Things to do in Peloponnese

Explore the Bronze-age Mycenae archaeological site and the museum in Mykines at your own pace with a pre-booked entry ticket and a self-guided audio tour on your smartphone. Put on your headphones and discover the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls as well as the Palace. Then, walk around the archaeological Museum of Mycenae which houses artifacts found in the complex. Marvel at frescoes depicting plants, griffins, lions, bull-leaping, battle scenes, warriors, chariots, boar hunts, and more. Learn historical information, uncommon stories, and anecdotes from this glorious ancient period through the power of storytelling. Prior to your visit, download the app and the audio tour on your phone and use it indefinitely and anytime. Enjoy a well-researched commentary squeezed into brief stories to make your visit both engaging and informative.

Explore the Archeological Site of Olympia on your own with a roundtrip transfer from the Katakolo Cruise port. Drive through the scenic mainland of western Peloponnese and explore the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Return to the port, just in time for your cruise departure. Meet your guide outside of the cruise terminal and board an air-conditioned bus to Ancient Olympia. Buy your admission ticket upon arrival and enter the archeological site. Learn of the origin of the Olympic Games in classical times, held from 776 BC until 393 AD. Marvel at the Temple of Hera and the Olympic flame that burns outside during the modern-day games. See the Temple of Zeus that once housed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Golden and Ivory statue of Zeus. Witness where competitors once swore an oath to honor the rules at the Stadium and Bouleuterion. Feel free to explore at your own pace and choose to visit the modern Village of Olympia for shopping or a traditional meal. Take a moment to swim at the nearby beach before returning to your awaiting cruise ship.

Travel back in time to the site of the first Olympic Games, and the Unesco-listed ruins of Ancient Olympia. Go directly to the archaeological site of the ancient Olympia, one of the archaeological highlights of the Peloponnese.Stroll and admire the remains of temples. See the Temple of Zeus, the largest temple in the Peloponnese, considered by many to be the perfect example of Doric architecture.Next, visit The Temple of Hera, one of the oldest monumental temples in Greece. Explore the stadium, hippodrome, wrestling school, and gymnasium where Olympic athletes trained. Continue to the archaeological museum that presents the long history of the most-celebrated sanctuary of antiquity: the sanctuary of Zeus. Take in a vast number of finds from the excavations in the sacred precinct of the Altis.Conclude your visit wit a stop at The Museum of the History of the Olympic Games in Olympia. Learn the important history of the Olympic Games and hosts findings related to the period when the ancient games took place.

Discover the Epidaurus Theatre, a UNESCO World Heritage site with an entrance ticket. Visit the sanctuary of Asclepius, the ancient theatre, and the archaeological museum. Enter the ancient theater and get immersed in its unsurpassed beauty. Stand in the middle of the scene or up the stairs in the theatre and marvel at the miraculous shell-like structure. Next, you will continue to visit the small archaeological museum located inside the archaeological site. Learn about the exposed parts of the ancient buildings from the Roman era.  Enjoy the beauty of the best-preserved ancient theatre in Greece at your own pace.

Discover the ruins of the city of Mycenae on a day trip from Athens. Explore the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate, and the tomb of King Agamemnon. Afterwards, make a short stop in the village of Epidaurus and see its Hellenic theatre. Drive along the scenic coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, and arrive at the archeological site of Mycenae. Explore the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, including the works of the poet Homer. Continue with a brief stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. After enjoying a relaxing lunch, head to the nearby village of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage, is listed as an ancient theatre and is believed by ancient Greeks to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios. The theatre at Epidaurus is perhaps the best-preserved theatre of ancient Greece.

Embark on a full-day guided tour of the ancient ruins of Mycenae from Athens, with a minimized environmental footprint. Walk in what was once a thriving center of ancient Greece and visit sites, including Epidaurus and the seaport of Nauplion. During the late Bronze Age, the city of Mycenae played an important role in ancient Greece. This full-day trip from Athens provides the opportunity for you to explore this treasure of the ancient world. Traveling by air-conditioned bus, you’ll make a brief stop at the Corinth Canal, a 3.9-mile engineering wonder connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. Mycenae is the historical setting for much of ancient Greek literature, including the works of the poet Homer. Tour the archeological site, home to the Lionesses Gate and the tomb of King Agamemnon. After a relaxing lunch, you’ll continue on the drive, making a short stop in Nauplia, the first capital of modern Greece and home to the fortress of Palamidi. The final stop of the tour is the city of Epidaurus, home to the World Heritage-listed ancient theater and believed by ancient Greeks to be the birthplace of Apollo’s son Asklepios. The theater at Epidaurus is perhaps the best-preserved theater of ancient Greece and is still used today because of its amazing acoustics.

Your trip starts at Kardamyli’s old harbor. Before departure, you will be briefed on some details including kayak paddling techniques and safety measures. Soon, you'll get into your kayak and begin paddling at a relaxed pace giving you time to take in the beautiful surroundings. Each cove hides a special surprise such as hidden sea caves, rock gardens, cliffs with spectacular rock formations, and hidden sandy beaches. One of the top attractions on this trip is a visit to the Blue Cave, a spectacular natural phenomenon where sunlight passes through a crack in the cave and reflects on the seafloor, bathing the entire cave in aquamarine light. A swim into the cave is a once in a lifetime experience. Weather and time permitting, you may head to Stoupa for a stop at the beach of Kalogria with its fine golden sand and turquoise waters. Halfway, stop for some swimming, snorkeling and a picnic with freshly baked bread, organic fruits and vegetables, homemade olive oil, and cheese. Once the lunch stop is over, you'll paddle back to the starting point to end this fun, adventurous day.

Leave Athens and drive southwest until you reach the Corinth Canal that connects the Aegean Sea with the Ionian Sea (short stop). Drive on and visit the ancient town of Corinth, where St. Paul lived and preached for two years. The remains of the city, which include the agora (marketplace) and Temple of Apollo (6th-century BC) clearly show how rich and important Corinth was in ancient times. A short stop at the site of the ancient Port of Cehrees, where St. Paul disembarked will conclude the visit. Return back to Athens by the same route. If you are staying near the coast, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 15:00 with the tour bus.

Experience the Greek capital on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour along 3 different routes. You’ll travel on an open-top, double-decker bus as you take in the many important sights and attractions of the city. With the help of the onboard multilingual audio guide you can trace the history and culture of Athens from ancient times to the present day. In addition to the city’s many monuments, you’ll come across a multitude of shopping opportunities along the route. You can visit world-renowned museums and marvel at the ancient temples - the Acropolis and Parthenon. Athens Route Stops: Stop 1 - Syntagma Square Stop 2 - A Melina Merkouri / Plaka Stop 3 - A Acropolis Museum Stop 4 - A The Acropolis & Parthenon (Interchange: Piraeus route) Stop 5 - A Temple of Zeus Stop 6 - A Parliament / National Gardens Stop 7 - The Four Museums Stop 8 - The National Gallery Stop 9 - A Ancient Olympic Stadium Stop 9 - B Parliament / National Gardens Stop 10 - National Library Stop 11 - National Archaeological Museum Stop 12 - Omonoia Square Stop 13 - Karaiskaki Square Stop 14 - Monastiraki Square Stop 15 -Kotzia Square Piraeus Route Stops: Stop 1 - Pantion University Stop 2 - Niarchos Foundation Stop 3 - Municipal Theatre Stop 4 - Cruise Terminals A & B Stop 5 - Lions Gate Stop 6 - Cruise Terminals A & B Stop 7 - Archaeological Museum of Piraeus Stop 8 - Votsalakia Beach Stop 9 - Mikrolimano Harbour Stop 10 - Planetarium Stop 11 - Athens Ledra & Intercontinental Beach & Riviera Route Stops: Melina Merkouri/Plaka Pantion University Niarchos Foundation Falire/Flisvas Edem Ag.Kesmas Beach Bomo Palace Asteria Beach Divani Apollon Oceanis Beach/ Atrir Palace Vouliagemi Lake Pigadakia Blazer Suites Glyfada town Golf Ag.Kosmas Kalamki Poseidon Hotel Marriot/Planetarium Grand Hyatt/ Intercontinental Temple of Zeus

Depart Athens with your friendly guide (archaeologist) by bus from the Halandri Metro station and reach the ancient city of Mycenae. Let the Cyclopean walls take your breath, and learn about the mysterious origins of this fantastic structure. Mycenae is considered the greatest and richest kingdom of the later Bronze Age around 1350 B.C. Walk around the archaeological park, pass through the great Lionesses Gate, explore the Ancient Treasure of Atreus also known as King’s Agamemnon Tomb as well as the Tomb of Clytemnestra. Admire the Palace and the Gold Mask of Agamemnon. After Mycenae enjoy a traditional Greek lunch in the beautiful seaside city of Nafplio. Naflpio used to be the capital of Greece before Athens and its architecture has Venetian, Byzantine, Ottoman and, Modern Greek influences. Admire the main attractions like the Castle of Bourtzi, the Acronauplia and the Castle of Palamidi built on the top of the hill as well as the various picturesque squares in the city center. Finish your day with a visit to the ancient theater of Epidaurus. This site is well known as the theater with the greatest acoustics and still hosts the Festival of Epidaurus every summer.