4 Days Private Tour: Argolida – Monemvasia & Sparta

This tour is an excellent way to visit several sites of Greece while also spending time in the Peloponnese peninsula, a tour that will introduce you to the most important periods of Greek History. 

The tour starts with a drive along the coast, on the way you will view some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians). 

Our first stop 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.   

Moving on we will continue to Ancient Corinth. The city dominated by the hill of Acrocorinth. The site located at the foot of the hill includes the Roman Agora of Corinth, the temple of god Apollo and a small museum. Apart from its archaeological and historical interest Ancient Corinth is also one of the most popular religious destinations in Greece as this was where Apostle Paul preached Christianity, was judged by the tribunal in the Agora and established the best organized Christian church of that period.   

A short stop at the castle of Acrocorinth, the oldest and largest castle in southern Greece, for some amazing photos. 

After we will head towards Mystras driving into the southern Peloponnese peninsula through the mountainous landscape of the Greek country side. Reaching Mystras you will automatically understand why this location stands so unique within the Greek sites. Known as the ghost city, fortified on a citadel, Mystras is one of the two locations in Greece that preserves not only medieval churches but also ordinary houses, mansions and palaces of the Byzantine Empire in combination with Frankish elements.   

Walking in the site on the upper point you will reach the citadel and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding areas while walking down hill you will meet palaces and the Royal courtyards. Although known as the ghost city most of the monasteries are still in use and the monks will gladly show you around their small society. Before you exit you will come across the chapel of St. Demetrios, on its floor survives a plaque depicting a two head eagle (the symbol of Byzantium). It was on this very plaque that Konstantine Palaiologos kneeled before he was crowned the last emperor of the Byzantium.  

Following that we will spend the rest of our time in Sparta known as the eternal rival city of the Athenian Democracy. 

Sparta revolved around a different Cosmo theory for the ancient Greek standards. Initially known as the birth place of Helen of Troy and the Kingdom of Menelaus (in Mycenaean period), Sparta was organized as a purely military society in the ancient Greek period. It was the city of the two Kings were a few aristocrats ruled and of course the city where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans marched from to face the Persian army Thermopylae in 480 BCE.  

Continuing we will pass in front of the stadium where the statue of King Leonidas stands marking the ending point of Spartathlon race (Athens – Sparta 245,3 km).  

We will visit the museum of (olive and) olive oil. Then we will overnight in Sparta.

Monemvasia is a living old city, developed on an island that is connected to the Greek mainland. A fortress and a prosperous city of the Byzantine empire Monemvasia (literally means one entrance) still survives, the narrow streets, the mansions, the small houses, the churches , the wall, the gate and the citadel, the city is still inhabited. Here history comes truly alive, we will spend half of our day at Monemvasia where you can have lunch by the sea upon the old wall and walk in the city continually discovering new points of interest. We will overnight in Monemvasia.

Agia Sofia (St Sophia's Church), the main sanctuary in Monemvasia's upper town, is a large Byzantine church built on the edge of a cliff with a vertiginous view of the bay below. Beyond the Venetian loggia that makes up the façade, the interior is palpably calm and refreshing. Admire the impressive dome, finely sculpted marble capitals and fragments of 13th century frescoes.  

After breakfast we will drive to the incredible Mycenae Palace and to picturesque Nafplio where we will overnight.

Dated to the 2nd millennium B.C.E. representing what Homer wrote about, Achilles, Agamemnon and Helen of Troy. The palace of Mycenae gave its name to a whole era.  

In the site you will see the famous Lions' Gate (the oldest architectural sculpture in Europe), the cyclopean walls, the burial circle A and the remains of Agamemnon’s Palace.  

Worth visiting there is also a modern museum exhibiting the findings of the “City of Gold".   

Just before leaving the site we will make a small stop at the treasury of Atreus, the best preserved Tholos tomb found and one of the finest examples of the Mycenaean architecture.  

We will move towards a more recent history of Greece and the city of Nafplio. Considered as the most scenic city, Nafplio functioned as the capital of Greece until 1834. This romantic city offers you a outstanding combination of fortresses and castles (Palamidi, Bourtzi), a huge harbour open to the Aegean Sea and the unique architecture of the old city of Nafplio revealing Venetian, neoclassical and oriental elements.  

We will overnight at Nafplio.

We’ll drive up until the castle of Acronafplia for a panoramic view of Nafplio.  

Nafplio offers you an outstanding combination of fortresses and castles. Bourtzi is a little islet with a fortress in a huge port opened to the Aegean Sea.  

After breakfast we will visit the Mycenaean Palace of Tiryns and the most famous ancient theatre, in Epidaurus.

Tiryns is a Mycenaean archaeological site in Peloponnese, and the location, from which mythical hero Hercules (Heracles) performed his 12 labors protected by UNESCO along with Mycenae.  

Our next stop will be the site of Epidaurus. After just a short drive you will be able to visit one of the most important ancient sanctuaries dedicated to the God Asclepius, the god of healing and medicine, located in an ideal environment and spread over a hilly area.  

The highest point of Epidaurus is the theater of Epidaurus. The best preserved ancient Greek theater dated 4th century B.C.E.It is proof of what fantastic miracles the ancient Greek minds could create. You can test the acoustics, great even today. Climb up until the upper seats just to close your eyes and dream you attended an ancient Greek tragedy.  

We will drive back to Athens.