Mycenae, Nafplio & Epidaurus Theater: Private Tour from Athens

Four archaeological sites in one day: from Mycenae's hilltop citadel to the Theater of Epidaurus

A private tour from Athens visits four major archaeological sites across the Peloponnese: the Corinth Canal, Mycenae (a Bronze Age kingdom and UNESCO site), the Venetian town of Nafplio, and the Theater of Epidaurus. Hotel pickup is included, and the driver provides commentary in English throughout the day, though entry to the sites is self-guided. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Corinth Canal30m
2. Mycenae1h
3. Theatre of Epidaurus30m

Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Nafplio and Epidaurus Tour

• Pick up from hotel or port
• Drive 1 hour to first stop
• View Corinth Canal from above
• Drive 40 minutes to Mycenae
• Walk ruins of Mycenae citadel
• Visit Lions Gate and royal palace
• See Treasury of Atreus tomb
• Drive to Nafplio
• Visit Palamidi fortress
• Free time to explore Nafplio and lunch
• Drive 30 minutes to Epidaurus
• Visit Sanctuary of Epidaurus
• See Theatre of Epidaurus
• Visit Epidaurus museum
• Drive 2 hours back to Athens

The experience

The day starts with a pickup from your Athens hotel or Piraeus port, then a drive across the Corinth Canal. A 1893 limestone cut you'll see from above, with 20 minutes to take in the steep walls and the isthmus below. From there it's a 40-minute drive to Mycenae, where you enter through the Lions Gate and walk the ruins of Agamemnon's citadel. The site sits on a hill. The climb rewards you with views across the Peloponnese and a close look at the royal palace and the Treasury of Atreus, a Bronze Age beehive tomb built around 1250 BC.

Nafplio comes next, a Venetian port town where you get an hour and a half to walk the narrow streets, browse handmade souvenirs, and eat lunch at your own pace. The fortress of Palamidi crowns a 216-meter hill above the town, though it's not part of the guided stops. After Nafplio, it's a 30-minute drive to Epidaurus and the Theater, the most famous archaeological site on the route. The theater is a UNESCO World Heritage monument and one of the best-preserved ancient structures in Greece. You'll walk inside and stand where audiences of thousands once sat. The Sanctuary of Epidaurus, nearby, marks the earliest organized healing center and shows how ancient medicine shifted from divine belief to actual practice. Before the return to Athens, about 2 hours of driving, you'll spend 30 minutes at the museum, which displays temple reconstructions and columns.

Your driver is knowledgeable and speaks fluent English, offering commentary throughout the day and answering questions about each site, though they don't enter the archaeological areas with you. The vehicle is air-conditioned, WiFi is on board, and bottled water is provided. This is a private tour, so the pace and stops are yours alone.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• WiFi on board.
• bottled water.
• driver commentary in English at each site.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 60

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by LS Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private driver who narrates the history as you go and you need the freedom to spend extra time at any site without being held to a group's schedule.

Traveler reviews

4.92★★★★★★★★★★

50 verified traveler reviews

5 ★49

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Lions Gate at Mycenae?

The Lions Gate is the entrance to the citadel at Mycenae, a Bronze Age fortress built on a hilltop in the Peloponnese. You walk through it to reach the royal palace and the ruins inside the walled compound.

Can I walk inside the Theater of Epidaurus?

Yes, the Theater of Epidaurus is open for visitors to walk through and explore. It's one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in Greece and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

How much free time do I have in Nafplio?

You have an hour and a half in Nafplio to walk the town, shop for handmade souvenirs, and have lunch on your own.

Does the driver enter the archaeological sites with me?

No, the driver does not enter the sites, but they speak English fluently and can answer questions about the places you visit throughout the day.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation from your hotel or Piraeus port, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, bottled water, and hotel pickup and drop-off are all included.

How long is the drive from Athens to the first stop?

The drive from Athens to the Corinth Canal takes about an hour, then you spend 20 minutes at the canal before a 40-minute drive to Mycenae.