Self drive Greece Classical Tour 8 days

As you step onto Athenian soil, you're walking into a city where legends were born. A Greca representative will be waiting to take you comfortably to your hotel, where you can settle in and begin soaking up the Hellenic spirit.

Later in the afternoon, one of our team members will meet with you to give a personalized presentation of your upcoming journey and answer any questions you may have.

The rest of the day is yours. Stroll through timeless streets, enjoy local delicacies, and let the pulse of this lively capital introduce itself in its own unique rhythm.

Greca Tip: Enhance your experience by easily extending your stay. Add more nights during the booking process!

This will be a free day in Athens, where, after a delicious breakfast, you will have the chance to visit some of the famous attractions and places of interest in the city. Alternatively, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll in the city center and make your own discoveries as you go along.

In the evening you will join a walking tour through the most stunning districts of Athens, such as Anafiotika, Thisio, Monastiraki, and Plaka.

Greca Tip: Enjoy a tasty souvlaki in one of the taverns in and around Monasteraki Square.

After a nutritious breakfast, you will pick up your rental car and drive to the region of Argolis.

Just outside Athens, at a distance of about 11 kilometers from the city, we suggest a visit to the Daphne Monastery. This monastery is considered the oldest Byzantine monastery of its type in Greece and its frescoes and mosaics are masterpieces of the golden era of Byzantine art. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1990.

On your way to Nafplio, you can stop at the Corinth Canal, a great engineering feat first designed in 630 BC by Periander, a tyrant that ruled Corinth and is considered one of the seven sages of Ancient Greece. This 6-kilometer-long channel was built to connect the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf, thus saving valuable sailing time for seafaring vessels. Its construction lasted a long time and was completed by the French in 1893.

About half an hour’s driving later you will reach Mycenae, one of the most important archaeological sites of Ancient Greece. Here you can visit the Lion's Gate and the Treasure of Atreus. This last structure is generally believed to be a royal tomb and more precisely the Tomb of Agamemnon.

You will end a full day of a cultural adventure in the comfort of your hotel in Nafplio, a charming Venetian city.

Total distance: 148 kilometers

Greca Tip: Enjoy a leisurely walk around the Old Town and sip your drink at the port taking in the amazing view of Bourtzi, always lit up at night.

After a delicious breakfast, you will have time to discover Nafplio in the morning. There you can get in touch with the locals by visiting an olive oil mill and tasting the famous and appetizing Greek olives. After leaving Nafplio, you will drive through the picturesque mountains of Arcadia towards the ancient Olympia.

On the route, you can make a detour to Kalavryta, a city with magnificent views and steep slopes, river springs, and pine forests. At about 17 kilometers from Kalavryta, you will come across the Cave of the Lakes. The cave extends for 2 kilometers underground and has 15 lakes inside. The combination of the colors and waterfalls together makes an impressive spectacle.

Alternatively, you can drive to Diakofto and, from there, catch the train known as "Odontotos" towards Kalavryta. This train rises to a height of 750 meters above sea level and crosses the entire Vouraikos Gorge. The views are splendid, with lush forests, waterfalls, and tunnels carved into the rocks. This is the tour of such striking beauty, that you should not miss out on the chance of taking it. 

After these two compulsory stops, you will arrive at the destination of the day, Olympia. There, you will visit the site of the former Olympic stadium, where the first Games were held (776 BC). The importance of the Olympic games was such that all Greek cities ceased hostilities and participated on a large scale.

Olympia was also the most important sanctuary of the Ancient Greeks, a place to worship Zeus, the king, and father of all gods. Here also stood his gold and ivory statue, a gigantic sculpture made by Fidias himself and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Total distance: 157 kilometers

Greca Tip: Relax and make the most of your hotel's amenities or hike through the beautiful surrounding countryside.

After enjoying a delightful breakfast, depart from Olympia and cross the magnificent Rio-Antirio Bridge, an architectural gem of modern Europe spanning the Gulf of Corinth. Continue your journey towards Nafpaktos, where the scene of the historic Naval Battle of Nafpaktos awaits.

The Battle of Nafpaktos marked the decisive victory of the Holy Navy League over the Ottoman Turks, effectively ending the Ottoman Empire's dominance in the eastern Mediterranean.

On one side of the wall, you'll find the statue of Miguel de Cervantes, the renowned Spanish writer who participated in the battle and lost his left hand. He earned the nickname "El Manco de Lepanto" (the one-handed from Lepanto). The imposing iron statue portrays Cervantes proudly holding up a feather, symbolizing his distinguished literary work.

On the other side of the Venetian port, don't miss the opportunity to visit the old lighthouse and the Fethive Tzamí mosque, both dating back to the late 15th century and worthy of exploration.

After immersing yourself in the city's history, you can relax at your hotel in Nafpaktos.

Total distance: 121 kilometers

Greca Tip: Remember to visit Nafpaktos Castle, offering breathtaking views of the Corinthian Gulf.

After an exquisite breakfast in Nafpaktos, you will continue your way to the famous Delphi oracle.

Driving on you will arrive at Galaxidi, a picturesque fishing village with an elegant touch of tradition and a long naval history. There, sailors who sailed in the Mediterranean Sea used to find shelter in the two natural harbors, Agora and Girolakas. Galaxidi also has beautiful beaches where you can take a short break.

Finally, you will arrive at Delphi, declared a World Heritage Site and the center or navel of the ancient world where the renowned Delphic Oracle was found (consulted by kings and pilgrims alike). There are also the archaeological remains of the Temple of Apollo, which is essential in your visit to this area.

After you have submitted your petitions to the Oracle of Delphi, you will enjoy a well-deserved rest at the hotel!

Total distance: 98 kilometers

Greca Tip: You can visit the village of Chrisso, stroll amidst the two-floor neoclassical houses, the paved yards with the flower pots and green gardens, and the old school, which now hosts the admirable collection of traditional costumes, jewelry, and ornaments of the area.  Finally, you can have a nice rest in the village's main square with its centuries-old plane (Platanus) tree and its running waters.

After a delicious Greek breakfast, you will start your journey back to Athens. 

You will drive along the slopes of Mount Parnassos rising to 2457 meters in height and you will make a short stop in Arachova, a popular winter resort full of taverns and handicraft shops. 

Further down the road, you can visit the town of Levadeia, which, in ancient times, flourished and grew in importance as a consequence of its possessing the celebrated oracle of Trophonius, found in a cave.

Back in Athens, you will return your rental car to the station and your adventure through Greece at our own pace will have come full circle. Now it is time to have a well-deserved rest with the memories of all the places you have seen and the people you have met still fresh in your mind.

Total distance: 186 kilometers

Greca Tip: In the village of Arachova you can shop for local products, such as traditional woven carpets, honey, and the local formaela cheese.

At the agreed time, our driver will transfer you to Athens Airport to board your international flight back home or to your next destination. You will check in your luggage and benefit from the tax return resulting from any last-minute tax-free shopping for family and friends.

Undoubtedly, and after spending a few fantastic days with Greca, we hope to see you again soon to create new and extraordinary moments that will be lovingly etched in your memory.

Have a nice trip! Or, as Greeks say: "Kalo taksidi!".

Greca Tip: As a going-away gift, you can choose from a wide range of brightly colored flokati rugs, handmade sandals, embroidered covers, and Greek honey, or olive oil.