The Greatness of Delphi & Ossios Lucas Monastery 2-days Tour

The Greatness of Delphi & Ossios Lucas Monastery 2-days Tour; Visit two important sites of the Ancient and Byzantine era in Greece with the 2 days private tour to Delphi and Ossios Lukas Monastery. Delphi used to be a very important site for ancient Greeks, representing the worship and cult of God Apollo, while the Byzantine Monastery of St Luke (St Loukas) represents the birth of the Christian religion in Greece.

Itinerary of the two days private tour to Delphi and Ossios Loukas Monastery

Athens, Levadia, Ossios Lucas Arachova, Delphi, Galaxidi, Athens

View the tour route in Google maps

Highlights of The Greatness of Delphi and Ossios Lucas Monastery 2-days Tour

• The Sanctuary of God Apollo in Delphi
• The Monastery of St Luke and its unique architecture
• The impressive and welcoming countryside of the Boeotia Plain
• An experienced, professional, English speaking driver

Description of the 2 days private tour to Delphi and St Luke Monastery

Day 1: Athens, Levadia, Ossios Lucas Arachova, Delphi

Taking a scenic route towards the Boeotia plain, the tour will bring you to some well-known towns and villages located just a couple of hours away from Athens.

Within two hours and a half, you will reach the Monastery of St. Luke (Ossios Loukas), which is one of the most representative monuments of the artistic greatness of the Byzantine Empire developed in the period of prosperity under the Macedonian dynasty, between 867 and 1059.

The monastery is dedicated to St. Loukas the Steiriotis. His family was uprooted from Aegina after the raid of Saracens and Saint Luke was born in ‘castorion’, the current Delphi.

You will reach the town of Arachova soon after, and you will get to know one of the most impressive, but also picturesque mountainous towns in Greece, which becomes the absolute tourist hub in winter, as it is located at the feet of Mt Parnassus.

8km away from Arachova stands Delphi, the sanctuary of God Apollo. In Delphi, you will have the chance to visit a place of unique beauty and historical value. People from all over the known world used to come to Delphi to consult the Oracle, who would give them ambiguous messages all the time to ensure validity under all circumstances. Overnight in Delphi.

Day 2: Delphi, Galaxidi, Athens

The second day of the tour finds you in Delphi, overlooking Itea Bay. The tour will take you to the nearby coastal town of Galaxidi, a truly lovely little town at Itea Bay, known for its neoclassic architecture. It is a great place to enjoy your breakfast or coffee, before heading back to Delphi to visit the museum and the archaeological site.

You will visit the Athenian treasury, the theatre of Delphi and the museum of Delphi, where you can see the Naxian Sphinx, a series of findings from the Sanctuary and Temple of Apollo and of course the highlight of the museum, the Bronze Charioteer called Eniochos, which stands by itself in one of the largest rooms of the museum. You will also visit Athena Pronaia, the Temple, and the Spring of Castalia.

You can have lunch either at Delphi or Arachova, where you can taste the famous local flavors of the Parnassian villages, before setting off for Athens via the same route back. You will reach Athens late in the afternoon.

Important notes

Tour Type

• Shore Excursion - Private tour
• Activity level: Moderate

Included in the tour

• Car and Driver
• A professional English-speaking driver or escort with good knowledge of the history and culture of Greece, to guide you till you enter archaeological sites and museums. Tour drivers are not licensed to companion you inside the archaeological sites and museums. If you'd like to have a licensed state tour guide to escort you inside the sites and museums, we can arrange it for you at an additional cost. Licensed by the state tour guides are freelance and it is subject to availability on bookings day!
• Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz vehicle or similar appropriate for the size of your group
• Accommodation is based according to availability (for multiple-day tours only)
• Pick-up from and return to your hotel
• Pick-up from the Port of Piraeus
• Private tour, Road tolls and local taxes
• Our terminal: Leof. Andrea Siggrou 37, 117 43 Athina, Greece.

Excluded from the tour

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and museum
• Wine tasting fee (wine tours)
• Olive oil tasting fee (olive oil tasting tours)
• Gratuities (optional)
• 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 difference between a STATE LICENSED TOUR GUIDE and a TOUR DRIVER GUIDE in Greece!

Additional info

• Dress: religious and marmoreal sites: shoulders and knee must be covered
• Terms & Conditions and Frequent Questions
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
• A voucher will be emailed to you with our contact numbers and all necessary information for your tour.
• This is your ticket and proof of purchase. On the day of the tour please present a paper voucher in order to redeem your tour/activity.

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.

Restrictions:

• Please note that on this tour, your tour driver is not licensed to accompany you on your climb. If you want this service you may book a licensed by-state tour guide for an extra cost.
• In case a group is followed by a licensed tour guide or an English speaking tour-escort the professional driver is not obliged to speak English!

Opening hours & Admission fees

• Opening Hours:Summer April 1st to October 31st from 08:00 AM to 07:30 PM
• Winter: November 1st to March 31st from 08:30 AM to 03:00 PM
• Free admission fees: Children under 18 & Students from E.U.
• Reduced admission fees: Citizens of the E.U. aged over 65 & Students from countries outside the E.U.

Free admission days

• March 6: In memory of deceased Minister of Tourism & visionary Melina Mercouri
• June 5: Environment international day
• April 18 : International monuments day
• May 18: International museums day
• September 27: International tourism day
• The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
• National Holidays
• Sundays in the period between 1 November and 31 March
• The first Sunday of every month, except for July, August, and September
• NOTE: If the first Sunday is a holiday then the second is the free admission day

Holidays in Greece

• January 1: closed
• January 6: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• Shrove Monday: 08:30AM - 03:00 PM
• March 25: closed
• Good Friday: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
• Holy Saturday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• Easter Sunday: closed
• Easter Monday: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• May 1: closed
• Holy Spirit Day: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• 15 August 15: 08:30 AM - 03:00 PM
• October 28: 08:30 AM- 03:00 PM
• December 25 & 26: closed