Dimitsana, Greece

Greece off the beaten path 14 days tour from Athens. Ancient theaters, beaches, castles and monasteries. Off-season explore less-touristy sights of Peloponnese and Central Greece.

tour starts in: Athens, Greece

tour finishes in: Athens, Greece

tour duration: 14 days (13 nights)

tour countries: Greece

tour destinations: Acrocorinth, Aitoliko, Amfikleia, Ancient Pleuron, Argos, Brauron, Chaeronea, Chalkida, Dimitsana, Eretria, Filosofou, Galaxidi, Heraion of Argos, Kalavryta, Kastria, Livadeia, Loutraki, Marathon, Mesolongi, Midea, Nafpaktos, Nafplio, Oiniadai, Sikyon, Thiva

Day 1. Our tour begins with travel to Brauron to explore its archaeological site and museum, dedicated to the goddess Artemis. We then visit the unique Sanctuary of the Egyptian Gods archaeological site before continuing to Marathon to see its historical museum. After that, we will come to Chalkida for accommodation.

Day 2. After an overnight in Chalkida, we explore the Karababa castle overlooking the Euripus Strait. We then travel to Eretria to see its significant archaeological site (UNESCO Tentative List Site), exploring its ancient theatre and museum. We return to Chalkida for our overnight stay.

Day 3. After staying in Chalkida, we travel to Thiva (Thebes) to explore its insightful museum. We continue to see the medieval old town of Livadeia and visit Chaeronea to see its ancient theatre and the famous Lion historical landmark. After that, we will come to Amfikleia for accommodation.

Day 4. After an overnight in Amfikleia, we travel to the Vagonetto to explore this fascinating old bauxite mine. We then visit the charming coastal town of Galaxidi and see the scenic historical center of Nafpaktos. Accommodation will be in Nafpaktos.

Day 5. After staying in Nafpaktos, we spend the day exploring this old port, visiting the imposing Nafpaktos fortress, a local monastery, and the informative Botsaris Tower museum. We will be accommodated again in Nafpaktos.

Day 6. After a second night in Nafpaktos, we travel to Oeniadae to explore its important archaeological site (UNESCO Tentative List Site) and ancient theatre. We then continue to Messolonghi to see its unique lagoon landscape. Accommodation will be in Messolonghi.

Day 7. After an overnight in Messolonghi, we visit the site of Ancient Pleuron to explore its archaeological remains. Our journey continues to the picturesque island town of Aitoliko for a visit. We return to Messolonghi for accommodation.

Day 8. After staying in Messolonghi, we experience the scenic Diakopto Kalavryta railroad on a memorable journey. We then visit the historic mountain town of Kalavryta. Accommodation will be in Kalavryta.

Day 9. After an overnight in Kalavryta, we travel to Kastria to explore the impressive Cave of the Lakes. We then visit the Zoologikos Kipos Kalavriton zoo. After that, we will come to Dimitsana for accommodation.

Day 10. After staying in Dimitsana, we travel to the remote and historic Filosofou monastery and the older Filosofou Old monastery. We also visit the unique Open Air Water Power Museum. We return to Dimitsana for our overnight stay.

Day 11. After a second night in Dimitsana, we visit the architecturally distinctive Agia Fotini Mantineias church. We then enjoy a visit to Ktima Panagopoulos winery before traveling to Nafplio (UNESCO Tentative List site) to see its beautiful seaside promenade. Accommodation will be in Nafplio.

Day 12. After an overnight in Nafplio, we travel to see the ancient citadel of Midea to explore its archaeological site. We continue to Argos to see its significant archaeological site (UNESCO Tentative List Site) and museum. We return to Nafplio for accommodation.

Day 13. After staying in Nafplio, we visit the Heraion of Argos archaeological site, a major sanctuary dedicated to Hera. We then travel to Sikyon to explore its archaeological site, ancient theatre, and museum. After that, we will come to Loutraki for accommodation.

Day 14. After an overnight in Loutraki, our final journey takes us to the magnificent Acrocorinth fortress, exploring this vast and historic citadel with panoramic views, before our return to Athens.

Greece off the beaten track 16 days tour from Athens. Explore Peloponnese non-touristy areas.

tour starts in: Athens, Greece

tour finishes in: Igoumenitsa, Greece

tour duration: 16 days (15 nights)

tour countries: Greece

tour destinations: Andromonastero, Areopoli, Argos, Asini, Corinth canal, Dimitsana, Elonas, Filosofou, Gytheio, Kalamata, Kalavryta, Kardamyli, Kosmas, Lefkada, Mani, Mega Spileon, Mesolongi, Messene, Midea, Nafpaktos, Nafplio, Nemea, Oiniadai, Plaka, Porto Kagio, Preveza, Prodromou, Tainaro, Vathia, Vonitsa

We welcome you to come with us to explore Greece off the beaten track with our 16-day tour from Athens to Igoumenitsa. With this tour, we will explore non-touristy sites of the famous Peloponnese. Prepare yourself for breathtaking views, ancient Orthodox monasteries in mountains, narrow-gauge mountain railroad, non-touristy archaeological sites, small mountain villages, cute coastal towns, amazing viewpoints, and local roads.

We recommend this tour for travelers that already know the main touristic attractions of Greece, and would like to explore Greece off the beaten track.

The tour will start with visiting the Corinth Canal, a famous attraction. We will also come to see a part of Diolkos, a paved trackway in Ancient Greece before the canal was built, which enabled boats to be moved overland across the Isthmus of Corinth.

After, we will come to Nemea, an ancient site, in Greek myth, it was the home of the Nemean Lion, which was killed by the hero Heracles. In Nemea we will see the important archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Zeus and an ancient Greek stadium. We will come to Nafplio (UNESCO Tentative List site) for a 3-night stay.

In the vicinity of Nafplio, we will visit Midea, a main Mycenaean center, to see its Acropolis with a 450-meter cyclopean wall. Our next attraction is Asini; the Acropolis of Asini is on a 350-meter-long rock, with remains from various periods, including walls built in the 4th century BC. In the evening, we will take a walk in Nafplio around the fortress rock to see a beautiful sunset.

During the next day we will visit another attraction near Nafplio: the archaeological site of Argos (UNESCO Tentative List site) to see a large theater, the Odeon, Roman baths, and other ruins. Later, we will come to the Argos archaeological museum to see a very well-organized exhibition.

On the next day we will take a road to Gytheio, and on the way will visit the small coastal town of Plaka, the mountain monastery of Elonas, and stop for lunch in the mountain town of Kosmas, famous for its specific cuisine. In Gytheio, we will try to see its ancient theater and come to a small peninsula with a lighthouse. The same day we will enter the area of the famous Mani Peninsula and will stay 2 nights in Areopoli.

In Areopoli, we will walk its historical center, see the beautiful small Mavromichalis castle, and adore the local fortified houses. From Areopoli, we will come to the abandoned town of Vathia, known for its iconic tower houses, built and served as homes and fortresses for the local families, offering protection against invaders and rival clans. Houses were built between the 18th and 19th centuries when the Mani Peninsula resisted Turkish rule.

We will also visit the small village of Porto Kagio before taking an easy hike to the archaeological site of Tainaro at the southern tip of Greece's Mani Peninsula. Tainaro is famous for ancient ruins, especially the Sanctuary of Poseidon, a significant religious site linked to the mythical 'Gates of Hades' and the Underworld, featuring Roman mosaics, cave temples, and a famous 1887 lighthouse.

After the second night in Areopoli, we will move toward Kalamata. On the way, we will visit the small coastal towns of Limeni, Neo Itilo and Stoupa, and near the village of Kardamyli, visit Mourtzinos Tower, built in 1807, nowadays a complex with a museum, a tower-house, and a unique forge.

From Kalamata, we will come to see the large archaeological site of Messene (UNESCO Tentative List site). It was a classical city-state of Ancient Messene and today is one of the best archaeological sites in the Peloponnese. Ancient Messene, established in 369 BC, became a significant stronghold for the Messenians during their historical conflicts, particularly against Sparta in the Messenian Wars. The site is notable for its impressive fortifications, which include well-preserved walls and towers.

After the second night in Kalamata, we will take the road to the mountain town of Dimitsana, and on the way, visit the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner. The monastery is known as Prodromou Monastery because Prodromos is the Greek title for Saint John the Baptist, meaning 'The Forerunner', as he announced the coming of Jesus Christ. The monastery is dedicated to him and built into the rock of the Lousios Gorge, often called the 'Great Cave' due to its dramatic setting, reflecting its deep connection to this important saint.

We will also see the Open-Air Water Power Museum that highlights water power in traditional society, focusing on pre-industrial techniques and linking them to local history. From Dimitsana we also will come to see Filosofou Monastery, the oldest in Arcadia. The monastery has two complexes: the old one, built in 963 AD, is in a natural cavity, and the new one has a large basilica.

After two nights in Dimitsana, we will continue toward the mountain town of Kalavryta. On the way we will come to see a cute local Zoologikos Kipos zoo, and the ancient Kastria Cave (also called the Cave of the Lakes), which features 13 subterranean lakes and rock formations.

The next day we will spend visiting the Mega Spileon monastery, carved into a sheer cliff face. The Mega Spileon monastery is the oldest solitary in Greece, built in 362 AD, with a fortress-like structure, a 17th-century church, and a museum with relics. The rest of the day we will explore Kalavryta.

The main attraction of the next day is the Odontotos Rack Railway, a mountainous 22-kilometer railway passing through the Vouraikos Gorge, built 120 years ago from the coastal town of Diakopto to Kalavryta. This railway is one of the narrowest railways in the world, with a width of only 75 cm, in order to enable the use of smaller and more flexible wagons.

After an overnight in the coastal town of Nafpaktos, we will visit the calm town of Messolonghi with its beautiful lagoon, and later will come to the archaeological site of Oeniadae (UNESCO Tentative List site) to see its ancient theater and shipyard.

We will stay 2 nights in the coastal town of Vonitsa, where we will explore its Byzantine castle adjusted by the Venetians. In the evening you can enjoy a promenade with a pedestrian pass over the sea to a small islet.

During the last day of our tour, we will come to the coastal town of Lefkada to see Faneromeni Monastery and the Lefkada Archaeological Museum. On the way to Igoumenitsa, we will stop in the coastal town of Preveza to walk its historical center.

By request, we can finish this tour in Ioannina instead of Igoumenitsa.