Athens: Mystras and Sparta Private Full-Day Tour
Greece is home to countless ruins and archaeological wonders, but traveling beyond Athens to reach them can be difficult on your own. Explore hassle-free on this private day trip and check off two highlights in one outing. Head first to Mystras, a preserved Byzantine city built into a towering mountain. Then, travel to historic Sparta to visit an ancient citadel and the statue of King Leonidas.
Highlights
- ✓Maximize your sightseeing time on this two-in-one tour
- ✓Visit the Corinth Canal and choose to bungee jump (if you wish)
- ✓This private tour helps you beat the crowds and explore your way
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off from Athens for added convenience
What you'll see & do
- ✓We will begin with a drive along the coast. On the way you will view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians). Our first stop the Corinth Canal. Opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You will have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge to admire the canal closer, (if you’re game) on some days bungee jumping is an option.
- ✓After the stop at the canal we will head towards Mystras driving into the southern Peloponnese peninsula through the mountainous landscape of the Greek country side. Reaching Mystras you will automatically understand why this location stands so unique within the Greek sites. Known as the ghost city, fortified on a citadel, Mystras is one of the two locations in Greece that preserves not only medieval churches but also ordinary houses, mansions and palaces of the Byzantine Empire in combination with Frankish elements.
- ✓Walking in the site on the upper point you will reach the citadel and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding areas while walking down hill you will meet the palaces and the Royal courtyards. Although known as the ghost city most of the monasteries are still in use and the monks will gladly show you around their small society. Before you exit you will come across the chapel of St. Demetrios, on its floor survives a plaque depicting a two head eagle (the symbol of Byzantium). It was on this very plaque that Konstantine Palaiologos kneeled before he was crowned the last emperor of the Byzantium.
- ✓Following that we will spend the rest of our time in Sparta known as the eternal rival city of the Athenian Democracy. Sparta revolved around a different Cosmo theory for the ancient Greek standards. Initially known as the birth place of Helen of Troy and the Kingdom of Menelaus (in Mycenaean period), Sparta was organized as a purely military society in the ancient Greek period. It was the city of the two Kings were a few aristocrats ruled and of course the city where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans marched from to face the Persian army Thermopylae in 480 BCE.
- ✓Continuing we will pass in front of the stadium where the statue of King Leonidas stands marking the ending point of Spartathlon race (Athens – Sparta 245,3 km).
- ✓We will visit the museum of (olive and) olive oil and learn many things about the most famouss products of Greece.
- ✓We will drive back to Athens.
What's included
- ✓Private transportation
- ✓Bottled water
- ✓Hotel/ AirBnb/ Port pick up & drop-off
- ✓Professional Drivers with Deep knowledge of history. [Not licensed to accompany you in any site.]
What's not included
- ✓Ancient Sparta, Mystras, Museum of Olive & Olive Oil
- ✓Licensed Tour guide upon request depending on availability [Additional cost - 390 €]
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator.
The duration of the tours is approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
Pick up time adjustable upon your request.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Athens: Mystras and Sparta Private Full-Day Tour
Greece is home to countless ruins and archaeological wonders, but traveling beyond Athens to reach them can be difficult on your own. Explore hassle-free on this private day trip and check off two highlights in one outing. Head first to Mystras, a preserved Byzantine city built into a towering mountain. Then, travel to historic Sparta to visit an ancient citadel and the statue of King Leonidas.
Highlights
- ✓Maximize your sightseeing time on this two-in-one tour
- ✓Visit the Corinth Canal and choose to bungee jump (if you wish)
- ✓This private tour helps you beat the crowds and explore your way
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off from Athens for added convenience
What you'll see & do
- ✓We will begin with a drive along the coast. On the way you will view of some Greek seaside villages and the island of Salamis (where the historical naval battle took place between the Athenians and the Persians). Our first stop the Corinth Canal. Opened in 1892 separating the Peloponnese peninsula from the rest of Greece and connecting the Saronic Gulf to the Corinthian Sea. You will have time to walk across on a pedestrian bridge to admire the canal closer, (if you’re game) on some days bungee jumping is an option.
- ✓After the stop at the canal we will head towards Mystras driving into the southern Peloponnese peninsula through the mountainous landscape of the Greek country side. Reaching Mystras you will automatically understand why this location stands so unique within the Greek sites. Known as the ghost city, fortified on a citadel, Mystras is one of the two locations in Greece that preserves not only medieval churches but also ordinary houses, mansions and palaces of the Byzantine Empire in combination with Frankish elements.
- ✓Walking in the site on the upper point you will reach the citadel and enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding areas while walking down hill you will meet the palaces and the Royal courtyards. Although known as the ghost city most of the monasteries are still in use and the monks will gladly show you around their small society. Before you exit you will come across the chapel of St. Demetrios, on its floor survives a plaque depicting a two head eagle (the symbol of Byzantium). It was on this very plaque that Konstantine Palaiologos kneeled before he was crowned the last emperor of the Byzantium.
- ✓Following that we will spend the rest of our time in Sparta known as the eternal rival city of the Athenian Democracy. Sparta revolved around a different Cosmo theory for the ancient Greek standards. Initially known as the birth place of Helen of Troy and the Kingdom of Menelaus (in Mycenaean period), Sparta was organized as a purely military society in the ancient Greek period. It was the city of the two Kings were a few aristocrats ruled and of course the city where Leonidas and his 300 Spartans marched from to face the Persian army Thermopylae in 480 BCE.
- ✓Continuing we will pass in front of the stadium where the statue of King Leonidas stands marking the ending point of Spartathlon race (Athens – Sparta 245,3 km).
- ✓We will visit the museum of (olive and) olive oil and learn many things about the most famouss products of Greece.
- ✓We will drive back to Athens.
What's included
- ✓Private transportation
- ✓Bottled water
- ✓Hotel/ AirBnb/ Port pick up & drop-off
- ✓Professional Drivers with Deep knowledge of history. [Not licensed to accompany you in any site.]
What's not included
- ✓Ancient Sparta, Mystras, Museum of Olive & Olive Oil
- ✓Licensed Tour guide upon request depending on availability [Additional cost - 390 €]
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside any site or museum. If you require a licensed guide to tour the sites with you, you need to hire one additionally. If you have any questions you can contact us on the phone number provided by Viator.
The duration of the tours is approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
Pick up time adjustable upon your request.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.