Fly & Drive: Atenas y Peloponeso
Duration
11 days
Airports
Arrival and departure: Athens - International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos
Transportation
Plane, minivan and rental car
Explore Athens and the Peloponnese at your own leisure with our «Fly & Drive Athens and Peloponnese» tour.
An 11-day trip with a rental car to see the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, Mycenae’s palace in Argolida, Monemvasia’s castle, the wild beauty and Byzantine towers of the Mani region, and the west coast of the Peloponnese.
A nice selection of well-located hotels and a relaxing agenda make this trip truly unique.
By Trip Tailors
This trip can be adjusted to your specific needs. Fill out the contact form with the travel dates, your budget, number of travelers and anything else you consider essential for us in order to send you our personalized proposal.
- ITINERARY
Your steps
1
Athens - Nafplion
2
Nafplion – Monemvasia
3
Monemvasia
4
Monemvasia - Mani
5
Mani
6
Mani - Pylos
7
Pylos
8
Pylos - Olympia
9
Olympia - Athens
10
Athens - end of trip
DAY 1
Athens - Nafplion
Arrive in Athens, pick up your rental car, and drive to the Argolis region. On the way to Nafplion, we recommend stopping at the Corinth Canal and then at the archaeological site of Mycenae, where you can see the Lion Gate and the Treasury of the Atreos.
Accommodation: Nafplion
DAY 2
Nafplion - Monemvasia
Breakfast and departure for a visit to the Theater of Epidaurus, the largest of the ancient theaters and renowned for its perfect acoustics.
Then visit the Castle of Monemvasia, which is located on the eastern coast of Laconia in the Peloponnese. Monemvasia is carved out of a massive rock and connected to the mainland by a bridge. Once you cross the bridge and enter the massive castle gate, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time.
Accommodation: Monemvasia
DAY 3
Monemvasia
On the second day in Monemvasia, we recommend an excursion to Elafonissos, an island near the Peloponnese coast where you can bathe in one of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen, with transparent waters and white sand, total tranquility in an impressive natural setting.
Accommodation: Monemvasia
DAY 4
Monemvasia – Mani
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by a trip to the Mani region. On the way to Mani, stop in Gythio, a beautiful fishing village where you can take a short break.
Accommodation: Mani
DAY 5
Mani
Mani is Greece’s southernmost region, surrounded by sea and separated from the rest of the country by the Taygetos mountain range. Mani is known for its steep coastline, small coves, stone villages, and tall tower houses that have withstood the test of time.
Mani’s capital, Areopolis , with its small Yerolimenas port, the Diros cave, the town of Oitilo with its Byzantine castles, and the Cape Tainaron in the extreme south, can all be visited.
Accommodation: Mani
DAY 6
Mani - Pilos (Pylos)
We depart Mani after breakfast to continue our journey to Pylos Bay on the Peloponnese’s southeastern coast. On the way to Pylos, you can pass through the village of Kardamyli.
Accommodation: Pylos
DAY 7
Pilos (Pylos)
From Pylos, you can visit two small, picturesque towns: Methoni , which has views of the Ionian Sea and the Oinousses Islands, and Koroni , which is colorful. Because of their strategic location, both have been very important commercial centers. The two massive fortresses found there are proof of this.
The 13th-century Venetian castle of Methoni , one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Swimming is excellent at the beach adjacent to the castle.
The Koroni Castle is located at the southern end of the Gulf of Messina, overlooking Cape Akritas. It was built in the 13th century by the Venetians and renovated in the 16th century by the Ottomans.
Accommodation: Pilos
DAY 8
Pylos - Olympia
On the northwestern side of Pylos, on the way to Olympia, is Voidokoilia bay, with its dreamy golden sand beach.
It appears to be an old theater, symmetrical as if drawn with a pair of compasses. The beach is a circular abyss filled with crystal blue-green water and white sand dunes. The bay and beach of Voidokoilia have been designated as a archaeological site and landscape of exceptional beauty .» Excavations uncovered many significant monuments spanning a long period of time.
The ruins of a Mycenaean tomb can be found on its north side, while the ruins of a 13th century medieval castle built by the Franks can be found on its south side.
It is now known as Paleokastro and has a beautiful view of the beach and the Ionian Sea. At its base, below Paleokastro, is the legendary Nestor’s cave , where remains of a Neolithic settlement from the 4th century BC have also been discovered.
Accommodation: Olympia
DAY 9
Olympia - Athens
Breakfast and departure to see the cradle of the Olympic Games, the archaeological site where you can see the Boulefterion, the Palestra, the Gymnasium, the baths, the stadium, and the Olympic Games archaeological museum.
Return to Athens.
Accommodation: Athens
DAY 10
Athens
Breakfast and free day in Athens to explore the city with the possibility of optional excursions.
Accommodation: Athens
Optional activities: Check them out here
DAY 11
Athens - end of trip
Breakfast and at the appointed time transfer to Athens airport to board your return flight.
