8-h Connoisseur’s Wine Tour: Nemea, Nafplion, and Corinth Canal
This 8-Hour Wine Tour in Greece is a private excursion that offers you the opportunity to embark on a delightful wine-tasting journey through the stunning Corinth Canal, Nemea and Nafplion, guided by an expert from Athens Tours Greece.
Itinerary of the Full-Day Wine Tour to Corinth, Nemea, and Nafplion
- Corinth Canal – The Corinth Canal connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea.
- Ancient Nemea – Nemea was the site of the Nemean Games, one of the four Panhellenic Games of Ancient Greece.
- Wine tasting in Nemea – Nemea is known for its production of the famous Agiorgitiko red wine variety.
- Nafplion – Nafplion was the first capital of the modern Greek state and is known for its picturesque streets and imposing Palamidi Fortress.
**You may also choose one of the following alternative itineraries:
- Corinth Canal, Ancient Corinth, Wine Tasting in Nemea
- Corinth Canal, Ancient Nemea, Wine Tasting in Nemea
- Corinth Canal, Visit Wineries, Wine Tasting in Nemea
- Witness the engineering marvel of the Corinth Canal
- Uncork the secrets of Nemean wines at renowned wineries
- Explore the historical significance of Nemea, site of the ancient Nemean Games
- Immerse yourself in the picturesque charm of Nafplion
- Indulge in a delightful local lunch featuring traditional Greek flavors
Key Information on the Wineries at Nemea
- Location: The vineyards are cultivated at an altitude of 250-800m to the SE of Corinth.
- Climate: Mild winters with abundant rainfall and quite hot summers
- Grape variety: Agiorgitiko
- Wines: Red, Dry, Rosé, Aged Red
Witness the Corinth Canal’s Majesty
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive along the coast, culminating at the awe-inspiring Corinth Canal. This engineering marvel, a dramatic 6.3-kilometer (4-mile) waterway carved through the Isthmus of Corinth, separates the Peloponnese from mainland Greece.
Completed in 1893, the Corinth Canal shortened travel time between the Ionian and Aegean Seas by hundreds of kilometers. Take a moment to soak in the breathtaking views and capture stunning photos.
Exploring Nemea’s Treasures
After a short stop, the tour will take you to Nemea, where some awarded Greek wines are produced. In Nemea, you will visit the archaeological site of Ancient Nemea and the Stadium of Nemea. Nemea was very much known in ancient times because of the Panhellenic Games organized in the Temple of Zeus, featuring contests in music, drama, horse riding, and gymnastics.
The Games of Nemea
Ancient Greeks celebrated athletic religious holidays, organized like the Delphic Games, Isthmia and Olympic Games. Nemea Games held both athletic and equestrian events. Subsequently, musical games were added. The events were Stadium (178 meters), Diavlos (355 meters), Hippios (710 meters), Horsegram (3,600 meters), Hoplite road (3,600 meters), Pankration, boxing, wrestling, and pentathlon.
Nemea Wines
Today, Nemea is also known as one of the most important wine-producing regions in Greece. The production of red wine from Nemea is truly famous. Therefore, the private wine tour will take you not only to the archaeological site of the region that is nice to see but also to the winery that will truly amaze you.
Nemea lies at an altitude of 200 to 800m ASL, and the most predominant variety cultivated here is the red Agiorgitiko. It is one of the most tasteful varieties and provides the opportunity to create a wide range of wines: some of the most known ones are the V.Q.P.R.D. Nemea wines, along with a rosé, and some full-flavored aged red wines.
Some of the other known varieties produced in the Nemea Wineries are Plagion, Argos, Pterotou, Peloponnesian, Corinthian, Plagion of Mountainous Corinthia, Klimenti, and Iliou. These are red wines which are mostly known due to their strong aroma and fruity flavor.
Captivating Nafplion: A Picturesque Gem
After the visit to the winery and the wine tasting, we will be driving towards Nafplion, the picturesque town in Argolis that was the first capital city of Greece. Here you will have the chance to have free time for lunch or to visit the Palamidi Fortress.
Nafplion is a wonderful small town, known for its narrow cobblestone streets with the numerous little shops that provide you with either local food and wine products or with amazing handmade objects and arts crafts. Nafplion is also known due to its Fortress, the imposing Palamidi, which stands above the city. You can reach the fortress by car, or if you are up to some adventure, you can climb the 999 stairs that lead to it! And when you are up there, you can admire the breathtaking views of the entire bay and the city of Nafplion and Argos.
The full-day tour will be completed with a return to Athens in the evening.
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.
