Want to get to know the main ancient cities of Greece and travel around half of the Peloponnese in five days? The ideal option is to rent a car and see many sights. Book your tickets to Athens and go ahead along the route that our travel expert has compiled for you.
Days 1–2. Athens
Photo: Rolf G Wackenberg/Shutterstock.com
Dedicate the first day of your trip to Greece to getting to know the capital. Check out a local’s city guide to find the best places to visit and the best restaurants.
We recommend checking out the central market of Athens, Armodiou, located next to Omonia Square. It is very colorful here and you can buy local vegetables, fruits and fresh fish at competitive prices.
As a souvenir from Athens, you should bring olive oil, honey, metaxa (a local strong alcoholic drink), natural cosmetics and various ceramic products.
Be sure to try avgolemono (rice soup with egg and lemon), barbuni fish, horiatiki (vegetable salad with pieces of cheese), domates gemistes (baked tomatoes stuffed with rice and meat) and baklava (almond cake with syrup and honey).
We have selected the best accommodation options for one night, choose the one that suits you best:
- Mc Queen
- Art Hotel Athens
- Plaka Hotel
Days 2–3. Moving. Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplio
Peloponnese is the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula. It was here that the ancient Greek civilization arose, which means that there is a huge concentration of historical attractions in this area. And it is when traveling by car that you can see the maximum. Let’s hit the road!
We advise you to leave Athens early in the morning on the second day. In two days you will visit three cities. The entire journey excluding stops will take 2 hours.
Corinth
You can reach Corinth in an hour. This city is located on the isthmus of the same name connecting mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. Along the way, you will need to cross the Corinth Canal, across which there are three road bridges. By the way, bungee jumping is organized at one of them. Height – 80 meters. If you want an unforgettable experience, contact Zulu Bungy.
So, you are in Corinth. A moment of history: the old city, located on the site of ancient Corinth, was completely destroyed as a result of the earthquake of 1858. The new city was founded three kilometers to the northeast on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth. There’s no need to spend a lot of time exploring – walk the streets, have breakfast and head to the next point on today’s route.
Mycenae
It takes about 40 minutes by car from Corinth.
Mycenae is an ancient city, one of the centers of Mycenaean culture. According to legend, it was built by Perseus. Today it is a picturesque ruin and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the center of the Mycenaean complex there is a fortified hill – the acropolis. Many tombs have been excavated around it, and a little to the side is the treasury of Atreus – also a tomb, but much larger. The entrance to the reserve is located next to the parking lot.
Nafplion
The final destination of today’s route will be the town of Nafplion, which is recognized as one of the most picturesque in Greece. From Mycenae it takes no more than half an hour to get there.
In Namphlion it is worth visiting the sea fort of Bourtzi and the Palamidi fortress (built by the Venetians in the 17th century). This is where you will spend the night. We have selected three accommodation options for one night. Choose:
- Agamemnon Hotel
- Dias
- Leto Nuevo Hotel
Days 3–4. Moving. Tiryns, Argos and Sparta
On the third day of your Greece trip, you’ll visit Tiryns and Argos before heading to Sparta. The entire journey, excluding stops, will take 2 hours.
Tirinth
From Naflion to Tiryns it’s only about ten minutes by car. This ancient city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tiryns is associated with the cycle of myths about Hercules; according to some sources, it was here that the ancient Greek hero was born. In 464 BC e. the city was destroyed by an earthquake.
Argos
Photo: Ihor Serdyukov/Shutterstock.com
From Tiryns to Argos no more than 15 minutes by car. This city is considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. The main attractions of Argos are the Argive fortress on Larisa Hill and the ruins of an ancient amphitheater.
Sparta
This is your longest trip of the day: about an hour and a half by car.
The ruins of the famous aristocratic state are located in the vicinity of modern Sparta. The main sites to visit here are the acropolis of Ancient Sparta, the ruins of a theater from Roman times and the temple of Athena.
In Sparta we have selected accommodation options for one night. Choose:
- Melies Hotel
- Menelaion Hotel
Days 4–5. Moving. Mystra. Return to Athens
On the morning of the fourth day, we suggest visiting the town of Mystras, located next to Sparta, which is only ten minutes away, and then set off on the way back to Athens. You have to cover 230 km.
Mystra
The once great cultural and political center of Byzantium is today abandoned. On the territory of Mystras there are many churches, ancient ruins, a palace and the only active monastery of Pantanassa.
After exploring the city, head to Athens. The journey will take 2 hours 40 minutes. Home tomorrow, but for now relax and choose where to spend the night:
- Mc Queen
- Art Hotel Athens
- Plaka Hotel
