Day Trip to Mycenae, Nafplio & Epidaurus from Athens

Itinerary

Start the tour.

We depart to Mycenae with the bus together with our friendly trip attendant-archaeologist, at 08:30a.m from the “Smart-Eco-Pickup” at Halandri metro station. The distance is 130km and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. On the way, we have a short stop for coffee and photos at the beautiful Isthmus of Corinth. 

You will receive directions by e-mail with the location of the Halandri metro station. With the “Smart-Eco-Pickup” service we depart directly from Athens and save time (up to 2 hours), which is disposed for the main attractions and sights during the day. Be a Smart-Traveler and join our green environment policy to reduce the city’s pollution and traffic jam. 

Act like a local by using the modern metro of Athens just 1min from the highway.

Once at Mycenae...

We reach the ancient city of Mycenae where the Cyclopean Walls “take our breath”, as until today no explanation can be found regarding their construction. Mycenae is considered the greatest and richest kingdom of the later Bronze Age (around 1350B.C). 

Even the legendary author Homer was inspired by Mycenae to compose his epic poem “Iliad”. We have about 1.5 hours to admire the archaeological site of the argolic plain with the unique findings such as the great Lionesses Gate, the Ancient Treasure of Atreus also known as King’s Agamemnon Tomb and the Tomb of Clytemnestra.

Museum of Mycenae

Later on, we visit the museum of Mycenae where we can find the famous Golden Mask of Agamemnon and various artifacts from the life, the activities and the burial customs of Mycenae. Exhibits from the royal Grave Circle A΄ and B΄ are exposed as well as various burial complexes and other historical copies.

Nafplio: the first capital of Greece

After Mycenae, we reach the beautiful seaside city of Nafplio where we enjoy our greek traditional lunch. Naflpio used to be the first capital of Greece (before Athens) and its architecture has venetian, byzantine, ottoman and modern greek influences. 

It connects perfectly the intense marks of the historical past with the modern life. The oldest district of the city is called Acronafplia, with various traditional spots where the locals hang out and above it we can see the Castle of Palamidi, which rules from the top of the hill. In front of city’s port, we can see the Castle of Bourtzi in a small island emerging from the argolic gulf.

Epidaurus: the epicenter of the ancient drama

After the connection of the ancient greek history in Mycenae with the cultural beauty in Nafplio, we head to the epicenter of the ancient drama; the ancient theater that until nowadays is considered the one with the best acoustic balance worldwide, the Ancient Epidaurus. In the antiquity, Epidaurus was connected with the healing center of Asclepeion and is considered that there was the origin of the medical science.

The art of drama in Epidaurus was connected also with the healing of the human soul, the supreme beauty and moreover the salvation of one’s soul. Today in Epidaurus, modern artists organize newer versions of ancient tragedies as well as the Festival of Epidaurus takes place, known also as Epidavria. We have 1 hour to admire the ancient theater.

End the tour.

We depart to Athens at around 16:00 where we are back at about 17:30 at the Smart-Eco-Pickup of Ammon Express, the Halandri metro Station.

Join us and feel like being with a friend who is excited to show you around like a Greek!