Ancient Sparta Ancient Corinth Private Tour from Athens/ Nafplio

based on 35 reviews

Duration:10 hours (approx.)
Location: Athens, Greece

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We visit Sparta as travelers, not as tourists. We get as excited as you to travel, to enjoy history, scenery.

If you want to see most of Modern/Ancient Sparta & Ancient Corinth we suggest combine all sites in a full day tour.
Schedule is flexible, but most importantly our drivers are seasoned travelers and are dedicated to helping you live the tour of your life, that is suited to your needs and lifestyle, allowing all passengers to enjoy the scenic drive.

The tour starts with a convenient pickup and takes you via Corinth Canal to Peloponnese. We drive via Mount Parnon to Sparta, visit town, the impressive statue of Leonidas, the Acropolis, theater, King Leonidas Tomb and Museum.
We will visit the unique Olive & Oil museum of Sparta and taste local products.
On our return we will visit Ancient Corinth

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Corinth Canal
The marvelous man-made Corinth canal connecting the Aegean and Ionian seas, as well as the Peloponnese peninsula with the central part of Greece. More than 2500 workers digging 6.400m for twelve years (from 1881 to 1893). Stop for photography, walk across on a pedestrian bridge and admire the canal from 80 m high
2. Sparta
Sparta was unique in ancient Greece for its social system and constitution introduced by the almost mythical figure of Lycurgus. He configured the entire society in order to maximize military proficiency at all costs, focusing all social institutions on military training and physical development. Its inhabitants were classified as Spartiates (Spartan citizens with full rights), mothakes (non-Spartan free men raised as Spartans), perioikoi (free residents engaged in commerce), and helots (state-owned serfs, enslaved non-Spartan local population).
3. Archaeological Museum of Sparta
The Archaeological Museum of Sparta comprises the oldest provincial archaeological museum of the country. Its neoclassical building was constructed between 1874 and 1876 in the center of the city and it has been declared a listed building for its architectural and historical interest. Every Tuesday Museum is closed Ticket general 3€
4. Acropolis and Ancient Theater
Thucydides wrote: Suppose the city of Sparta to be deserted, and nothing left but the temples and the ground-plan, distant ages would be very unwilling to believe that the power of the Lacedaemonians was at all equal to their fame. Their city is not built continuously, and has no splendid temples or other edifices it rather resembles a group of villages and would therefore make a poor show. We visit The Acropolis and the Ancient Theater of Sparta. Built of local white marble during the Roman period, the late first-century B.C theater was one of the Classical world’s largest. Said to be capable of holding an estimated 16,000 people, it featured a mobile stage and was considered a tourist destination in ancient times. Much of the auditorium was destroyed during the Byzantine period, and the remaining marble and limestone blocks have suffered from erosion.
5. Leonidas Monument
The King Leonidas statue stands belligerently in front of a 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'). Excavations carried out during the previous century, north of the modern town of Sparta, brought to light an impressive construction. The edifice that dates back to the 5th century B.C. was made from large limestone. Archaeologist who carried out the excavations in 1892, initially thought it was a small temple. Although its use is not yet verified, it is believed to be the tomb of Leonidas. According to Pausanias, it was here that the remains of the legendary king of Sparta were transferred and buried after the battle in Thermopylae. The tomb of Leonidas is the only preserved monument of the Ancient Agora.
6. Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil
The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, in Sparta (Peloponnese), transports you to the culture, history and technology of the olive and olive oil production in the Greek realm, from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. The olive and olive oil are presented here from different optical angles: the economy, nutrition and the olive's uses, religious worship, art and technology. The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil offers you the opportunity to see the very first testimonies about the presence of the olive tree and the production of olive oil in Greece: Rare fossilized olive leaves, 50,000-60,000 years old, from the island of Santorini, the oldest findings offering proof of the presence of the olive tree en Greece Linear B Tablets of the 14th century BC (exact replicas), with the first written testimonies about the olive and olive oil. Visit is optional and depends time. Every Tuesday Museum is closed. General Ticket 3€
7. Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos)
Here are the remains of Ancient Corinth, one of the largest cities in Ancient Greece. Walking in the ancient City of Corinth is like to walk back in time. For Christians, Corinth is well known from the two letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. Corinth is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of the Paul the Apostle's missionary travels. Combined ticket for Ancient Corinth is 8€ for summer or 4€ for winter (Ticket Includes Museum)
8. Archaeological Museum of Corinth
Visit Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth. In winter time closed on Tuesday. Ticket of Archaeological site includes and Museum
9. Athens
Return to Athens

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Posted By : Daria_S
Thank you so much for this awesome tour. I'll be honest: we were a bit worried that the road would be long and difficult as we were supposed to drive through the mountains. However, the road was beautiful due to the fact that a new road on the Peloponnese peninsula was recently built. All the way there and back we did not feel any discomfort. Our driver provided us with the necessary information about the places we would visit. The tour itself is intense (in a good sense of course), as there are many stops besides Sparta, so our day was full. We also made a few extra stops that were not part of the tour since the time allowed us. In particular, we visited the town of Mystros, 6 kilometers from Sparta. If you have the opportunity to go there, we definitely recommend it! Our driver, Christos, was very nice and helpful. We are grateful for this experience and glad we made it!

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-01-05 10:54:11

Posted By : peteeechan
My wife & I recently spent 5 days in Athens & having read a few books about the rise & fall of the Spartans, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit Laconia to tread in the footsteps of Agesilaus II, Cleomenes I & of course, Leonidas I, whilst looking upon Mt Taygetus & Mt Parnon.
Our guide & chauffeur for the day was Nikolaos who was very pleasant. His vehicle was clean, spacious and comfortable. His knowledge and insights were great especially that he was a descendant of Sparta too. He also kept us topped up with ice coffees which was most appreciated. During the longer parts of the drive Nik put on a documentary about Sparta for us to watch on our journey towards Sparta which my wife found very interesting as she had no prior knowledge of the area & the people in ancient times. He then put on a similar one about Corinth on our journey back there.
Initially visited the canal at Corinth before pushing on to Sparti. Took in the archaeological museum, tomb of Leonidas I, Acropolis & ancient theatre & the Leonidas I monument. Unfortunately for us they were carrying out work on the monument so only saw his foot haha. Following a spot of lunch & another iced coffee we headed towards Ancient Corinth. An impressive archaeological site in the shadow of the Acrocorinth, covering a vast area with a museum included too.
On our return to Athens, we stopped to look at the Corinth canal from the Saronic Gulf side as we had earlier been at the Gulf of Corinth end.
The whole day was around 10 hours but didn't feel like it. On the longer parts of the drive it was good to take in the landscape and views. I hadn't realised how mountainous Greece was.
We thoroughly enjoyed this trip, even my wife who was less than enthusiastic when I originally booked it so a big thumbs up from us. Thank you Nikolaos & Greece Taxi.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-11-04 07:03:47

Posted By : ErickJ999
It was a fantastic tour. Country side and ancient ruins were very scenic. It was an all day trip and absolutely worth it.
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Posted On : 2023-10-12 04:58:50

Posted By : Travel335131
Had Christos as out driver for the day and could not have enjoyed the better any better. Christos went above and beyond with the day trip to Sparta and everything on the way. He was very knowledgeable and made everything for my husband and I to feel welcomed in his home country.
The lunch stop at "the Castle" restaurant was very delightful and romantic. We had some deviation of schedule to visit myceanea was the absolute highlight of my trip to Greece. Thank you Christos for making our day extra especial.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-27 20:59:56

Posted By : Cara_C
Really enjoyed our tour. Sparta ruins small but not crowded The olive museum was interesting. We Should have allowed more time for ancient Corinth as it was very interesting. Asked for a guide but none available last minute. Our driver was very nice, great driver and answered questions but would have been nice to have SOME history and background other than what we read ourselves. Definitely recommend getting a guide
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-09-11 09:12:51

Posted By : 253thej
I have taken many trips and tours world wide and Ancient Sparta/Ancient Corinth was the most enriching, professional and enjoyable. My tour guide Christos was a complete gentleman, had a great heart, empathetic/caring, and made this trip/tour that much more enriching. We had time to go to the spartan gift shop in sparti and the quality was the best as far as souvenirs go in Athens as you can see the quality and love put into them. Shortly after we saw breathtaking views at ancient Corinth and then stopped for fun at olive oil tasting and superb other items they had like bitter orange, olive soap, sour cherries, and several other top grade products you just can’t find back in the states. It was obvious from the beginning Christos puts his clients as top priority. I developed a better understanding of Sparta, (Sparti as of today) the culture, the breathtaking views there as well as the journey driving through the countryside, the local ingredients harvested in the countryside/mountains of Athena and of course received a better idea how it was back then. If you have an affinity for culture and scenic views you can’t go wrong. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates culture and to really put themselves in a lovely, humble, yet enriching environment. It’s not glitzy or eye catching as rome or other areas I have seen….but honestly you have to really appreciate the aforementioned to really not get caught up on that. I would go here before other tours/site seeing because I gained so much more and got a perspective I never had in other “tourist traps of the world.” There’s something to be said about a modest culture with breath taking views and history. I’ll take this anyday over flashy areas of the world I have been due to the simple fact I grew from start to finish as a person and am more appreciative of Greek people/history as a whole. Without question I can’t say that with other areas and places I have been. Highly advised. Best private tour guide and new friend thanks Christos.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-07-28 22:32:08

Posted By : Kim_K
Our driver, Takis, was absolutely PHENOMENAL!!! From the moment he picked us up at our Athens hotel, he began telling us the rich history of his country and how it related to everything we were seeing around us.. And it wasn't just the archaeological sites. Takis discussed the culture, the land, and the people, allowing us to experience the same love and passion he has for Greece. The highlight of the day was stopping at a tiny fruit stand along a country road to Sparta to buy fresh cherries from a local farmer. They were delicious! By lunchtime, we were sitting with Takis for lunch at a small cafe overlooking the Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth wanting to share more time with our new friend. Takis is THE BEST tour operator you can find and more importantly, an awesome person. We HIGHLY recommend Takis and any business he works at. Mr. James and Miss Kim will always remember this trip and Takis!!
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Posted On : 2023-07-16 12:21:48

Posted By : Phyllis_N
I am rating this only 2 stars because Sparta was a complete waste of time—there is almost nothing to see, and the Olive Museum there was CLOSED the day we toured, which the tour company should have known! Our diver was fine and very nice, this was not his fault, but we spent hours driving to/from Sparta for nothing.
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Posted On : 2023-06-27 12:36:38

Posted By : cheech0ngt
We booked a private tour and thought there was a guide and driver. Instead only the driver and he spoke little English. He did not share much about the sites and we had to pay all the entrance fees ourselves and it was an unguided tour. He left us to visit the site ourselves without any introduction or helped to take photos (except in front of the Leoniadas statue).

Sparta was a quiet town and ancient Corinth was fantastic if we had a guide to tell us more. We could only do with the limited English signboard and descriptors. We are fortunate the traffic on return journey back to Athens was not jamed.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-06-19 02:20:09

Posted By : Gary_B
Saw the sights close up, got to walk the castle steps, friendly museum staff. Managed time to allow for eating.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2023-05-22 12:32:15