5 Days: Kalavryta, Ancient Olympia & the Mountains of Arcadia
Five days through the green heart of the Peloponnese: the mountain town of Kalavryta below Mount Helmos, the sanctuary of Ancient Olympia, and the stone villages and gorges of Arcadia – our home. A private driver links them on quiet mountain roads that buses hardly serve.
Why a private driver?
- Door to door – from Athens, the airport or the port straight to your hotel, with no bus changes.
- Stops where you want – a coffee in a square, a photo stop, an extra site on the way.
- Relax after dinner – no driving on mountain roads at night.
- Flexible – change the plan on the day; we adapt.
Day 1: Athens – Kalavryta
Pick-up in Athens or at the airport and drive west along the Gulf of Corinth, about 2 h 30. In the afternoon visit the monastery of Mega Spileo, built into a cliff above the Vouraikos gorge. Overnight in Kalavryta – Kalavrita Canyon Hotel & Spa or Finday Eco Boutique Hotel.
Note: the Diakopto – Kalavryta rack railway has been suspended since March 2026 after rockfalls; we travel by road and will add the train ride if it reopens.
Day 2: Cave of the Lakes – Ancient Olympia
Morning at the Cave of the Lakes, with its chain of underground lakes, then south through the hills of Achaia and Ilia to Ancient Olympia, around 2 hours. Evening walk in the village. Overnight in Olympia – Amalia Hotel Olympia or Olympic Village Resort & Spa.
Day 3: Ancient Olympia – Dimitsana
Visit the sanctuary of Zeus, the ancient stadium and the museum early, before the crowds – read our Ancient Olympia visitor guide. After lunch drive into Arcadia, about 1 h 45, to the stone village of Dimitsana above the Lousios gorge. Overnight in Xenonas Kaza or Kazas Luxury Apartments.
Day 4: The Lousios gorge and Stemnitsa
Visit the Open-Air Water Power Museum, then walk the gorge to the monasteries of Prodromou and Philosophou – we drop you at the start and pick you up at the end. Read our Lousios gorge guide. Afternoon in Stemnitsa, known for its silversmiths. Second night in Dimitsana, or move to Lagkadia – Maniatis Hotels & Resorts.
Day 5: Lagkadia – Athens
A slow morning in Lagkadia, the amphitheatrical village at the end of the Menalon Trail, then back to Athens or the airport, about 3 hours.
Where you stay
All the hotels on this trip are our partners – see where to stay in Kalavryta, where to stay in Ancient Olympia and where to stay in mountain Arcadia.
Book it as a private tour: see Kalavryta, Ancient Olympia & Arcadia: 5-Day Private Tour and request a quote – personal reply within 24 hours.
Make it yours
This is a sample plan: we can add nights, change hotels or combine it with other regions. All prices are on request – send us your dates and we reply within 24 hours with a personal offer for the hotels and your private transfers.