Athens to Ancient Olympia: Embark on a 5-Day Journey through the Peloponnese Peninsula

Corinth Canal - The Corinth Canal links the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It traverses the narrow Isthmus of Corinth, effectively separating the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, thus arguably turning the peninsula into an island. The canal, dug at sea level without locks, stretches 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) and is 21.4 meters (70 feet) wide at its base, making it unsuitable for most modern vessels. Today, it holds little economic significance and serves primarily as a tourist attraction.

The canal was first proposed in classical times, with an unsuccessful attempt to construct it in the 1st century AD. Construction resumed in 1881 but faced geological and financial challenges that led to the original builders’ bankruptcy. Completed in 1893, the canal’s narrowness, navigational issues, and frequent closures for landslide repairs from its steep walls prevented it from achieving the anticipated traffic levels.

Ancient Corinth (Archaia Korinthos) - Corinth was a city-state (polis) on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow land strip connecting the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, situated roughly midway between Athens and Sparta. Since 1896, systematic archaeological excavations by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens have uncovered significant portions of the ancient city, with recent digs by the Greek Ministry of Culture revealing new insights into antiquity.

For Christians, Corinth is notable from Saint Paul’s two letters in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. It is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of Paul’s missionary journeys. Additionally, the second book of Pausanias’ “Description of Greece” is dedicated to Corinth.

Ancient Corinth was among Greece’s largest and most significant cities, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. The Romans destroyed Corinth in 146 BC, rebuilt it in 44 BC, and later made it the provincial capital of Greece.

Rion-Antirion Bridge - The Rio–Antirrio Bridge, officially named the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, ranks among the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges and is the longest of the fully suspended type. It spans the Gulf of Corinth near Patras, connecting Rio on the Peloponnese peninsula to Antirrio on mainland Greece by road. It opened on 12 August 2004, just before the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, and was used to transport the Olympic Flame.

Achaia Clauss - Achaia Clauss is a renowned Greek winery located in Patras, Peloponnese, established in 1861 by Bavarian Gustav Clauss. It is best known for its fortified red wine, Mavrodaphne. In 1859, Gustav Clauss, representing the Bavarian company Fels and Co., acquired 60 acres of land from landowner George Kostakis in Riganokampos, Patras, at an altitude of 500 meters. Initially interested in blackcurrants, the winery has hosted many notable visitors over the years, including Eleutherios Venizelos, Empress Sissy of Austria, General Montgomery, Alexander Fleming, Aristotelis Onassis, Omar Sharif, King Gustav Adolf of Sweden, Kings George I, Konstantinos I, and George II of Greece, Queen Alexandra of Great Britain, Queen Louise of Sweden, Queens Olga and Sofia of Greece, Princess Marie Bonaparte of Greece and Denmark, and Nadia Comaneci.

Archaeological Site of Olympia - Situated in western Peloponnese, in the lush valley of the Alpheios River, lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and Kladeos rivers, in a verdant landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became Greece’s most important religious and athletic center. Its fame is rooted in the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious event worldwide, held every four years to honor Zeus. In 776 BC, Iphitos, king of Elis, Kleosthenes of Pisa, and Lykourgos of Sparta reorganized the Olympic Games in Zeus’s honor and established the sacred ekecheiria, or truce. The quadrennial festival soon acquired a national character. The sanctuary’s great development began in the Archaic period, as evidenced by thousands of votive offerings - weapons, figurines, cauldrons, etc. - from this era. This period saw the construction of the first monumental buildings, including the temple of Hera, the Prytaneion, the Bouleuterion, the treasuries, and the first stadium. The sanctuary continued to thrive into the Classical period, when the enormous temple of Zeus (470-456 BC) and several other buildings (baths, stoas, treasuries) were erected, and the stadium was relocated east of its Archaic predecessors, outside the Altis. Unfortunately, the countless statues and precious offerings from this period were lost, as the sanctuary was plundered several times in antiquity, especially under Roman rule. In the Hellenistic period, the construction of lay buildings, such as the gymnasium and palaestra, continued, while in Roman times, several existing buildings were refurbished, and new ones were built, including hot baths, luxurious mansions, and an aqueduct.

Ancient Olympia to Koroni

Ancient Messini - Located on the vast Peloponnese peninsula, Ancient Messene is perhaps Greece’s most underrated archaeological site. Unlike most other ancient cities, it remained untouched by later settlements, preserving it remarkably well. Excavation of this site occurred relatively recently compared to Epidaurus and Delphi, explaining why it remains an off-the-radar destination. Nevertheless, the archaeological site of Ancient Messene is arguably one of the most impressive due to its sheer size.

Voidokilia Beach - Voidokilia Beach is a popular destination in Messinia, within the Mediterranean region. Shaped like the Greek letter omega (Ω), its sand forms a semicircular strip of dunes. On the land-facing side of the dunes lies Gialova Lagoon, an important bird habitat. The beach has been designated “A Place of Particular Natural Beauty” and is part of a Natura 2000 protected area. Above the beach is Nestor’s Cave, and above this are the ruins of a thirteenth-century Frankish castle (Old Navarino or Palaiokastro). Overlooking the beach at the northeastern end is the tomb of Nestor’s son, Thrasymedes, from the Mycenaean period (1680–1060 BC), with Neolithic finds at the same site indicating occupation as early as 4000 BC.

The beach is believed to be Homer’s “sandy Pylos,” where Telemachus was welcomed by King Nestor while searching for his father, Odysseus. According to myth, Nestor’s Cave is where Hermes hid the cattle stolen from Apollo.

Niokastro: Pylos Castle - Pylos, historically known as Navarino, is a town and former municipality in Messenia, Peloponnese, Greece. It served as the capital of the former Pylia Province and is the main harbor on the Bay of Navarino. Pylos has been inhabited since Neolithic times and was a significant kingdom in Mycenaean Greece, with remains of the so-called “Palace of Nestor” excavated nearby, named after Nestor, the king of Pylos in Homer’s Iliad. In Classical times, the site was uninhabited but became the site of the Battle of Pylos in 425 BC during the Peloponnesian War. Afterward, Pylos is scarcely mentioned until the 13th century when it became part of the Frankish Principality of Achaea. Increasingly known by its French name of Port-de-Jonc or its Italian name Navarino, the Franks built the Old Navarino castle on the site in the 1280s. Pylos came under the control of the Republic of Venice from 1417 until 1500 when it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans used Pylos and its bay as a naval base and built the New Navarino fortress there.

Methoni Castle - The Castle of Methoni is a medieval fortification in the port town of Methoni, Messenia, in southwestern Greece. The castle occupies the entire area of the cape and the southwestern coast to the small islet, which has also been fortified with an octagonal tower and is protected by the sea on three sides. Its northern part, facing land, is covered by a heavily fortified acropolis. A deep moat separates the castle from the land, and communication was achieved by a wooden bridge. The Venetians built on the ancient battlements and added to and repaired it during both periods of their occupation.

Koroni to Vathia

Archaeological Site of Mystra - Mystras, the ‘wonder of the Morea,’ was built as an amphitheater around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins standing in a beautiful landscape. Mystras, as the center of Byzantine power, quickly attracted inhabitants and institutions; the bishopric was transferred there from Sparta, with its cathedral, the Metropolis or church of Hagios Demetrios, built after 1264. Many monasteries were founded there, including those of the Brontochion and the monastery of Christos Zoodotes. Under the Despots, Mystras reached its zenith with the construction of churches, outstanding examples of Late Byzantine church architecture, such as Hagioi Theodoroi, the Hodegetria, the Hagia Sophia, the Peribleptos quarter of the 14th century, the Evangelistria, and the Pantanassa.

Gerolimenas - Gerolimenas is a charming small coastal village and community in the municipal unit of Oitylo, at the southern end of the Mani Peninsula, in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece. The name, meaning “Old Harbour,” is thought to derive from the ancient “Ἱερός Λιμήν” (Hieros Limen), meaning “Sacred Harbor.” One of the remotest settlements in the Peloponnese, until the 1970s, it was primarily accessible by boat. In the past, it was a major fishing center, featuring substantial infrastructure such as a shipyard, ice supplies, and a fish market. Today, the main industry is tourism. According to the 2011 census, its population was 99 inhabitants (including the village Ochia).

Vathia - Vathia is a village on the Mani Peninsula, in southeastern Laconia. The local community of Vathia is named after this village. It is renowned for its tower-houses built on a hill dominating the surrounding countryside. Vathia is connected by road north to Areopoli and Kalamata and south to Cape Matapan, also known as Tenaro. In the northern and eastern directions, the southern reaches of the Saggias mountain range overlook the village. Farmland and maquis shrubland cover the hill slopes. On the hills and mountainsides around Vathia proper are clusters of abandoned houses, towers, and chapels known as the perichora, meaning environs. Currently, Vathia is a tourist attraction during spring and summer due to the abundance of wildflowers that cover the nearby hills and its scenic views. Moreover, it serves as an iconic example of the south Maniot vernacular architecture as it developed during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Porto Kagio - Few people ever make it to Porto Kagio, one of the southernmost villages in the Mani in the Peloponnese. If you’re seeking a place at the end of the world, this is it!

Gerolimenas to Monemvasia Castle Town

Caves of Diros - Diros Cave, Nature’s Underground Cathedral
The spectacular cave complex of Diros in the Peloponnese offers visitors the chance to journey back to the Neolithic era and beyond. It is not just the drop in temperature that gives you chills as you descend underground to start the 40-minute boat tour of Vlychada, the largest cave of the Diros complex. It is the stunning and dramatic formations of stalactites and stalagmites, formed millions of years ago when the sea, located just a few meters away, began to rise and formed the lake we see today. It is the thrill of not knowing what might be hiding in the darkness beyond the illuminated 1.5k route, and the realization of the sheer size of this underground marvel of nature: a series of vast caverns stretching 15k into the rock, with 2,800 waterways – and this is only what is known so far.

Monemvasia Fortress - Monemvasia is a town and municipality in Laconia, Greece. The town is situated on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese. The island is connected to the mainland by a short causeway 200m in length. Its area consists mostly of a large plateau some 100 meters above sea level, up to 300 m wide and 1 km long, the site of a formidable medieval fortress. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period. The town’s name derives from two Greek words, mone and emvasia, meaning “single entrance.” Its Italian form, Malvasia, gave its name to Malmsey wine. Monemvasia’s nickname is the Gibraltar of the East or The Rock.

Monemvasia to Athens

Archaeological Site Mycenae - Mycenae is an archaeological site near Mykines in Argolis, northeastern Peloponnese, Greece. It is located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Athens and built upon a hill rising 900 feet (274 meters) above sea level. In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centers of Greek civilization, a military stronghold that dominated much of southern Greece, Crete, the Cyclades, and parts of southwest Anatolia. The period of Greek history from about 1600 BC to about 1100 BC is called Mycenaean in reference to Mycenae. At its peak in 1350 BC, the citadel and lower town had a population of 30,000 and an area of 32 hectares. The first correct identification of Mycenae in modern literature was during a survey conducted by Francesco Grimani, commissioned by the Provveditore Generale of the Kingdom of the Morea in 1700, who used Pausanias’s description of the Lion Gate to identify the ruins of Mycenae.

Nafplion - Nafplio (Nauplio or Nauplion in Italian and other Western European languages) is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.

Tolon - An old fishing village, Tolo is spread out along a lovely beach, and its inhabitants are renowned for their hospitality. In its sparkling sea, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, and every kind of water sport. As for accommodation and entertainment, Tolo offers many small hotels, restaurants, and other family-run businesses that provide the homey hospitality that has come to characterize the place.

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus - The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The monument retains the characteristic tripartite structure of a Hellenistic theatre that has an auditorium, orchestra, and staging building. During Roman times, the theatre did not suffer any modifications.

• Evenings out transfers included
• Complimentary pickup and return from airport, residence, hotel, or port
• Exclusive private tour for your group
• WIFI, A/C, and chilled water on board
• Luxury new vehicles for travel
• 4 nights’ accommodation in 4-star or boutique hotels
• Expert English-speaking tour driver all day

• Your professional English speaking Tour driver can not enter to the sites.
• Gratuities
• Licensed guide for guiding in archaeological sites. Available on request
• Entrance fees
• Meals and drinks

Embark on a unique 5-day journey in Peloponnese, offering a blend of must-visit archaeological and historic sights alongside the region’s most striking, non-tourist trodden landscapes. This tour includes visits to Ancient Corinth, Olympia, Messini, Mycenae and Epidaurus, medieval townships of Nafplion, Monemvasia, Methoni, Pylos and Mystras, the awe-inspiring Diros Caves, and renowned Voidokilia and Peroulia beaches. Delight your palate with the local traditional seafood delicacies at seafront eateries boasting awe-inspiring vistas. Enjoy your rest at premium 4-star accommodations.
Exclusively travel in our brand-new private luxury MERCEDES BENZ vehicles - mini vans and mini buses ensuring your safety, comfort, and style, with our skilful professional English-speaking tour driver who will make you feel like a local.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.