Private Day Trip to Corinth, Epidaurus and Nafplio from Athens5.0(109 Reviews)8 hours and 30 minutes
From€42.70per person
Listing ID : 31323
5.0(109 Reviews)
Private Day Trip to Corinth, Epidaurus and Nafplio from Athens
8h 30mDuration
Max 12 peopleGroup Size
EnglishSpeaking Guide
Mobile ticketAccepted
About this experience
Duration8 hours 30 minutes
Group SizePrivate
Starts AtAthens, Greece
LanguagesEnglish
Full-Day Private Tour from Athens
Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus & Nafplio: Peloponnese Private Day Tour
Cross the Corinth Canal and journey through antiquity's most storied peninsula in a single unforgettable day.
This private Peloponnese day tour from Athens brings together three of southern Greece's most significant destinations — Ancient Corinth, the Theatre of Epidaurus, and the Venetian harbor town of Nafplio — on a carefully routed full-day itinerary rated Easy for all fitness levels.
Leaving Athens, you cross the Corinth Canal, a remarkable 6.4-kilometre waterway carved through solid limestone that effectively separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland. From the bridge above, the sheer walls of the isthmus drop dramatically to the narrow channel below, making for one of the most striking vistas in Greece.
At Ancient Corinth, once among the wealthiest city-states in the classical world with a population of 90,000 in 400 BC, you walk through an archaeological landscape shaped by Greeks, Romans, and early Christians alike. The site's preserved Temple of Apollo, the Lechaion Road, and the onsite Archaeological Museum each reveal a different chapter of this layered city's long history.
The day continues to Epidaurus and its legendary 4th-century BC theatre, celebrated for acoustic precision that remains unmatched in the ancient world, before concluding in Nafplio, the elegant seaport that served as Greece's first modern capital and still retains its Venetian architecture, cobblestone lanes, and hillside fortresses.
Tour Highlights
View the Corinth Canal from the bridge above and observe vessels navigating the narrow 21.4-metre-wide channel cut through the Isthmus of Corinth.
Explore Ancient Corinth, including the 550 BC Temple of Apollo, the Agora, the Fountain of Peirene, and the Lechaion Road within a single UNESCO-recognized archaeological zone.
Experience the near-perfect acoustics of the Theatre of Epidaurus, a Hellenistic monument capable of seating up to 14,000 and still used for performances today.
Visit the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus, which rivalled Olympia and Delphi as a major religious and healing centre in antiquity.
Photograph the Venetian water castle of Bourtzi, set on an islet in the middle of Nafplio harbour, and admire the hilltop fortress of Palamidi rising 216 metres above the town.
Wander the cobblestone squares and Venetian-era streetscapes of Nafplio, Greece's first modern capital and one of the most architecturally preserved towns on the mainland.
Travel as a private group with a dedicated guide, allowing a flexible pace and personalised attention throughout the full day.
Itinerary
1
Corinth Canal Stop
Your journey south from Athens takes you to the Corinth Canal viewpoint, where you look down at the 6.4-kilometre channel connecting the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea. The steep limestone walls and the narrow waterway below create a dramatic first impression of the Peloponnese peninsula.
2
Ancient Corinth Archaeological Site
You enter the ancient city whose commercial and strategic importance made it one of Greece's most powerful city-states in the classical period. Key stops include the Temple of Apollo, the Agora, the Fountain of Peirene, the Lechaion Road, and the Stoa. The site's Archaeological Museum, constructed between 1931 and 1932, houses artefacts from the surrounding excavations.
3
Theatre and Sanctuary of Epidaurus
Built on the west side of Cynortion Mountain near modern Lygourio, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is regarded as the most acoustically refined theatre to survive from antiquity. Nearby, the Temple of Asclepius and its sanctuary complex reflect Epidaurus's status as the ancient world's foremost centre for healing and medicine.
4
Nafplio — Free Time and Exploration
The tour concludes in Nafplio, the seaport at the north end of the Argolic Gulf that served as the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and later the Kingdom of Greece from 1821 to 1834. Free time allows you to photograph Bourtzi castle in the harbour, explore the Acronauplia, and walk the colourful back streets at your own pace.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
Private transportation from Athens and return
Professional licensed guide throughout
Stop at the Corinth Canal viewpoint
Guided visit to Ancient Corinth archaeological site
Guided visit to the Theatre and Sanctuary of Epidaurus
Free exploration time in Nafplio
Not Included
Archaeological site and museum entrance fees
Lunch, coffee, or personal purchases in Nafplio
Gratuities for guide and driver
Personal travel insurance
Important Information
This is a private tour. All information below applies to your group exclusively. Please review accessibility and meeting point details before booking.
Duration
Approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes in total, including driving time between Athens and all three destinations in the Peloponnese.
Meeting Point
Pickup is arranged from your hotel or a central location in Athens. Exact details are confirmed at the time of booking.
What to Bring
Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven ancient stone surfaces. Carry sunscreen, a hat, and a water bottle, especially during summer months.
Cancellation
Cancellation terms are provided at checkout. Private tours typically require advance notice for a full refund; please review the policy before confirming your booking.
Accessibility
The archaeological sites involve walking on uneven ancient stone and gravel paths. The tour is rated Easy but may present challenges for visitors with significant mobility limitations.
Age Range
Suitable for all ages. The private format makes it particularly adaptable for families with children and older travellers who prefer a relaxed, self-paced experience.
Reserve Your Private Peloponnese Tour
Secure your private full-day journey through Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus, and Nafplio. Availability is limited — book in advance to confirm your preferred date.
What is the Corinth Canal and why is it significant?▼
The Corinth Canal is a 6.4-kilometre waterway cut through the Isthmus of Corinth at sea level, connecting the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. Completed in the 19th century, it effectively separates the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland and remains one of the most visually striking engineering landmarks in Greece.
Is the Theatre of Epidaurus still used for live performances?▼
Yes, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus hosts performances during the annual Athens-Epidaurus Festival each summer. Its extraordinary acoustics, which allow sound from the stage to reach all 14,000 seats without amplification, make it a preferred venue for classical drama and music.
What can I visit during free time in Nafplio?▼
Nafplio's compact old town is easily explored on foot. Highlights include views of the Bourtzi water castle in the harbour, the Acronauplia headland, the Venetian fortress of Palamidi on the hill above town, and the cobblestone squares lined with neoclassical and Venetian architecture. The town also has cafes, restaurants, and local shops.
Are entrance fees to the archaeological sites included in the tour?▼
Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museums at Ancient Corinth and Epidaurus are not included in the tour price and are payable locally. Your guide can advise on current admission costs at each site.
How far is the Peloponnese from Athens and how long is the drive?▼
The drive from Athens to the Corinth Canal crossing is approximately 80 kilometres and takes roughly one hour depending on traffic. The full itinerary covering Corinth, Epidaurus, and Nafplio is designed to fit within an 8.5-hour private tour day including all driving and site visits.
What was Nafplio's historical role in modern Greece?▼
Nafplio served as the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and subsequently of the Kingdom of Greece from the beginning of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834, when the capital was transferred to Athens. Before that, the town changed hands between the Frankish lords, the Republic of Venice, and the Ottoman Empire over several centuries.
Peloponnese Day TourAncient CorinthEpidaurus TheatreNafplioPrivate Tour AthensCorinth CanalGreek ArchaeologySanctuary of AsclepiusVenetian NafplioAthens Day TripTemple of Apollo CorinthGreek History Tour
This private full-day tour departs from Athens, Greece, and travels into the Peloponnese peninsula, visiting three distinct destinations across the Corinthia and Argolis regional units. The first stop is the Corinth Canal on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow land bridge connecting mainland Greece to the Peloponnese, located approximately 80 kilometres southwest of Athens. The route continues to Ancient Corinth, a major archaeological site roughly 5 kilometres from the modern city of Corinth. From there, the itinerary moves southeast through the Argolis region to the Sanctuary and Theatre of Epidaurus near the village of Lygourio, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its outstanding cultural and historical significance. The day concludes at Nafplio, a seaport town at the northern end of the Argolic Gulf, approximately 140 kilometres from Athens. Nafplio is the administrative capital of the Argolis regional unit and is well known as Greece's first modern capital city following independence in 1821.
Tour Type: Private Full-Day Archaeological and Cultural Tour | Departure City: Athens, Greece | Destinations: Corinth Canal (Isthmus of Corinth), Ancient Corinth (Corinthia), Epidaurus (Argolis), Nafplio (Argolis) | Region: Peloponnese, Southern Greece | Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Historical Periods Covered: Classical Greece, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Frankish, Venetian, Ottoman, Modern Greek | Key Sites: Temple of Apollo at Corinth, Theatre of Epidaurus, Sanctuary of Asclepius, Bourtzi Castle, Palamidi Fortress, Acronauplia | Suitable For: Families, Adults, History Enthusiasts, First-Time Visitors to Greece
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