Olympia, Mystras and the Nemea vineyards
A longer loop through the interior, combining the ancient Olympic sanctuary, the abandoned Byzantine city of Mystras, and the Agiorgitiko vineyards of Nemea, closing the circle back at Nafplio.
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Months
- March – June, September – November
- Stops
- 4
The route on a map
1 · 2 nights
Nafplio
The opening and closing base, a Venetian port town with two fortresses over the gulf.
2 · 1 night
Mystras
An abandoned Byzantine city above Sparta, with frescoed churches climbing towards a Frankish castle.
3 · 2 nights
Olympia
The sanctuary of Zeus and the original stadium, among pine and plane trees on the Alfeios river.
4 · 2 nights
Nemea
The valley that gives its name to Agiorgitiko, with small family cellars open for tastings.
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival at Nafplio
Sleep · Nafplio
Drive from Athens airport, arriving in the early evening for a walk around the harbour.
Day 2
South to Mystras
Sleep · Mystras
Over the Taygetos foothills via Sparta; climb the abandoned city's stone paths in the late afternoon light.
Day 3
West to Olympia
Sleep · Olympia
A long, scenic drive through the Arcadian mountains, with time for a first walk through the sanctuary.
Day 4
The sanctuary and the museum
Sleep · Olympia
A full morning at the stadium and the Temple of Zeus, then the museum and its Hermes of Praxiteles.
Day 5
North-east to Nemea
Sleep · Nemea
A drive across the Peloponnese, with an afternoon at ancient Nemea and its excavated stadium.
Day 6
The vineyards
Sleep · Nemea
Small cellar visits around Nemea and Koutsi, tasting Agiorgitiko with the winemakers.
Day 7
Back to Nafplio via Epidaurus
Sleep · Nafplio
A return drive via Argos with a stop at the ancient theatre before a final evening in the old town.
Day 8
Departure
Departure
A last coffee on Syntagma Square before the drive to Athens airport; a departure day.