get a view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical battle between the Athenians and Persians took place in 480 BCE).
The Corinth Canal will be our first stop. Finally opened in 1892, it separates the Peloponnese Peninsula from the rest of Greece and connects the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. Take time to walk across the pedestrian bridge for a closer view of the canal. On some days, bungee jumping is an option for the adventurous.
Moving on we will make our way to Ancient Corinth. This ancient city was dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth, the old castle, the biggest and oldest castle in southern Greece. Ancient Corinth is located at the foot of the hill and includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the temple of the god Apollo and a small museum. In addition to its archaeological and historical interest Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece. This was where the Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period.
Then we will be off to the site of Mycenae. At the site, you will see the renowned Lion Gate, the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace. Within the site, there is a modern museum exhibiting the findings of the “City of Gold”. Before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best-preserved Tholos tomb and one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.
Continuing our travels we will head towards a more recent history of Greece, discovering the city of Nafplion. The city is considered the most scenic and functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. Nafplion offers you an outstanding combination of fortresses and castles, a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements. After walking in the idyllic place we will stop for lunch at a traditional tavern by the sea then drive up to the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
Our last stop will be the site of Epidaurus. After a short drive, you will be able to visit one of the most important ancient Greek sanctuaries dedicated to Asclepius, the God of healing and medicine. Located in a peaceful environment and spread on a hilly area, it reaches its highest point which is the theater of Epidaurus. The best-preserved ancient Greek theater dates to the 4th century B.C.E. and demonstrates what ancient Greek minds could create.
Lastly, on the way back, we will follow the eastern coast of the Peloponnese Peninsula to reach Athens again.
Includes
Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history [not licensed to accompany you at any site]
Hotel/Airbnb/port pickup and drop-off
Private luxury transportation
Skip-the-line benefits
Bottled water
Excludes
Entry fees (55€ per person)
Licensed tour guide upon request depending on availability [additional cost - 380 €]
Airport pickup and drop-off (additional cost)
Personal expenses
Lunch
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
