Visit Sparta In A Private Day Tour

Glorious Sparta and its Gigantic achievements 8-h tour

Overview


Glorious Sparta and its Gigantic achievements 8-h tour; With this private tour to Sparta and Mystras, you will have the chance to visit the place that has inspired generations, countries, and so many others through the centuries.

King Leonidas Pyrography By Tania Ziloudi
King Leonidas Pyrography By Tania Ziloudi

The discipline, thrift, courage, strength, honor, war, and strategic supremacy across the centuries are some of the Spartan superior skills that made them immortals for all times. King Menelaus, Leonidas, Agisilaos are only a small sample of all the above.

Itinerary of the full-day tour to Sparta, Mystras, and Corinth Canal

Athens – Corinth Canal– Tripolis – Sparta – Mystras – Athens

Highlights of Glorious Sparta and its Gigantic achievements 8-h tour

  • The birthplace of Leonidas and his 300 Spartans
  • The famous Corinth Canal
  • The importance of Mistras in the Byzantine empire
  • A trip through the picturesque Greek countryside
  • Experienced and skilled English speaking tour driver
  • An 8 hours magnificent tour through modern and ancient history and myths

Description

Description of the full-day tour to Sparta, Mystras, and Corinth Canal

corinth canal
Corinth Canal

The private tour to Sparta, Mystras, and Corinth Canal starts after breakfast from your hotel in Athens.

After a short drive through the center of Athens, your personal tour driver will take the scenic coastal road of the Saronic Gulf, towards the Peloponnese peninsula.

After approx 50 minutes drive, you will reach the famous Corinth Canal, which connects the Ionian sea (West Greece) with the Aegean sea (East Greece).

Stop for spectacular pictures from the canal bridge, and continue towards Sparta and Mystras.

Sparta…

a city-state founded by the Dorian’s in 11C BC well known for its citizen soldiers, strict military training, and powerful army with excellent skills. The most famous battle of the many in their history is the battle of Thermopylae. In 480 BC, a huge Persian army was trying to invade Greece. Barring the way at the mountain pass of Thermopylae where 300 Spartan soldiers led by King Leonidas, along with a few hundred Arcadians and Thespians.

The Acropolis of Sparta
The Acropolis of Sparta

The Spartans were asked by the Persians to lay down their weapons. The answer was as simple as brave. “Come and get them”. No matter how big the enemy was, no matter how strong it was. No retried, no surrender. That was the spartan low. Finlay this fight lasted three days and made the 300 Spartans immortal for all times.

Do not miss to visit:

  • The Archaeological Museum of Sparta with its amazing artifacts and statues,- contains; Roman sculptures, small objects from sanctuaries at Sparta, mosaics, Laconian reliefs, inscribed Stella from the temple of Artemis Orthia, prehistoric collections.
  • The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil witch is nicely set and it is very informative of the history of olive cultivation and the produce of olive oil since ancient times. Here you will find out about the many varieties of olives and all the relevant details, and see many works of art figures from over fifteen thousand years old fossilized leaves coming from Santorini.
Menelaion.The sanctuary and cult of Menelaus and Helen in Therapne, Sparta
Menelaion.The sanctuary and cult of Menelaus and Helen in Therapne, Sparta
  • The Acropolis of Sparta is situated on a hillside just outside the town center and consists of the ancient Roman Agora, Temple of Athena Chalkionos, the Theatre, the church of the Christ Savoir, the cyclical building, and the remains of many other elements. Visiting the remains of the Acropolis, you may still see traces of the Spartan glory.
  • The ancient theater of Sparta is an atmospheric site. Two walls were composed of limestone while the center and the stage were white marble. In the Byzantine era, much of the marble that formed the seats were removed to use for the building of Mistras. What is left today, is only the orchestra, the stage, and a few other excavations have been off it excavated.  Although there aren’t a lot of ruins left in place due to all past wars, it has a great atmosphere and you can imagine the theater built into the side of the hill. You get a real sense of space.
  • Temple of Artemis Orthia…

    ….at the entrance of the city. This is the place Spartan boys became men. maybe the ruins themselves are not anything fabulous but if you want to see authentic stuff, this is worth visiting. Visiting the temple of Artemis will tell you more than a thousand words.

The ancient theater of Sparta
The ancient theater of Sparta
  • The Menelaion is one of the world’s most astounding places, and you will be in a beautiful setting with the most glorious views. You look over the ancient Evrotas valley and Sparta and see the majestic peaks of the Taygetos mountains. There are two impressive monuments at this place, a bronze age palace, and a classical/Hellenistic shrine. Both are well preserved (not reachable today due to the extremely bad condition of the road).

The Tomb of Leonidas.

  • An emblem and an important monument of modern Sparta is the tomb of Leonidas. Also known as Leonidion. It is located north of Sparta’s modern city. Excavations of the previous century have brought in to light an impressive building measuring 12.5X8.30m. The building dates back to the 5th century BC and has been built of large porous stones. It was rebuilt in 1892 by Balthath, who had originally considered it a small temple. Although its use has not been ascertained to date, it has been identified in the popular consciousness with the Leonidas cenotaph. The Spartan general and travel writer Pausanias says that the bones of the legendary king Leonidas were transported and buried in Sparta from Thermopylae after the battle against the Persians.
  • Mystras only 7km from Sparta, Mystras was the capital of the Despotate of Morea and the second city of the Byzantine Empire for a long period of its history. A unique site for anyone into history and the relation art/history/religion/culture. The place is mystic with Byzantine ruins and you can walk inside the ancient castle. Explore the Byzantine Churches are still standing in good shape with magnificently preserved frescoes. The monastery is inhabited and the whole stroll is pleasant all the way to the top because you can really imagine the city.

Mystras in Sparta
Mystras in Sparta

At the end of visiting the sites, your private driver will drive you back to Athens arriving late in the afternoon.

Note

Spartans were not famous for their luxurious life but for their thrift. Sparta was not famous for the fancy buildings and gold but for the superior skills, respect, and honor. There are people grumble ‘There’s not much to see in Sparta’, well, not if you’re only seeking Leonidas the hero of Thermopylae. With all the above and the Menelaion that has Mycenaen connections, and there’s more to it than the sanctuary of Menelaos and Helen (Helen of Troy). For example, excavations are uncovering a substantial Mycenae settlement.

Details


Tour Type

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

Read our 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.


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Tour Details

Any bag or item with a single side longer than 50 inches (120 cm), including wheels, handles and packaging is an oversized item.

 

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