Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio Full Day Private Tour from Athens

based on 184 reviews

Duration:8 hours to 9 hours (approx.)
Location: Athens, Greece

From $207.99

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Venture south of Athens to discover highlights of the Peloponnese. Cross the Corinth Canal to leave mainland Greece and explore Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplion.

Starting in Mycenae, one of the ancient world’s most noteworthy cultures, then on to Epidaurus, with its theater and healing center that were milestones in the evolution of western civilization and ending up at Nafplio, the country’s most picturesque town, we take a route that is one of the most important historically speaking, in a country steeped in history.
- Full-day tour of Peloponnese highlights from Athens
- Travel the Isthmus of Corinth with its picturesque yet imposing natural beauty
- Visit the archaeological site of Mycenae, home to mythical King Agamemnon
- Check out the perfect acoustics at Epidaurus's 4th-century amphitheater
- Explore the harbor village of Nafplion

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Corinth Canal
The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for many modern ships. From high up, you can enjoy the best view of Corinth's isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while you observe the vessels below you navigate their way through the canal.
2. Mycenae
The fortified citadel of ancient Mycenae, the seat of the mythical and mighty King Agamemnon. An impressive and well-preserved site, the city of Mycenae gave its name to an entire civilization. Admire sites such as the Tomb of Clytemnestra, the infamous Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean walls and learn of their blood-stained past. In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which dominated much of southern Greece, Crete, the Cyclades and parts of southwest Anatolia. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae. At its peak in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares.
3. Archaeological Site Mycenae
The archaeological site of Mycenae comprises the fortified acropolis and surrounding funerary and habitation sites, which are located mainly to its west and southwest. Most of the visible monuments date to the centre's great floruit, from 1350 to 1200 BC. Great Cyclopean walls surround the almost triangular acropolis, which is accessed from the northwest through the famous Lion Gate, the symbol of the Mycenaean rulers' power. The gate was named after the two opposing lions carved in relief and set into the relieving triangle, a typical feature of Mycenaean architecture, over the door.
4. Lion Gate
The Lion Gate was the main entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, southern Greece. It was erected during the 13th century BC, around 1250 BC, in the northwest side of the acropolis and is named after the relief sculpture of two lionesses or lions in a heraldic pose that stands above the entrance. The Lion Gate is the sole surviving monumental piece of Mycenaean sculpture, as well as the largest sculpture in the prehistoric Aegean. It is the only monument of Bronze Age Greece to bear an iconographic motif that survived without being buried underground, and the only relief image which was described in the literature of classical antiquity, such that it was well known prior to modern archaeology.
5. Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae
The Archaeological Museum of Mycenae is found at the entrance of the ancient site, just a few steps before the Lion Gate.
6. Citadel and Treasury of Atreus
The Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon is a large tholos or beehive tomb on Panagitsa Hill at Mycenae constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC. The stone lintel above the doorway weighs 120 tons, with approximate dimensions 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.2m, the largest in the world. The tomb was used for an unknown period. Mentioned by the Roman geographer Pausanias in the 2nd century AD, it was still visible in 1879 when the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the shaft graves under the "agora" in the Acropolis at Mycenae.
7. Epidaurus Archaeological Museum
Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is a museum in Epidaurus, in Argolis on the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece. The museum, noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns and inscriptions, was established in 1902 and opened in 1909 to display artifacts unearthed in the ancient site of Epidaurus in the surrounding area.
8. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The monument retains the characteristic tripartite structure of a Hellenistic theatre that has a theatron, orchestra, and skene. During Roman times, the theatre (unlike many Greek theatres) did not suffer any modifications.
9. Sanctuary of Asklepios
The Temple of Asclepius was a sanctuary in Epidaurus dedicated to Asclepius. It was the main holy site of Asclepius. The sanctuary at Epidaurus was the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi. The temple was built in the early 4th century BC. If still in use by the 4th century AD, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship.
10. Nafplio
Free time for lunch, coffee, or shopping at the ‘Naples of the East’ rich in Venetian architecture, cobbled squares, and towering castles with commanding views of the Argolic Gulf. Afterwards, unwind by the harbor or get lost in the colorful back streets of the most elegant town in mainland Greece. Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.
11. Bourtzi
Enjoy the view of the water castle of Bourtzi, a Venetian castle located in the middle of the harbor of Nafplio, and take fascinating photos from the harbor side.
12. Akronafplia Fortress
The Acronauplia is the oldest part of the city of Nafplion in Greece. Until the thirteenth century, it was a town on its own. The arrival of the Venetians and the Franks transformed it into part of the town's fortifications. Later, part of it was used as a prison until the Greek government decided that the view provided from its location would benefit the local tourism and built a hotel complex which still stands there today.
13. Palamidi Castle
Palamidi is a fortress to the east of the Acronauplia in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715). The fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country. There are 913 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand, while locals in the town of Nafplion will say there are 999 steps to the top of the castle.

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Posted By : bwaisman
Visited archaeology sites outside of Athens made for a long enjoyable day Spero was xlnt driver giving lots of information
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-18 02:52:53

Posted By : Robert_B
Notis gave us excellent tour. Really enjoyed his knowledge of the history of Greece. He timed things perfectly.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-16 03:48:45

Posted By : Robert_D
Our driver Michael, was fantastic - knowledgeable, kind, and very personable! This one day outing was one of the highlights of our trip to Greece; one must travel outside the city of Athens to see the beauty of Greece!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-15 00:57:03

Posted By : Tourist29077063159
Costas was a great tour guide. He accommodated all our requests and made the drive fun. We learned a lot on the drive and enjoyed the tour.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-11 17:13:45

Posted By : MANAIR24
We had a terrific time touring Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio privately at our convenience in a comfortable vehicle. Fotis was a very good driver and know the history well. His knowledge of historical geo-politics & ancient civilizations was well beyond his 3 month experience as a tour guide. Highly recommend tour, if you love history and culture.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-11 01:01:45

Posted By : H298NRpaulr
From the moment we met Costa, our guide for the day we knew we were in for a great experience. Costa immediately made us feel welcome and comfortable. We had a lovely converted Merc to take us around, air conditioned , spacous and comfortable.

Throughout the entire day Costa explaines so much about Greek history, telling us all about the Greek Gods and the different periods of Greek history. His knowledge was unbelievable. Costa has a great sense of humor and a great personality, not was a problem for Costa, all of which made our day really enjoyable.

Each time we stopped to visit a different location Costa was able to give us the full background and history.

We have friends and family visiting Greece latar in the year and we will definitely be recommending that they contact your company and insist on having Costa as their guide.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-10 04:29:46

Posted By : Michael D
Fabulous tour at our pace. My wife was recovering from bronchitis so being able to take restroom breaks when needed and climbing stairs slowly was a real asset.

Vasilis was personable and helpful and we would recommend him highly.

He also took us to an amazing seafood restaurant in Nafplio. If we ever get back there it would be a must place to eat.

Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-29 09:38:37

Posted By : Jennifer_M
What a wonderful, individualized experience. Petros was amazing with his knowledge and seeing that I was comfortable along the way. Thank you!
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Posted On : 2024-04-27 13:02:10

Posted By : Magali M
We had an unforgettable day thanks to our guide Notis who is passionate and exciting!! Mythology, history of Greece and its influences on the rest of the world, unusual anecdotes... Notice is a real living encyclopedia! Thanks to him 🙏🏻
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-21 16:15:29

Posted By : Sunshine05783641808
Our guide, Fotis was excellent as he was very personable and very informative. The tour was excellent as we were able to see a lot outside of Athens in a very short time and thus have a better appreciation of the diversity of Greece’s history.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-04-16 17:19:59