Things to do in

Nafplio

During the late Bronze Age, the city of Mycenae was hugely influential in ancient Greece, this day trip from Athens will allow you to explore this wonder of the ancient world. Driving along the scenic coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, you will make your way to Mycenae. Mycenae is the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, including the works of the poet Homer. Here you will visit the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate, and the tomb of King Agamemnon. Continuing to your next shortstop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. After enjoying a relaxing lunch, you will continue to the final stop. The city 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. It is still used today due to its fantastic 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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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. 

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.

Day 1: Leave by the coastal road to the Corinth Canal (short stop). Drive on and visit the Theatre of Epidaurus, famous for its remarkable acoustics. Then, proceed to the town of Nafplio (short photo stop), drive on to Mycenae and visit the archaeological site and the Tomb of Agamemnon. Then, depart for Olympia through central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. Overnight in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games (dinner) Day 2: In the morning, visit the archaeological site with the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the ancient stadium, the spot where the torch of the modern Olympic Games is lit and the Archaeological Museum. Then, drive on through the plains of Ilia and Achaia until the magnificent bridge that crosses the Corinthian Bay from Rion to Antirion. Pass by the picturesque towns of Nafpactos (Lepanto) and Itea. Arrive in Delphi (dinner and overnight) Day 3: In the morning, visit the archaeological site and the Museum of Delphi, the most famous oracle of the ancient world. Depart for Kalambaka, a small town located at the foot of the astonishing complex of Meteora, surrounded by gigantic rocks (dinner and overnight) Day 4: Visit Meteora, a striking scenery perched on top of huge rocks which seem to be suspended in mid-air, stand ageless monasteries, where you can see exquisite specimens of Byzantine art. Return to Athens via Trikala, Lamia, Thermopylae (short stop to see across the road to Leonida's Monument). Arrive in Athens early in the evening.

Start with pickup from your hotel, the airport, or the port in Athens and travel out of the city across the Corinth Canal. First, stop at the archaeological site of Mycenae, and discover one of the major centers of Ancient Greek culture. Home to the mythical King Agamemnon, discover its most notable features including the Mycenaean Acropolis, the tomb of Agamemnon, and the ruins of the Cyclopean Walls that once protected the city.  Next, travel to the site of Epidaurus. Discover its well-preserved amphitheater with perfect acoustics and the healing center. See these ancient structures which are considered milestones in the evolution of western civilization.  Finally, travel to the picturesque harbor village of Nafplio. Stroll through its charming narrow streets and admire the elegant houses and quaint cafes. Enjoy some time for shopping, lunch, or relaxing in the village. Then, be returned to Athens.