7 Days Grand Tour of Greece (Peloponnese, Central Greece & Macedonia)
The church of the Rotonda in Thessaloniki
The Theater of Epidaurus as seen from the top of the stands
The White Tower on the waterfront in Thessaloniki
The Lion Gate in the Mycenae archaeological site
The marble seats on the Epidaurus Theater
Orthodox church of Saint Paul in Thessaloniki
Temple ruins in the Ancient Olympia complex
Ancient Olympia on a beuriful summer day
Panoramic view of the town of Nafplion
The Treasury of Atreus, also known as tomb of Agamemnon, in Mycenae
Traditional kitchen in one of the Meteora monasteries
The town of Kalambaka on the foothills of Meteora
The Holy Monastery of Varlaam in Meteora
The Sanctuary of Asklepius in Epidaurus
The Monastery of Saint Stephen in eteora
Temple of Apollo in Delphi
The archaeological site of the Oracle of Delphi
The Ancient Theater of Delphi
The Corinth Canal connects Attica and Peloponnese
The islet of Bourtzi off the coast of Nafplion
Stunning sunset view of the Meteora valley
Join this 7 day Greek mainland tour and visit Epidaurus, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Meteora, Saint Paul's Bema, Aristotle's School of Philosophy, Edessa Waterfalls, Pella Museum and more.
Join this unique week-long tour where you will be able to explore Northern Greece and its rich history, from the ancient city-states, to the Byzantine Empire and up until modern times. Starting from Athens, the capital of Greece, you will take the coastal route through the awe-inspiring Corinth Canal until you reach the Theater of Epidaurus, a testament to the arts and an amphitheater known throughout the globe for its acoustics. From there you will proceed to Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece and make your way to Mycenae where you will see the Tomb of Agamemnon. You last stop for the night is Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games and home to more than 70 temples in its heyday. Delphi is next, home to the famous Oracle of Pythia, a sacred place for ancient Greeks, as they consulted the great Oracle before every major war campaign.
Next up is Kalambaka, a cozy town of central Greece, sitting right next to Meteora, an incredible spectacle or massive rock pillars rising up from a valley to form a truly rare sight. On top of the pillars, Byzantine monasteries have stood for centuries, adding yet another layer to the sense of wonder that fills any visitor. Time to head north to Macedonia, the land of Alexander the Great. You will establish your base at Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city and a place that was second only to Istanbul during the Byzantine Empire. Remnants of that era are still about, in the form of architecture, art and archaeological sights. From Thessaloniki, excursions to nearby towns will give you a rare insight on a side of ancient Greek history most visitors don't get the chance to experience. Aristotle's School of Philosophy in Naoussa, the Royal Tomb of King Phillip II, the capital of Alexander the Great (Pella) and many more await you!
Starting point: 5, Georgiou Souri, Athens (G.O. Terminal) Starting time: 08:20
Itinerary
- Day 1 - Athens to Olympia via Corinth, Epidaurus, Nafplion and Mycenae
Early in the morning, we will pick you up from select spots around Athens and take the coastal road to the Corinth Canal, where we will make a short stop for pictures. The 'Suez of Greece' as it has been dubbed, is an artificial canal signifying our entering of Peloponnese, a fertile region in Greece known for its wine production among other things. Back on the road and onto the Theater of Epidaurus, a monument to the dramatic arts and a structure famous for its remarkable acoustics. Near the site we can also see the Sanctuary of Asclepius, God of Medicine in antiquity. Afterwards, we will proceed to the town of Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece, and undoubtedly one of the most charming spots in the country. Its iconic waterfront, which combines Venetian and Hellenic elements warrants a visit during our short stop there. No time to lose as we head for the nearby Mycenae, the Bronze Age citadel that was an important city-state in ancient Greece. We will enter the archaeological site and pay a visit to the of King Agamemnon and the Lions' Gate. A culture-filled day will conclude once we reach Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games, via Central Peloponnese and the towns of Tripolis and Megalopolis. It is worth noting that to this day, the lighting of the Olympic flame takes place on the site every four years to formally start the Olympic Games.
Overnight: Olympia
Meals: Dinner - Day 2 - Olympia to Delphi
We will start our day with a visit to the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia, which contains the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus, the Ancient Stadium and Archaeological Museum. Afterwards, we will drive on through the plains of Iliad and Achaia, through the magnificent modern bridge of Rio-Antirio which connects the two sides of the Corinthian Bay. Leaving Peloponnese behind, we will enter Central Greece and make our way through the picturesque towns of Nafpaktos and Itea to reach Delphi, our final destination for the day.
Overnight: Delphi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 3 - Delphi to Kalambaka
In Delphi, or the 'navel of the world' as ancient Greeks used to call it, we will pay a visit to the archaeological site. The Temple of Apollo where the Oracle would consult Greek generals before military campaigns is of course the centerpiece of the complex, but the Treasuries of the the various city-states (Athens, Thebes, Sifnos et.al), the Stadium that housed the Pythian Games and the Ancient Theater overlooking the valley of Boetia are just some of the many points of interest you can explore. After we depart from the site we will enter the nearby Archaeological Museum, which house a multitude of exhibits connected to the rich history of Delphi, with the Status of the Bronze Charioteer being the most prominent one. Once we have concluded our visit, we will depart for Kalambaka, a small town in the heart of Greece, situated right at the foot of the astonishing rock complex of Meteora.
Overnight: Kalambaka
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 4 - Kalambaka to Thessaloniki and a visit to Meteora
Having spent all night watching the imposing Meteora from your hotel, the moment has come! A true sense of the numinous will overcome you as a geological marvel of vast, rock pillars has risen up from the valley below to create a unique spectacle that is a testament to wonders of nature. On top of the pillars, stand Byzantine Monasteries, of immeasurable historical and religious importance. We will visit a number of them and experience the pious atmosphere of days long passed. We will once again find ourselves on the road, continuing our journey through the striking plains of Thessaly and the valley of Tempi, while admiring the gigantic figure of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece and home of the 12 Gods of Greek Mythology. We will reach Thessaloniki, the second largest city on Greece and a cultural center during the Middle Ages.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 5 - Explore Thessaloniki's Byzantine Heritage
In the morning, we will explore Thessaloniki, a hub of civilization during the Byzantine Empire, second in population and prestige only to Constantinople. The spirit of that era is ever-present in the architecture and style of the churches of the Christian world and for a deep dive in history the Museum of Byzantine Culture is a must should you find the time. The iconic waterfront which offers views of the White Tower is a greatest place to admire the view of the Thermaic Gulf while other important sites include the Roman Forum, the Ottoman Market and the Basilica of Saint Demetrius. We will take a short walking tour will guide you to the Arch of Galerius, the ruins of the Palace and the famous Rotunda leaving the remainder of the day at your leisure, with the city offering ample opportunities for entertainment.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 6 - Explore Macedonia
We'll depart in the morning for an excursion to the historical grounds of Macedonia. Our first stop will be the picturesque Edessa, known for its waterfalls, which have brought the town fame all over Greece. We will then we proceed to Naoussa and to a site of exceptional beauty and importance, Aristotle's School, the great philosopher who taught ‘the doctrines of morals and politics' to Alexander the Great and the Macedonian youth. Our next stop will be Ancient Agai, known today as Vergina, to visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs. It is in this UNESCO World Heritage Site that you can find the astonishing artifacts found in the tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander's father, one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. Just a few miles away is Veria -Biblical Beroea- where you can visit Saint Paul's Bema, stroll through the old Jewish neighborhood and visit the town's colorful market. The return to Thessaloniki will be filled with musings about the multitude of unique destinations your day entailed.
Overnight: Thessaloniki
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner - Day 7 - Visit Pella and Return to Athens
In the morning, you will visit Pella, the capital of Alexander's empire. You will admire the exquisite floor mosaics of the 4th century B.C. villas, in situ as well as in the new Museum. Up next is the archaeological park of Dion, a sacred city of the Macedonians, at the foot of mountain Olympus. As we start our return to Athens, we'll head south, through Thessaly, Lamia and Thermopylae -where we will have the chance to see the Leonidas' monument- and Thebes. Late in the afternoon we will return to the Greek capital after a week steepd in Greek history!
Overnight: -
Meals: Breakfast
Important notes
- This tour include a complimentary pick-up / drop-off service from your hotel or other predefined spots in Athens and surrounding areas. Maximum duration of this service to gather tour participants is approximately 1 hour. Thus, pick-up time may vary for each guest and will be provided during the booking process.
- Appropriate clothing is required to visit the Monasteries. Long skirts below the knees for the ladies and long trousers for the gentlemen. The monasteries, also, provide long skirts before every entrance. The ladies can choose and wear a long skirt over their clothing, during the tour, and return it, prior to their departure.
- The tour is implemented only in English.
