Thrilling Delphi & Miraculous Lucas Monastery 9-h tour
Thrilling Delphi & Miraculous Lucas Monastery 9-h tour; The full-day (9 hours) private tour to Delphi and St Lucas Monastery or Heronia combines a visit to the unique archaeological site of Delphi, with one of the most important monasteries in Greece, the St (Ossios) Lucas Byzantine Monastery in Central Greece, or Heronia the famous lion statue.
Itinerary of the full-day private tour to Delphi and St Lucas Monastery
Athens – Levadia – Arachova – Delphi – Osios Lucas monastery or the impressive Cheronia Lion
View the route of the tour from Athens to Delphi and St Lucas monastery on Google maps
- The archaeological site of Delphi and the Oracle of God Apollo
- A short stop at Arachova, the picturesque winter tourist destination
- The Byzantine monastery of Ossios Lucas (Blessed Lucas)
- Visit the impressive and famous Cheronia Lion (option 2)
- A drive in the countryside of Central Greece
- Lunch at a traditional tavern overlooking the bay of Itea
Explore the Monastery of Osseus Lucas
You will pass by Levadia and soon afterward you will arrive at the Monastery of Hosios Lucas, which is perhaps the most important monument of the Middle Byzantine period in Greece. Also, It’s called Hagia Sophia of central Greece! The monastery is considered the most important Byzantine monument of 11th century in Greece. The 1.000-year-old monastery, a UNESCO-protected monument, welcomes daily visitors who bow to its unparalleled aesthetics and undoubted architectural value.
The monastery of Hosios Loukas, located on the western slope of Mount Elikon, under the acropolis of Ancient Stirio, is known as Hagia Sophia of Roumeli and was built in the 11th century AD according to the Byzantine architecture of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. It was a center of literature and arts and served as a secret school during the Turkish occupation. It is perhaps the only place in Greece where you feel you are back in time, directly in the Byzantine era. The temple of St. Luke is a place that every Christian should visit at least once in his life.
The City of Arachova
Our exclusive private tour will depart from Athens early in the morning. Our experienced driver will collect you from your hotel or cruise ship and whisk you away to soak up the breathtaking scenery. Admire the diversity of central Greece as we pass by the famous and influential city of Levadia, as well as the once mighty city-state of Thebes.
In less than two hours, we arrive at the quaint yet enchanting village of Arachova, nestled at the foot of Mount Parnassus. This charming destination is a must for tourists, especially in winter for avid skiers and lovers of handmade carpets and kilims. Arachova is known for its picturesque architecture and traditional stone houses.
Not only does it boast a delicious selection of traditional dishes, but this destination also offers a wide variety of cheeses that are unique to the region of Greece.
Delphi: The Navel of the Earth
After a short visit at the Monastery of St Lucas, the tour will continue towards Delphi, the outstanding archaeological site of Delphi, which used to be the center of attention of the entire known world in antiquity.
The famous Oracle of God Apollo impresses the visitors even today; during our full-day private tour, you will have the chance to visit the actual site of the Oracle and the Museum of Delphi that houses the bronze Charioteer and the Sphinx of Naxos and a number of significant and well-preserved monuments. After the visit to the archaeological site, you will enjoy lunch in the little village of Delphi, enjoying a magnificent panoramic view of Itea bay. After lunch, we will drive through Arachova, which is a picturesque mountainous village, built at the south slopes of Parnassus. It is renowned for its tasteful food and sweets, as well as for the handmade carpets and artifacts.
Explore the Archaeological Museum of Delphi
Discover the treasures of the ancient world in the Museum of Delphi. The museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts found at the site, including the famous Charioteer of Delphi, a life-size bronze statue dating from the 5th century BC.
Among the remarkable relics you will see statues of the Twin Brothers, the Sphynx of Naxos, and the magnificent bronze charioteer named Eniochos. Next, explore the Athenian Treasury and Temple of Apollo for an immersive experience in ancient Greek history and culture. The Temple of Apollo, the most important building in the sanctuary, was where the Oracle delivered her prophecies.
At the end of your visit to the Delphi Museum, your driver will take you back to your hotel in Athens.
The famous statue of the Cheronian Lion (Option 2)
On this tour you have a second option; Instead of visiting the Ossios Lucas monastery, you could visit Chaeronea. Leaving Parnassos mountain line with its famous Delphi and Arachova villages, you will have a short stop at Cheronia to visit the famous statue of the Cheronian Lion.
It was erected at the battlefield in 338 B.C. by the king of Macedonia Phillip the 2nd, father of Alexander the Great, as a memorial for his victory against the Athenians and Thebans. Lion of Chaeronea, the calm giant who stands as a sign in honor of the fallen Thebans of the sacred company who fell in the battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC, a battle that sealed the fate of the Greeks, raised Philip and Macedonia as a hegemonic power. It was assembled from 5 pieces with its head facing the Macedonian mound located at a distance of three kilometers. Over time, its fragile pedestal could not withstand it and collapsed due to earthquakes or landslides causing it to disintegrate into pieces. Lord Byron will find it torn and half-buried, while Odysseus Androutsos will try to restore it in rough ways but in vain. The Sultan wanted to transport it to Constantinople and Ali Pasha to Ioannina to decorate their cities but fortunately, he was saved as his heavyweight made it difficult to transport. In 1902 the monument will be restored and erected on a new pedestal after the first excavations revealed 254 skeletons buried in seven rows. After our visit to the impressive Lion of Chaeronea, 338 BC height 7 meters. Chaeronea, you will be returning to Athens, following the same route back. The tour lasts approx 9 hours.
Resources:
Tour Type
- Shore Excursion – Private tour
- Activity level: Moderate
Included in the tour
- Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
- Your tour will be accompanied by a professional English-speaking driver or escort possessing in-depth knowledge of Greece’s history and culture. They will provide insightful commentary throughout the journey, guiding you until the entrance of archaeological sites and museums. However, please note that drivers are not licensed to accompany you inside these venues.
- If you desire a licensed state tour guide to escort you within the archaeological sites and museums, providing comprehensive insights and explanations, we can gladly arrange one for an additional cost. These licensed guides are freelance professionals, and their availability is subject to your tour date.
- When a licensed tour guide or English-speaking tour escort accompanies a group, the professional driver may not necessarily speak English fluently. Their role is focused on providing safe transportation.
- Pick up and drop off at your hotel in Athens. Extra charge for hotels outside Athens.
- Pick up and drop off at Piraeus Port or Athens Airport.
- Pick up and drop off at our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athens, Greece.
- Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
- Road tolls and all local taxes
Excluded from the tour
- Wine tasting fee (for wine tours)
- Olive oil tasting fee (for olive oil tasting tours)
- Optional Gratuities
- Food and beverage
- Your private chauffeur/guide will discuss a program best suited to your interest and mobile abilities. Option for a professional tour guide with a state license at an extra cost. Read more for the Differences between a Tour Guide and a Tour Driver
Cancellation Policy
Additional info
- Dress Code: When visiting religious sites, shoulders and knees must be covered out of respect for the cultural norms.
- Please review our Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions
- Upon booking, an electronic voucher will be emailed to you containing our contact information, tour details, and all necessary instructions. This voucher serves as your ticket and proof of purchase. Please present a printed or digital copy of the voucher on the day of your tour to redeem your activity.
- City Tax for Hotel Stays: Effective from January 1st, 2018, a City Tax for hotel overnights is applicable and not included in our excursion rates. Clients will need to pay this tax directly at their hotel upon check-out. The amount per room is as follows: 5-star hotel: €4/overnight || 4-star hotel: €3/overnight || 3-star hotel: €1.50/overnight
- Opening Hours and Entrance Fees for Archaeological Sites and Museums in Greece
- Entrance Fees for Children from Non-EU Countries: Starting November 1st, 2019, children aged 6 and above from non-European Union (non-EU) countries will be required to pay the full entrance fee for Museums and Archaeological sites. For children from EU countries, the existing rates remain in effect. However, it is crucial to have their passports readily available to prove their nationality.
Persons with Disabilities
- Due to uneven surfaces, certain sites are not recommended for persons with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair. Such sites are the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, Mycenae, Delphi and Meteora
- In all cases, we recommend comfortable flat-solid walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
