Things to do in

Nafplio

Discover the ruins of the city of Mycenae on a day trip from Athens. Explore the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate, and the tomb of King Agamemnon. Afterwards, make a short stop in the village of Epidaurus and see its Hellenic theatre. Drive along the scenic coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, and arrive at the archeological site of Mycenae. Explore the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, including the works of the poet Homer. Continue with a brief stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. After enjoying a relaxing lunch, head to the nearby village of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage, is listed as an ancient theatre and is believed by ancient Greeks to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios. The theatre at Epidaurus is perhaps the best-preserved theatre of ancient Greece.

Embark on a full-day guided tour of the ancient ruins of Mycenae from Athens. Walk in what was once a thriving center of ancient Greece and visit sites, including Epidaurus and the seaport of Nauplion. During the late Bronze Age, the city of Mycenae played an important role in ancient Greece. This full-day trip from Athens provides the opportunity for you to explore this treasure of the ancient world. Traveling by air-conditioned bus, you’ll make a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, a 3.9-mile engineering wonder connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. Mycenae is the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, including the works of the poet Homer. Tour the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate and the tomb of King Agamemnon. After a relaxing lunch, you’ll continue on the drive, making a short stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. The final stop of the tour is the city of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage-listed ancient theater and believed by ancient Greeks to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios. The theater at Epidaurus is perhaps the best-preserved theater of ancient Greece and is still used today because of its amazing acoustics.

Depart Athens with your friendly guide (archaeologist) by bus from the Halandri Metro station and reach the ancient city of Mycenae. Let the Cyclopean walls take your breath, and learn about the mysterious origins of this fantastic structure. Mycenae is considered the greatest and richest kingdom of the later Bronze Age around 1350 B.C. Walk around the archaeological park, pass through the great Lionesses Gate, explore the Ancient Treasure of Atreus also known as King’s Agamemnon Tomb as well as the Tomb of Clytemnestra. Admire the Palace and the Gold Mask of Agamemnon. After Mycenae enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in the beautiful seaside city of Nafplio. Naflpio used to be the capital of Greece before Athens and its architecture has Venetian, Byzantine, Ottoman and, Modern Greek influences. Admire the main attractions like the Castle of Bourtzi, the Acronauplia and the Castle of Palamidi built on the top of the hill as well as the various picturesque squares in the city center. Finish your day with a visit to the ancient theater of Epidaurus. This site is well known as the theater with the greatest acoustics and still hosts the Festival of Epidaurus every summer.

Depart Athens with a friendly escort (archaeologist) by bus from the Halandri Metro station and reach Nafplio where there are various alternative options to discover the hidden gems of the city. There is plenty of time to climb the 999 steps of the Castle of Palamidi (or let the bus drive you to it) and admire the wide view of the region along with the endless beauty of the Argolic Gulf from the top of the hill. Naflpio used to be the capital of Greece before Athens and its architecture has venetian, byzantine, ottoman and modern greek influences. Admire the main attractions like Bourtzi Castle and Acronauplia as well as the various picturesque squares in the city center. Observe the colorful venetian houses that attract your eyes with the bougainvilleas hanging flashily from the balconies. You have the chance to enrich your trip by visiting the Komboloi Museum and the distillery of Tsipouro, Ouzo or Mastiha known as “ouzo experience” in the most traditional district of the city. Enjoy a greek lunch break in a cozy tavern and be one with the locals. Later on, travel into history by visiting the ancient theater of Epidaurus. In the antiquity, Epidaurus was a sanatorium, connected intensively with the Asclepeion healing temples. Asclepeion was the 5* hotel of the ancient times and is considered as the origin of the medical science. Nowadays, Epidaurus is most known as the theater with the greatest acoustic of all times and still hosts the Festival of Epidaurus every summer. Feel the aura of the ancient tragedians who through their interpretations led the audience to “catharsis”, the purification and purgation of emotions.

Explore Argolis and its archaeological sites on a guided tour by van or bus. See Mycenae, the Lion's Gate, Nafplio, and more as you learn about their history. Tuck into a delicious local lunch (if you select the option) in Mycenae and taste local flavors. Leave by the coastal road along the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea. Drive to Mycenae, the Homeric city of Atreides, the city "rich in gold" of the ancient poets.  Visit the Lion's Gate, the Cyclopean walls, the royal tombs, and so forth. Depart for Nafplio through the fertile plain of Argolis, the picturesque town nestling at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress.  Find numerous interesting spots of attractions all over Argolis. Leave for Epidauros to visit the 4th-century BC theatre famous for its astonishing acoustics. Return to Athens by the National road connecting Epidauros with Corinth. Enjoy lunch in Mycenae.

Your tour will begin outside the Acropolis, where you can best appreciate the magnificent Cyclopean Walls. The size of the boulders and the perfection of the construction can not help but impress anyone who sees them. The Lions’ Gate is unforgettable, with the two lions that guard the city also intimidating all intruders. But Mycenae was above all else a place where people lived; the Granary by the Gate reminds us of their dietary requirements. The Grave Circle was long considered to be the burial ground of King Agamemnon and amazed the archaeologists with the famous gold masks and other precious objects they unearthed. The Great Ramp was the main thoroughfare that everybody followed on their way to the palace. The Megaron, with its impressive hearth, was the heart of the acropolis, where Agamemnon would hold council and welcome his guests. The Secret Cistern remains as impressive and dark today as it was back in the day, nested in the foot of the hill where the signal announcing Agamemnon’s return first appeared. As you leave the acropolis, you will come across the last "tholos" tomb ever built, traditionally attributed to Clytemnestra herself, as well as the undistinguished ruins of the House of the Oil Merchant, that may not seem like much but once contained a thriving industry that supplied the palace with luxurious furniture. And since you are here, don’t neglect to walk the short distance to the Treasury of Atreus, perhaps the single most impressive architectural monument of the Mycenaean civilization. Your extensive, smartphone guided tour of the Acropolis is sure to leave you bewildered!

Begin your day trip with a pick-up at your Athens hotel or apartment early in the morning. In just an hour from the city of Athens, you will pass through the famous Corinth Canal ( short stop ) which connects the Saronic to the Corinthian Gulf and literally divides mainland Greece from the Peloponnese. Leavie behind Corinth canal and after a 1 hour drive you will enter the region of Argolis, land of Homer’s Golden Mycenae, a Unesco World Heritage site, and go uphill to visit the archaeological site, home of the mythical king Agamemnon. Enjoy a walking tour and hear all myths and history as you pass from the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs of Agamemnon and his wife Clytemnestra and the Treasury of Atreus. The next stop is picturesque Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, with its Venetian Palamidi fortress and the fortified islet of Bourtzi  located in the middle of the harbor. There, you will have a fun break and have an optional lunch in a traditional restaurant with Greek cuisine. Enjoy some free time and walk in the narrow streets of this beautifull town with classical buildings dating back to the 16th -17th century. Continue on to Epidaurus and visit the breathtalking ancient theatre. Have a unique opportunity to hear all about the history of the 4th century UNESCO world heritage highlight and one of the best preserved classical Greek theaters still used today due to its amazing acoustics. Leaving back the Peloponnese you will take the road back to Athens. This tour will end late in the afternoon with a drop off at your hotel or apartment.

Begin your journey with a stop at the archaeological site of Mycenae. Visit the mythical Kingdom of Agamemnon, where one of the most brilliant cultures of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization, developed. Then, head to the Lions Gate, the monumental entrance of the palaces. Next, marvel at the impressive Cyclopean walls around the Acropolis, and the tholos tombs of Atreus and Clytemnestra’s. Then, head out to see the famous Corinth Canal and make a quick stop to admire this engineering marvel that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Here you can find the famous temple of Apollo and the steps of Apostle Paul. Head towards the ancient Epidaurus and explore the ancient theatre, one of the most famous archaeological monuments in Greece. Visit the Asclepieion of Epidaurus, the healing temple of serious diseases in ancient Greece. See the monuments that developed around the Asclepieion, most notably the temple of Asklepios, Tholos and others. The tour ends with your return to Nafplion.

On this tour you have the chance to admire landscapes and monuments such as the Old City. See a variety of historical and traditional buildings, such as the 1st High School of Greece, the Courthouse, the Armansperg Residence, the Land gate, the Castle of Palamidi, the Lion of Bavaria, the Akronauplia, the Cathedral Church of Euaggelistria and many other striking monuments.  You will be provided with a free map of the city at the start of the tour along with free earphones which you may use to listen to the recorded tour, available in 8 languages. Enjoy the use of your daily ticket and hop on and off as often as you want. The open top buses operate during summer months from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM allowing you to enjoy the sun along with the sites. 

Day 1: Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive to Epidaurus, and pay a visit to the archaeological site and to the theatre, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Continue on to Nauplia for a short stop. Next, drive to Mycenae where you will visit the fascinating archaeological site. Depart for Olympia, passing through the central Peloponnese area and passing the cities of Megalopolis and Tripolis. Finally, arrive in Olympia for dinner and overnight stay. There is also a possibility of staying in Nauplia instead. (Dinner included). Day 2: In the morning visit the archaeological site and the museum of Olympia. Drive via Patras to Rion, cross the channel to Antirion on the state of the art suspension bridge, known as the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in Nafpaktos, then continue to Delphi. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Delphi. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 3: First, visit the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi. Depart for Kalambaka, passing through Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Arrive in Kalambaka, and savor a dinner before your overnight stay. (Breakfast and dinner included). Day 4: In the morning, visit the breathtaking Meteora. In the early afternoon, start the drive back to Athens passing via Thermopylae and Kammena Vourla. (Breakfast included). This tour offers the opportunity to visit the most impressive historical Greek sites, giving you an insight into the glorious past of Greece.