Overview & Highlights

This 7 day self-drive holiday incorporates Greece’s most iconic classical sites, including Delphi, Olympia, Epidavros and ancient Mycenae, as well as Athens and the historic town of Nafplion.

Visit the sites of the ancient Olympic Games from Athens across the Peloponnese. Dating from 776 BC the games of old were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged at the ancient site of Olympia in the western Peloponnese.

Events such as running, wrestling, boxing, the pentathlon and equestrian competitions took place. Olympia was one of four venues of the original Panhellenic Games which rotated annually between them (hence why the Olympics are held every four years) and this itinerary enables visits to three of them.

The southernmost part of mainland Greece, the Peloponnese is technically an island itself, separated from the mainland by the Corinth Canal. Surrounded by exceptionally clean, shimmering seas, the twisting coast contains glorious beaches that match those on any of the islands – and mostly without the accompanying crowds.

Inhabited since pre-history and rich in Mycenean, Classical and Byzantine sites, the Peloponnese is the birthplace of Greek mythology. The north of the peninsula contains the greatest concentration of ancient sites anywhere in Greece – Corinth, Epidavros, Mycenae, Olympia and Tyrins, amidst a host of smaller sites that seem to be just part of the landscape. In the north-east, the excellent beach at Tolon provides the perfect base from which to explore these historic glories.

• Day 1: Direct flight to Athens. On arrival at Athens airport, you will be transferred to your hotel in the heart of the historic centre of Athens, just moments from the Acropolis and Plaka district.
• Day 2: Visit sites of Athens – recommended are the Acropolis Museum; the ancient site of the Acropolis crowned by the Parthenon; the Temple of Zeus; the National Archaeological Museum and the Plaka neighbourhood. You should also allow time to visit the modern Olympic Stadium which was the finishing point of the original marathon in 1896.
• Day 3: After breakfast, your car will be delivered to your hotel. Today’s drive today will take you to the ancient site of Delphi, one of the venues of the Panhellenic Games of which the Olympics were part. In Delphi, visit the archaeological sites which include the Sanctuary of Apollo and a well-preserved amphitheatre.
• Day 4: Today your journey will take you over the Rio bridge to the historical site of Olympia, the most celebrated Sanctuary of Ancient Greece and, as its names suggests, the birthplace of the Olympics. Visitors here can explore the ruins of the stadium. There is also a museum dedicated to the Olympic Games as well as one to the archaeological finds of the area.
• Day 5: Today drive east towards Nafplion, the first capital of modern Greece. Nafplion is one of the best-preserved and most beautiful towns in Greece. The Venetian architecture, narrow lanes and the hilltop fortifications are the perfect setting for a late afternoon stroll.
• Days 6-7: At leisure to explore the old town square and seafront, or head to ancient Nemea (one of the four sites of the historic Panhellenic Games), Epidavros Theatre or Ancient Mycenae. You can do all three in one day, distances are not great.
• Day 8: Drive to Athens airport where you drop off your hire car and take your flight home.

This is just one example of self-drive holiday around mainland Greece. We can adjust the number of nights and locations according to your requirements.