5-Day Private Tour of Mythical Peloponnese: Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidavros, Monemvasia, Mani, Sparta, Mystras, Olympia, Arcadia
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Why this tour?
☼ To have a real Greek experience exploring the most important & beautiful region of Greece; the Mythical Peloponnese.
☼ We enjoy this private tour of the Peloponnese because we try to be attentive to our visitors’ reactions, emotions & preferences to make the experience unforgettable for all of us!!!
☼ We have a personal connection to all the locations we visit.
Mani Peninsula-Simply the best [Eudaimonia Peloponnese Private Tour from Athens Greece]
☼ Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Nafplio town & Epidauros [Ancient Corinth is optional].
☼ Monemvasia – a medieval castle town located on a small island linked to the mainland by a short causeway.
☼ Mani & Diros Caves – a dramatic coastline of sleepy fishing coves and fortified villages. The beautiful Oitilo & Limeni villages are all possible to visit, time permitting.
☼ Sparta, Mystras & Olive Oil Museum (optional and time permitting).
☼ Ancient Olympia, to walk through the impressive ruins of the area where athletes trained and ran in the stadium [Ancient Messene is optional].
☼ Arcadia mountains, villages & cliff-hanging monasteries, or Cave of Lakes and Odontotos Cog Railway.
The tour is beyond dispute authentic, very flexible, and best suited for people who are flexible too. We can adjust and even add locations depending on your pace and good communication. Please let us know as much as possible about yourselves (likes/dislikes, etc.), and we’ll make this tour a great experience!
Duration: 5 days – 4 nights. You can optionally extend this tour to 6 or 7 days by customizing and including extra nights at the amazing locations where we base ourselves.
Language: English
Departure: 8:00 a.m. from Athens or Nafplio
You can book this Peloponnese private tour online now. The pricing shown is for 1 or 2 people (not per person).
For more pricing details & options please see the “Pricing” tab below or Contact Us to get a quote for more than two people.
Private Tour Plan
Ideal tour for those looking to visit some amazing sites without wasting time driving in & out of Athens, but instead overnight & enjoy beautiful, authentic “Greek” locations like Sparta & Mystras, Monemvasia, Nafplio town, and Dimitsana village. All with great accommodation that you can’t experience in the big cities. For up to 8 (related only) people but we can do bigger groups too.
DAY 1: Corinth Canal – Mycenae – Nafplio – Epidaurus
At your hotel, meet your private driver/tour leader for your 8:00 a.m. departure. On a short trip of no more than 1 hour, you enter the Mythical Peloponnese through the Corinth Canal for this “real Greece” experience.
The Corinth Canal is the first stop, and then on to MYCENAE, home to some of Greece’s most famous ancient ruins. Wander around the site & museum before hopping back in the vehicle and exploring the “old town” of NAFPLIO, the famous Venetian fortress of Palamidi with its 999 steps. Then head to EPIDAURUS, home to an ancient, beautifully preserved theater.
You can optionally add Ancient Corinth to the itinerary of Day 1 and/or walk down the 999 steps enjoying the most amazing views.
Overnight at probably the most beautiful Greek town, Nafplio.
Optional extra day: Hydra Island [Our -in advance- apologies for the several suggestions and options but the Peloponnese is simply limitless]
After a quick 1 hour drive from Nafplio town, we arrive at the beautiful peninsula village of Ermioni (or Metochi pier) to catch the boat to Hydra. This is a lovely, easy, and quick 25-minute ride (each way) from the Peloponnese mainland to take you to Hydra Island and back. Note: This area of Ermioni, Hydra & Spetses islands, Portoheli, is a hidden gem that Greeks only explore, and which the rich & famous residents from all over the world try to hide even more to preserve the family holiday style.
Hydra is a historic and cosmopolitan island and the most relaxing Greek island. No cars or noise exist, but it is still extremely popular and “real Greek,” unlike places like Mykonos or Santorini! Explore on foot and enjoy the views, the water, the coastline, and the beautiful narrow cobblestone streets, doors, windows, and houses. [Depending on the time of year and available time, you could consider this boat round trip.]
[Video: © Eudaimonia Private Tours – Hydra boat trip – Summer 2024]
Adding Hydra to your itinerary means you will spend two nights (instead of one) in beautiful Nafplio town!
DAY 2: Monemvasia Castletown via the Coastline & Parnon’s Mountain Range of East Peloponnese
Starting from Nafplio, our destination is Monemvasia, but -should you agree to take not the faster/shorter motorway route- but explore the glorious coastline of the East Peloponnese before climbing up the mountain range with several stops and lunch on the way?
Late afternoon and the evening are dedicated to the Monemvasia castle where you will spend the night (if you book early enough to secure one of the great guesthouses) enjoying the magic atmosphere, the views of the castle, and the water, plus food & drink. MONEMVASIA town/castle is located on a small island linked to the mainland by a short causeway. The town walls and many Byzantine churches remain from the medieval period.
If you don’t make a last-minute booking, you will most likely be accommodated inside the atmospheric Monemvasia castle town.
DAY 3: The Mani Peninsula plus Mystras & Sparta
Leaving behind Monemvasia, there will be a long, great day on the MANI Peninsula, one of Greece’s wildest and most beautiful areas—a dramatic coastline of sleepy fishing coves and fortified villages like the beautiful Oitilo, Gerolimenas & Limeni.
The amazing DIROS caves that you will optionally explore with a guide and a boat. Alternatively, you can skip the caves and opt for more exploring of the Mani landscape as far as Vatheia, a small settlement of stone towers and abandoned houses that became a ghost village, but in recent years, it has become one of the must-see destinations in the Mani Peninsula. Next is lunch in one of the stone-built villages where Pirates were a permanent threat.
Next is SPARTA, the ancient rival of Athens known for its fierce warriors! Wandering around the Byzantine castle town of MYSTRAS is probably the highlight of the day. Mystras, the best-preserved example of a medieval walled town in the Greek region, is today a standing ghost city that fascinates the visitor with its castle, churches, and the palatial complex of the ruling Byzantine dynasty, bearing witness to its bygone greatness.
Overnight at lively Sparta or Mystras.
DAY 4
Option 1: Ancient Olympia and finish at the mountain villages of Arcadia
Breakfast and a morning visit to Sparta for the statue of King Leonidas and his famous 300 warriors. Then, a 1h.30′ drive to ancient OLYMPIA to walk through the impressive ruins of the area where athletes trained and ran in the old stadium, just as ancient Olympians did after victory 3,000 years ago. See the temple of Hera and some unbelievable sculptures, such as the statue of Zeus and Hermes of Praxiteles. The city has the rare advantage of not having been destroyed or covered by later settlements. Ruins that have withstood the test of time and remain standing for travelers to marvel at.
Next, we carry on towards the Arcadia mountain range past Lagadia, the hometown of the best stone builders in Greece to end up in the mountain air and the view of Lousios gorge from DIMITSANA & STEMNITSA villages at 3,000 ft altitude. We overnight in a great stone-built guesthouse and explore the beautiful village before or after dinner.
Option 2: Ancient Messene (not Mycenae!) and finish at the mountain villages of Arcadia
The best (underrated), off-the-radar & off-the-beaten-path outstandingly preserved city and site to explore! A stunning, genuinely spectacular setting & site that lies in a serene valley, surrounded by the Arcadian Mountains on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other.
In size, form, and preservation, Messene is one of the most important cities of antiquity and one that still has a great deal to offer. It boasts not only religious and public buildings but also imposing fortifications, houses, and funerary monuments.
From the spectacular remains uncovered through excavation – mainly in the last thirty years or so – it has become clear that Messene prospered and thrived until well into the Roman period.
The city has the rare advantage of not having been destroyed or covered by later settlements and of being situated in an untouched Mediterranean natural environment of the highest caliber. This landscape combines the mountainous majesty of Delphi and the lowland riverine tranquillity of Olympia,
Yes, we can all agree that for most people, Ancient Olympia is a “famous” and must-visit place. However, for some, Ancient Messene is -maybe- only second best to the Athens Acropolis and the Parthenon. However, it is even better for the visitor due to its size and numerous findings. It is simply not so well-known and not visited because of its remote location, which is not an issue for this multi-day tour! You can do both if you are ready for a longer day and an extra cost.
DAY 5
Option 1: Arcadia mountain villages & cliff-hanging monasteries
We start with breakfast! Dimitsana is one of the most beautiful stone-built villages in central Peloponnese. Firstly, we will visit the Open-Air Water Power Museum, which highlights the importance of water power in traditional society. Focusing on the main pre-industrial techniques that take advantage of water to produce a variety of goods, the museum links them to the history and daily life of the local society over the ages.
The first monastery we visit is Moni Amayalon, and then we continued to St. John Bastist’s, the most amazing cliff-hanging monastery in Lousios Gorge. A short hike through the forest is easy to manage for anybody to experience this site!
Next is another trendy mountain village for a great lunch: Stemnitsa. Just like Dimitsana, this is also a very popular village for the Greeks! Famous for its jewelry making.
Option 2: Cave of Lakes & Odontotos Rack railway
We will start with breakfast in the mountain air and the view of the Lousios Gorge before driving and crossing the mountains to visit the Cave of Lakes. The Mythical Cave of Lakes has something unique that does not exist in other well-known caves. It is a rare creation of nature with mysterious galleries and strange stalactite formations.
We drive on to climb the mountain range towards the top and ski center of this area to enjoy one of our best lunches at the mountain village of Kalavrita. After exploring the village, you will board the ODONTOTOS rack railway to take you from the top of the mountain through the Vouraikos Gorge to the coastline and the Corinthian Gulf. This is considered one of the most scenic routes in Greece.
Depending on your plans, we can drive directly to the airport (even if you spend the extra night in the countryside) to catch a flight instead of checking in and out of an Athens hotel and then a 1-hour drive to the airport with traffic!
Back in the car for a great ride next to the coastline to arrive in Athens in less than 2 hours. You also have the option for a slight diversion to visit Ancient Corinth. [Eudaimonia Peloponnese Private Tour from Athens, Greece]
The pricing for the Peloponnese private tour is €4,900, which covers the total cost for two people and includes the sites mentioned in the itinerary, quality accommodation/breakfast, lunch/drinks (part of the experience), and, of course, all transportation, as well as pickup/drop-off from your Athens accommodation.
Discounted pricing: We offer alternative payment methods (family rates, solo travelers, small booking payments, pay on the day of the tour, etc.). Please get in touch with us to receive the best rate, which is based on your payment method, the number of people, and their ages.
PS. Payments made by PayPal, either through Eudaimonia's website or directly, are subject to an additional cost of approximately 6%. Payments made by American Express are subject to an additional cost of roughly 4%, which the client must include in the payment or pay in cash during the tour. These are the approximate fees that PayPal and Amex charge on all transactions. There is no extra charge if you pay by any other "normal" credit card [VISA/MasterCard] with no more than 1.6% commission/fees, but excluding cards that incur higher processing fees on our end, like "cash-back", "business", "bonus", etc.
© Eudaimonia Peloponnese Private Tour from Athens, Greece
From your Athens hotel or Airbnb. Other locations like your cruise ship (Piraeus port), the Athens airport, etc are possible at an extra typical taxi ride cost. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any doubts.
Many thanks to Discovery UK for the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus video. Also, thank you to Rocher Bros for the great video footage of Nafplio town & Monemvasia. Ευχαριστούμε πολύ Βαγγέλη!
THE ANCIENT THEATER OF EPIDAURUS
NAFPLIO OLD TOWN & PALAMIDI FORTRESS (999 STEPS)
MONEMVASIA CASTLETOWN
THE MANI PENINSULA
[1] Hydra Island
Highly recommended that you add an extra day to this tour in order to visit Hydra Island.
This has also the advantage of a relaxing 2-night stay at the same location to visit both Nafplio/Mycenae/Epidaurus and Hydra Island on the next day.
[Video: Eudaimonia Private Tours – Summer 2023 – Entering the port and main town of Hydra Island]
[2] Ancient Corinth (day 1)
[3] Winery visit & wine tasting
[4] Visit an olive oil production unit [only available from mid-October to January]
Or simply add 1-2 extra days in order to see more of the limitless Mythical Peloponnese and relax at the locations you consider best.
☼ All our tours include lunch and drinks and all multiday tours include quality accommodation. Professional guide, dinner (on multiday tours), and tickets to the sites are not included. You can read more about why we have these inclusions and exclusions.
☼ Children must be accompanied by an adult.
☼ Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not suitable for people with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.
☼ We are flexible and the duration of the tour is flexible, so there is no rushing during the tour except when there are specific restrictions (like not to miss the closing time of the sites during off-season).
☼ If our agency cancels due to bad weather or any other extreme last-minute situation, you will be given the option of an alternative date or a full refund.
Inclusions
- Peloponnese private tour!
- Hotel/Airbnb/cruise ship pickup and drop-off.
- Private driver/tour leader.
- Non-smoking vehicle and driver.
- Four-night accommodation (including breakfast), all arranged at awesome stone-built guesthouses and luxurious countryside hotels. It is based on double or triple occupancy, depending on your group/family. Contact us if in doubt.
- Lunch is also included on all 5 days and at selected locations. You might discover that this is a food tour that is included … within the tour!
- Each person is allowed one normal-sized suitcase and a small carry-on bag.
- Full and detailed itinerary of the trip.
- In-car bottled water & information booklet.
- Evenings out transport where is needed (e.g. Nafplio town).
- Flexible itinerary.
- Free online consultation for all aspects of your planning and staying in Greece from the first moment you book the trip or any other day or multi-day trip with Eudaimonia. We will answer all your questions based on our insider knowledge and experience (best location to stay, eating out, safety, tips, dos & donts, etc).
- Optional: Vegetarian lunch can be arranged in most cases. Please let us know in advance.
Exclusions
- Excess luggage is not allowed. Expected luggage: typical economy flight allowance of 1 medium/standard 22-25 Kg check-in suitcase [65x40x25 cm or 26x16x10 inches] and one cabin bag per person plus a small personal backpack or handbag. Let us know in advance if it's different.
- Entrance to the sites or possible boat or train tickets.
- Dinner and personal expenses.
- Professional/Licensed tour guide (available on request).
- Shopping/touristy stops unless specifically required.
- Gratuities (optional).
‘Eudaimonia’ is the trading name of Eudaimonia Private Tours of Greece, a tour provider officially registered under the Greek National Tourism Organization with business license number 1245E70000044101. The ‘client’ or ‘customer’ is the person or persons who have made a confirmed booking with Eudaimonia.
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR TOURS, TRANSFERS AND SERVICES
(a) Cancellation Policy for day tours, half-day tours, and transfers:
☼ Cancellations made greater than 60 days before the scheduled tour date will be fully refunded minus service fees, as mentioned below.
☼ Cancellations made between 60 to 30 days before the scheduled tour date will be refunded 75% of the agreed total tour fee minus service fees.
☼ Cancellations made between 30 to 7 days before the scheduled tour date will be refunded 50% of the agreed total tour fee minus service fees.
☼ Cancellations made 7 days or less before the scheduled tour date will incur a 100% charge.
EXPENSES: In addition to the above, but only after the 60-day full refund period, all of Eudaimonia’s expenses agreed upon through the email exchange of communication concerning or are part of the day or half-day tours or transfers, such as site tickets, train/boat tickets, or any other bookings for the client (wine tasting, restaurants, etc.), will be deducted from the amount to be refunded.
SERVICE FEE: Finally, a service fee of 9% (of the total amount agreed) will also be deducted from any refundable amount, including the 60-day full refund case. This corresponds to the time spent on the client’s booking.
(b) Cancellation Policy for multi-day tours (at least one night stay/overnight or more):
☼ Cancellations made greater than 90 days before the scheduled tour date will be fully refunded minus expenses and services fees, as mentioned below.
☼ Cancellations made between 90 to 60 days before the scheduled tour date will be refunded 75% of the agreed total tour fee minus expenses and services fees.
☼ Cancellations made between 60 to 30 days before the scheduled tour date will be refunded 50% of the agreed total tour fee minus expenses and services fees.
☼ Cancellations made 30 days before the scheduled tour date will incur a 100% charge.
EXPENSES: Additionally to the above, but only after the 90-day full refund period, all of Eudaimonia’s expenses agreed upon through the email exchange of communication concerning or are part of any multiday tour, such as site tickets, train/boat tickets, hotels booked for the client, or any other bookings (wine tasting, restaurants, etc), will be deducted from any amount to be refunded. This will be an amount of approximately 25%-30% of the total tour cost.
SERVICE FEE: Finally, a service fee of 18% of the total amount agreed will also be deducted from any refundable amount including the 90-day full refund case. This corresponds to the time spent on the client’s booking.
(c) Special client-specific arrangements/agreements & cancellation policy:
There may be client-specific payments & bookings (full or partial) agreed upon through e-mail communication mentioned -for example- as “non-refundable” or different from the main cancellation policy “refund dates”. Then, these client-specific agreements will precede any other interpretations made from this main cancellation policy. Therefore, it is the specific written (email) agreement between each client and Eudaimonia that can only precede this main cancellation policy -if it is different- and determines the cancellation policy for each client.
(d) Other issues:
Eudaimonia reserves the right to make subtle changes to tour itineraries. Eudaimonia reserves the right to substitute vehicles and/or drivers should they arise. Eudaimonia reserves the right to change or cancel your booking without any penalties beyond offering a full refund. Should change and/or cancellation prove necessary we will give you -if possible- reasonable notice & where available, offer you a comparable alternative. If an alternative is not available or acceptable you will be entitled to a full refund.
Eudaimonia encourages all clients to communicate as early as possible concerning cancellation issues which could allow the agency to offer a better refund – partial or full- to a client despite the standard cancellation policy described in this document. This is a decision not to be discussed with or disputed by the client and will be made entirely by Eudaimonia to better serve the client if it is possible.
Eudaimonia itineraries are flexible, and if possible, the requirements of clients will be facilitated. Eudaimonia reserves the right to vary, modify, or cancel any itinerary, either partly or wholly. Itineraries published are sample itineraries only and may be amended without notice. Eudaimonia also reserves the right to use alternative vehicles to those advertised.
Eudaimonia is not responsible for the costs of any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations or rescheduling of any tour departure.
Bookings can only be used by the client/s to whom the booking was initially arranged; no other person can use the booking in any circumstances.
The client will be asked to produce a valid photo and/or passport number identification.
(e) Force Majeure
It is only at Eudaimonia’s discretion to refund fully, partly, or not at all if a customer cancels under certain conditions including even “Force Majeure”. Eudaimonia strongly recommends that the client purchase travel insurance.
The Client agrees to all the above when booking any of Eudaimonia’s tours and services.
