Private Tour of Blue Lake, Sanctuary of Hera, Mycenae, Corinth & Isthmus Canal from Athens
Ancient citadels, Bronze Age kingdoms, sacred sanctuaries, and a swim under the Hellenic sun — all in one remarkable day.
This private tour from Athens to Mycenae, Corinth, and the Sanctuary of Hera brings together some of the most historically layered and visually striking destinations in the northeastern Peloponnese, combining archaeology, medieval fortifications, and a refreshing coastal finale at the Blue Lake of Perachora.
The journey opens at the Isthmus Canal, a 19th-century engineering achievement that sliced through solid rock to connect the Aegean and Ionian seas. From there, the day moves through Mycenae, one of the most powerful citadels of the Bronze Age, before descending into ancient and medieval Corinth, where Greek, Roman, and Ottoman layers overlap in a single archaeological landscape.
The afternoon brings a quieter, more intimate discovery: the Sanctuary of Hera at Perachora, where ancient temple ruins meet a sheltered cove known locally as the Blue Lake. The water is clear enough for swimming and, for the more adventurous, cliff-jumping from the surrounding rocks. The Malagavi Lighthouse, built in 1897 and still operational, marks the headland above.
Tour Highlights
Swim at the Blue Lake inside the ancient Sanctuary of Hera, a sheltered cove with clear deep water surrounded by ruins.
Walk through the Lion Gate and explore the Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae, the mythical kingdom of Agamemnon.
Climb Acrocorinth, a monolithic fortified rock with gates, towers, and sweeping views over the Corinthian Gulf.
Visit the Temple of Apollo in Ancient Corinth, one of the earliest Doric temples on the Greek mainland, dating to around 560 BCE.
Stand at the edge of the Isthmus Canal and witness the narrow channel that transformed Mediterranean trade routes in the 19th century.
Discover the Malagavi Lighthouse, a historic stone lighthouse built in 1897 that continues to guide vessels along the Corinthian coastline.
Enjoy a village-style lunch on a terrace overlooking the ancient site of Corinth and browse handmade souvenirs in the local shops.
Itinerary Overview
The day begins at the Corinth Canal, completed in 1893 and carved through nearly 4 kilometres of solid rock to a depth of over 8 metres. Nearby, the Ancient Diolkos — a paved stone trackway used in antiquity to haul boats overland across the isthmus — offers a glimpse of how Greek engineers solved the same problem over two thousand years earlier.
Mycenae was the dominant power of the late Bronze Age, its wealth immortalised in Homer's epics. The visit covers the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, Grave Circles A and B, the Royal Palace, the Treasury of Atreus, and the Tomb of Clytemnestra. The on-site Archaeological Museum houses gold burial masks, jewellery, weapons, and painted frescoes recovered from the citadel and its surrounding tombs.
Acrocorinth rises steeply above the plain, its three circuit walls and inner keep still largely intact. The descent leads into Ancient Corinth, where the Temple of Apollo, the Agora, the Bema from which Saint Paul addressed the Corinthians, and the Lechaion Road are all within walking distance. Lunch is served at a local taverna with a terrace view of the archaeological site.
The final stop is the Heraion of Perachora, a remote sanctuary dedicated to Hera on a rocky peninsula above the Corinthian Gulf. The ruins of the temple and Saint John's small church sit beside the Blue Lake cove, where guests can swim in calm, clear water. The Malagavi Lighthouse stands at the tip of the headland, offering panoramic views back across the gulf toward Corinth.
What Is Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional licensed guide throughout
- All transfers from and back to Athens
- Visit to Mycenae archaeological site
- Visit to Ancient Corinth and Acrocorinth
- Visit to Isthmus Canal and Ancient Diolkos
- Visit to Sanctuary of Hera and Blue Lake
- Swimming stop at the Blue Lake cove
Not Included
- Archaeological site entrance fees
- Lunch and beverages
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities (discretionary)
Important Information
Reserve Your Private Tour
Secure your spot on this private full-day journey through ancient Greece, medieval fortresses, and one of the most scenic swimming spots in the Peloponnese.
Book Now








