Archaeological Peloponnese: Corinth – Mycenae – Epidaurus – Mystras – Olympia (5 Days)

Five days through 3,000 years of Greek history, with five UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the way: Mycenae and Tiryns, Epidaurus, Mystras, the Temple of Apollo at Bassae and Ancient Olympia. You travel privately, at your own pace, and stay in Nafplio, Mystras and Olympia.

Day 1: Athens – Corinth Canal – Ancient Corinth – Nemea – Nafplio
Pick-up from your hotel in Athens or from the airport. First stop at the Corinth Canal, then Ancient Corinth, with the 6th-century BC Temple of Apollo, the Roman forum and the museum; if you like, continue up to the fortress of Acrocorinth for the view over two seas. In the afternoon, Nemea: the Temple of Zeus and the ancient stadium with the vaulted tunnel the athletes walked through. Nemea is also one of the best-known wine regions of Greece, and a wine tasting can be added. Overnight in Nafplio.

Day 2: Mycenae – Tiryns – Epidaurus
Mycenae, the kingdom of Agamemnon: the Lion Gate, the royal Grave Circle, the Treasury of Atreus and the museum. Then Tiryns, with its massive Cyclopean walls – together with Mycenae a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus and its ancient theatre, famous for its perfect acoustics. Second night in Nafplio, with time to walk the old town in the evening.

Day 3: Nafplio – Sparta – Mystras
Across the Peloponnese to Sparta (about 2 hours). In the afternoon, Mystras, the Byzantine city on a hill above Sparta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: churches with rich frescoes, the Pantanassa monastery and the Palace of the Despots. Overnight in Mystras or Sparta.

Day 4: Mystras – Arcadia – Bassae – Olympia
Through the mountains of Arcadia, our home region, with a stop at the castle village of Karytaina. Then the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, built in the 5th century BC at about 1,130 m and the first site in Greece added to the UNESCO list; today it stands under a protective tent during its restoration. In the afternoon, down to Ancient Olympia. Overnight in Olympia.

Day 5: Ancient Olympia – Athens
Morning at Ancient Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games: the sanctuary of Zeus, the stadium, the workshop of Phidias and the museum with the Hermes of Praxiteles. Afterwards, return to your hotel in Athens or to the airport (about 3 hours 30 minutes).

Every trip can be adapted to your dates and pace: add a night, change the hotels or start from the airport – tell us what you would like and we will prepare your plan. A licensed guide at the archaeological sites can be arranged on request.

Join us on five days through the great sites of the Peloponnese – from Mycenae and Epidaurus to Byzantine Mystras and Olympia – with every transfer and hotel arranged by us.

Photos of Ancient Corinth (Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 3.0), Tiryns (Zde, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Bassae (public domain) via Wikimedia Commons.