Landscapes and historic sites of the Peloponnese

Athens sits along the Saronic Gulf in eastern Greece and takes its plural name from early settlements surrounding the Acropolis. You stand before a rocky summit crowned with UNESCO-listed landmarks. Below, explore active neighborhoods such as Plaka, known for narrow streets, shops, and local dining. Visit the National Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Cycladic Art to examine artifacts that trace the city’s long and influential history.

The Corinth Canal cuts across the Isthmus of Corinth, separating the Peloponnese from mainland Greece. Opened in 1893, the waterway extends just over six kilometers and allows ships to bypass a long route around the peninsula. Rock walls rise roughly fifty meters on each side. From the outer decks, watch the ship move through this narrow channel bordered by steep cliffs.

Itea sits quietly along the Gulf of Corinth in central Greece, northwest of Athens. Walk along historic cobblestone piers and look toward the hills surrounding the bay. From here, access the Delphi Sanctuary, located about ten kilometers away on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves major remains of ancient Greece within a dramatic mountain setting.

Included Excursions:

Sacred Site of Delphi
Duration : 4h15
Explore Delphi on Mount Parnassus, one of the most important religious centers of antiquity. Follow the Sacred Way once used by pilgrims and rulers, passing temples, monuments, and ruins. View the remains of the Temple of Apollo, begun in the seventh century BC by Trophonios and Agamedes, along with the former Senate building, the Oracle site of Pythia, and the ancient theater. Visit the Delphi Museum to see excavated vases, bronze works, sculptures, and offerings. Expect about one mile of walking on uneven ground with steps; wear sturdy shoes and sun protection.

Hosios Loukas and charming Arachova
Duration : 4h15
Visit the Hosios Loukas Monastery near Delphi, a UNESCO-listed complex and key example of Byzantine architecture. Founded in the early tenth century by Saint Luke, the monastery features marble interiors, gold-backed mosaics, and the saint’s tomb. Continue to Arachova, a mountain town set on Mount Parnassus. Walk through narrow streets lined with stone houses and discover local crafts, regional wines, cheeses, and woven goods. This excursion includes walking on uneven paths and stairways; supportive footwear, sun protection, and appropriate attire for religious sites are required.

This picturesque village stretches along the Ionian sea in the west of the Peloponnese. Its main harbor offers a vast panorama of the coastline’s wooded hillsides. Dazzling white, the church of Saint-Nicolas houses a selection of sumptuous icons. You can also pay a visit the archaeological site of Olympus on the slopes of Mount Kronos.

Included Excursion:

Olympia and its Museum
Duration : 4h15
Follow in the footsteps of the heroes of Antiquity. Set off on a journey back in time and dive into the heart of legendary history during a visit to the emblematic sanctuary of Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rising from the Alpheios valley, on the slopes of the Hill of Cronus, the Olympia site is so much more than a simple vestige of Ancient Greece. Devoted to the worship of Zeus, the sanctuary hosted the most famous Pan-Hellenic games of Greece, the Olympic Games, for over ten centuries. During this unique visit, admire some of its sites, remnants of this precious past.

Here, every vestige is a whisper from past centuries while, at every step, the grandeur of the era is reflected through its impressive temples, its sacred altars and its amphitheaters, where the cheering of the spectators of yesteryear still resonates…

Fall under the spell of the Altis, sanctuary and birthplace of the worship and the games, home to the oldest of the great Greek temples, symbol of Doric architecture: the temple of Hera. Nearby, the altar of Zeus takes center stage, welcoming offerings from believers. A row of 12 small temple-shaped votive buildings, also called “Treasuries”, are devoted to Zeus and enabled people to make offerings. Below the Treasuries, you will be able to see the remains of a series of 16 statues of Zeus, paid for by the heavy fines that the Olympic judges imposed on athletes who cheated or tried to win by devious means. Outside the Altis, there is a tunnel providing access to the stadium and its large 192.25-meter (630-foot) track as well as the hippodrome where sporting events were held. Imagine yourself among the 40,000 spectators, full of emotion as the athletes attempted to outdo each other in effort and excellence.
Finally, visit the Museum of Olympia, home to all the discoveries made on the site, including the bas-reliefs of the temple of Zeus.

This excursion involves walking on uneven or stony ground with some steps. It is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.

Located in the south of the Peloponnese, on the Mani Peninsula, Gytheio was the main port and naval base of ancient Sparta, located around fifty kilometers inland. In Roman times, the port experienced significant expansion thanks to trading in imperial dye; in fact, the region had an abundance of murex, the rock snails from which this dye, loved by the Romans, was extracted. The town is nestled against Mount Koumaros and dominated by a citadel. Take a stroll and fall under the charm of the calm that reigns over the stairways bordered by small neoclassic houses with steps overrun with wild flowers.

Included Excursions:

The Archaelogical site of Mystras
Duration : 4h00
Discover the ruins of Mystras, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the lower slopes of Mount Taygetus, not far from Sparta, set among scenery of stunning beauty. As you wander the paved streets, between the churches and houses of nobles, to reach the citadel that crowns the summit, you will have the impression that you are re-living a part of Byzantine Hellenism.

During its two centuries of existence as the Byzantine capital of the Peloponnese, many churches and monasteries were built in Mystras, representing all the capital’s pictorial trends. As you walk up the hill, you will enter through the door of the Castle of Mystras, built by the Franks in 1249. The most important monument you will see as you walk up is the Agios Dimitrios Cathedral. On the floor of the church, the two-headed eagle, symbol of the Palaiologos dynasty, is engraved on a plaque.

In the northern corner of the compound, admire the two most impressive churches in Mystras, Agii Theodori and the Panagia Odigitria, with fabulous wall paintings. The Pantanassa Monastery, constructed in the 15th century and now a hospital convent, is on the eastern slope.

Level of difficulty: average (walking on difficult and slippery streets, with some steps). Transport in a bus. Clothing advice: lightweight clothing covering the shoulders and knees, comfortable shoes for walking. Protection: hat, sun cream, sunglasses.

The jewel of the southern Peloponnese, Monemvasia is the romantic refuge for Athenians. Given the poetic nickname of the “stone ship”, this majestic peninsula is home to an incredible fortified medieval village, lying at the foot of its abrupt cliffs, which seems to have been cast by the gods from the Aegean Sea. Contemplate the horizon from its ramparts, a veritable walkway defying the azure waters, and stroll through its vaulted narrow streets with their thousand shades of ochre. At the crossroads of western and eastern influences and the maritime routes of the continent, Crete and the Cyclades, Monemvasia has preserved in this magical decor the treasures of Venetian and Byzantine architecture.

Included Excursions:

Monemvasia and Traditional houses
Duration : 3h30
Monemvasia, often referred as the “Gibraltar of Greece”, is undoubtedly unique with its fortified medieval town built on a reddish-brown rock and surrounded by the blue sea.

Board your shuttle bus from the tender point and start your exploration by entering the one and only gate of the city (Monemvasia comes from Moni = sole and Emvasia = entrance). The old stone built mansions, the picturesque lanes and the numerous Byzantine churches create an environment of superb beauty.
Monemvasia is split in two, the lower town and the upper town. Walking on the main alley and admiring the wonderful architecture of the houses on your left and right, you will end up at the square of Elkomenos. The square is dominated by the church of Elkomenos on the left, a mosque converted into a museum on the right and an old Turkish cannon in the middle of it.

Following your walking tour, you will board your coach outside the entrance of Monemvasia medieval town for a short drive to the traditional “Olive Press” house (Liotrivi). This was the family house of the great Greek poet Yiannis Ritsos where he spent his summers. You will be guided around the property which includes an olive press Museum and a wine cellar area. You will also have the chance to taste the olive oil and the Monemvasian wines together with fresh homemade bread and handmade local products such as olives, oregano and feta cheese.You will then return to Monemvasia to board your tender back to the ship.

This excursion involves extensive walking on flat, uneven ground, cobblestones and several steps. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair.

Monemvasia, the medieval town
Duration : 2h00
Monemvasia, often referred as the “Gibraltar of Greece”, is undoubtedly unique with its fortified medieval town built on a reddish-brown rock and surrounded by the blue sea.

Board your shuttle bus from the tender point and start your exploration by entering the one and only gate of the city (Monemvasia comes from Moni = sole and Emvasia = entrance). The old stone built mansions, the picturesque lanes and the numerous Byzantine churches create an environment of superb beauty.
Monemvasia is split in two: the lower town and the upper town. Walking on the main alley and admiring the wonderful architecture of the houses on your left and right, you will end up at the square of Elkomenos. The square is dominated by the church of Elkomenos on the left, a mosque converted into a museum on the right and an old Turkish cannon in the middle of it. You will admire the highlights of the medieval town during your walking tour before returning back to the pier and your awaiting ship.

This excursion involves extensive walking on flat, uneven ground, cobblestones and several steps. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and protect yourself from the sun. This tour is not recommended to guests with limited mobility or in a wheelchair.
 

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square as well as the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

Included Excursions:

Epidaurus and Mycenae
Duration : 4h30
From the pier, board your coach for a 45-minute ride to Epidaurus. Lying 30 km (18.6 miles) east of Nafplion, Epidaurus is known for its ancient theater. Considered one of the most important sanctuaries in the ancient world, Epidaurus was dedicated to the god of medicine, Asclepius. The world-famous Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, built in the 4th century BC, is a marvel of harmony and acoustics and the best-preserved ancient theater in Greece. Built in limestone, it can accommodate 12,000 spectators.

Next, re-board your coach for a ride to the archaeological site of Mycenae. The first in-depth excavations were carried out in 1876 by the German archaeologist Schliemann, who was obsessed with finding the grave of King Agamemnon. His diligent work exposed the famous Lion Gate, the entrance to the city which contains the shaft burial graves of some ancient nobles. A short distance away is the Beehive Tomb, so called due to its unusual shape.
Finally, you will board your coach for a 30-minute ride to Nafplion.

This tour involves approximately 2 hours of walking over uneven surfaces with some steps which could be slippery. The team recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.

Ancient Corinth and Corinth canal
Duration : 4h30
From the pier, board your coach for a 1.5-hour ride to the ancient town of Corinth where Saint Paul lived and preached for two years.

In ancient times, Corinth was among the richest cities, as evidenced by its remains including the huge Agora (market square) and the 6th century BC Temple of Apollo. The systematic excavations of the area, initiated by the American School of Classical Studies in 1896, continue today. They have brought to light the agora, temples, fountains, shops, porticoes, baths and various other monuments. The investigations also extended to the Acrocorinth’s fortress, the prehistoric settlements, the theater, the Odeon, the Asklepion, the cemeteries, the Potters’ Quarter, and other buildings outside the main archaeological site.

Then, you will discover the famous Corinth Canal. The canal is 6.3 km (4 miles) long, 21 meters (70 feet) wide, and has sloping sides up to 52 meters (170 feet) high. It has a water depth of 8 meters (26 feet). Its construction commenced in 1881, although the idea of connecting the Ionian and Aegean seas to provide a shortcut appears to date as far back as Roman times. You will have the opportunity to take panoramic photos from the top. Following your short stop to admire the canal, you will board your coach for one hour ride back to Nafplion.

This tour involves approximately 1.5 hours of extensive walking over uneven surfaces with some steps which could be slippery. The team recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection.

This unusual gem belonging to the Saronic islands is located to the east of the Peloponnese. There are no cars here. Named after the island, the harbor town is layered up the slopes of a mountainous bay. You may be surprised to see beautiful stone mansions. These are traditional here, as are the multi-colored caïques along the quays. Further along the shore, you will discover the Historical Archives Museum. Collections from Athens National History Museum are exhibited in the elegant villa Koundouriotis.

Included Excursion:

A dive into Hydra's history
Duration : 3h00
A gem of the Aegean Sea, Hydra’s great appeal lies in its wealth of history, the beauty of its port and its seafront as well as the arty atmosphere found there. This island without cars, possessing rustic charm, is home to many sites worth discovering.

Discover the island’s main historic monuments during a walk. First, you will stop at the Historical Archives Museum, where you will be able to admire 19th-century paintings of considerable artistic value as well as an impressive collection of documents and photos connected to the island’s long maritime tradition.
As you continue your walk around the port, you will visit the Church of the Dormition, which houses icons, chandeliers and other offerings from the island’s rich sailors. It is even said that one of the chandeliers was stolen from Louis XIV to be given to the church.

During your visit, you will have a break to enjoy an amygdaloto – local confectionery - accompanied by a coffee or other refreshment.
You will then go to the Koundouriotis Mansion, which is one of the finest examples of traditional 18th- and 19th-century architecture on Hydra. Constructed in 1780 by the shipowner Lazaros Koundouriotis, it now houses various articles from the National Historical Museum, Athens, such as traditional costumes, jewelery, fine embroidery, pottery and wooden sculptures. Finally, you will enjoy a pleasant walk exploring Hydra’s little streets and its stone houses.

This excursion is mainly on foot on uneven ground with paved streets and staircases (70-80 steps). You must be in good physical condition to participate. The team recommend you wear comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Appropriate dress is necessary to enter religious sites (shoulders and knees must be covered). The church may be closed for religious ceremonies and visits are subject to opening times.

The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colorful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.