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Bourtzi Castle

Bourtzi Castle: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Athens: Bus Trip to Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

1. From Athens: Bus Trip to Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

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.

Athens: Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio Day Tour

2. Athens: Corinth, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio Day Tour

Leaving Athens behind we drive on the coastal road towards the West. Our first stop (after approximately one hour) is the Corinth Canal. There we’ll make a short stop, enough to see the Canal, (approximately 6 km long connecting the Aegean with the Ionian Sea), take photos and visit the local cafeteria. Driving through the winding roads of Corinthia and Sofiko, we are going to visit Epidaurus, famous for it’s ancient theatre and the sanctuary of Asclepios. The sanctuary of Asclepios was a healing centre as well as a cultural centre in ancient times. Epidaurus was built around the 4th Century B.C. and has a multitude of buildings most famous of which is the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. The Theatre of Epidaurus has reached our days almost intact. The view, aesthetics and acoustics of the theatre are breathtaking. It’s still in use today and hosts carefully selected theatrical plays, concerts, and festivals during the summer. For an actor to perform in the Theatre of Epidaurus is considered the greatest honour and the ultimate acknowledgement of his or her talent, if he wins over the tough audience. After concluding our visit to Epidaurus we’ll drive through the plain of Argolis, among thousands of olive trees and vineyards, thirty minutes later we’ll arrive to the picturesque town of Nafplion (First capital of modern Greece, from 1829 to 1834). Nafplion is the most ancient city in Greece. According to the myth it was founded by Theseas who first conceived the idea of organized cities where people could live together. The city lies under the imposing rocks of Palamide the most formidable Venetian Castle in the Eastern Mediterranean. The smaller Castle of Acronafplia (where the ancient city was founded) crowns Naflion and at the entrance of the harbor, in the Argolic Gulf, there is yet another, third Castle, Bourtzi, situated on a small islet. Whether you decide to have lunch in the old medieval quarter, with the narrow, stoned paved streets, or by the port, with the view of Bourtzi, Nafplion is the best choice for lunch in this trip. Driving afterwards among endless farms of orange trees we’ll arrive at the archaeological site of Mycenae. Mycenae, 'Rich in Gold', was the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, who dominated the Aegean Sea after the distraction of the Minoan Empire. The city looks out across the plain of Argos to the sea. It’s elevated position and it’s huge Cyclopean Walls, offered protection from surprise attacks by pirates and enemies. At the peak of its power (1300 B.C.) the population leaved around the fortress where the Royal Family had its Palace. The Palace, symbol of power of the Mycenaean rulers, was reached by a large ramp beginning at the Lions Gate. Outside the fortress lie the impressive beehive tombs including that ascribed to Agamemnon known also as the Treasury of Atreas. After concluding our visit to Mycenae we’ll start the return trip to Athens. Your personal local driver, will provide commentary in fluent English, en-route, before you visit the sites.

Nafplio: City Walking Tour

3. Nafplio: City Walking Tour

Meet your tour leader your hotel inside the city limits or at the Land Gate, ready for your adventure in the venetian city.  Pass by the point where Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first ruler of Greece, was killed and will end up in the Syntagma Square, where Venetian and neoclassical buildings dominate your surroundings. Explore the old town's picturesque alleyways, where you will see historical buildings such as the First Parliament of the Greek State and the Archaeological Museum. You will then walk uphill to the Acropolis of Nafplion and marvel at the unique panoramic views of the bay. Continue the tour at the port of the city, where you'll learn about the Bourtzi castle, a Venetian fortress built on a a nearby island, which stands as the most recognized attraction of Nafplion. Then the tour ends at the port in front of the old city, where you'll have free time to continue exploring.

Athens: Full-Day Private Peloponnese Tour

4. Athens: Full-Day Private Peloponnese Tour

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.

From Athens: Full-Day Tour in Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

5. From Athens: Full-Day Tour in Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio

Drive towards the scenic coastal road of Athens to the magnificent structure of the Corinth Canal, the southern peninsula of Greece. The driver will take you to Nafplio and visit Mycenae and Epidaurus on the wayWorld heritage-listed Mycenae is one of the most ancient places in Europe. 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. Epidaurus which was famed and revered far and wide for centuries. The theatre is perhaps the best preserved theatre of ancient Greece. Epidaurus was a sanatorium, connected intensively with the Asclepeion healing temples. Nafplio, the town where Greece meets Italy. Built with stepped streets overhung with balconies dripping bougainvillea, handsome neoclassical buildings and enticing shops and restaurants.

From Athens: Wine Roads Private Tour with Wine Tasting

6. From Athens: Wine Roads Private Tour with Wine Tasting

This tour addresses to those who are not only interested in the imposing archaeological sites of the Greek countryside, but would also like to taste the famous Greek wine of Nemea by visiting one of its wineries. The region has produced the most qualitative and tasteful wine in Greece for thousands of years. The tour starts with a drive along the coast, on the way you will view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians). Your first stop will be the Corinth Canal. Opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You will have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge to admire the canal closer. Continuing you will be in Ancient Corinth. Historically the city was dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth, the old Castle, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece. The site located at the base of the hill includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the Temple of God Apollo and a small museum. In addition to its archaeological and historical interest, Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece. It was here that the Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of the time. Your Next stop will be the site of Ancient Nemea. Nemea has the most wineries in Greece as grape growing has been a tradition here since ancient times. In the site apart for the museum and the sanctuary, the stadium makes the difference. One of the best-preserved stadiums, located on a higher level still preserves the tunnel through which the athletes entered the stadium. After the visit to the site, we will head towards one of the Nemean wineries. Driving through the grape yards of the largest wine production zone in Greece, we will visit one of the best wineries. People will gladly give you a small tour showing you the grape yards, the storage barrels, explaining you the procedure that takes place until the bottling. In the end, you will be offered to taste some of their best varieties while having a view of the Nemean Valley. Lastly, you will be driven towards the city of Nafplio for your last stop, considered the most scenic city, it functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. It offers you an outstanding combination of fortresses and castles (Palamidi, Bourtzi), a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplion revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements. After walking in the idyllic old city, you will make a stop for lunch at a traditional tavern by the sea and drive up to the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.

Top sights near Bourtzi Castle

Other Sightseeing Options in Bourtzi Castle

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What people are saying about Bourtzi Castle

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 424 reviews

I had an excellent time with the tour. Vasilis, the person leading the tour, was very well-equipped with the information regarding the places that we went that day and was very accommodating to our needs. 5 out of 5

Athena, the tour guide was very helpful and informative. She provided a detailed historical account of everything while we we're driving to our locations. This made the long drive much easier.

What a great day trip! From ancient palaces and acropolis to burial mounds and theaters, you see it all on this trip.

The tour is complete and very interesting, excellent guide prepared, discrete and kind.

Excellent professional Tour guide with great knowledge Thank you Bill !!!