Sparta, Mystras & Limeni Traditional Village Private Day Tour

Once known as the wonder of Morea, the ancient city of Mystras is an impeccably-preserved Byzantine city built into a towering mountain. Explore the city described by the UNESCO World Heritage List as a splendid complex of palaces, then drive to historic Sparta, where you’ll visit an ancient citadel and the statue of King Leonidas. Visit the Olive Oil Museum and learn all about olive oil making and continue with the secret gem of Peloponnese, Limeni. Limeni is a village in Mani, the southern part of Peloponnese and is an area of unique natural beauty, tradition, and history. This place still has its original character. As you get into the small alleys, you get mesmerized by the simplicity and beauty of this little jewel of Peloponnese.

1. 1

   Athens

   1 hour

   We will start from your hotel or other accommodation. We will need about 1 hour to reach Corinth Canal

2. 2

   Corinth Canal

   10 min

   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 and take nice photos.

3. 3

   Archaeological Site of Mystra

   30 min

   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.

4. 4

   Mystras

   30 min

   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.

5. 5

   Acropolis and Ancient Theater

   30 min

   Sparta is 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.

6. 6

   Leonidas Monument

   10 min

   As we continue our tour in Sparta, 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).

7. 7

   Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil

   20 min

   We will visit the museum of olive/olive oil and learn many things about the most famous products of Greece.

8. 8

   Areopoli

   30 min

   The word Areopoli, which means "city of Ares", the ancient Greek god of war, became the official name in 1912. It was the seat of Oitylo municipality. The Greek War of Independence was started at Areopoli on March 17, 1821 by Petros Pierrakos, also known as Petros Mavromichalis, the last bey of Mani. Now Areopoli has grown into a flourishing town. Its tower houses, constructed with field stones, are distinct from the traditional blue and white buildings that characterize many Greek villages.

9. 9

   Limeni

   1 hour

   Limeni is a village in Mani. Mani is in the southern part of Peloponnese and is an area of unique natural beauty, tradition, and history. This place is a secret gem that is not known to many tourists, and it still has its original character. When you arrive at the village, the first things that strike you are turquoise waters and the imposing stone towers built around the coast. As you get into the small alleys, you get mesmerized by the simplicity and beauty of this little jewel of Peloponnese.

10. 10

    Athens

    3 hours

    Our tour concluded at your hotel or other accommodation.

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.