Ancient Corinth Epidaurus Nafplio Tour: Full Day Guide

The Theatre of Epidaurus still carries sound from the stage to the back row, centuries later.

A full-day guided tour from Athens visits the Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, the Theatre of Epidaurus and Nafplio in a private minivan with an English-speaking driver and hotel pickup included. The tour runs 8.5 hours and covers four major sites across the Peloponnese, though entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums are separate. Lunch stops are scheduled in Nafplio, though meals are not included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Corinth Canal20m
2. Theatre of Epidaurus45m

Explore Corinth, Epidaurus, and Nafplio

• Visit Corinth Canal
• Tour Ancient Corinth ruins
• See Temple of Apollo
• Explore Acrocorinth fortress
• Visit Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
• Tour Epidaurus amphitheatre
• Visit Epidaurus Archaeological Museum
• See Temple of Asclepius
• Explore Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
• Free time for lunch and shopping in Nafplio
• Visit Lion of the Bavarians monument
• Tour Palamidi fortress
• Walk Akronaufplia old town area
• View and photograph Bourtzi water castle

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Athens hotel or residence and heads south toward the Corinth Canal, the engineering feat that cuts through the narrow isthmus separating the mainland from the Peloponnese. What took 2,000 years to conceive (Periander, the tyrant of Corinth, first imagined it in 602 BC) was finally completed in the late 19th century, saving ships the extra 185 nautical miles they once had to sail around the peninsula. You stop to see the canal itself, where the Aegean and Ionian Seas nearly meet.

Ancient Corinth comes next, one of Greece's largest and most powerful cities in antiquity, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. Your driver, fluent in English and trained in Greek history, guides you through the archaeological site to the Temple of Apollo (built around 560 BCE with rare monolithic columns), and the Bema in the Agora, where St. Paul preached to the early Christian community. The site sprawls across the ancient city's layout, and the driver's knowledge shapes what you see and understand about how Corinth functioned as a trading and cultural center before the Romans demolished it in 146 BC.

Epidaurus holds the Theatre, considered the most acoustically perfect ancient Greek theatre ever built. Drop a coin on the stage from the orchestra and it carries to the back row, still audible after 2,400 years. The theatre is still used for performances today, hosting classical Greek drama. The sanctuary also includes the Temple of Asclepius, dedicated to the ancient god of medicine, and the Archaeological Museum with temple reconstructions and inscribed columns. Lunch and free time follow in Nafplio, where you can explore the old town, the Venetian fortress Palamidi (913 steps up the hillside), the water castle of Bourtzi in the harbor, or simply rest by the seaside in what locals call Greece's most romantic city.

The minivan holds up to five guests, so each passenger has their own space: no crowding, no fighting for window seats. WiFi, air conditioning and bottled water are standard. The driver handles all navigation and timing, returning you to your Athens hotel or residence by evening. Infant and child car seats are available if you book them in advance.

What’s included

• Hotel or residence pickup and drop-off in Athens.
• transportation in a private luxury minivan with WiFi, air conditioning and bottled water.
• an experienced English-speaking driver with expertise in Greek history.
• free time for lunch and exploration in Nafplio.
• infant and child car seats available if booked in advance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to8h before

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Greek

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Yomadic.Tours & Transfers

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private vehicle and a knowledgeable driver to handle the route and timing across four major sites in one day. The minivan holds up to five guests, so you travel without a large group, and the driver's commentary shapes what you learn at each stop. If you prefer to move at your own pace or explore sites independently, a self-guided day trip with rental car would suit you better.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Greek.

How long does the full tour take from start to finish?

The tour runs 8.5 hours total, including pickup and drop-off from your Athens accommodation, stops at all four sites, and free time for lunch in Nafplio.

What exactly is included in the tour price?

The tour includes transportation in a private luxury minivan, pickup and drop-off from your Athens hotel or residence, an English-speaking driver with deep knowledge of Greek history, WiFi, air conditioning and bottled water. Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums are separate, as are meals in Nafplio.

Can I actually hear a coin dropped on the stage at the Theatre of Epidaurus from the back row?

Yes, the Theatre of Epidaurus is famous for its perfect acoustics. A coin or pin dropped on the stage is audible even from the highest seats, a feature that has survived 2,400 years and still works during performances held there today.

Is there time to climb Palamidi fortress in Nafplio, or is it just a quick stop?

You have free time in Nafplio for lunch and exploration. Palamidi is a steep climb (913 steps from the town to the fortress), but the views over the Argolic Gulf and the city are worth it if you have the energy. The choice is yours during the lunch break.

What was St. Paul's connection to Ancient Corinth?

St. Paul preached at the Bema in the Agora of Ancient Corinth and wrote two letters to the early Christian community there (First and Second Corinthians), which are part of the New Testament. The site where he stood is still visible in the archaeological remains.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the sites, or is everything handled?

Everything is handled. The driver picks you up from your Athens hotel or residence, drives you to all four sites, manages the timing and route, and returns you at the end of the day. You simply show up at your accommodation ready to go.