Itinerary
- Day 1
Athens to Tolo
You'll get picked up from your Athens hotel, airport, or marina and head south toward the Peloponnese. First stop is Epidaurus, where you can walk through the remarkably well-preserved ancient theater and check out the Asclepeion healing sanctuary, both recognized as UNESCO sites. After grabbing lunch at a local taverna, you'll continue on to Tolo where you're staying the night. The drive gives you time to settle in and get your bearings before evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in a local taverna)
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site of Epidaurus
- Explore Epidaurus theater and Asclepeion sanctuary
Landmarks/POIs Epidaurus Asclepeion - Day 2
Mycenae - Argos
After breakfast, you're heading to Mycenae with a local guide who'll walk you through the Lion Gate and the Bronze Age citadel, pointing out the legendary palace where Agamemnon supposedly lived. From there, it's on to Argos where you'll see the ancient Hellenistic theater, the Agora, a Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos, plus the fortress of Larissa overlooking everything. You'll get back to Tolo by evening with time to yourself for dinner and a stroll by the sea.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mycenae with local guide
- Explore Lion Gate and Bronze Age citadel
- Visit Argos ancient Hellenistic theater
- Visit Argos Agora, Roman Odeon, and Baths of Argos
- Visit Larissa fortress
Landmarks/POIs Mycenae Lion Gate Argos Hellenistic Theater Larissa - Day 3
Nafplio
Today takes you to Nafplio, which was actually Greece's first capital. You'll climb up to Palamidi castle for the views overlooking the city, then catch a boat out to Bourtzi, the 15th-century Venetian fortress sitting in the harbor. The afternoon is yours to wander Nafplio's narrow streets, check out the Venetian and Turkish architecture, and enjoy the harbor. You'll head back to Tolo for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Palamidi castle
- Visit Bourtzi fortress by boat
Landmarks/POIs Palamidi Castle Bourtzi - Day 4
Tiryns - Sparta
You'll start at Tiryns, a Mycenaean acropolis with those impressive Cyclopean walls and palace ruins, plus some interesting tunnels to explore. Then it's south to Sparta where you can see the archaeological site, the Acropolis, and the famous statue of King Leonidas. You're staying overnight in Sparta, so you'll have the evening free to walk around and get a feel for the modern city built over ancient history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tiryns
- Explore Tiryns Mycenaean acropolis and citadel
- Visit Sparta archaeological site
- Visit Sparta Acropolis
- View King Leonidas statue
Landmarks/POIs Tiryns Sparta Acropolis - Day 5
Mystras - Monemvasia
Today is all about Mystras, a medieval town built around a fortress and filled with monasteries, churches, chapels, palaces, and houses built into the hillside. You'll spend several hours exploring the different levels and buildings. After lunch at a local taverna, you'll drive to Monemvasia, a remote castle town sitting on a rocky peninsula sticking out into the sea. You've got two nights here, so this evening you can start getting familiar with the medieval streets and atmosphere.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a local taverna)
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras
- Explore medieval castle and fortified settlement
Landmarks/POIs Mystras - Day 6
Monemvasia
You'll spend this day in and around Monemvasia itself. There's the medieval castle town with Byzantine churches, narrow cobbled streets, and little squares to explore. If you're up for some walking, the steep paths lead to the upper town where you can see the Church of Agia Sophia and get views across the sea. There's also a sandy beach nearby if you want to cool off with a swim before heading back to your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Monemvasia medieval town
- Visit Church of Agia Sophia
- Beach swimming and relaxation
Landmarks/POIs Monemvasia Church of Agia Sophia - Day 7
Mani Peninsula - Porto Kagio - Diros
You're traveling to the Mani Peninsula, a remote and rugged part of southern Greece. First stop is Porto Kagio, a quiet seaside village where things move slowly. From there you can check out Marmari's sandy beach, pass through the village of Paliros, and see Cape Matapan and Cape Tenaros. There's time for swimming and just relaxing on the beach. Later you'll head to accommodation near the Diros Caves for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Marmari beach
- Visit Paliros village
- Visit Cape Matapan
- Visit Cape Tenaros
- Beach swimming and relaxation
Landmarks/POIs Porto Kagio Cape Matapan - Day 8
Kalamata
In the morning, you're heading into the Diros cave complex, an underground system with stalactites and stalagmites. There's also information about prehistoric animals from the Neolithic period if you're interested in that kind of detail. Later you'll travel to Kalamata, the second-largest city on the Peloponnese, where you can do some sightseeing and then spend time on the golden sandy beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Diros cave complex
- Explore stalactites and stalagmites formations
Landmarks/POIs Diros Caves - Day 9
Ancient Messene - Koroni - Methoni
You'll explore the Archaeological Site of Ancient Messene, which covers a large area with circuit walls, the Arcadian gate, temples, defensive walls, a stadium, and a theater. It's quite extensive and gives you a real sense of a complete ancient city. After that, you're heading to Koroni, a coastal town with a Venetian castle sitting on the hilltop above it and looking out over the Gulf of Messinia. You'll continue on to Methoni for a two-night stay, another beautiful coastal spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Archaeological Site of Ancient Messene
- Visit Koroni Venetian castle
Landmarks/POIs Ancient Messene Koroni Venetian Castle - Day 10
Methoni
This day is centered on Methoni's impressive Venetian castle, which takes up the whole cape and southwestern coast with an octagonal tower protecting a small islet. The rest of the day is pretty much yours to structure. You can sunbathe, go swimming, explore the town, or try local restaurants and see what the regional cuisine offers. It's a relaxed day to recover a bit.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Venetian castle of Methoni
Landmarks/POIs Methoni Venetian Castle - Day 11
Pylos - Kyparissia - Kalo Nero
You'll travel to Pylos, a town built amphitheater-style around the Bay of Navarino, and check out the Frankish and Ottoman castles guarding the entrance to the bay. There are two beaches worth seeing: Chrisi Akti and the famous Voidokilia with its perfect curve of sand. Later you'll continue through more sandy beaches to Kyparissia, which has a Medieval Castle up on a hill with sea views and beautiful sunsets. The day ends at Kalo Nero, known for its 20-kilometer sandy beach and distinctive sunsets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Frankish castle in Pylos
- Visit Ottoman castle in Pylos
- Visit Chrisi Akti beach
- Visit Voidokilia Beach
Landmarks/POIs Bay of Navarino Voidokilia Beach Kyparissia Medieval Castle - Day 12
Olympia - Pyrgos
You're heading to Olympia, home to the ancient Olympic Games that happened every four years starting back in 776 BCE. The archaeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage location with temples, sports structures, and two museums covering both ancient and modern games. There's a lot to take in here. Later you'll drive to Pyrgos in western Peloponnese for the night, with the evening free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Olympia archaeological site
- Explore Olympia temples and sports structures
- Visit Olympia museums
Landmarks/POIs Olympia - Day 13
Kastro - Kalogria - Patras
First stop is Kastro where you'll see Chlemoutsi Castle, a well-built Frankish fortification from the 1220s. After that, you're heading to Kalogria, which is about 9 kilometers long and one of Greece's longest sandy beaches, with a Blue Flag award and a natural park right beside it. You'll spend some time here swimming and relaxing. Later you'll travel to Patras, Greece's third-largest city with thousands of years of history and home to the relics of Apostle Andrew, where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chlemoutsi Castle
- Beach swimming at Kalogria
Landmarks/POIs Chlemoutsi Castle Kalogria Beach - Day 14
Corinth
After breakfast, you'll spend the day exploring Patras' main historical sites. There's the medieval Castle of Patras with views over the city, the Archaeological Museum with one of Greece's largest mosaic collections, the Roman Odeum, and Agios Andreas Cathedral. You can also catch views of the Ionian Sea from the seafront. In the afternoon, you'll head to Corinth for overnight accommodation with time to explore the town on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Castle of Patras
- Visit Patras Archaeological Museum
- Visit Patras Roman Odeum
- Visit Agios Andreas Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Castle of Patras Patras Archaeological Museum Agios Andreas Cathedral - Day 15
Corinth to Athens
This is your final day, so you're starting early to hit Corinth's main attractions and try some local food. There's a pedestrian seafront that's nice to walk, plus a beach if you want to go for a swim and relax a bit. After you've seen what you want to see and taken in the must-see attractions, you'll head back toward Athens and get dropped off at your chosen location, whether that's your hotel, the airport, or somewhere else.
- Meals
- Breakfast
