Step back in time on this 4-day Classical Greece tour from Athens, seeing all the top attractions that date back to this fascinating era. With overnight accommodation included and an expert guide to accompany you, the tour highlights the country’s most intriguing archeological sites – four of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia and Delphi, and visit 11th-century monasteries perched on the rock towers of Meteora.
Day 1: Athens - Corinth Canal - Mycenae - Epidaurus - Nauplia/Olympia (D) Leave Athens behind and head west to Corinth Canal - your first stop of the day! Linking the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf, the canal is narrow, and the ancient ships that once passed through have been replaced with bungee jumpers. After exploring, continue on to Mycenae for a walking tour. Learn about the development of Classical Greek culture as you walk through this fascinating archeological site.
After lunch (own expense) in Mycenae, travel to Epidaurus for a tour of its archaeological site, stopping to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sanctuary of Asklepios (shrine to the Greek god of medicine). Continue to the pretty seaport town of Nauplia or Olympia (depending on your travel dates) to spend the night in a hotel.
Overnight: Amalia (4-star hotel) in Nauplia or Olympia
Day 2: Nauplia - Olympia - Antirion - Delphi (B, D) After breakfast, set off with your guide by luxury coach, and visit the Archeological Site of Olympia. Home to the Atlis (Sanctuary of the Gods), the site was a mecca for ancient Greeks who came here to worship Zeus. See incredible ruins like the Stadium of Olympia, where the country’s ancient Olympic Games were held.
In the afternoon, board your coach for a scenic drive to Antirion, passing the towns of Patras. Cross over the Rion-Antirion Bridge - considered a landmark of 21st-century Greece - and then sightsee independently in Antirion and the nearby town of Nafpaktos. Finish your day with a relaxing meal at your hotel in Delphi.
Overnight: Parnassos or Hermes (3-star), or Amalia (4-star) in Delphi
Day 3: Delphi - Kalambakka (B, D) Rise early and meet your guide to explore Delphi - one of the most important archaeological digs in Europe. As you walk around this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site with your guide, see monuments like the Sanctuary of Athena.
Head inside the Delphi Archeological Museum and encounter numerous artifacts and relics that date back to 15th century BC. Watch out for the Charioteer of Delphi and the intriguing Sphinx of Naxos. After spending most of your day in Delphi, head to Kalambakka by coach, traveling through the eye-catching towns of Amphissa, Lamia and Trikala. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and then relax at leisure.
Overnight: 4-star or 3-star hotel in central Kalambakka
Day 4: Kalambakka - Meteora - Athens (B) Leave your hotel to visit the rock towers of Meteora - incredible sandstone peaks topped with 11th-century monasteries. With your guide, make your way up the walking trails to visit these monasteries.
After spending the morning exploring Meteora, head back to Athens by coach, stopping in the town of Thermopylae and at Kamena Voural hot springs. Arrive back in Athens in the evening.
Special Offer - Book by June 30, 2017 and you will enjoy First Class Accommodation for the price of Tourist Class Accommodation - Book Now!
Amazing beyond words!! Our tour guide, Stephas was incredible! His presentation and style kept me involved and anticipatory for the next chapter. He can be likened to your favorite history teacher if you had one. The Mercedes coach was very comfortable and our driver Mikey moved us through each location safely and with ease. I highly recommend this tour!!
Review by: Jae Young D, July 2018
My husband and I enjoyed this tour very much._br/_ It was money worth by all means._br/_ The guide Effie was excellent.
Review by: Nora C, July 2018
The 4-day classical Greece tour was fantastic. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable of Greece history and a fantastic story teller. All the archaeological sites were incredible. I highly recommend this tour for anyone who's interested in ancient Greek history.
Review by: Fe P, July 2018
Unfortunately, I've forgotten the names of our guide and driver but they really took care of us and made sure that everyone is enjoying the trips. The guide was very knowledgeable and she shared a lot of history while we were on our way to the different sites. It does get a bit hectic but the bus was very comfortable so you can get some shut-eye in between stops. This is a great trip to see all the sites, in the very capable and professional hands of our guide and driver.
Review by: patcg60, June 2018
The tour was fantastic. The hotels we stayed at were nice and the food outstanding. The sites we visited were out of this world.. But what really made the tour the best was our tour guide. He name was Effi SP and I have never met a guide more personable and knowledgeable. She knows here history and facts. Her personality is perfect when spending 4 days on a bus with strangers. Well Done.
Review by: tcorcor, April 2018
Although I use Viator quite often, this was the first time I have taken a bus tour. This trip exceeded my expectations! We visited the specified sites, and a few more quick stops were added along the way.
Review by: Frank v, March 2018
We went with Dimitra. She knows her stuff and managed to take us for a thrilling ride in the world of Ancient Greece. My favorite spot was Olympia, which was breathtakingly beautiful with all the blooming flowers amidst the temples. The other sites that we visited were also good. The Amalia chain of hotels that we stayed in were great. Good, spacious rooms and good food. I recommend this trip to everyone.
Review by: neohk, March 2018
Very knowledgeable guide who take the time to explain the history and timeline on each of the sites visited. Pace of tour was good.
Review by: Elizabeth L, March 2018
Joy was the most learned, warm guide, with a great sense of humour. She managed the tour and the guests perfectly. It would be so hard to get to all these places by driving yourself and it would take you so much longer. Joys knowledge and generosity were magnificent, I hung off every word she said. Lunch on the last day is average but you are up in the mountains and theres nothing else around. The rest of the meals were good and the hotels fine. The driver is very skilled. Really lovely and interesting people on the tour too - hi Natalia! Thank you Chat Tours.
Review by: nmillerlpc, March 2018
An excellent tour. Highly recommend! Our tour guide, Dr. Effie was well versed on ancient Greek history, mythology, and all the sites. She was friendly, flexible, and professional. Accommodations were quite comfortable.
Review by: Elizabeth B, March 2018
Our tour guide Mathew had passable English, and was nice, but didn't like questions on our small group and sometimes gave false information such as on Greek art the little I know about it. Some of the history holes I filled by my independent trips to the archeology, benaki, and cyclades museums in Athens. Food was really not great and we stopped in tourist shops, which some people loved. Otherwise it was well organised and we covered a lot of ground we couldn't have on our own, and doing the trip in winter made for few crowds, if imperfect weather - no views in Meteora but that was the lease important site to me. The murals and such were not great, the site is spectacular, but I got the idea.
Review by: Daniel E, March 2018
If you go to Greece ....DO THIS TOUR....If you get our guide Joy. You will leave with profound knowledge of Greek history, understanding of Greek culture and a new friend. I would actually do the tour over again. Joy is honestly overqualified with her knowledge to be a tour guide. We had a blast and were safe everywhere we went.
Review by: moremilkplease, February 2018
This tour was sooooo amazing and worthwhile! Our tour guide Elena was lovely and the bus driver a good and careful driver especially reassuring with some of the high, narrow, and curvy roads we travelled on!. Every one of the days of this tour was a wonderful experience and each site different and unique. It was even better than we hoped and expected it would be! The hotels stayed at are ok - but what you can only expect on a tour like this... they were clean and spacious, nice bathrooms, but don't expect top notch food, tho it was good enough most of the time a few times just barely. The worst issue however is that beds at the Amalia chain, where you stay on this tour each night, are atrociously hard - there are springs that give underneath but the platform above the springs is a solid hard plastic sheathing with just a thin foam covering - just about the worst beds I have ever slept on in all my 54 years. It might work for back or stomach sleepers, but if you are a side sleeper with some back issues, really awful nights of sleep. The tour however was so great, that I am still amazingly happy that we did it. I did bring along a thin inflatable pillow having read prior reviews that warned of the bed issues - and I used it to support my back/hips - it did help. Don't know what I would have done without it. I am grateful for the warnings I read, which is why I am also going to reiterate the same warnings. But if you can go into it knowing about the beds and sometimes mediocre food - definitely do this tour. It was an experience of a lifetime and otherwise very, very well done.
Review by: steven D, January 2018
A great way of seeing some hard to get to sites. I enjoyed the tour and learned a lot.
Review by: chandrima.rodrigo, January 2018
All locations covered were with historical value, Meteora was amazing. Joy, our tour guide was very knowledgeable. Fully recommend
Review by: vickynicolev, January 2018
Fantastic tour definitely recommend the 4 day to see meteora. Guide was organised and very informative. Amalia hotels are not all equal though and some rate from lovely 4star to 2star. Bus driver was great and always took us to the door and helped us off the bus. Visited some great sites :)
Review by: Ivi, December 2017
Great itinerary, hotels were very comfiortable, buffet breakfast and buffet dinners were excellent. Tour leader was entertaining and insightful with his history knowledge of Greece.
Review by: Cate F, December 2017
Absolutely loved this tour, our guide Stathis was brilliant and made the tour a great experience. Would definitely recommend.
Review by: Ilze J, December 2017
Great tour. Well organized. Good information. Would only change lunch restaurants, not the best Greek food in those places. Great and very knowledgeable guide.
Review by: Jacinda A, December 2017
Amazing tour and best way to see the different parts of Greece. A must do as you get to stop for lunch for the best meatballs ever.
Review by: nigelc1967, November 2017
This was an outstanding experience. Having spent a week in Athens absorbing the classical history I was thirsty for more. This trip nailed it. You have to be prepared for significant stints on the coach but it is worth it. From the bronze age days of Mycannae and King Agamemnon, through ancient Olympia and the once great Temple of Zeus and then to Delphi - the centre point of the tour. What an experience. Our guide, Stathis, brought the site to life as mythology somehow melded into history. You must hike to the top to see the stadium - it will give you a sense of what Olympia must have been like. The guided tours of the museums at both Olympia and Delphi really added substance to the tour and I got as much out of these as I did touring the ruins. Meteora was a different but still magical experience but you have to jump forward a millennia or two. Spectacular views and scenery and for pilgrims would be a moving experience. I can't rate our guide highly enough. He was experienced, passionate, informed, educated and engaging. If you have the time, and you would love to learn more about Ancient Greece, this is the tour to do. I loved it.
Review by: Andrew B, November 2017
The minibus had 20 seats shoehorned in when it should have had 16 and wasn't cleaned once during the tour. The guide turned up late and was less than impressive and the lunch stops are poor. Ps. I work in the travel industry as a tour driver....this trip was badly run. But the hotels where good.
Review by: redsoxgirl04, November 2017
Amazing! This was the highlight of our trip to Greece.
Review by: kcalvert, November 2017
Loved our 4-Day Classical Greece Tour Aug/Sept 2017 ...
Review by: Sumita R, November 2017
A must do tour of you are interested in ancient Greece. Our tour guide Joy ( Hara) was excellent . The best guide who filled out with so much information and also took good care of us. Amalia hotels were okay. No teacoffeemaker. Lunch stops not good.Charged full for child while tkts were free 4 him.
Review by: Brian R, November 2017
This tour was very informative and our tour guide was excellent. He was able to present information that gave us an overview of Greek Mythology and how it related to the amazing sites that we visited. Accommodation was excellent with pools at each venue which were appreciated after some hot weather
Review by: Jamin K, November 2017
For those with limited time in Greece, a great way to see classical Greece. Felt like the right length of time for what I was looking for and the tour guides were all great.
Review by: Observer Mover, November 2017
This is the way to capture as much of the country in the shortest amount of time. It was also easy to bond with fellow travelers. In my group, three other Americans, an Indian, a Russian, and a Canadian, we formed a little lunch and dinner group and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I highly recommend this tour.
Review by: WW, November 2017
It is amazing!! our guide is very knowledgeable. Hotels were better than expected.
Review by: mona m, November 2017
It was an amazing trip. it is highly recommended. Beautiful towns and astonishing monuments and sites. Very well organized
Review by: Dan B, November 2017
A must tour to see the amazing sites of Greece and learn the history. Every day was a seemed more incredible than the next. We did this prior to a cruise so we could see as much of Greece as we could and were so glad we did. _br/_ Stathis, our guide, was incredible!! Do this tour, you’ll be glad you did!
Review by: elaine_c_us, October 2017
Tour guide Irini and bus driver Markas were excellent. Organization/logistics were excellent. Hotels were good. Food was disappointing which holds me back from giving it 5 stars. Though the food was disappointing well worth the money. Would travel with Chat Tours via Viator again.
Review by: Toula P, October 2017
Places visited were fantastic. Accommodation and breakfast buffet and dinner were also of a very high standard. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, although a little boring. The only thing I would change is the places were lunch was offered. Lunch is not included in the cost of the tour - which is fine, however they then take you to a restaurant which is far from any other food outlets and you have no choice but to eat there. Those places were very expensive and food was not very good. In one place, the bread was at least two days old and they just covered it with oil!
Review by: VL, October 2017
Everything was planned very well and our tour leader, a Greece Man was very excellent. He is very knowledgable and likes to share the stories of the historical places and tell jokes as well. We all had a good time 4 days with him. Although the weather didn't looks good almost everyday rains but we all enjoyed. Besides, we had a very good driver.
Review by: James O, October 2017
This was a great tour - just what I had wanted. Stephanie is a first class guide, very intelligent and informative. One of the best. Our hotels were very good, better than most of us had expected. I would especially recommend this tour in addition to a separate tour of the Islands.
Review by: Chiu Ling T, October 2017
This tour need a lots to walk. But the places was great place. Recommend this tour.
Review by: annescott56, October 2017
Wonderful sites and knowledgeable guide. Only drawback not enough time at Mycenae. Thanks
Review by: Debra M, October 2017
This was by far the best part of our 2 week trip to Greece. Our English speaking guide Demetria had a lot of information to share. We had a small group of about 16 people. We all got to know one another and shared our information and enthusiasm with each other. _br/_ I was very surprised at the ability to walk amongst the ruins. You could actually reach out and touch them! It was overwhelming! _br/_ We made plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and snacks while driving between locations. There was a good combination of information on the bus as well as quiet time. _br/_ The reason I did not give this tour 5 stars is: The hotels we stayed in were supposed to be 4 star. They were at best 2 star... and that may be a stretch. Also, our driver, while we did return alive and well scared me to death! It may just be the way they drive there in Greece but I had to shut my eyes a lot!_br/_ Do I recommend this even with the scary bus driver and bad hotels? Absolutely! To do this tour on your own by renting a car and choosing your own hotels, I do not believe you would be able to make it to all of the sights we visited. It is safer to have the bus driver and faster because he knows where he is going._br/_ Oh... no food or drinks other than water on the bus!!! So drink that cup of coffee before getting on the bus!
Review by: Dylan, October 2017
Strathis had so much information about Greek mythology and history we were hanging on every word.
Review by: Julian S, September 2017
The main problem with the tour was that the order of the trip was reversed without telling anyone. As a result, we were mainly travelling in the morning when cooler and visiting sites in the heat of the afternoon._br/_ This is really not acceptable and i assume was caused by accommodation problems though they seem to block book the Amalia hotel chain._br/_ Other than that, it was very good and the guide was very informative and helpful. _br/_ I suggest confirming with Viator before finalising your booking that the order is as advertised._br/_ Do not expect cordon bleu cookery in the evening - it was all buffets.
Review by: josephcohagan7, September 2017
disappointed with the guide , too much information and insisted on playing annoying music on the coach
Review by: Theodore, June 2017
This excellent tour begins with a thorough orientation to the ruins of classical Greece: Epidaurus, most notable for its still-operating 14,000-seat theater Mycenae, a major citadel circa 1500 B.C. Olympia, site of the original Olympic games and Delphi, the so-called belly button of the world. The last day moves into comparatively modern times: the complex of precarious hilltop monasteries in Meteora constructed during the Middle Ages. All sites were described in exhaustive detail by Stassis, our erudite, patient, droll guide who never consulted notes and encouraged group members to wander off on their own if his lectures became too tedious.
Review by: Huey Sian Y, June 2017
It is a very comprehensive tour, as promised, it does cover majority of the classic historical spots. We also enjoyed the 4-star accommodation provided for all 3 night. All in all, love it and will definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a short tour in Greece :
Review by: Lei W, June 2017
The tour guide and driver deserve 5 stars! Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and informative. I've learned so much about Greek history and geography through this tour. For the first 2.5 days, it was a wonderful tour as we had only 21 people on the bus. They were all great people that you do want to travel with. Amalia hotel chain is not luxury but OK enough for basic comfort. However, after visiting Delphi, the quality of the tour deteriorated dramatically as we were told to move on to a different bus which held 50 people. Our tour group was chopped in two parts, some went back to Athens, some switched to a different bus. Some of the people on the big bus were Asian parents with young misbehaving kids. They were spoiled kids and the parents had no intention to supervise them. At the monastery in Meteora, a kid dropped the monk's book on the floor and torn them apart. The parent obviously did not feel any guilt and let the kid playing with it. Many things at the monasteries were antiques! I hope it was not some antique bible. I would advise Chat Tour not allow babies/ young kids to join the tour as they ruin the trip for most the people.
Review by: pamela.tkachuk, May 2017
This tour was great. I loved everything we got to see, from the Lion's Gate at Mycenae, to the stadium of the of the original Olympic Games, and of course the immeasurable beauty of Delphi. I was also very excited to get to climb up to the pass at Thermopylae. Our tour guide, Joy, was incredible. Her knowledge and passion made this trip the amazing experience it was. I studied Ancient Greece and Rome fairly extensively in university and I still learned so much on this tour. Joy made the information accessible to people who knew nothing of that time period, but still was able to broaden my understanding and teach me new things. My husband, who has only a minor interest in the history of Greece still loved the tour. He particularly liked learning about Greek mythology.
Review by: Miguel Angel D, May 2017
Amazing tour across the Classical Greece. Great guide a blond energetic greek woman, do not remember her name now. _br/_ This tour covers amazing, mistic, historical and symbolic places that shaped european's history and heritage._br/_ Totally recommended to historians, anthropologists, curious travellers...etc..._br/_ It has good hotels they take care of your luggage, great organization, good food, museums the one in Delphi is just splendid, wine / olive oil tasting..._br/_ The people joining this kind of tours is very intellectual and nice to be with..._br/_ It gives a lot !!_br/_ The Price is in relation with what offers very good._br/_ Congratulations to the organizers and the guide.
Review by: Rayhealdjr, May 2017
Nice to be picked up from our hotel. Our guide Effie was wonderful- so much information, and our driver Costas was amazing- especially on all the mountain hairpin turns! Loved all the historical sights- just be aware the hikes are strenuous! Amalia hotels were nice- good dinners and breakfasts, and all stops for lunch were terrific. You don't know a country until you leave the city- excellent tour!!!
Review by: gmorgado33, April 2017
Fue maravillosa experiencia. El tour tiene una seleccion de sitios arqueologicos, museos, hoteles si pagas la experiencia vip, restaurantes y tiempos muy bien planeado. Laila, nuestra guia fue muy amable y paciente. Cuando no tienes mucho tiempo y no rentas un auto por tu cuenta que no lo recomiendo porque los señalamientos a la mayoría de los sitios no es sencilla es mejor tomar un tour como este. El chofer fue un As del volante y nos llevó con bien a todos los sitios. Los hoteles Amalia son limpios, con excelente desayuno incluido en el paquete, al igual que la cena que en ambos casos fue siempre buffette. El lunch era por nuestra cuenta, pero siempre en los restaurantes seleccionados por el personal del tour. Son buenos restaurantes y es mejor así puesto que solo teniamos una hora para comer. Cada sitio que visitamos fue ampliamente explicado en todos tuvimos tiempo libre para tomar fotos, seguir recorriendo y admirando los lugares arqueológicos o los museos, según fuera el caso. Cada hotel ofreció cuartos amplios, limpios y camas cómodas para descansar. A lo largo del viaje haciamos paradas para estirar las piernas, tomar café y usar los baños. Recomiendo ampliamente a la prestadora de servicio de este tour. Fue una experiencia muy agradable donde tuvimos además la oportunidad de hacer amigos con el resto de los pasajeros.
Review by: nightsmk2, April 2017
Fantastic journey, well scheduled, delicious dinner and beautiful accommodation. The guide is awesome, she are very well prepared and can explain the details of each sites perfectly. Best tour in my journey of 30 countries.
Review by: Rachael S, April 2017
We thought this tour was amazing and I felt I learnt a lot. Our guide, Joy, was extremely knowledgeable, had a lovely warm personality, and spoke excellent English. You cover a lot of miles so there are a couple of long periods sitting on the bus, but you get regular breaks. Delphi was really interesting and the setting was incredible, as were the monasteries at Meteora. With all of the sites you could choose to go around by yourself if you didn't want the guided tour. It definitely helped that the weather was great the entire time 72F/ 22C as you are outdoors a fair amount. The accommodation was fine and the food was buffet style for both breakfast and dinner. We only had 30 in our tour so could spread out a bit on the bus, which was nice.
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