5-Day Best of Peloponnese Private Tour: Nafplio/Olympia/Mycenae/Epidaurus/more

Day 1 · Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Nafplio town - Epidaurus

1. 1

   Archaeological Site Mycenae

   2 hours Admission not included

   Mycenae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of King Agamemnon and the Mycenean civilization with some of Greece’s most famous ancient ruins. Wander around the archaeological site and accompanying museum.

2. 2

   Nafplio

   2 hours

   One of the most beautiful towns in the area of Argolis (Eastern Peloponnese) as well as one of the most romantic cities all over Greece.

3. 3

   The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

   2 hours Admission not included

   The oldest theater in the world with the amazing acoustics

4. 4

   Palamidi Castle

   40 min Admission not included

   Walkthrough the Venetian castle and down the 999 steps that take you to the old Nafplio town.

5. 5

   Corinth Canal

   15 min

   The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island.

6. 6

   Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)

   one hour Admission not included

   OPTIONAL: Ancient Corinth was inhabited in the Neolithic period (6500-3250 BC) but the big prosperity begins in the 8th century.

   Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus (canal) of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   2 hours

   OPTIONAL: Enjoy an evening out to explore and dine at Nafplio port and Old Town. This is free ride to drop you off and pick you up from Nafplio to your hotel .

Overnight Nafplio town. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 2 · Monemvasia via the Coastline & Mountain range of East Peloponnese

1. 1

   Tyros

   30 min

   Instead of taking the motorway route to Monemvasia, we'll enjoy the beautiful coastline after leaving Nafplio and then climb the mountain range of Parnon; with Greek coffee by the water and lunch at a mountain village.

   Our first break/stop. We'll enjoy a coffee next to the ocean before climbing up the mountain range of Parnon.

2. 2

   Leonidio

   15 min

   Leonidio is as impressive as any town in Greece with its Dafonas Gorge in between the red rock-climbing Parnon mountain. Famous to all Greeks for the sweet eggplant/aubergine.

3. 3

   Monastery Panagias Elonis

   30 min

   A quick stop at the cliff-hanging monastery of Elona. Amazing views of the red mountain rocks.

4. 4

   Kosmas

   1 h 30 min

   Kosmas is a small village in the mountains of Arkadia on Mount Parnon at the east coast of the Peloponessos. Surrounded by forests of chestnut trees and pine, it is high enough for there to be a difference in temperature of ten or more degrees from all other places.

   Our authentic lunch place under the huge plain trees of the traditional main square of the town.

5. 5

   Monemvasia Castle

   2 hours

   The Castle Town of Monemvasia is among the most impressive places in Greece. Located on the south eastern side of Peloponnese, Monemvasia was entirely carved on the back side of a sea rock in the Medieval times.

Overnight inside Monemvasia castle.

Day 3 · Mani peninsula, Diros Caves, Mystras & Sparta

1. 1

   Mani Peninsula

   one hour

   One of the most wild and beautiful areas of Greece.

2. 2

   Caves of Diros

   one hour Admission not included

   A vast cave structure is experienced from an expertly guided boat. The lighting and variety of rock formations and formations of stalagmites and stalactites lit with sympathetic lighting make you appreciate the passage of time.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   one hour

   One of the typical stone-built towns where Pirates were a permanent threat.

4. 4

   Archaeological Site of Mystra

   2 hours Admission not included

   The famous Byzantine Castletown with the fantastic views of Sparta and the Laconic olive groves.

5. 5

   Leonidas Monument

   15 min

   OPTIONAL: The King Leonidas statue stands belligerently in front of a football stadium. When the Persians attacked at Thermopylae and told the Spartans and their allies to lay down their weapons, Leonidas' response, immortalised beneath his feet, was 'Molon labe' ('Come and get them').

6. 6

   Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil

   30 min Admission not included

   OPTIONAL: The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, in Sparta (Peloponnese), transports you to the culture, history and technology of the olive and olive oil production in the Greek realm, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   30 min

   OPTIONAL (alternative to Diros Caves): Vatheia is the most photographed location of the Mani Peninsula. Also, the best known and most beautiful castle town of Mani. It is an abandoned village today but with amazing views. the late '80s were not, unfortunately, followed through.

Overnight at Sparta or Mystras at an amazing hotel if you book early enough.

Day 4 · Ancient Olympia & (option) Ancient Messene

1. 1

   Stop 1

   one hour Admission not included

   Olympia hosted the original Olympic Games, founded in the 8th century B.C. Its extensive ruins include athletic training areas, a stadium and temples dedicated to the gods Hera and Zeus.

2. 2

   Archaeological Museum of Olympia

   one hour Admission not included

   You will also visit the world-famous Olympia museum and get the chance to see some unbelievable sculptures such as the sculpted decoration of the marble temple of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the famous Hermes carved by the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   1 h 30 min

   After Ancient Olympia we head to the final destination of the day; the Arcadia mountain stone-built villages to overnight and be ready to explore on the last day.

Overnight at one of the Arcadia stone-built mountain villages & traditional guesthouses.

Day 5 · Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Rack Railway

1. 1

   Kastria Cave of the Lakes

   one hour Admission not included

   THE MYTHICAL 'CAVE OF THE LAKES' has something exclusively unique that does not exist in other well-known caves. A rare creation of nature with mysterious galleries and strange stalactite formations.

2. 2

   Kalavrita

   1 h 30 min

   Kalavrita and the surrounding area are a resort for all seasons. This is your lunch place! We explore the center of the town on foot before or after lunch.

3. 3

   Odontotos Rack Railway

   one hour Admission not included

   About 120 years ago, the Odontotos rack railway started from the seaside town of Diakopto, parallel to the river, and climbed to Kalavrita through bridges and tunnels.

   No accommodation is provided since we return to Athens.

   The little train incorporated so well into the natural environment that it seemed that it had always been there. The way it was constructed did not put a strain on the ecosystem of the gorge. Using stone and wood from the area the technicians' work is so perfect that someone may think that the nature worked on its own.