Mycenae Epidavrous Nafplio Full Day Private Tour From Athens 8 H

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Athens

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Embark on a captivating tour of Mycenae Lions Gate, Epidaurus, Nafplio, and the historic Corinth Canal. Explore ancient civilizations, stunning landscapes, and experience the magic of Greek theatre.

Duration: 9 hours, 15 minutes

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Corinth Canal - The Corinth Canal is a waterway that crosses the narrow isthmus of Corinth to link the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf. As such, the canal separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese, turning it into an island. The canal, though executed in the late 19th century, has been a 2000-year-old dream. Before its construction, ships in the Aegean Sea that wanted to cross to the Adriatic or anchor in Corinth, a rich shipping city, had to circle the Peloponnese, which would prolong their journey an extra 185 nautical miles. It is believed that Periander, the tyrant of Corinth (602 BC), was the first to conceive of the idea of digging the Corinth Canal. As the project was too complicated given the limited technical capabilities of the times, Periander constructed the diolkos, a stone road which allowed ships to be transferred on wheeled platforms. The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. - Archaeological Site Mycenae - The archaeological site of Mycenae comprises the fortified acropolis and surrounding funerary and habitation sites, which are located mainly to its west and southwest. Most of the visible monuments date to the centre’s great floruit, from 1350 to 1200 BC. Great Cyclopean walls surround the almost triangular acropolis, which is accessed from the northwest through the famous Lion Gate, the symbol of the Mycenaean rulers’ power. The gate was named after the two opposing lions carved in relief and set into the relieving triangle, a typical feature of Mycenaean architecture, over the door. - Mycenae - The fortified citadel of ancient Mycenae, the seat of the mythical and mighty King Agamemnon. An impressive and well-preserved site, the city of Mycenae gave its name to an entire civilization. Admire sites such as the Tomb of Clytemnestra, the infamous Lion’s Gate, the Cyclopean walls and learn of their blood-stained past. In the second millennium BC, Mycenae was one of the major centres of Greek civilization, a military stronghold which 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. - Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae - ‘Rich in Gold’, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization, while the myths related to its history have inspired poets and writers over many centuries. - Lion Gate - The Lion Gate was the main entrance of the Bronze Age citadel of Mycenae, southern Greece. It was erected during the 13th century BC, around 1250 BC, in the northwest side of the acropolis and is named after the relief sculpture of two lionesses or lions in a heraldic pose that stands above the entrance. The Lion Gate is the sole surviving monumental piece of Mycenaean sculpture, as well as the largest sculpture in the prehistoric Aegean. It is the only monument of Bronze Age Greece to bear an iconographic motif that survived without being buried underground, and the only relief image which was described in the literature of classical antiquity, such that it was well known prior to modern archaeology. - 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 a theatron, orchestra, and skene. During Roman times, the theatre (unlike many Greek theatres) did not suffer any modifications. - Citadel and Treasury of Atreus - The Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon is a large tholos or beehive tomb on Panagitsa Hill at Mycenae constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC. The stone lintel above the doorway weighs 120 tons, with approximate dimensions 8.3 x 5.2 x 1.2m, the largest in the world. The tomb was used for an unknown period. Mentioned by the Roman geographer Pausanias in the 2nd century AD, it was still visible in 1879 when the German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered the shaft graves under the “agora” in the Acropolis at Mycenae. - Epidavros - The Epidaurus amphitheatre: Famous for its classic Greek construction and astounding acoustics. Enjoy the arts! Be captivated by the theatrical performances from Euripides, Sophocles, Aristophanes and Aeschylus. Drop a pin or coin on the stage… it will be heard even if you are sitting at the last seats of the theater. The Epidaurus Archaeological Museum: Noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns with inscriptions. The Asclepius: The sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek demi-god of medicine Asclepius. A marvelous ancient medical retreat. 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. - Epidaurus Archaeological Museum - Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is a museum in Epidaurus, in Argolis on the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece. The museum, noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns and inscriptions, was established in 1902 and opened in 1909 to display artifacts unearthed in the ancient site of Epidaurus in the surrounding area. The museum is located in the archaeological site of the sanctuary of Asclepius. It hosts architectural parts from the temple and the buildings of the shrine, as well as inscribed columns and pedestals, altars, bronze medical equipment, sculpted votive offerings and tablets, representations of the Asclepius temple (4th c. BC), and sections of the Tholos. The museum was built by P. Kavadias during the period 1902-1909. More wings were constructed in time to house the sculptures, the pottery and the collection of inscriptions that came progressively came to light during the excavations on the site. - Sanctuary of Asklepios - The Temple of Asclepius was a sanctuary in Epidaurus dedicated to Asclepius. It was the main holy site of Asclepius. The sanctuary at Epidaurus was the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi. The temple was built in the early 4th century BC. If still in use by the 4th century AD, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship. - Nafplio - Free Time For Lunch Coffe Shopping. Nafplio is a seaport town in the peloponnese in Greece that was expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a successsional of royal houses in the middle Ages as a part of the loardship of ARGOS and NAUPLIA. The town was the capital of the First HELLENIC republic and of the kingdom of Greece from the start of the Greek Revolution. The Lion of the Bavarians. It’s impressive, it’s huge, it’s carved into the rock above Michael Iatrou Street, with a small park under its feet. The sleeping lion is the work of German sculptor Christian Ziegel, commissioned by King Louis, father of Otto, in memory of the Bavarian soldiers of Otto’s dynasty, who died in Nafplio in 1833 of a typhoid epidemic. The locals, of course, say that what killed them was the many bitter things they ate, hence the other, unofficial name of the monument (echm) Agouroon. - Palamidi Castle - One of the most well-preserved castles in all of Greece, Palamidi offers spectacular views of the city from its loopholes, wonderful routes inside and terrifying terrain in the hole-prison of Kolokotronis. Palamidi is a fortress to the east of the Acronauplia in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715). The fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country. There are 913 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand, while locals in the town of Nafplion will say there are 999 steps to the top of the castle. - Akronafplia Fortress - The Akronaufplia is the oldest part of the city of Nafplio in Greece. Until the thtirteenth century it was a town on its own. The arrival of the venetians and the Franks trensformed it into part of the towns fortifications. Later part of it was used as a prison until the Greek government decided that the view provided from its location would benefit the Local Tourism. - Bourtzi - Enjoy the view of the water castle of Bourtzi a Venetian Castle located in the middle of the harbor of Nafplio and take fascinating photos from the Harbor side. - Nafplio - Enjoy Free Time shopping lunch at Nafplio. - 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 a theatron, orchestra, and skene. During Roman times, the theatre (unlike many Greek theatres) did not suffer any modifications.

What's Included

Pick-up and drop-off service: Athens Hotel, Airbnb residence or Port
Air-conditioned vehicle
Car Seats: Book in advance if you require infant or child seats
Transportation via modern, first-class private vehicle
Private Tour
All vehicles with WiFi, A/C, Bottled Water
English-speaking tour driver well-versed in Greek history. not Licenced to accompany you in any site
All taxes, fees and handling charges

What's Not Included

Lunch, other beverages and meals.
Tips and gratuities
Airport Pick-Up & Drop-Off (additional cost depending on vehicle type)
Entry or admission fees for archaeological sites
Entry/Admission - Archaeological Site Mycenae
Entry/Admission - Archaeological Museum of Ancient Mycenae
Entry/Admission - Epidaurus Archaeological Museum
Entry/Admission - The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Entry/Admission - Palamidi Castle
Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)

Additional Information

The Corinth Canal is a passage built across the slim land bridge of Corinth, connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. The canal essentially splits the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese, effectively rendering it an island.

Mycenae
Renowned as ‘Rich in Gold’, and widely recognized as the dominion of the legendary Agamemnon from Homer’s epics, Mycenae stands as arguably the most influential and affluent palace hub of Greece’s Late Bronze Age. It lent its name to the notable Mycenaean civilization, a significant era of Greek prehistory. The myths embedded in Mycenae’s past have enthralled poets and authors for numerous generations.

Nafplio
Regarded as one of the most picturesque locations in Argolis region, eastern Peloponnese, and one of the most romantic destinations across Greece, Nafplio held the honor of being the first capital of the nascent Greek state from 1823 to 1834.

The Epidaurus amphitheatre: Renowned for its quintessential Greek architecture and remarkable acoustics. Come for the culture, stay for the mesmerizing theatrical events.

Location

Athens

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

5.0

(22 Ratings)

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Greenkayaker

Aug 9, 2024

A wonderful day in Mycenae and Nafplio - Dimitrios Dimopoulos was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable about the history of the area. He provided tips about what not to miss. He was very attentive to meeting us after each historical site. He also suggested a fabulous place for lunch and later dessert in Napfolio. A wonderful day!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

148gabrielal

Jul 25, 2024

Mycenae and Epidaurus bot to be missed - We had the pleasure of having a second tour with Christos. The tour is all worth it and we had good historical information from Christos. He is not only a good driver but also a good person that cares for his customers and gives that extra to make each tour as special as possible. Thanks again Yomadic and Christos, for this experience.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Christopher

May 26, 2024

Easy, smooth and accommodating day trip. - Chris was a wonderful guide. We had a great time. He catered to all our needs, gave us great recommendations, and was friendly.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Mendicantmelly

Apr 16, 2024

Excellent Personalized Experience! - I'm not necessarily a typical traveler. There were some places where I knew wanted to spend much longer than others, and so I requested an itinerary that was a bit different than the advertised one. Our gracious, English-speaking driver was incredibly accommodating. He was happy to follow the itinerary that we gave him, but he also helpfully suggested a few other things that had not been on our itinerary that ended up being great additions to our tour. We also had a bit of a change-up in our plans that necessitated seeking a refund for a portion of the tour. Andreas was exceptionally helpful in ensuring that we could make the partial refund happen, across some confusing international banking issues. Overall, we had a very positive experience with Yomadic Tours and would happily recommend their services to anyone!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Julie_e

Dec 5, 2023

Fantastic Tour and Guide - Andreas has a depth of knowledge and the ability to convey history in storyteller mode. The places we visited were fantastic and it was great to be able to see the places about which I have read. Mycenae was fantastic as was the Fort at Nafplio. The scenery is beautiful and the stories about the Greeks and the Persians came alive. Highly recommend!

Review provided by Viator

Shana_d

Oct 17, 2023

Excellent trip, especially Mycenae - We had about 4 days to see the sites of Athens, so chose this road trip on the last day, a beautiful drive in the Peloponnese region! We were four people, picked up at the destination of our cruise, in a comfortable Mercedes van. We added the option of a licensed guide. We had a short stop at the Corinth canal on the way. Next, Mycenae is on a mountain and the agricultural scenery is so wonderful, and the site is spectacular and very interesting, it’s very different from any of the other archaeological sites we saw on our trip!!! Our guide was terrific, Senterous (sorry-spelling?) and Kristos was awesome as well, so kind and a very good driver. Our guide was very knowledgeable and quite detailed with his historical presentation. The tomb that is a couple minutes away was fantastic as well. Then, on to pretty coastal town of Nafplio where we wandered about just a bit and had a nice lunch to restore our energy, and we checked out the medieval castle above the city. Then it was on to Epidaurus and the sanctuary of Asclepius. The theater was the best part. This was a LOT to pack in on one day for sure! We were interested in the history so we dove in a bit deeper, which resulted in our trip being about 11 hours. (When you added in a bit of traffic, and our hotel was downtown, near the Ancient Agora. The guides did let us know we were on track for a longer trip.) If this would be too much for your group, the private tour does let you tailor your options. All in all, a very good outing!

Review provided by Viator

Maude_w

Sep 25, 2023

Delightful and Fascinating Excursion - Our exuberant driver/guide, Theodore, enlivened this wonderful journey to multiple spectacular sites of antiquity. This was a fabulous experience, a major highlight of our trip to Greece. Don't miss this. A top recommendation.

Review provided by Viator

Pamgj324bv

Sep 23, 2023

The tour driver made the trip! - What a wonderful all day trip to see the sites outside of the city. Michael was great, friendly informative and super helpful. The day ended in Nafplio, with a relaxing lunch and some shopping. Restaurant and ice cream recommendations from Michael were spot on. Thank you!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Bkroth

Aug 20, 2023

Great tour of Ancient Greece. - We highly recommend this company. We had a wonderful visit exploring the ancient sites with a tour with Andreas. He managed to organise this for us last minute. He was patient, punctual, and very informative and knowledgeable. We would certainly book a tour again.

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Kaporis