ATHENS TO ATHENS 7 DAY TOUR
This is a 7-day drive from Athens back to Athens taking in the Acropolis, Corinth and canal, Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidaurus, Castle of Mystras, Olympia, Nafpaktos, Delphi and Galaxidi. There may be other points of interest en-route that you are interested in, this just covers the most famous, but sure to check the map before you start out, also check out the accommodation where you would like to stay. Also make sure you have spare battery packs, recharging cables etc, you are going to need them.
On arrival pick up your rental car @almacarhire.com and head to your accommodation, if check-in is not open, just leave your bags and make the most of your first day!
Athens, is the capital of Greece and the home to the iconic Acropolis and so much more. The mythology of this spectacular city precedes it, with towering temples to Classical deities and the ruins of ancient marketplaces rubbing shoulders with lively nightlife, crowded flea markets, and contemporary cuisine. Just so much to see and do, make the most of your time in the city and be sure to visit some of these spots:
Check out the views of the can’t-miss Parthenon. (Pro tip: The Parthenon is the temple, the Acropolis is the hill.) This temple to Athena has enchanted visitors since its construction was completed in 438 BC. It’s probably the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of ancient Greece and is visible from many of the city’s high points.
Stop at the sprawling National Museum for a crash course in ancient iconography. Be sure to seek out the room housing the Antikythera mechanism, essentially an ancient astronomical computer. If you’re keen to learn how we got from the Antikythera Mechanism to your mac or tablet, click this link for some really interesting information.
Visit a smaller archaeological site at the Tower of the Winds, then stroll down neighbouring pedestrian Aiolou Street to stop at shops and cafes and indulge in the traditional pastries and Greek coffee! And don’t forget to visit the Monastiraki flea market on Monastiraki Square. In the evening, enjoy a dinner with views of the Acropolis and wine tasting in a bar in downtown Athens.
Day 2 we head to the Acropolis and highly recommend the Ancient Greek Mythology Tour to hear the history and most authentic stories that surround the Acropolis. After the Acropolis, the ancient cemetery at Kerameikos is definitely worth a visit and also the archaeological site Ancient Agora (nearby, beneath the northwest slope of the Acropolis. The myths that founded the city and are featured in its retellings for generations will accompany as you go, with stories of Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Dionysus, and more. Hear both the stories themselves and the historical facts behind them, adding resonance to the archaeological ruins you will find on this adventure.
Then make your way over to explore the Acropolis Museum. Named one of the ten best museums in the world by National Geographic, this modern museum houses a multitude of artifacts removed from the hill of the Acropolis for safekeeping to provide insight into ancient religious practices and daily life. Lunch in the museum’s café offers spectacular views of the artifacts’ former hilltop home.
As night falls, you may be able to visit the Athens Observatory to learn about the constellations overhead and take a look through the telescope. It’s opening hours vary seasonally and by day of the week so to avoid disappointment check before you plan this part of your trip.
Day 3 after breakfast we are moving on to Corinth, Nafplio and Epidaurus with a slew of stops on the way. The first is the Corinth Canal, a nearly four-mile-long waterway (6 km) connecting the Ionian and Aegean seas, built in 1890. You can see the ancient Diolkos on its western edge, where boats used to be transported by land.
At the site of ancient Corinth, you can visit monuments such as the Peirene Fountain, the watering hole of the winged Pegasus; Temple of Apollo; and Bema of Saint Paul, the site of the apostle’s trial. Or visit the Acrocorinth castle, whose history dates back to the seventh century BCE.
You may (or may not!) recognize your next stop of Mycenae from its role in Homer’s Iliad: It was home to the famous Helen, whose Mycenean husband Agamemnon led his people to war when she left him for Paris of Troy. See its Cyclopean walls, whose construction method is still a mystery. They got their name due in part to the belief that only the mythical Cyclops would have been strong enough to lift their boulders. You’ll pass through the Lion Gate to enter the ruins of the city, wandering past the tombs of Aegisthus and Clytaemnestra and the Treasury of Atreus.
Carry on to your evening destination of Nafplio, a city drenched in history, culture, green landscapes and crystal-clear water. And, back in 1823 it was chosen to be the capital of Greece and remained so for 11 years. Napflion was voted the best city in Greece in 2017 by Culture Trip! Venture through the city’s squares – the old city and the new city, go for a coastal walk .. there is so much to do. You will love it here, you may not want to leave.
You might want to spend more time in Napflio but you are so close to nearby Epidaurus so you really should go and visit. The small ancient city was one of the most visited healing centres in the world during its peak. The sick would travel to the Sanctuary of Asklepios, the god of medicine and healing, and spend the night in the temple’s sleeping hall in hopes that the deity would appear in the dreams with a diagnosis and cure for their condition. You’ll also see the city’s third-century theatre, one of the best remaining examples of its type due to the excellent acoustics and aesthetic arrangement. It was originally designed for musical and singing competitions and is the largest stone resonator in the world.
Day 4, we are heading to the Byzantine Castle of Mystras – Today is a bit more of a challenging driving day as you embark on an expedition over the slopes of Mount Taygetos to the Byzantine citadel of Mystras. This fortified town in Morea was built as an amphitheater around a fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. It was conquered by the Byzantines, Turks, and Venetians over its history before the city was abandoned in 1832.
The medieval ruins are still standing and ready for you to explore, complete with UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. Its three zones now represent different eras in its history: the Upper City and Despot’s Palaces, Lower City and Metropolis, and Outer City. You’ll probably want to allow at least three hours hiking around the steep hillside.
Day 5 we are heading to Olympia Archaelogical Site and Nafpaktos. Explore the site of the first Olympic Games at the archaeological site of Olympia. There’s plenty to see —it’s one of the largest sites in the country, surrounded by wild olives and Plane trees. As you make your way around the site you will go under the grand temple columns, past the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, visit the treasuries and sacrificial altars and through to the site Archaeological Museum. This stadium, once used by the ancient world’s best athletes is surrounded by incredible natural landscape and would make for an amazing hike if you felt up to walking for longer.
Once you’ve completed your explorations, head north over the Rio-Antirrio suspension Bridge across the Gulf of Corinth—one of the world’s longest multi-span cable-stayed bridges. Spend the night in Nafpaktos overlooking the waters of the gulf and the town’s castle, enjoying your evening exploring the town’s charming streets.
Day 6 head off to Delphi and Galaxidi and seek out the Oracle of Delphi – once considered the most important shrine in Greece – as you continue to the ruins of Delphi, once home to priestesses of Apollo who Ancient Greeks believed could predict the future. This is sprawling archaeological site so it’s worth joining an official guided tour to really understand the history, stories, myths and legends with stops such as the Treasury of the Athenians, the Temple of Apollo, and expansive theatre.
Day 7 .. last day, making your way back to Athens stopping for lunch at one of the town or villages (villages if you fancy your last really typical Greek meal before you leave), refuel the car, drop it off and head home. .. ready to start planning your next tour of Greece!
Had to add these delights, would have been rude to not mention food, just because it wasn’t mentioned it doesn’t mean you can’t eat your way round this tour 🙂
Credits/sources:
KimKim
Wiki
Google
Encyclopaedia Britannica
