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8 day self-drive Grand tour of Peloponnese from Athens

Our Self-Drive tours are fully customizable and can start on any date

 Journey deep into the heart of Greece during this spellbinding eight-day self-drive tour exploring the historic regions of Peloponnese. Discover one of the most romantic cities of Greece, Nafplion, and get a glimpse of the medieval era while walking between the walls of Mystras, and its magnificent castles. Discover the only way how to get to the Monemvasia, tower town nestled at the edge of a big rock by the sea and visit the spectacular Diro cave complex hidden in the depths of the earth. Explore the Mediterranean vibe of these ancient towns, taste the local specialities and indulge into the elegance and pride of the long-standing Peloponnese.

  • Duration: 8 days
  • Departure point: Athens
  • End point: Athens
  • Activity Level: Easy
  • Travellers: 1 to 3
  • Our support: 24/7

Highlights

  • Plaka: Athens’ oldest historical neighbourhood. It’s located right under the Acropolis and its charming atmosphere will captivate your heart. Walking around the narrow, colourful streets, the ancient ruins, the Byzantine temples and the renovated neoclassical buildings is an unforgettable experience.
  • Nafplion: It has a fantastic centre with small neoclassical historical houses and mansions, elegant Venetian houses, squares and churches, attractive narrow streets and interesting museums.
  • Nemea: The mountainous village famous for wine production. The Agiorgitiko grape variety that produces Greece's most important red wine.
  • Mystras: With its medieval castle, the Frankish Acropolis, and the four fortified settlements holds inside its walls magnificent houses and palaces. It is also famous for the post byzantine monuments, the monasteries and the churches with the beautiful frescoes, scattered in the archaeological sites.
  • Monemvasia: Built on a rock accessible only through a causeway, the castle of Monemvasia was populated by the Laconians, in order to protect themselves from the Arabic invasions. It is named after this bridge, as “Monemvasia” meaning “single entrance”.

Inclusions

  • Self-Drive Planned Itinerary
  • Arrival shared transfer in an air-conditioning bus from Athens Airport/Piraeus port (Day 1)
  • Hop On – Hop Off bus ticket (Day 2)
  • 7 Nights Hotel Accommodation (1 Nafplion, 1 Sparta, 1 Monemvasia 1 Limeni, 1 Kalamata, 2 Athens)
  • Daily breakfast
  • 6 days (from day 3) Car Rental with unlimited kilometers (credit card is required)
  • Car Insurance with CDW & Theft Waiver
  • 24hrs Call support
  • 24hrs Road Assistance
  • All Taxes
  • International flights & Visa expenses (if applicable)
  • All optional excursions, meals, dinners, etc
  • Stayover tax in the hotels
  • Fuel, Tolls

Covid-19 Measures

  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
Intinerary

Day 1Arrival in Athens

On your arrival at Athens airport or Piraeus port, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in. The afternoon is free at leisure. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Greece´s sprawling capital. You may visit Syntagma Square and get into the city’s vibe or go shopping in one of the most popular streets of the city in the Kolonaki area or Ermou. Take a pleasant walk at the beautiful alleys of Plaka (the old district) where you can also find a big number of small shops selling souvenirs and other local artefacts. 

Overnight in Athens

Day 2Athens Hop On Hop Off bus tour

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then head out to the center! Today is for you to explore and discover this awe-inspiring city on your own. Take a sightseeing tour in an open double deck bus (incl.) that takes you around and encompasses central Athens, commencing at Syntagma Square. Tracing the history and culture of Athens from ancient times to the present day and passing a plethora of various shopping opportunities that are along the route. You can easily visit the many things to do including World famous museums, with spectacular views of ancient temples, the Acropolis and Parthenon. Athens represents the juxtaposition of ancient history and modern life which is a very rare experience and one not to be missed.

Overnight in Athens

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3Athens (Car pick-up) - Nemea Wine Route - Mycenae - Nafplion

Total Driving Distance : 155km  |  Estimated fuel consumption :  16 €  |  Estimated tolls :  6,5 €

Enjoy your breakfast, then pick up your car from the down town Athens office after 09:00 am and leave driving towards to Nemea village. Short stop at Corinth canal which divides the mainland from the Peloponnese. While arriving at Nemea area you can stop to visit one of the local wineries and taste delightful and sensuous wines of different styles or continue to Malandreni village to visit one of the most important wineries in Greece, the “Skouras” winery. Degustation of the most awarded wine labels that the domain produces and wine making procedure will give you a glimpse of the wine tradition in Greece. Continue to “Silo Art” gallery where you will meet an artist who will guide you around his exhibition. Do not miss to get some pictures of the “Trojan” horse. Next stop is ancient Mycenae – the city of the legendary king Agamemnon. Walk through this impressive archaeological site and visit the Tomb of Agamemnon. To wrap up your first day continue to Nafplion for exploration of this marvellous city and then onto your hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Nafplion

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4Nafplion - Sparta

Total Driving Distance : 143 km  |  Estimated fuel consumption :  14 €  |  Estimated tolls :  8,3 €

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by another exciting exploration. Today you will visit two castles of the Nafplion city (Akronafplia and Palamidi island castle/jail). Afterwards proceed to Sparta town where you will have the chance to visit the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil that highlight the culture and technology of the olive production, which is inextricably linked with the Greek and Mediterranean identity. Unique in Greece, it is located in the heart of Laconia, one of the main olive oil producing locations in Greece. Check in to your hotel in Sparta and the rest of the day spend at leisure, discovering legendary stories about the greatest triumph over Athens of this Greek city.

Overnight in Sparta

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5Sparta - Monemvasia

Total Driving Distance : 87 km  |  Estimated fuel consumption :  10 €  |  Estimated tolls :  0 €

After breakfast in the hotel and before you will leave Sparta, make a visit to the Byzantine castle of the city of Mystras. Mystras, the ‘Wonder of the Morea’ was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breath-taking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape. Follow to Monemvasiam, a massive rock island off the east coast of the Peloponnese, and visit the castles, fortress´s ruins and the Church of Agia Sophia perches on the edge of a sheer cliff. Once in Monemvasia, check-in to your hotel and the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Monemvasia

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6Monemvasia - Diros Caves - Limeni

Total Driving Distance : 111 km  |  Estimated fuel consumption :  13 €  |  Estimated tolls :  0 €

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and after stroll down the paved streets of the Monemvasia castle town. You will feel like back in ancient times! Walk around elegant stone mansions up to the castle, breath taking sea view from its top will be a deserved pleasure after this short hike. Afterward drive towards village Pyrgos Dirou and visit the spectacular cave complex hidden in the depths of the earth offering the opportunity to travel back to the Neolithic era. The magic of the colour, and the beautiful shapes, formed by the stalactites and stalagmites makes this place to be a unique spectacle. The tour follows a circular route and the wet area, 2.800 meters in length, takes place solely by boat. You will be amazed by the passage of the largest and most famous sea cave in Greece! After this exciting experience continue to Limeni or Oitilo, picturesque villages with one of the most amazing sunsets in Greece. Once in Limeni, check into your hotel and take a rest before your upcoming Greek adventure.

Overnight in Limeni

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7Limeni - Stoupa - Kalamata

Total Driving Distance : 78 km  |  Estimated fuel consumption :  10€  |  Estimated tolls :  0 €

After breakfast at the hotel, drive towards Kalamata, passing the fascinating virgin Stoupa beach. Stoupa is a peaceful retreat in a quiet corner of Greece. Hugging a sweeping bay, this town is made for rest and leisure sunbathing on its long white-sandy beaches. Perhaps stop for a swim in its crystal clear waters and unwind surrounded by this tranquil landscape, before you´ll continue driving to Kalamata. Kalamata is an energetic city, in 2021 it was short-listed as European Capital of Culture. Give it a chance and discover a long white beach, decent restaurants, good shopping, lively nightlife and some excellent museums. Whether you walk along the main promenade with the palm trees or along the hip alley of Amfia with its tiny shops, you´ll fell in love with the unique vibe of this picturesque town, emphasized by the romantic sunsets over the sea level. 

Overnight in Kalamata

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8Kalamata - Pylos - Nestor's Palace - Athens

Total Driving Distance : 325 km  |  Estimated fuel consumption :  33 €  |  Estimated tolls :  11,8 €

Today marks the end of your adventure. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and before leaving Kalamata, visiting Nestor’s palace, one of the best preserved Mycenean palaces in Greece, and walk around these ancient walls towards the most important compartments of the palace, the big “throne room”, with its circular heath, a room with a clay bath tube, and stores with numerous storage jars. Admire the beautiful decoration of the palace and get amazed by its unique frescos, adorning its walls and after, a bid farewell to Greece! Drive back to Athens International Airport, where you’ll drop off the car to the rental car office and catch your flight back home (We recommend you to book a later evening flight or add a post stay night in Athens). 

Meals: Breakfast

Map

FAQ

Are there any special conditions I should be aware of?

  • Pay close attention to speed limits:Besides the road condition you must pay attention to speed limits and signs. As there are a lot of traffic cameras in the roads you should be careful not to exceed the speed limit but also the marking, which may be different from what you are used to. Of course, before the fines, we must first think about your safety!
  • Two drivers are better than one:Driving for a long time is quite tiring, so make sure everyone changes to the role of driver. Divide the trip into shifts and “share” the steering wheel for a more comfortable and safe journey.
  • Prepare your music playlist: Road trips are better with music! Prepare a road trip playlist in advance and choose your lovely music that will satisfy the whole company.
  • Road maps may come in handy: Cell phones and GPS may run out of battery at some point or be out of reception. Make sure that you have a power cable so you can charge from the vehicle (or a power bank). In the worst case scenario a traditional road map will be very useful to you in case everything else fails.
  • Our experienced team can arrange for you to meet local tour guides in each place in order to make your road trip more exciting and full of information
  • From 1 to 4 persons we suggest sedan cars, type VW Passat, Mercedes E class, fully air-conditioned or similar
  • From 5 to 9 persons we suggest a Minivan type Mercedes Vito, Opel Vivaro, fully air-conditioned or similar
  • If you are scheduled to arrive at Athens airport we can provide you a transfer from Athens Airport to your Hotel or Piraeus port and the next day we will deliver the car at your most convenient place to start the road trip.
  • For travelers which are not EU residents is required international driving license ID
  • Minimum age 25
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) / Security deposit – Credit card is required for CDW
  • Our representative will deliver your rental car at your hotel in Athens or Air B&B address. If you arrive at Athens airport or Piraeus port, our representative driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name written on it, will help you with your luggage and escort you at your car, offering you mineral water & tissues. Afterwards, he will provide you all the necessary documents for your self-drive road trip in Greece.
  • We provide you 3 categories in this tour to choose from, according to your standards (Smart, Standard, Superior)
  • After your request received, we will send you our suggested hotels. Note that we will be will able to confirm you the hotels on the time that you will proceed with the booking.
  • You can extend your self-drive holidays and our staff can arrange your accommodation and extension of your car rental one day prior to the start of your self-drive tour or after the completion of your tour.
  • Our self-drive tours are absolutely customizable. You can add or remove everything from our proposed program in order your self-drive tour to be modified and adjusted by & to you.
  • We strongly suggest to buy travel insurance. In order to take full advantage of your stay in Greece, we would also like to draw your attention to the importance of taking out an insurance policy in the event of an unexpected happening during your trip. To this effect, we have collaborated with INTERAMERICAN, the largest private insurance company in Greece
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