Best of Greece: 7-Day Tour to Real Greece of the Peloponnese, Delphi a..., Athens

About this activity

This is a tour for the experienced traveler who can easily leave behind the easy solution of using the big noisy city (Athens) as a base, to enjoy the magic of real Greece.

☼ Fun, informative, comfortable, safe, great food & drink! We have planned an experience! Not a tour for tourists!

☼ You will explore like a local the whole of the Mythical Peloponnese and then cross over the Rio-Antirio bridge to visit the "belly button" of the world at Delphi and the stunning Meteora monasteries.

☼ The Peloponnese itinerary includes both the well-known sites but also the amazing "for-Greeks-only " locations.

☼ Like all our multiday tours, this real Greek experience has an authentic and very flexible itinerary & is best suited for flexible people too.

☼ Expect top-class but unique too accommodation. If in doubt, please contact us or just read all the reviews.

For some, this tour will also be an authentic food & drink-tasting encounter which means you can skip the touristy food tours of Athens.

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At a glance

Duration: 7 days
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–7
Guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: EUDAIMONIA Tours & Experiences

Ages: Adults (5–80 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lunch
Included: Expect the best accommodation available at each location which even includes a 5-star unique hotel.
Included: Breakfast
Included: In car tour information booklet and bottled water.

Not included

Not included: Entrance fees to the sites.
Not included: PROFESSIONAL/LICENSED GUIDE (optional)
Not included: Shopping & touristy stops unless required by your group
Not included: Gratuites (optional)

Itinerary

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

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.
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.
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.
Palamidi Castle

40 min Admission not included

Walk through the Venetian castle and down the 999 steps that take you to the old Nafplio town.
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus

2 hours Admission not included

Epidaurus, another Unesco World Heritage Site, is home to an ancient, beautifully preserved theater. The oldest theater with amazing acoustics.
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.
Stop 7

2 hours

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

Nafplio town at our carefully selected hotel subject to availability and how early you have booked the tour.

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

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.
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.
Monastery of Panagia Elona

30 min

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

15 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 Monemvasia Castle.

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

Mani Peninsula

one hour

One of the most wild and beautiful areas of Greece
Caves of Diros

one hour Admission not included

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

one hour

One of the typical stonebuilt towns where Pirates were a permanent threat.
Archaeological Site of Mystra

2 hours Admission not included

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

one hour

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.
Leonidas Monument

15 min

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, immortalized beneath his feet, was 'Molon labe' ('Come and get them').

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

Day 4 · Ancient Olympia & (option) Ancient Messene

Archaeological Site of Olympia

1 h 30 min 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.
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.
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.
Dimitsana

one hour

EVENING: One of the most beautiful stone-built villages of central Peloponnese. Thanks to its striking beauty Dimitsana is one of the most popular all year round destinations in Greece along with the nearby Stemnitsa village, in the heart of Arcadia.

Overnight in one of the mountain villages. Quality accommodation at each location; determined at the time of booking.

Day 5 · Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Cog Railway

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.
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.
Odontotos Rack Railway

one hour Admission not included

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

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.
Stop 4

15 min

OPTIONAL QUICK STOP/COFFEE: Nafpaktos is a beautiful seaside small town, where we'' stress our legs and enjoy coffee next to the water and the Venetian Castle. Depends on available time.
Galaxidi

one hour

Early evening arrival at Galaxidi coastline town! Enjoy your evening next to the water with the locals!

Overnight at a surprise location (in the area of Delphi) but away from the many tourist traps of this touristy area.

Day 6 · Delphi (plus Meteora late afternoon visit; time permiting)

Delphi Archaeological Museum

45 min Admission not included

The Archaeological Museum of Delphi, one of the most important in Greece, exhibits the history of the Delphic sanctuary, the site of the most famous ancient Greek oracle. Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculptures, statues, and minor objects donated to the sanctuary.

The famous Charioteer belonged to a statuary complex of a chariot run by four horses and included a second male figure.

The Sphinx of the Naxians, dated to 560 BC, comprises one of the earliest representations in art of the demonic creature with a lion's body, bird's wings and a woman's head.
Delphi Ancient Town

1 h 30 min Admission not included

The sanctuary of Delphi, where the oracle of Apollo spoke, was the site of the omphalos, the 'navel of the world'. Blending harmoniously with the superb landscape and charged with sacred meaning, Delphi in the 6th century B.C. was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.
Stop 3

30 min Admission not included

The first photo you see when you google "Delphi" but still a place that most tourists miss out on! We don't!
Amfissa

one hour

A totally of the beaten path location for our lunch with authentic choices, treat of your driver/tour leader
Meteora

one hour Admission not included

OPTIONAL: If there are no unexpected delays, and although not part of the normal itinerary, we shall make the first visit to the amazing monasteries' area to get a feeling of the amazing landscape with the sun setting down. Time permitting it may be possible to visit St Stephan's monastery.

Totally different lighting than the morning visit to follow the next day!

Overnight at Meteora with a great view of the famous rocks.

Day 7 · Meteora (2-3 monasteries) & Thermopylae Battlefield

Stop 1

one hour Admission not included

We shall be visiting two of the monasteries that are open on a specific day. The gigantic rocks of Meteora dominate imposingly over Kalampaka town. This masterpiece of nature reveals all its glory for centuries as a unique geological phenomenon in beauty and an important monument of Orthodoxy.

The Great Meteoron Monastery, built on an imposing rock, is the oldest, the biggest, and the most important among the monasteries of Meteora which are preserved today.
Varlaam Monastery

45 min Admission not included

In 1350 a daring ascetic named Varlaam ascended to the rock. The monastery was named after him. He built three churches, a small cell and a water tank. After his death the rock remained abandoned for about 200 years until 1517 when the two priest-monks Theophanes and Nektarios Apsarades started to construct the first buildings from the beginning.
Holy Trinity Monastery

one hour Admission not included

Probably the most photographed monastery. According to historical sources Holy Trinity must have been built between 1458 and 1476.
Campo della battaglia delle Termopili

30 min

We take a break at the Thermopylae battlefield location with King Leonidas statue. The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days, in 480 BC.
Syntagma

2 hours

... back to Athens

We return to Athens with drop off at your hotel.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Alter Athens Hotel
Zenith Hotel
Athens City Plaza
ZEUS Essence Wyndham Athens Residence
Apollo Hotel
Titania Hotel
Athens Zafolia Hotel
Philippos Hotel
The Editor Athens Hotel
Anixis
Crowne Plaza Athens - City Centre By IHG
Novotel Athenes

and 281 more pickup points

Any Athens hotel or Airbnb, the Athens airport, Piraeus and Nafplio port or Hydra island. Possible extra cost for some locations.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.