ARGOLIS FULL DAY TOUR | ARGOLIS FULL DAY TOUR |
 A great suggestion if you have an extra day in Athens! The full day tour of Argolis is a trip to some of the most important archaeological sites of Greece, in the most characteristic Greek-Mediterranean scenery of Peloponnese. Itinerary 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, (approx. 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 trough the hills of Corinth, among thousands of olive trees and vineyards, we’ll arrive at 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. It’s elevated position and it’s huge Cyclopean Walls, offered protection from surprise attacks by pirates and enemies. At the peak of its power (1300 B.C.) the population leaved around the fortress where the Royal Family had its Palace. The Palace, symbol of power of the Mycenaean rulers, was reached by a large ramp beginning at the Lions Gate.
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 concluding our visit to Nafplion we’ll start the return trip to Athens.
From Nafplion, driving through the winding roads of Argolis, we are going to visit Epidaurus, famous for it’s ancient theatre and the sanctuary of Asclepios.
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. Duration approx. 10 hours All our private tours are flexible. It is always up to you to change the itinerary according to your wishes. Admission fees and lunch are not included in the price of the trip Sites’ Opening Hours Admission tickets to the sites: Reduced admission (50%) for visitors (Original passport or copy necessary) Free admission for visitors (Original passport or copy necessary) Days of free admission for all to archaeological sites & public Museums 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 15 August: 08:30 - 15:00 28 October: 08:30 - 15:00 25 December: closed 26 December: closed
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