Tours/Athens/Viator
Viator · Private tour

Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus, Nafplio full day private tour from Athens

4.9(214)Athens1 hour
VIATOR4.9(45)TRIPADVISOR5.0(169)

Description

Venture south of Athens to discover highlights of the Peloponnese. Cross the Corinth Canal to leave mainland Greece and explore the Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus and Nafplion. Starting in Ancient Corinth, antiquity’s most powerful commercial crossroads, then on to Epidaurus, with its theater and healing center that were milestones in the evolution of western civilization and ending up at Nafplio, the country’s most picturesque town, we take a route that is one of the most important historically speaking, in a country steeped in history. - Full-day tour of Peloponnese highlights from Athens - Travel the Isthmus of Corinth with its picturesque yet imposing natural beauty - Check out the perfect acoustics at Epidaurus's 4th-century amphitheater - Explore the harbor village of Nafplion

Tour Options

Without food
  • Pickup included
With Greek Traditional Food
  • Lunch: Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine and traditional foods. Pickup included

Itinerary

15 min

The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. It cuts through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland, arguably making the peninsula an island. The canal was dug through the isthmus at sea level and has no locks. It is 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) in length and only 21.4 metres (70 ft) wide at its base, making it impassable for many modern ships. From high up, you can enjoy the best view of Corinth's isthmus and admire the steep limestone walls while you observe the vessels below you navigate their way through the canal.

Admission not included60 min

Corinth was a city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. The modern city of Corinth is located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) northeast of the ancient ruins. For Christians, Corinth is well known from the two letters of Saint Paul in the New Testament, First and Second Corinthians. Corinth is also mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as part of Paul the Apostle's missionary travels. In addition, the second book of Pausanias' Description of Greece is devoted to Corinth. Ancient Corinth was one of the largest and most important cities of Greece, with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC. The Romans demolished Corinth in 146 BC, built a new city in its place in 44 BC, and later made it the provincial capital of Greece.

Admission not included30 min

The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth was constructed between 1931-1932, with intentions to display the numerous recent archaeological excavations. The museum is located within the archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, Greece, and lies under the jurisdiction of the 37th Ephoreia of the Greek Archaeological Service. Key aspects of the Archaeological site of Ancient Corinth include: Hadgimoustafa spring Lechaion Road Basilica Fountain of Peirene Stoa Agora Odien Other temples Theatre

15 min

The Temple of Apollo at Corinth was constructed in 550 BC.

30 min

Acrocorinth, "Upper Corinth", the acropolis of ancient Corinth, is a monolithic rock overseeing the ancient city of Corinth, Greece. With its secure water supply, Acrocorinth's fortress was repeatedly used as a last line of defense in southern Greece because it commanded the Isthmus of Corinth, repelling foes from entry by land into the Peloponnese peninsula.

Admission not included30 min

Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus is a museum in Epidaurus, in Argolis on the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece. The museum, noted for its reconstructions of temples and its columns and inscriptions, was established in 1902 and opened in 1909 to display artifacts unearthed in the ancient site of Epidaurus in the surrounding area.

Admission not included30 min

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a theatre in the Greek city of Epidaurus, located on the southeast end of the sanctuary dedicated to the ancient Greek God of medicine, Asclepius. It is built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain, near modern Lygourio, and belongs to the Epidaurus Municipality. It is considered to be the most perfect ancient Greek theatre with regard to acoustics and aesthetics. The monument retains the characteristic tripartite structure of a Hellenistic theatre that has a theatron, orchestra, and skene. During Roman times, the theatre (unlike many Greek theatres) did not suffer any modifications.

15 min

The Temple of Asclepius was a sanctuary in Epidaurus dedicated to Asclepius. It was the main holy site of Asclepius. The sanctuary at Epidaurus was the rival of such major cult sites as the Sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and Apollo at Delphi. The temple was built in the early 4th century BC. If still in use by the 4th century AD, the temple would have been closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire, when the Christian Emperors issued edicts prohibiting non-Christian worship.

Admission not included90 min

Free time for lunch, coffee, or shopping at the ‘Naples of the East’ rich in Venetian architecture, cobbled squares, and towering castles with commanding views of the Argolic Gulf. Afterwards, unwind by the harbor or get lost in the colorful back streets of the most elegant town in mainland Greece. Nafplio is a seaport town in the Peloponnese in Greece that has expanded up the hillsides near the north end of the Argolic Gulf. The town was an important seaport held under a succession of royal houses in the Middle Ages as part of the lordship of Argos and Nauplia, held initially by the de la Roche following the Fourth Crusade before coming under the Republic of Venice and, lastly, the Ottoman Empire. The town was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Nafplio is now the capital of the regional unit of Argolis.

10 min

Enjoy the view of the water castle of Bourtzi, a Venetian castle located in the middle of the harbor of Nafplio, and take fascinating photos from the harbor side.

Pass by

The Acronauplia is the oldest part of the city of Nafplion in Greece. Until the thirteenth century, it was a town on its own. The arrival of the Venetians and the Franks transformed it into part of the town's fortifications. Later, part of it was used as a prison until the Greek government decided that the view provided from its location would benefit the local tourism and built a hotel complex which still stands there today.

30 min

Palamidi is a fortress to the east of the Acronauplia in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686–1715). The fortress commands an impressive view over the Argolic Gulf, the city of Náfplio and the surrounding country. There are 913 steps in the winding stair from the town to the fortress. However, to reach the top of the fortress there are over one thousand, while locals in the town of Nafplion will say there are 999 steps to the top of the castle.

Highlights

Private transportation
Bottled water
WiFi on board
Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off

What's included

Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
WiFi on board
Professional drivers with deep knowledge of history (not licensed to accompany you in any site)
Lunch (With Greek Traditional Food option)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel/ airport/ port pickup and drop-off
Not included
Licensed tour guide (upon request and depending on availability)
Gratuities
Ancient Corinth & Archaeological Museum of Corinth (can be purchased on-site)
Epidaurus & Epidaurus Archaeological Museum (can be purchased on-site)

Pickup Locations & Times

This is a private tour. Only your group will participate. The pick-up time is adjustable upon your request. Your personal driver will pick you up and return you to the same place or to the point you prefer. In case of a hotel, he will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby. In case of an apartment, he will be waiting for you at the entrance of the building. For airport pick up, he will be waiting for you at the arrival hall holding a sign with your name on it to spot him upon arrival. We will track your flight and our driver will be there on time. For port pick up, he will be waiting for you at the gate, just as you disembark, holding a sign with your name on it to spot him upon arrival.

Traveller Ratings

4.9
214 reviews
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208
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Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Our drivers are not official tour guides, but they are knowledgeable and can provide fascinating commentary in fluent English. Although they will not enter the archaeological sites with you, they can answer all of your questions about the places you visit with this tour.
  • Third party activities and especially extreme sports are not allowed during the tour. This can be a cause for immediate cancellation of the tour.

Reviews(214)

O
O9945RHtraceys
June 17, 2026
Corinth

Panos, our guide was awesome, very knowledgeable and kind. He was fun to talk to and took time with some very tired travelers. The car was immaculate and he made us feel safe diving in Athens Overall 10/10

2 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. Your kind words truly mean a lot to our team and motivate us to continue providing the best possible service to our guests. It was our pleasure to be part of your trip to Greece, and we hope to welcome you again in the future! Thank you once again for choosing us.

V
V5354NTkaylas
May 19, 2026
Wonderful Experience

We had the most wonderful time! Our tour guide, Notis, was phenomenal. He is well versed in Greek history and culture that elevated our expedition to the next level. He was kind, compassionate, and respectful. I would highly recommend booking this tour!

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. Your kind words truly mean a lot to our team and motivate us to continue providing the best possible service to our guests. It was our pleasure to be part of your trip to Greece, and we hope to welcome you again in the future! Thank you once again for choosing us.

J
jeanpierregV2003VG
May 9, 2026
Nice discovery!

Dimitri made us spend a fabulous day exploring Nafplio , Epidaurus and Corinth In addition to sharing with us passionately his knowledge of the history of this part of Greece , Dimitri was extremely considerate , regularly offering us water , wondering if we had enough time at each stop ... to finally finish well beyond the scheduled time. We highly recommend!

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Our team works hard to provide memorable transfers and tours, and excellent service, so your kind words truly mean a lot. We hope to welcome you again in the future and wish you many more great travels ahead!

R
robertroeder
May 7, 2026
Great day in Corinth

Panos, our guide, was great. Very interesting stops and a beautiful location.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Our team works hard to provide memorable transfers and tours, and excellent service, so your kind words truly mean a lot. We hope to welcome you again in the future and wish you many more great travels ahead!

T
Tye Y
April 25, 2026
Friendly, safe, seeing the historic ruins and cultures.

Great day! Safe driving. Very kind to our crew of 3 couples.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Our team works hard to provide memorable transfers and tours, and excellent service, so your kind words truly mean a lot. We hope to welcome you again in the future and wish you many more great travels ahead!

J
JediBarista
April 20, 2026
An incredible day trip

An Unforgettable Day Exploring Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus, and Nafplio with Michael We recently enjoyed an outstanding private day trip from Athens to the historic sites of Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus, and the charming coastal town of Nafplio with our exceptional guide and driver, Michael. Michael picked us up promptly in a comfortable, air-conditioned van. He drove us all over the Peloponnese, taking us efficiently from one location to the next while sharing fascinating insights into the archaeological sites along the way. Epidaurus was a particular highlight. The ancient Sanctuary of Asclepius felt incredibly atmospheric, with its remarkably well-preserved theater standing out as one of the most impressive ancient structures we’ve seen. We were amazed by the perfect acoustics—whispering from the top rows could be heard clearly on stage. The ruins of the healing sanctuary, with its sacred springs and temples, offered a fascinating glimpse into ancient Greek medicine and spirituality. Wandering the site at our own pace while reflecting on its 2,500-year history was deeply moving. Michael also brought us to a stunning new viewpoint overlooking Nafplio, the harbor, and the Bourtzi fortress—a hidden gem we would have never discovered on our own. The panoramic views were breathtaking. After a full morning of exploring, Michael took us to a wonderful local restaurant for an excellent lunch. The meal was fresh, authentic, and perfectly chosen. Before saying goodbye, Michael capped off the perfect day with an excellent gelato recommendation. The creamy, flavorful scoops from the small shop he suggested were the ideal sweet ending to our adventure. Michael was more than just a driver—he was an outstanding host, storyteller, and local expert all in one. His passion for the region, attention to detail, and genuine care for making our day special made the entire experience truly memorable. We couldn’t recommend him or this day trip highly enough. If you’re considering a visit to the Peloponnese region from Athens, booking with Michael is an absolute must. Rating: 5/5 – Highly recommended!

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Our team works hard to provide memorable transfers and tours, and excellent service, so your kind words truly mean a lot. We hope to welcome you again in the future and wish you many more great travels ahead!

L
lauracM8407VB
April 20, 2026
Amazing time

Had a wonderful time. He was a good driver, kind, polite, and knowledgeable. He did a wonderful job and we enjoyed ourselves very much.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Our team works hard to provide memorable transfers and tours, and excellent service, so your kind words truly mean a lot. We hope to welcome you again in the future and wish you many more great travels ahead!

T
travel2349533
April 16, 2026
Great time, Greece is beautiful.

The tour was great. Mike was very knowledgeable and helpful. We enjoyed ourselves very much.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us. Our team works hard to provide memorable transfers and tours, and excellent service, so your kind words truly mean a lot. We hope to welcome you again in the future and wish you many more great travels ahead!

3
382shanac
February 1, 2026
Wonderful day of exploring

We had an amazing day exploring sites outside of Athens. Spyros was a fantastic, caring host. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the areas we visited and helped us really understand more about the country and history. The tour took 9+ hours, but was broken up really well with some driving and stopping for visiting the canal, Mycenae, Napflio and Epidaurus. Lunch was quite a treat. Sypros was a wonderful driver, taking very good care of us and ensuring we saw so many amazing places. Highly recommend!

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your excellent review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. It was a pleasure having you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.

7
743luisl
January 31, 2026
Fruitful tour

It was a very fruitful trip. We managed to visit 3 iconic places in time to get an idea about each one: Corinth, Nauplia and Epidaurus. Guide Spiros did an excellent job.

1 people found this helpful
Operator response

Thank you very much for your excellent review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us. It was a pleasure having you, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.