5 Best Peloponnese Trips from Athens

Athens is the capital of Greece and one of the most populated cities in the country. It is home to many historical attractions that you won't want to miss during your stay. Such is the case of the Peloponnese peninsula, considered the region with the greatest archaeological wealth in the entire country.

Therefore, among the best things to do in Athens, you should include one of the excursions to the Peloponnese in your itinerary. You can see the Corinth Canal, the Temple of Zeus, the Theater of Apollo, and the Lion Gate, which are unique wonders of the world found in the ancient cities of Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora, Argolis, and others that make up the peninsula.

If you don't have much time during your visit to the Hellenistic capital but still want to take one of the day tours and excursions from Athens, don't miss a guided tour of Argolis.

This is a historic region located in the northeast of the Peloponnese peninsula, where you will find many hidden treasures.

The day trip usually starts and ends at your hotel door in Athens. There, you will board a bus and set off with your guide on a historical adventure that will treat you to beautiful natural and archaeological landscapes.

Corinth Canal

The driver will take you along the coastal route of the Saronic Gulf towards the Corinth Canal, where you will stop for a few minutes. This will allow you to enjoy this natural monument where the waters of the Ionian and Aegean seas converge.

Mycenae

The tour continues to Mycenae, the land where King Agamemnon was born and ruled. In this region, you will have the opportunity to explore an archaeological site of great importance in the history of Greece, immortalized by the great Homer in his poems.

Next, you will have a break for lunch and then head straight to other attractions, such as the Cyclopean Walls, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; the royal tombs on the outskirts of the walled enclosure; and the Lion Gate, built in the 13th century BC.

Epidaurus

Afterwards, you will say goodbye to Mycenae as you cross the plains of Argolis. You will pass through the village at the foot of the Palamidi fortress and have time to take some photos before heading to your next destination.

This is Epidaurus, where you will visit the Nauplia Theater, whose history dates back to the 4th century BC.

You will then return to Athens with enough time to continue with other activities: take one of the gastronomic tours or cooking classes, go shopping in the malls, or use a transfer service to Athens airport if it is your last day in the city.

Details of interest

• Price: from €100 per person.
• Duration: 10 hours (approx.)
• Means of transport: bus.

If you want to make the most of your 3-day visit to Athens, you should carefully plan your itinerary of things to do in summer or any other season of the year.

In this regard, a half-day excursion to the Peloponnese to discover the town of Mystras is a good idea. You can also visit the Greek islands, specifically Monemvasia and the medieval village at its foot.

Mystras

This excursion departs from Athens by private car to Mystras, where you will make your first two-hour stop to discover its fortresses, palaces, ruins, and libraries.

It is a Byzantine city declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Popular places to visit include:

• The Metropolitan Palace, which houses the Byzantine Museum of Mystras.
• Agios Dimitrios Church, where you will enjoy a privileged view of the city of Sparta.

The next stop is the amazing Diros Caves, considered the oldest region in Greece. There, you will witness a unique visual spectacle, featuring a system of crystal stalagmites and stalactites that reflect a range of colors: amber, black, purple, deep red, and pink.

Monemvasia

You will continue on to the island of Monemvasia, a huge rock connected to Mystras by a bridge. In this area, you will find a medieval village surrounded by imposing walls that, in ancient times, served as protection against enemy attacks.

You can walk along cobbled streets while exploring the surroundings, climb to the top of the castle and enjoy a privileged view of the sea.

Afterwards, it's time to return to the Hellenic capital to join a hop-on hop-off bus tour, a bike tour or simply walk at your own pace through the main streets in search of adventure.

Details of interest

• Price: from $229 per person.
• Duration: 8 to 10 hours (approx.)
• Transportation: private car, usually a Mercedes Benz.

The Peloponnese is a place with many wonderful destinations, so you may need several days to explore them all.

However, if you only plan to spend one day in Athens and don't want to miss the opportunity to escape the city to discover some of the main archaeological sites and enjoy beautiful natural scenery, then a trip to Mycenae and Epidaurus will be enough for you.

This tour usually starts at your hotel door in the city. There you will board a bus and, accompanied by a specialized guide, you will depart for the Peloponnese following the route along the Saronic Gulf coast.

Ruins of Mycenae

The first stop is in the city of Mycenae. There, you can explore the ruins of this ancient fortress on foot while the guide tells you about the history of the place and its former ruler, King Agamemnon. All this just minutes before seeing the Lion Gate and entering the Tomb of Agamemnon and the Palace.

Next, there is usually a stop at the seaport of Nafplio, on the Argolic Gulf, to enjoy the beautiful seascape.

Archaeological sites of Epidaurus

Afterwards, you will continue on to Epidaurus, where you will have the opportunity to walk through one of the archaeological sites that have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988.

This is the Temple of Asclepius, which is the central building of the sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god of medicine (Asclepius).

To end the tour, you will usually visit the Theater of Epidaurus. You will be amazed by this monumental construction dating from the 4th century BC, built for the purpose of holding a competition in honor of Asclepius and which, today, continues to be a place with excellent acoustics.

This is how you will bid farewell to Epidaurus and the Peloponnese, before returning to Athens. Why not take a stroll to see the highlights of the Plaka district, part of the city's old town, or join a cruise from Athens to watch the sunset?

An excursion to the coastal region of Nafplio in the Peloponnese is an activity you can add to your list of 10 things to do in Athens in January or any other month of the year.

You will discover beautiful natural scenery and historic buildings from the Middle Ages that are perfect for photographing. You can also sample the local cuisine, buy souvenirs, and much more.

You will usually meet the driver at an agreed location in the center of Athens. Then, you will begin your bus journey to Nafplio in the Peloponnese.

Corinth Canal

and Palamidi Hill
Before arriving in Nafplio, there are a couple of stops, starting with the famous Corinth Canal, whose architectural work dates back to the 19th century. You will also see the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and the Aegean Sea, which meet in this area.

Next, continue the adventure on Palamidi Hill. You will step back in time as you walk through this 17th-century fortress and be amazed by the panoramic view of the Argolic Gulf and the city of Nafplio.

City of Nafplio

Once in the city of Nafplio, known for being the capital of modern Greece from 1823 to 1834, you will enjoy a truly medieval atmosphere. You will also have the opportunity to walk through its narrow cobbled streets, discovering shops, monuments, and spectacular views.

• You can sit down to rest and sample the delicious local food in the city's shops, cafés, and restaurants.
• Admire Syntagma Square, built between the 18th and 19th centuries.
• You will walk along the boulevard of the port of Nafplio and see Bourtzi Castle in the distance.
• Watch the changing of the guard, which takes place every day.

Details of interest

• Price: from $134 per person.
• Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
• Transportation: bus.

If you plan to be in Athens for 7 days or more, you should include a visit to the Peloponnese in your itinerary.

This is a peninsula with a large number of archaeological sites, which are well worth exploring on a four-day, three-night excursion with a specialist guide.

Day one

This type of adventure usually begins with pick-up at your hotel, where you will board a luxury coach bound for the historic province of Argolis.

The first stop is usually at the famous Corinth Canal. There, you will contemplate the impressive panorama and learn about the history of the place from your guide.

The route continues to the Theatre of Epidaurus, known for its excellent acoustics. Next, you will stop at Mycenae and experience a unique moment when you visit the Acropolis of Athens and the tomb of the mythical Greek hero Agamemnon. Afterwards, you will go to Olympia to spend the first night.

Day two

The second day of the tour focuses on Olympia in the Peloponnese. There you can see the following points of interest:

• Temple of Zeus: you can stroll through one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece, belonging to the mythical god of thunder and the sky, father of the gods and man.
• Olympic Stadium: located just east of the Temple of Zeus. In this historic place, you will see a sandy esplanade where a series of sporting events were held in ancient times.
• Workshop of Phidias: you will see the ruins of the workshop of Phidias, a renowned artist of Greek classicism and creator of the sculptures of Zeus at Olympia and Athena at the Parthenon, among others.
• Olympia Museum: you will see a series of exhibitions from the classical period before departing for the city of Delphi to spend the night.

Day three

The third day takes place in Delphi, which was once considered by the Greeks to be the center of the world.

In this town, you will have the opportunity to visit the Archaeological Museum and see the Charioteer of Delphi, a bronze sculpture of Pythagoras of Reggio, dating from 474 BC.

You can also visit the imposing Apollo Theater, stroll through the sanctuary of Delphi, and see the Castalian Spring. Afterwards, you will depart for Meteora to spend your last night there.

Day four

On the last day of the tour from Athens, the guide will take you through the rock formations that make up this region, including the monasteries suspended in the sky, recognized for over 30 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You will also have the opportunity to climb to the top of two of the monastic centers of Meteora and enjoy a privileged view. Inside these enclosures, you will discover jewels, frescoes, and other ancient objects.

Finally, you will set off for Athens, but first you will pass through Thermopylae, a gorge with hot springs.

Details of interest

• Price: from €438 per person.
• Duration: 4 days.
• Means of transport: luxury coach.

The Peloponnese is a place steeped in history and home to important archaeological sites, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

These are undoubtedly enough reasons to make the Peloponnese a recommended destination during your visit to Athens for two days or more.

In addition, there are impressive natural landscapes, temples, castles, and other attractions that you can discover while touring the ancient cities of the Peloponnese, including Mycenae, Argos, and Corinth.

If you plan to join one of the one- or multi-day excursions to the Peloponnese during your visit to Athens , you should keep in mind some tips that could improve your experience during the tour:

• When visiting the monastic centers of Meteora, you must wear long pants or a skirt below the knee. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to enter the premises.
• Wear shoes with rubber soles and good traction to ensure comfortable and safe walking. Remember that during the tour you will be exploring some ruins where the ground is uneven and slippery.
• Do not buy bottled water; instead, bring a thermos with you. You can refill it at any tap, as the water in Athens is drinkable. This way, you will save money and help preserve the environment.