Argolis

Day Trips

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.

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.

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. Before lunch you have the option of visiting a pottery factory to see the techniques that were used by ancient Greeks to create their beautiful vases and earthenware. 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.

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.

During the late Bronze Age the city of Mycenae was a hugely important city in ancient Greece, this day trip from Athens will give you the opportunity 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 on we will make a short stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. After enjoying a relaxing lunch you will continue on to the final stop. The city of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage listed ancient theatre and 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, and is still used today due to its amazing acoustics.

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.

After gathering with your group, you'll head west along a beautiful scenic route on your way to the Corinth Canal. Following a short break there, your next destination will be ancient Corinth. During ancient times, the town of Corinth was considered one of the richest cities in Greece, due to the remains of the Temple of Apollo the Ancient Agora. This is also the place where Saint Paul preached and lived for about two years of his life. Following that exploration you will drive through vineyards and olive trees on the way to Mycenae. It will be there that you will visit the famous Cyclopean Walls around the Acropolis of Mycenae, as well as the Tomb of King Atreus. From there you will continue by visiting the first capital city of the Democracy of Greece, the beautiful city of Nafplion which boasts the fortified islet of Bourtzi. Finally, on your way back to Athens you will visit the ancient theater of Epidaurus.

Depart Athens and journey along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to the Corinth Canal, connecting the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea on the narrow Isthmus of Corinth. Stop briefly to get a full appreciation of the surroundings and dramatic landscape. Then, drive to the archaeological site of Mycenae and follow in the footsteps of ancient poets as you explore the ruins of a major center of Greek civilization, immortalized by Homer. Stop for some lunch and visit landmark attractions, such as the Lion Gate, Cyclopean Walls and Royal Tombs. Depart Mycenae for Nauplion, and journey through the fertile plain of Argolis. Arrive at the picturesque town nestled at the foot of a cliff crowned by the mighty ramparts of the Palamidi Fortress. Stop to take some photos, and then continue on your way to Epidauros. Visit the breathtaking 4th century BCE theater, still used today and known for its astonishing acoustics.  Return to Athens by the national road connecting Epidauros with Corinth, and get dropped off at your hotel on arrival.

Meet your guide in Athens and travel for 1-hour to the area of Peloponnese. On the way to Mycenae, see the famous Corinth Canal and make a quick stop to admire this engineering marvel that connects the Aegean and Ionian seas. Continue towards Mycenae, one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. Visit the Mycenaean Acropolis, the tomb of Agamemnon, and the ruins of the Cyclopean walls that protected this mighty city. You can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Mycenae. Continue on to the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, a 4th-century theater which is one of the best-preserved Classical Greek structures in existence. It is renowned for its amazing acoustics; a coin dropped in the theater's center can be heard from the highest seat. The theater seats up to 14,000 people and its entrance is flanked by restored Corinthian pilasters. It's now used for performances of Ancient Greek drama during the annual Hellenic Festival. Finally, make a stop in the picturesque city of Nafplion, which was the first capital of Greece after Independence and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. Its position was so strategic that the city has 3 fortresses: the massive fortress of Palamidi, the smaller Akronafplia, and the water castle Bourtzi on an islet west of the old town. Stroll through the attractive narrow streets, and admire the elegant Venetian houses, neoclassical mansions, and quayside cafes. Take the opportunity to go shopping, eat in a traditional restaurant, chill out at the cafes in the picturesque port, or take a swim in the crystal waters at Arvanitia beach. Return to any central point in Athens or Piraeus where you will be dropped off.