Private Tour of Nafplio, Mycenae, Epidaurus & Canal from Athens

Itinerary

Canal, Mycenae, Nafplio & Epidaurus Tour

Isthmus Canal

• Visit the Isthmus Canal, one of the most important projects and 19th century engineering masterpieces, playing a catalytic role for the Mediterranean trade.
• Visit Ancient Diolkos, a paved trackway in Ancient Greece which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth.

Mycenae

Rich in gold! King Agamemnon's mythical kingdom sung in Homer's epics. It is the most important and richest center of the late Bronze Age.

• The Lions Gate: The main entrance of the Bronze age citadel of Mycenae erected during the 13th century BC.
• Grave Circles A and B: Royal cemeteries situated to the south of the Lion Gate and outside the Bronze Age citadel.
• The Cyclopean Walls: The main characteristic of the Mycenean walls is that they are made of huge limestone boulders. Only the mythical Cyclopes had the strength to move the enormous boulders that made up the walls of Mycenae and Tiryns.
• The Royal Palace: Consisting of domestic apartments, the Throne Room Suite, the Grand Staircase, a collection of rooms for officers or palace officials and the Forecourt.
• The Treasury of Atreus: A large tholos or beehive tomb constructed during the Bronze Age around 1250 BC.
• Tomb of Clytemnestra: A Mycenean tholos type tomb built in 1250 BC named after Clytemnestra the wife of king Agamemnon and leader of the Greeks in Trojan war.
• The Mycenean Archaeological Museum: The most important Mycenean artifacts are exhibited here. You will be dazzled by the gold grave goods, burial masks, jewellery, weapons, worship idols and frescoes.

Nafplio

A seaport town in the Peloponnese. A charming town with a spectacular waterfront, small cobblestone streets and historic buildings, crowned by the Palamidi fortress and the Bourtzi fortress. The town was the first capital of the modern Hellenic Republic after the 1821 War of Independence against the oppression of the Ottoman Empire.

• Palamidi Castle: Nestled on the crest of a 216 m high hill, this Venetian built fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic gulf. There are 999 steps to the top of the castle! Climb them if you must!
• Freedom Square: Thanking the French for their contribution in our War of Independence against the Ottomans, an obelisk is erected here depicting a French and a Hellenic woman in their struggle for Liberty. 
• Bourtzi: The water castle of Bourtzi is a Venetian fortress located in the middle of the harbor.
• Constitution Square: The most important and historic square in Nafplion. The square is named after the Constitution that Otto, the first king of Greece was obliged to grant after the 3rd of September uprising in 1843. 
• First Hellenic Parliament: Strolling down the old world near Syntagma square you will find an imposing mosque. Built in 1730 with a large hall and characteristic dome, the mosque housed the first Hellenic parliament from 1825 until 1826.
• Anastasios of Nafplia church: Located in the old world you will be impressed by the church's dome and the wall paintings decorating the spiritual interior. A true Christian Orthodox religious pragmatism. 
• St.Spyridon church: It was here outside this church one of the blackest events in modern Greek history took place. The assassination of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first Greek Governor in 1831!
• Lunch at one of the many unique traditional tavernas
• Antica Gelateria di Roma for the best gellato and Italian delights
• Pergamonto for the best 'loukoumades'in Greece (puff balls with honey or chocolate and almond nuts)
• Stroll amongst the town's shops where you can treat yourself and buy handmade souvenirs for your family and friends.

Epidaurus

One of the most popular archaeological sites in Greece! Located on the NE side of the Peloponnese in the region of Argolis.

• 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.