Having one only overnight stay in Olympia, you can have the complete tour of Argolis as it is described in Argolis Full DayTour and also visit Olympia the birth place of the Olympic Games.
Itinerary
Day 1
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. Twenty minutes later we’ll arrive at the small town of Ancient Corinth where we’ll visit the archaeological site with the unique monolithic Temple of Apollo (one of the oldest in Greece 585 B.C.,) the Bema from where St. Paul preached and the Museum.
Driving afterwards through the hills of Corinth, among thousands of olive trees and vineyards, we’ll arrive at the prefecture of Argolis where we’ll visit 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. Its elevated position and its huge Cyclopean Walls offered protection from surprise attacks by pirates and enemies. At the peak of its power (1300 B.C.) the population resided outside the fortress where the Royal Family had its Palace. The Palace, symbol of the 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 also known as the Treasury of Atreas.
After concluding our visit to Mycenae we’ll drive through the plain of Argos among endless farms of orange trees and forty 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.
After the conclusion of Argolis tour and lunch in Nafplion we’ll depart for Olympia through the mountains of Arcadia in central Peloponesse (a very scenic drive) and we’ll pass from various towns and villages, (Tripolis, Vytina, Lagadia). Finally we’ll arrive in Olympia where we’ll have diner and spend the night.
Day 2
After breakfast we are going to visit the archaeological site with the Temple of Zeus (where the gold and ivory statue of the god was placed -one of the seven wanders of the ancient world – work of Fedias) the Temple of Hera (where the lighting of the Olympic Flame takes place every four years) the original ancient Olympic Stadium and many more monuments. After the archaeological site we are visiting the Museum.
The Archaeological Museum of Olympia is one of the most important museums in Greece. The museum’s permanent exhibition contains finds from the sacred precinct of the Altis and the rest archaeological site dating from the prehistoric era. Among the many precious exhibits you we will also see the famous marble statues of Hermes of Praxiteles and the Nike (Victory) of Paionios.
After the conclusion of our tour in Olympia we can have lunch in the town and start our return trip back to Athens.
Optional Day 3
After lunch in Nafplion we can continue with the tour of Argolis, visiting Epidaurus. (extended Argolis tour). Epidaurus is famous for its 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 return to Nafplion to stay overnight. The afternoon will be free to explore the old medieval quarter with the traditional restaurants hidden in the narrow, stone paved streets and the port with all the modern cafeterias with view to the Bourtzi Castle.
Next morning, after breakfast, we are going to visit Palamide fortress. Here you will have a choice of either climbing the authentic stairway of 999 steps to the entrance of the castle or driving directly to the top!
After visiting Palamide we are going to drive to Olympia the same way was described above.
Duration approx. 2-3 Days
All our private tours are flexible. It is always up to you to change the itinerary according to your wishes.
Admission fees, hotel and food are not included in the price of the trip
Entrance Fees to the Sites
| Ancient Corinth | 8 euros including the museum |
| Mycenae | 12 euros including the tomb of Agamemnon |
| Olympia | 12 Euros valid for the archaeological site and the Museum |
| Epidaurus | 12 euros including the Museum |
Sites’ Opening Hours
| Summer | Winter |
| From April 1st to October 31st | From November 1st to March 31st |
| 08:00-19:30 | 08:30-16:00 |
Reduced admission (50%)
| Original passport or copy necessary |
| Between 6-25 years old, from countries outside the E.U. |
| Senior citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 |
| Everybody from Nov. 1st to March 31st |
Free admission for visitors
| Original passport or copy necessary |
| Up to 25 years old from countries of the E.U |
| Children up to 5 years old from countries outside the E.U |
| Highschool & University students over 25 years old from countries of the E.U. (a certificate from the educational institution certifying tuition and its duration is necessary) |
Days of free admission for all to archaeological sites & public Museums
| March 6 (In Memory of Melina Mercouri) |
| April 18 (International Monuments Day) |
| May 18 (International Museums Day) |
| The last weekend of September (European Heritage Days) |
| Oct. 28 (National Holiday) |
| First Sunday of every month, from Nov. 1st to March 31st |
Holidays
| 1 January | Closed |
| 6 January | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| Shrove Monday | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 25 March | Closed |
| Greek Orhodox Good Friday | 12:00 – 15:00 |
| Greek Orhodox Good Saturday | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| Greek Orhodox Easter Sunday | Closed |
| Greek Orhodox Easter Monday | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| May 1 | Closed |
| Holy Spirit Day | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 5 August | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 28 October | 08:30 – 15:00 |
| 25 December | Closed |
| 26 December | Closed |
